NEAFL R21 Round up – Minor Premiership secured

Image courtesy of NEAFL Media.

 

Southport Sharks vs. Canberra Demons

The Canberra Demons secured an important win over the Southport Sharks on Saturday, but it was unfortunately still not enough for them to be playing finals football.

The Demons came away with a six-point victory, however a win to the Aspley Hornets meant that seventh place is where Canberra will finish this season.

Canberra started strongly, kicking the opening four goals in the first quarter. They would not relinquish their lead for the rest of the game.

A nail-biting last quarter saw both teams trade goals, as Southport closed the margin to within a point. Three late goals to Canberra pushed out the lead, and it proved to be enough.

Aaron Bruce was impressive with three goals, including a crucial last quarter major. He was aided by Andrew Swan who had an impressive game in the midfield and also picked up two goals.

Defenders, Tom Faul and Sam Martyn were also among the standouts for the Demons on the day.

Congratulations are also in order for Jordan Harper who was named in the NEAFL Team of the Year at the NEAFL Awards night in Brisbane on Sunday. The dominant midfielder also polled tenth in Most Valuable Player voting, after what was a great season.

SOUTHPORT – 0.3 4.5 8.8 13.12 (90)

CANBERRA – 4.5 7.8 10.11 14.12 (96)

CANBERRA GOALS: A Bruce (3); A Swan M Hardie (2); L Maples L Meline J Turner M Beaumont I Taylor S Martyn (1)

CANBERRA BEST: S Martyn, A Swan, T Faul, A Smout, L Meline, M Maguire

 

Gold Coast Suns vs. Sydney Swans

A big second-half has helped the Sydney Swans secure the Minor Premiership as they beat the Gold Coast Suns by 67-points.

The first quarter proved to be a tight encounter, with both sides kicking three goals. The Swans held a narrow two-point lead, before they turned on the style from there.

They went on to kick 20 goals in the remaining three quarters of football in a performance that is sure to send a message to the rest of the competition ahead of finals.

James Rose had another outstanding performance, kicking four goals and picking up 32 disposals. He was everywhere around the ground, and was involved in nearly all of the Swans positive movements.

Daniel Robinson and Brandon Jack again continued their impressive numbers this season, picking up 30+ disposals once more.

Aliir Aliir was another standout, as he mixed some great ruckwork with flexibility in attack and defence to finish with three goals, eight marks and 20 disposals.

Shaun Edwards also picked up his biggest bag of goals this season, kicking four off the back of his lightning pace.

The Swans now have the week off before they face the winner of the Gold Coast Suns and the NT Thunder in two weeks’ time.

Congratulations also must go to the four Swans players who were named in the NEAFL Team of the Year. Jeremy Laidler, Brandon Jack, Jordan Dawson and Sam Murray were all rewarded for standout seasons for the side, which finished top of the ladder.

GOLD COAST – 3.1 7.3 12.4 13.5 (83)

SYDNEY – 3.3 10.6 17.9 23.12 (150)

SYDNEY GOALS: S Edwards J Rose (4); A Aliir (3); B Ronke S Fisher H Carr (2); M Talia J Foote O Florent T Pink H Cunningham T Leonardis (1)

SYDNEY BEST: J Rose, B Jack, T Leonardis, A Aliir, D Robinson, S Fisher

 

Redland Bombers vs. Sydney University

Sydney University have confirmed a home final with a big win over the Redland Bombers in Queensland.

The Students came out of the blocks firing with an eight-goal opening quarter and never looked back, winning by 48-points.The win is University’s fifth-in-a-row, which puts them in great form heading into the finals series.

The Student’s made the most of a strong wind in the first half, kicking eight goals to two. Redland would fight back in the second quarter, but it was the Students’ defence in the second half that led the way. They kicked seven goals to two in the second half, producing yet another impressive victory.

University was without a number of their tall forwards, but their smalls certainly stepped up to fill that gap. Allistair Gillespie kicked four goals, while Tom Young kicked three of his own.

In the midfield, Zac O’Brien (28 disposals, one goal, six tackles) was in imposing form again, as was Lewis Stevenson, who saw more of the ball than anyone else on the ground with 32 touches.

However, it was Young who was best on ground, picking up 27 disposals to go with his three goals, as well as seven clearances in some devastating stoppage work.

University now host the Aspley Hornets next weekend at Blacktown International Sportspark, with the winner to meet the Brisbane Lions in the semi-final the week after.

Special mention must go to the three University players who were named in the NEAFL Team of the Year. Ryan Hebron and Darcy Baron-Hay were selected for their outstanding defensive work this year. Ball-magnet Zac O’Brien was named on the bench after a superb season, that also saw him finish third in the Most Valuable Player voting.

Coach Tom Morrison was also selected as NEAFL Coach of the Year, a great reward for his team’s efforts this season.

REDLAND – 2.1 8.1 8.4 10.6 (66)

SYDNEY UNI – 8.4 10.6 14.9 17.12 (114)

SYDNEY UNI GOALS: A Gillespie (4); T Young (3); M Wilson R Hebron M Manteit (2); J Potter M Thompson Z O’Brien J Dimery (1)

SYDNEY UNI BEST: T Young, L Stevenson, Z O’Brien, R Hebron, T Derickx

 

GWS GIANTS vs. Brisbane Lions

The GWS GIANTS were narrowly defeated in their final game of the season, losing to the Brisbane Lions by five-points.

After holding the lead late in the final quarter, the GIANTS were not able to hold on as the Lions got across the line.

Matt Kennedy was outstanding for the GIANTS, picking up 37 disposals, six marks and six tackles to almost lead his side to victory.

A great second quarter display put the GIANTS in the box seat, as they restricted the Lions to just the two points. The 12-point lead they held at the main break would grow to 14-points by the time the third quarter had finished. However the Lions came home strongly, kicking four goals to one to grab the five-point victory.

Lachlan Tiziani and Zac Sproule were impressive for the GIANTS in front of goal, kicking three each while the AFL experience of Tim Taranto, Tendai Mzungu and Will Stterfield shone through as they all picked up 30+ disposals.

The GIANTS season is now over, and despite the disappointing result there are lots of positives to take into 2018. Considering the amount of injuries they faced throughout the season, this result showed what the young GIANTS are capable of in next season and beyond.

Special mention must also go to Dawson Simpson who was named as Ruckman in the NEAFL Team of the Season, a great credit to all the hard work he put in this year.

GWS GIANTS – 3.1 7.5 12.8 13.10 (88)

Brisbane Lions  – 5.3 5.5 10.6 14.9 (93)

GIANTS Goals: L Tiziani Z Sproule (3); K Briggs (2); T Taranto J Gaynor M Flynn W Setterfield J Lucas (1)

GIANTS Best: M Flynn, M Kennedy, W Setterfield, T Taranto, T Mzungu, L Tiziani