Swans book their place in the NEAFL Grand Final

Image courtesy of NEAFL Media.

 

Brisbane Lions vs. Sydney University

BRISBANE LIONS – 6.2 11.10 14.16 16.19 (115)

SYDNEY UNIVERSITY – 0.1 5.1 10.4 12.11 (83)

SYDNEY UNI GOALS – M Manteit J Hiscox (2); M Wilson D Bonney T Derickx J Derickx A Gillespie J Williams Z O’Brien M Thompson (1)

SYDNEY UNI BEST – Z O’Brien, L Stevenson, T Barton T Ayton, J Williams

Sydney University’s NEAFL season is officially over after a going down to the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba. On a tough road trip to Brisbane, the Lions proved too good as the Students fell short by 32 points.

University would be left to rue a slow start, in which the Lions scored six goals to none in the first quarter. The 37-point lead at the first break would remain relatively consistent throughout the match and would be the difference at the end of the clash.

The Students won the second half however, kicking seven goals to the Lions’ five. Both sides suffered from inaccuracy, and if the Students had kicked straighter in the final quarter they will feel like they could have been in with a shot.

Jack Hiscox and Michael Manteit were the only multiple goal kickers for University, picking up two majors each.

Zac O’Brien was again the standout for the Students. The ball-magnet picked up 35 disposals for the afternoon, as well as a goal and six tackles. Louis Stevenson and Jonathan Williams were also among the sides best on the day with 21 disposals each.

The Students were within touching distance of their first NEAFL Grand Final, and will be looking to build on an extremely strong 2017 season. Expect big things from them in 2018 where the likes of O’Brien and Darcy Baron-Hay will want to build on their break-out campaigns.

 

Sydney Swans vs. Gold Coast Suns

SYDNEY SWANS – 6.5 14.9 20.14 21.16 (142)

GOLD COAST – 2.1 2.3 5.6 11.8 (74)

SWANS GOALS – J Rose S Edwards (4); O Florent S Fisher J Dawson H Cunningham (2); S Wicks B Ronke D Robinson T Pink M Talia (1)

SWANS BEST – D Robinson, H Cunningham, H Marsh, S Naismith, J Rose, S Fisher

The Sydney Swans have booked their place in the 2017 NEAFL Grand Final after defeating the Gold Coast Suns by 68 points at Blacktown International Sportspark.

A clinical first-half set the tone for the Swans, as they scored freely and put the result beyond doubt early on.

By half-time, the Swans had opened up a 78-point lead, helped by 11 different goalkickers on the day.

A second-half fight back by the Suns saw them slightly reduce the deficit, but the Swans had well and truly done enough and saw out the match with ease.

James Rose put in another great performance in front of goal, kicking four goals and picking up 23 disposals. Shaun Edwards was also efficient with his scoring opportunities, finishing the game with four majors.

Eleven Swans players finished with 20 or more disposals. They were led by Daniel Robinson (28 disposals), Brandon Jack (25 disposals) and Harry Cunningham (24 disposals) who saw a lot of the ball.

Cunningham and Toby Pink were also impressive with their defensive pressure, both laying six tackles for the match.

Sam Naismith had a solid return from injury in the ruck, as he picked up 16 disposals for the afternoon to go with 40 hit-outs.

The Swans now face the Brisbane Lions in the NEAFL Grand Final next weekend at the SCG in what will be a massive afternoon of footy.

The Swans play at 7.45pm on Saturday, 9 September 2017 with the NEAFL Grand Final placed as the encore. The game will immediately follow the AFL Elimination Final between the Sydney Swans and Essendon.