AFL Sydney GF: East Coast v Balmain
The AFL Sydney competition will come to an exciting conclusion on Saturday afternoon when Balmain and the East Coast Eagles play off for the Premier Division title at Blacktown International Sportspark at 3.30pm.
The two sides have taken varied routes to reach the biggest day on the AFL Sydney calendar. East Coast were triumphant against Balmain in the Second Semi-Final a fortnight ago which earned them a place in the grand final and a chance to win their third straight flag.
Balmain, which has a number of former Sydney Swans players, has been similarly impressive, despite their loss to East Coast, defeating Sydney University twice including their thrilling three-point victory last weekend.
This Saturday will mark the Dockers’ first Grand Final appearance since 1999. Heading into the season the club had only won 15 games in five years.
Former Sydney Swans 2005 Premiership star and now Dockers coach, Nic Fosdike, has been one of the prominent figures behind the turnaround and credits a youthful approach to the side’s success this season.
“The young guys have been fantastic and they are the ones who are enthusiastic, they are always fit, and never get injured,” he said.
“We did a lot of work in the off-season on recruiting, and we now have a good balance between old and young.”
The youth of the side comes in the form of James Howard, Matt Edwins, Chris Bolt and Alex Mitchell, who along with the experience of Jason Saddington, Rohan Lilly and Troy Luff, have come together to form a consistent side that finished the regular season in second place.
The minor premiers, East Coast Eagles, have been a step ahead of the rest of the competing teams this season.
The side under Glenn Garner also have the statistics on their side with the best performing attack and defence of any of the eleven Premier Division sides this season.
Garner is still focused on the task at hand when asked to sum up their season to date.
“We’ve given ourselves an opportunity but for us to continue to improve we have to get there and win,” he said.
“Our first focus was to get there so on those terms, we’ve ticked the boxes so far.
“I think the experience of winning premierships in the past will hold us in good stead but whether it will give us an advantage on game-day [who knows].”
Garner was also quick to look to the young players behind the Eagles’ continual improvement this season.
“Two scholarship players in Jack Dimery (Geelong) and Michael Johnston (Hawthorn) have run into some really good form at the right end of the year.”
Fosdike was quick to pay credit to East Coast and their dominance to date, and will hope a relaxed approach can help turn the tables against a side they have not beaten in two attempts this season.
“I think it’s important that all players enjoy the occasion so I’ll make them realise that it’s an exciting time and to enjoy being part of a Grand Final,” he said.
“Either way, I hope the guys enjoy the experience and I’m glad they aren’t playing in a team that is getting beaten more often than not, finally they’re in a team that’s had some success.”
The match starts at 3.30pm.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Rd 16 — East Coast Eagles 14.6 (90) def Balmain 5.8 (38)
QF — North Dalton Park East Coast Eagles 11.12 (78) def Balmain 7.18 (60)
Match Times
DIVISION THREE—8.45 am
UNSW/ES vs SYDNEY UNIVERSITY
UNDER 18 PREMIER CUP—11.05 am
EAST COAST EAGLES vs ST IGNATIUS, RIVERVIEW
DIVISION ONE—1.10 pm
MANLY-WARRINGAH vs SOUTHERN POWER
PREMIER DIVISION—3.30 pm
EAST COAST EAGLES vs BALMAIN