NEAFL Eastern Conference: Grand Final
There is a lot on the line for both sides when the Swans Reserves meet the Queanbeyan Tigers in this Sunday’s NEAFL Eastern Conference Grand Final at Manuka Oval in Canberra.
The top two teams from the 2012 season face off for the third time this year with minor premiers Queanbeyan hoping to reverse the results of their previous two meetings.
But with the Sydney Swans’ senior side enjoying a week off before their Preliminary Final next Friday night, the Reserves will be bolstered by the return of fringe senior players Tony Armstrong and Tommy Walsh.
The Reserves come in fresh from a week off after already accounting for the Tigers once this finals series with a big 55 point win two weeks ago.
Queanbeyan had to do it the hard way but bounced back from the dismal performance against the Swans Reserves to defeat Eastlake by 28 points last weekend.
Leading Eastern Conference goal kicker Mitch Morton has not been named in the Grand Final side after a strong performance for the Swans in their Qualifying Final against Adelaide last Saturday.
The Swans Reserves still boast plenty of players who have tasted senior AFL football including Jarred Moore, Matt Spangher, Tony Armstrong, Jesse White, Trent Dennis-Lane and Tommy Walsh but they are limited by NEAFL rules impacting the number of Swans listed players allowed on the ground during the finals’ series.
The Reserves experienced a huge spread of goal kickers in the Qualifying Final two weeks ago with eleven different players scoring goals, including six multiple goal kickers.
Queanbeyan’s defence has been a hallmark of it’s 2012 season, one that has taken them from the bottom of the 2011 ladder to the top of the competition this year, but they will need to be on their game to combat the likes of White, Dennis-Lane and Walsh.
Their strong attacking half back line will be especially important in providing delivery to the Tigers’ forwards, led by James Kavanagh but with the Klemke boys and Jarrod Atkinson both proving capable of kicking bags of goals.
It’s footy on the biggest stage with Queanbeyan hoping to cap off a stellar season with a Premiership win and the Swans Reserves looking for their first Premiership since 2008 but also trying to ensure their fringe players are in good form heading towards the seniors’ flag tilt.
Both teams boast strong front halfs and it will come down to whichever forward line can capitalise to lead their team to the NEAFL Eastern Conference Premiership and a place at the cross-conference Grand Final next weekend.
NEAFL Eastern Conference grand final: Sydney Swans Reserves v Queanbeyan Tigers, at Manuka Oval, 2.15pm Sunday September 16.
The game will be streaming live to www.neafl.com.au on Sunday – Click here to watch.
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