Norris Lurker
21st September 2003, 10:25 PM
The Sydney AFL began in 1903, and in the first season East Sydney defeated North Shore in the grand final. East Sydney are now merged into Uni NSW, but the two teams played off again in this the centenary grand final.
North Shore had been the standout team all season, dropping only 2 home and away games with a percentage of just under 200; then easily accounting for St George in the major semi. On the other hand, reigning premiers UNSW-ES did it the hard way, having only 2 wins until round 10 but then hit form and only lost one game since; and during the finals easily accounted for Campbelltown in the minor semi and held St George goalless after half-time in the prelim final to earn a shot at back-to-back titles.
Constantino opened the scoring for UNSW-ES, with a free from a tight angle at the 4 minute mark. Cruttenden added another for the Bulldogs after captain Jason McPherson found him unmarked. North Shore were inaccurate early, racking up 5 behinds before Simon Webb recorded the Bombers' first; but at quarter time the Bulldogs were leading 2.5 (17) to 1.6 (12).
North Shore emerged with a lot more run after the first break. Ruckman Ben Shiedow put the Bombers in front after a strong mark in the opening minute of the second term, and Dale added another 2 minutes later. Cameron Templeton got on the board for the Bulldogs, but the Bombers were wasting chances. Marc Bajcic scored from a strong mark not long before half time and the Bombers led by 10 at half-time - 4.11 (35) to 3.7 (25).
Two goals in 2 minutes to Templeton opened the 3rd term and restored the Bulldogs' lead. The Bombers were winning the ball from the centre but were wasteful up forward, and by the 10 minute mark had a scoreline of 4.14. At that point, scores were level. Bajcic and Rose then goaled on the run and for a few moments it looked like the Bombers were away. But ticking into time-on again, Shane McGeorge kicked a shot that looked to be touched on the line but was awarded a goal. Lex Vasdekis and Ben Coughlan then added for the Bulldogs, and at three-quarter time UNSW-ES were back in front, 8.9 (57) to 6.15 (51).
It was tense and tight in the three-quarter-time huddles. I went out and listened to North Shore's Chris Rourke; who pleaded for a final effort. "You've been easily the best side all season, but there's no prizes for being the best side all season. The prize goes to who's the best side today" and lamented that their poor kicking could rob them of that prize unless they lifted their game in the last.
But it was Jason McPherson who opened the goalkicking in the last term, marking and goaling from the pocket to open up a 13-point lead. But by now it was UNSW-ES who were panicking and indisciplined, and a string of free kicks and 50-metre penalties contributed to the Bombers scoring the next 4 goals. By the 17-minute mark, it was North Shore by 12 points and it looked like the nightmare of last season's loss to the Bulldogs would finally be erased.
But it wasn't over yet. Simon Ness gathered the ball in a scrap from a boundary throw-in, and Simon Templeton led and goaled a minute later to level the scores. Close grand finals are one thing, but this was extraordinary; and the tension was unbelievable. Up and down the ball went, with every player on both teams going in hard and devoting every last drop of energy to the cause.
But cometh the hour cometh the man, and at the 26 minute mark came the defining moment. North Shore's Daniel Kulk looked to have the sit for a defensive mark; but Cameron Templeton flew for a major speckie, pulled the ball down, went back and slotted the ball through for a goal that gave the Bulldogs the lead.
There were 2 minutes to go, and the Bombers pressed hard; but the Bulldogs were able to hit the boundary line when it mattered, and the final siren sounded to give the Bulldogs back-to-back titles; 12.10 (82) to 10.16 (76).
For the Bulldogs the siren produced scenes of total jubilation, as a season that looked a write-off at the half-way mark had come good, culminating in this amazing upset. But for the Bombers, they were totally stunned; having dominated the competition all season but fallen at the final hurdle for the 2nd year in a row and the 3rd in the last 4 years.
For the second year in a row, Shane McGeorge won the Podbury Medal for best player in the grand final. His performance in the midfield was exceptional.
Better news for North Shore's reserves, undefeated all season and defeating Pennant Hills in the grand final 12.14 (86) to 6.8 (43). But Pennant Hills reversed that result in the U18s, with a 8.12 (60) to 8.5 (53) win over the Bombers.
And a notable quote to finish, during the medal presentations, from UNSW-ES's runner. "There are long ships, there are tall ships, but what about the bloody friendships." A great quote to celebrate the end of a season from our wonderful game, a game that whether we win or lose brings us all together.
North Shore had been the standout team all season, dropping only 2 home and away games with a percentage of just under 200; then easily accounting for St George in the major semi. On the other hand, reigning premiers UNSW-ES did it the hard way, having only 2 wins until round 10 but then hit form and only lost one game since; and during the finals easily accounted for Campbelltown in the minor semi and held St George goalless after half-time in the prelim final to earn a shot at back-to-back titles.
Constantino opened the scoring for UNSW-ES, with a free from a tight angle at the 4 minute mark. Cruttenden added another for the Bulldogs after captain Jason McPherson found him unmarked. North Shore were inaccurate early, racking up 5 behinds before Simon Webb recorded the Bombers' first; but at quarter time the Bulldogs were leading 2.5 (17) to 1.6 (12).
North Shore emerged with a lot more run after the first break. Ruckman Ben Shiedow put the Bombers in front after a strong mark in the opening minute of the second term, and Dale added another 2 minutes later. Cameron Templeton got on the board for the Bulldogs, but the Bombers were wasting chances. Marc Bajcic scored from a strong mark not long before half time and the Bombers led by 10 at half-time - 4.11 (35) to 3.7 (25).
Two goals in 2 minutes to Templeton opened the 3rd term and restored the Bulldogs' lead. The Bombers were winning the ball from the centre but were wasteful up forward, and by the 10 minute mark had a scoreline of 4.14. At that point, scores were level. Bajcic and Rose then goaled on the run and for a few moments it looked like the Bombers were away. But ticking into time-on again, Shane McGeorge kicked a shot that looked to be touched on the line but was awarded a goal. Lex Vasdekis and Ben Coughlan then added for the Bulldogs, and at three-quarter time UNSW-ES were back in front, 8.9 (57) to 6.15 (51).
It was tense and tight in the three-quarter-time huddles. I went out and listened to North Shore's Chris Rourke; who pleaded for a final effort. "You've been easily the best side all season, but there's no prizes for being the best side all season. The prize goes to who's the best side today" and lamented that their poor kicking could rob them of that prize unless they lifted their game in the last.
But it was Jason McPherson who opened the goalkicking in the last term, marking and goaling from the pocket to open up a 13-point lead. But by now it was UNSW-ES who were panicking and indisciplined, and a string of free kicks and 50-metre penalties contributed to the Bombers scoring the next 4 goals. By the 17-minute mark, it was North Shore by 12 points and it looked like the nightmare of last season's loss to the Bulldogs would finally be erased.
But it wasn't over yet. Simon Ness gathered the ball in a scrap from a boundary throw-in, and Simon Templeton led and goaled a minute later to level the scores. Close grand finals are one thing, but this was extraordinary; and the tension was unbelievable. Up and down the ball went, with every player on both teams going in hard and devoting every last drop of energy to the cause.
But cometh the hour cometh the man, and at the 26 minute mark came the defining moment. North Shore's Daniel Kulk looked to have the sit for a defensive mark; but Cameron Templeton flew for a major speckie, pulled the ball down, went back and slotted the ball through for a goal that gave the Bulldogs the lead.
There were 2 minutes to go, and the Bombers pressed hard; but the Bulldogs were able to hit the boundary line when it mattered, and the final siren sounded to give the Bulldogs back-to-back titles; 12.10 (82) to 10.16 (76).
For the Bulldogs the siren produced scenes of total jubilation, as a season that looked a write-off at the half-way mark had come good, culminating in this amazing upset. But for the Bombers, they were totally stunned; having dominated the competition all season but fallen at the final hurdle for the 2nd year in a row and the 3rd in the last 4 years.
For the second year in a row, Shane McGeorge won the Podbury Medal for best player in the grand final. His performance in the midfield was exceptional.
Better news for North Shore's reserves, undefeated all season and defeating Pennant Hills in the grand final 12.14 (86) to 6.8 (43). But Pennant Hills reversed that result in the U18s, with a 8.12 (60) to 8.5 (53) win over the Bombers.
And a notable quote to finish, during the medal presentations, from UNSW-ES's runner. "There are long ships, there are tall ships, but what about the bloody friendships." A great quote to celebrate the end of a season from our wonderful game, a game that whether we win or lose brings us all together.