Year in Review: NEAFL East
As the premier second tier competition in the eastern states, the NEAFL are working to create viable talent pathways for talented NSW and ACT players, and giving them the chance to play top quality football around NSW, the ACT ,in Queensland and in the Northern Territory.
2013 has seen the League attract several former AFL players back into the system including Amon Buchanan and Ryan Brabazon who have returned to the football community to offer their experience and continue their careers post-AFL.
The Sydney Swans reserves finished runner-up in the NEAFL cross-conference final, losing the Grand Final to the Brisbane Lions at Graham Road, Aspley. The Swans had a stellar year though, finishing as minor premiers and defeating Belconnen in the Eastern Conference Final to claim their first NEAFL Eastern title.
The Eastern Conference season enjoyed a successful conclusion with the Final played in glorious weather at Belconnen’s home ground, Kippax Oval. The Final, which has previously been played at Manuka Oval, was shifted this season due to the resurfacing at Manuka.
Belconnen was the best performed state league club, and had some outstanding individual performances during the year. James Bennett was a clear cut winner of the competition’s Best and Fairest award, the Mulrooney Medal, and playing-coach Matt Lokan took out the Coach of the Year award. Belconnen also had five players feature in the Team of the Year
Other key awards bestowed at the Mulrooney Medal luncheon included the NAB Rising Star Award to Brent Macleod of Tuggeranong, while Brent Pawley took out the Umpire of the Year. In a tight race for leading goalkicker award, Josh Bennett from Ainslie edged out Matt Lokan by just three goals.
2012 Premiers Queanbeyan qualified to play in the 2013 Foxtel Cup after defeating the NT Thunder, and went on to play VFL side the Werribee Tigers at Etihad Stadium.
The NEAFL Eastern Representative side, coached by Guy Cannon, took on Tasmania at Skoda Stadium and went down by 41 points. Queanbeyan’s Kaine Stevens was named Best on Ground. Stevens was also named Vice Captain of an all- NEAFL Under-23 outfit which took on, and defeated, a SANFL underage side in Adelaide.
2013 also saw Tuggeranong play their final season in the NEAFL, as they will move back to the AFL Canberra competition for 2014.
In 2014, the competition will continue to evolve as the League focuses its vision on being a high quality development league. Next year the competition will become even hotter as the Eastern and Northern Conferences combine, with reduced teams, to form a joint NEAFL competition.
