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Thread: Sydney AFL Semi-Finals 2016

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    Sydney AFL Semi-Finals 2016

    SYDNEY AFL SEMI FINALS 2016
    Article and Premier Division photos by Michael Shillito
    Grand Final photos thanks to www.sydneyafl.com.au

    We�re into September, and the finals action is heating up. A big weekend of finals footy saw East Coast Eagles become the first team to qualify for this year�s Grand Final. St George and North Shore will fight out for the other spot.

    Saturday was fine but windy, but despite some rain during the week Blacktown International Sportspark was in good condition. There�s already been plenty of action with two NEAFL semi-finals played before the evening saw the Second Semi-Final, with East Coast Eagles taking on St George.
    The Eagles had enjoyed a stellar season, despite a shock loss to North Shore in the last round of the home and away season. Finishing minor premiers for the second year in a row had given them last week off.
    St George had also enjoyed a highly successful regular season, dropping only three games to finish second on the ladder. A comfortable Qualifying Final win against UTS had taken them to the Second Semi. And with a place in the Grand Final on the line, it was always going to be a toughly-contested game.
    The first quarter was tight, with easy possessions hard to come by. The stakes were high, and both teams were determined to deny the other any advantage they could. And the flukey, inconsistent wind wasn�t helping, with frustration setting in as both sides were forced into turnovers. But around the ground, although there wasn�t much in it, the Eagles looked to have the edge. With three goals to one, the Eagles led by 12 points at the first change.
    The lights had taken over by the time the second quarter had got under way. It would be a more open quarter of footy, as the two sides tried to build a winning score. The Dragons attempted to get back towards the lead, only for the Eagles to find the answering goals. And when the Eagles attempted to pull away, the Dragons had the replies to keep themselves in the contest. Three goals apiece for the quarter saw the Eagles leading by 13 points at the long break; but the contest was far from over.
    But the third quarter is often known as the premiership quarter, and this is where the title contenders can pull away from their rivals to build a winning lead. That�s what happened this time, as the Eagles emerged from the rooms after the half time break having lifted a gear; and the increased intensity and speed was too much for the Dragons to counter. The scoreboard would tell the tale, as the Eagles added four goals to one to extend the lead to 31 points at the last change. Ruthlessly efficient and getting the job done when it mattered, the Eagles had a scent of a Grand Final in their nostrils and weren�t letting go.
    The game was safely won by the last quarter, and the Eagles already knew they would get next week off to prepare for their assault on the title. But to the Dragons� credit, they weren�t giving up; and St George would win the last quarter. A run of four goals to three restored some momentum to the Dragons, but it wasn�t enough to prevent the Eagles taking the game by 29 points.
    Jamie Vlatko was again outstanding for the Eagles, controlling proceedings on the forward line with an impressive bag of six goals; and along with Eugene Kruger and The Recruit contender Jack Dimery was among the Eagles� best. The shock defeat in last year�s Grand Final still hurts the Eagles, and has motivated them through this season. Now they are just one game away from putting things right. But, as they know all too well, the last game is no certainty and there�s plenty of hard work to be done in two weeks of preparation.
    Nick Shipley, Karl Merson and Jesse Mudge performed impressively for the Dragons. It wasn�t their day, and they were never really able to get their best game going; but as they showed in the last quarter, they are capable of being competitive against the Eagles. St George�s season isn�t over, and they have another chance to qualify for the Grand Final. It�s their fourth Preliminary Final in a row next Sunday; but the Dragons will be hopeful that this time they can finally break through and be a part of AFL Sydney�s showpiece game.

    The Dragons� opponents in the Preliminary Final will be North Shore, after the Bombers took out a 28-point win against UTS in Sunday�s First Semi Final at Henson Park. But despite the final margin, and North Shore leading all day; the game would be up for grabs until the final minutes.
    The Bats had twice beaten the Bombers during the home and away season, and finished third after the regular season before losing the Qualifying Final to St George. North Shore, after finishing fourth, got through to the First Semi by beating Pennant Hills in last week�s Elimination Final.
    The sun was shining and there was no wind to speak of, but what there was slightly favoured North Shore. But it wasn�t the wind, but a ferocious opening burst by the Bombers, that enabled them to put on some scoreboard pressure and ensure the Bats would always be chasing the game. Four unanswered goals was the reward for the Bombers� efforts, as they won every contested ball and applied enough pressure to force the Bats into some atrocious turnovers. With a 25-point lead at the first change, the Bombers were looking good.
    The Bats had to steady to stop the rot, and did that with a reasonable degree of success in the second term. But it would be a long, hard grind to get back into this contest against a North Shore side full of confidence and running. But the Bats did manage to achieve some success, winning the quarter by two goals to one and cutting the deficit to 19 points at the long break.
    But it was still a healthy lead to the Bombers, and they showed every sign of going on with the job in the third quarter. Twice they would penetrate the big sticks, threatening to set up a match-winning lead. But the Bats were able to come up with the answering goals to stay in touch, and another goal on the stroke of three-quarter time cut the margin to 14 points; and suddenly the Bats had a sniff.
    A noisy contingent of Bats fans had grown steadily during the third quarter, and travelled to the Sydenham Road end for the final quarter, the end the Bats were kicking towards. Day was turning into night, and the momentum looked to have shifted as the last quarter got under way. For several minutes the ball was in the Bats� forward line; and two goals got the margin back to within a kick. With the season on the line, suddenly it was tense and tight.
    But cometh the hour, cometh the man; and for North Shore the man was Wayd Blackburne. The game was there to be won, and Blackburne�s four goals in the final term would be the difference. Long bombs, a couple from the 50 metre line, were daggers into the heart of the Bats. The late comeback had been foiled. The Bombers were through to the Preliminary Final and UTS�s season is over.
    Blackburne�s four last quarter goals would be the difference between the two sides, with the Bombers taking the game by 28 points; and he along with Selby Lee-Steere and Luke Robertson were the Bombers� best.
    For UTS, Thomas Perks, Andrew Morley and Tom Larby made key contributions. The Bats will be disappointed to go out of the finals in straight sets; but they have plenty to celebrate this season. Their sixth year since promotion to Premier Division, this was their first time in the finals; and one senses it won�t be their last.

    So just three teams remain. East Coast Eagles are through to the Grand Final, and have two weeks to prepare. And on Sunday, it�s St George and North Shore who will battle for the right to join the Eagles in Sydney footy�s showpiece game.
    The Dragons will go in as favourites, but the Bombers have beaten them once this season. But, having fallen at the last hurdle in the quest to make the Grand Final three years in a row; the Dragons will be determined not to let it happen again. It will be a fascinating clash at Blacktown next Sunday.



    Premier Division:
    Second Semi-Final
    East Coast Eagles 3.1 6.3 10.5 13.9 (87)
    St George 1.1 4.2 5.4 9.4 (58)
    Goals : East Coast �
    Jamie Vlatko 6, D Costello, M Eastman, A McConnell, A Drinkwater, B Anderson, J Dimery, R Bilkey. St George � K Merson 3, J West 2, B Wharton, E Shaw, N Shipley, D Lycakis.
    Best : East Coast � E Kruger, Jamie Vlatko, J Dimery, D Costello, B Bourke, A Savage. St George � N Shipley, K Merson, J Mudge, E Shaw, J West, A Wynn.
    At Blacktown International Sportspark, Saturday 3rd September 2016.

    First Semi-Final
    North Shore 4.3 5.5 7.8 11.14 (80)
    University of Technology 0.2 2.4 5.6 7.10 (52)
    Goals : North Shore �
    W Blackburne 4, D Roberts 3, S Carruthers, N Campbell, S Lee-Steere, S Barkley. UTS � D Smith 2, D Breese 2, P Brennan, J Caica, B Nethersole.
    Best : North Shore � S Lee-Steere, W Blackburne, L Robertson, D Schacher, J Loneragan, W Bradley. UTS � T Perks, A Morley, T Larby, B Moyle, D Breese, J Caica.
    At Henson Park, Sunday 4th September 2016.


    Division One:
    Second Semi-Final
    UTS 0.1 3.3 7.6 11.11 (77)
    St George 5.0 6.3 6.6 7.6 (48)
    Goals : UTS �
    M May 3, T Richards 3, H Callahan, H Winter, E Williams, W McCullough, B Jones. St George � S Demir 2, M Holmes 2, R Waters, M Edwards, B Hodgson.
    Best : UTS � M May, J Willoughby, T Nixon, W Bland, H Winter, O Brecht. St George � C Andrews, S Wilsen, R Craig, M Holmes, S Nabaki, C Windle.
    At Blacktown International Sportspark, Saturday 3rd September 2016.

    First Semi-Final
    Western Magic 2.3 9.7 10.8 10.13 (73)
    Macquarie Uni 1.2 1.3 2.7 6.13 (49)
    Goals : Magic �
    E Barclay 5, A Moeller 3, J Schwarze, W Stoitse. Macquarie Uni � J Brackin 3, B Kucharski 2, T Cameron.
    Best : Magic � B Bertram, B Akmens, J Mann, K Weir, J Schwarze, E Barclay. Macquarie Uni � M Hansen, D Martin, T Cordner, A Rodgers, B Kucharski, A Morris.
    At Henson Park, Sunday 4th September 2016.

    Division Two:
    Preliminary Final
    North Shore 2.2 5.8 6.8 7.11 (53)
    Penrith 1.3 4.7 4.8 5.11 (41)

    Goals : North Shore � B Cunningham 2, A Reddie 2, T Smith, L McColl, B Sykes. Penrith � P Aumann, M Payne, T McNamara, M Beasley, B McGowan.
    Best : North Shore � L Slater, A Roy, B Sykes, N Garrick, L McColl, S Jackson. Penrith � B McGovern, M Payne, T McNamara, J Pianta, J Rodman, J Stevens.
    At Blacktown International Sportspark, Sunday 4th September 2016.


    Division Three:
    Preliminary Final
    Wollondilly 1.2 7.4 10.4 14.8 (92)
    NorWest 1.2 2.5 3.8 3.9 (27)
    Goals : Wollondilly �
    M Jensen 2, C Wolfe 2, D Wolfe 2, J Haddock 2, D Beech, R Hamilton, C Fitzsimmons, D Hockey, A Stamoulos, J Hamilton. NorWest � S Deslandes, M Sieders, J Coull.
    Best : Wollondilly � J Watkins, D Wolfe, D Beech, J Hamilton, R Andrews, I Andrews. NorWest � A Bayne, R Johnston, E Coombs, B Heggie, J McCumiskey, L Veigel.
    At Henson Park, Sunday 4th September 2016.


    Under 19s One:
    Second Semi-Final
    North Shore 2.2 3.3 6.5 12.10 (82)
    UNSW-ES 5.5 5.8 6.11 8.11 (59)
    Goals : North Shore �
    M Thomas 4, A Rankin 3, C Sennitt 2, C Howard, A Morgan, R Barkley. UNSW-ES � N Blakey 4, J Cann, J Reinhard, C Smith, J Bartholomaeus.
    Best : North Shore � A Rankin, M Thomas, B Caddey, N Hurrell, M Wright, N Wright. UNSW-ES � N Blakey, J Reinhard, L Hoy, J Buckley, J Cann, J Dever.
    At Blacktown International Sportspark, Saturday 3rd September 2016.

    First Semi-Final
    Pennant Hills 1.3 3.5 5.7 9.8 (62)
    St George 1.2 2.6 2.7 4.11 (35)
    Goals : Pennant Hills �
    K Briggs 2, M Preen 2, M Carroll 2, P De la Mare, J Stern, W Johnson. St George � Z Newton, D Michalak, T Tegg, P Tegg.
    Best : Pennant Hills � M Carroll, J Carroll, J Vidot-Coleman, J Stern, N Eynaud, K Briggs. St George � M Gray, T Gorman-Brown, P Tegg, Z Newton, B Norton, J Sweet.
    At Henson Park, Sunday 4th September 2016.


    Women Premier Division:
    Preliminary Final
    Sydney Uni 1.4 4.6 5.7 8.11 (59)
    Newtown 1.2 2.4 4.7 4.7 (31)
    Goals : Sydney Uni �
    T McKenty 2, C Samuels, A Foo, A Wood, R Stack, M Gray, J Lew. Newtown � V Iles 2, L Holdsworth, C Briggs.
    Best : Sydney Uni � A Wood, R Stack, A Johnston, J Lew, S Kaukiono, L Creber. Newtown � H Warren, T Stahl-Smith, Z Lee, A Ruut, T Nguyen, B Davis.
    At Henson Park, Sunday 4th September 2016.


    FIRST GRAND FINAL DAY
    The first four titles in the AFL Sydney season to be awarded were decided on Sunday under sunny skies at Blacktown International Sportspark.
    Under 19s Division Two
    The first match was the Under 19s Division Two. A western derby saw Western Magic up against West Sydney Magpies.
    In a tight and physical opening term, the Magpies took the edge to kick the only three goals of the quarter, setting up a lead that the Magic would never be able to peg back. Despite the Magic�s best efforts in the second term, accuracy in front of the big sticks would let them down; and although the Magic did much of the attacking, the Magpies kicked two goals to one to win the quarter and take a 22-point lead to half time.
    The Magpies were already comfortably ahead, but pulled further away in a dominant third quarter. They had the sniff of premiership glory and weren�t letting go. A run of four goals to one set up an unassailable 42-point lead at three quarter time. Two unanswered goals in the final quarter were the icing on the cake.
    In the end, the premiership was won by 49 points. Joshua Masters was the dominant force, kicking six goals in a best-on-ground performance; while Luke Phipps and Jonathan Neiser also featured prominently for the Magpies. The Magic were to be disappointed; but Michael Papageorgiou, Jack Baldwin and Jack Morrison can hold their heads high.
    It was a win to celebrate for the Magpies. A hastily-assembled joint venture set up by Wests and South-West Sydney just a week before the season started; getting a team on the park made up of players from two clubs separated by a fair distance has presented plenty of challenges. But, working together, they got the job done; and two clubs that on their own were struggling to give a chance for their youngsters to play, have a premiership cup to show for their efforts.
    West Sydney Magpies 3.1 5.4 9.7 11.9 (75)
    Western Magic 0.3 1.6 2.7 2.14 (26)
    Goals : Magpies �
    J Masters 6, R Harman 2, L Phipps, M Lemme, J Neiser. Magic � L Hyland, M Papageorgiou.
    Best : Magpies � J Masters, L Phipps, J Neiser, K Bremner, J Cronin, E Lahey. Magic � M Papageorgiou, J Baldwin, J Morrison, H Lelliott, J Moore, L Hyland.
    At Blacktown International Sportspark, Sunday 11th September.

    Division Five
    The Division Five Grand Final was on next, with minor premiers Pennant Hills taking on UNSW-ES. And although the Demons would lead all day, it was never by a big margin and the Bulldogs kept themselves in the contest until the end.
    It was a tightly-contested opening term, with the Demons kicking two goals to one to lead by six points at the first change. And although little separated the two sides around the ground, the Demons always looked to have the slightest of advantages; and so it would prove on the scoreboard as another quarter of two goals to one extended the lead to 12 points at half time.
    It was a more open and attacking brand of footy on display in the third term, as the Demons looked set to run away with the game. Four goals to two extended the margin to 22 points at the last change.
    But the premiership wasn�t secure yet. The Bulldogs kept coming hard in the last quarter, and suddenly the Demons were struggling to keep up and forced to hang on against the fast-finishing Bulldogs. But hang on they did, and although the Bulldogs kicked four goals to two in the final term, the Demons hung on for an 11-point win.
    Jarrod Myers spearheaded the Demon charge up forward to finish with five goals; while Jed McChlery, Mitchell De Vries and Carter Mullins featured prominently around the ground. For the Bulldogs, Matthias Gilayni, Mark Carter and Jake Reid made important contributions. But this was the Demons� day; and fielding a fourth-grade team for the first time, the depth in the club was shown clearly as they took fourth grade premiership glory.
    Pennant Hills 2.2 4.6 8.6 10.8 (68)
    UNSW-ES 1.2 2.6 4.8 8.9 (57)
    Goals : Pennant Hills �
    J Myers 5, N Baglin 2, D Burden, M Baglin, L Nunn. UNSW-ES � T Scheibling 2, J Reid 2, M Gilayni, N Dowsett, M Cullen, C Dean.
    Best : Pennant Hills � J McChlery, M de Vries, C Mullins, J Myers, A King, N Baglin. UNSW-ES � M Gilayni, M Carter, J Reid, C Dean, B Travis, D Hughey.
    At Blacktown International Sportspark, Sunday 4th September 2016.

    Division Four
    A major boilover in Division Four saw UTS, who had come from the Elimination Final to make it to the Grand Final, knock off minor premiers Camden.
    It was close and tight early on, which was to be expected. But everything seemed to be going to plan for the Cats when they kicked two goals to one in the first term and led by six points at quarter time. But the Bats hit back in the second term, a more expansive and high-scoring quarter of footy in which the Bats would kick three goals to two, and level the scores at half time.
    The third quarter was a defensive and nerve-wracking affair, as neither team was prepared to concede an advantage to the other. It was tight and physical, and just one goal apiece was scored; with the Cats holding a two-point advantage at the last change.
    But when the game was there to be won, it was UTS who stood up and got the job done. Four goals to one in the final quarter tore the game apart, breaking Camden hearts as the black and green delivered when the contest was up for grabs.
    The final margin was 21 points. Matt Hagias was prominent up forward to finish with four goals; while Zac Thorneycroft, Daniel Lazarus and Shaun Silver were ball magnets around the ground for the Bats. For the Cats, Fraser Brown, Thomas Glynn and Brandon Lovric were their best. But this was UTS�s flag; after a season when they only just qualified for the finals, they timed their run to perfection.
    UTS 1.2 4.3 5.5 9.11 (65)
    Camden 2.2 4.3 5.7 6.8 (44)
    Goals : UTS �
    M Hagias 4, J Hedrick 2, L McManus, E Taffa, R Simpkin. Camden � A Noyce 3, D McKay, M Sapiatzer, F Brown.
    Best : UTS � Z Thorneycroft, D Lazarus, S Silver, D Houston, T Burnet, M Hagias. Camden � F Brown, T Glynn, B Lovric, A Beves, K Sommerville, M Sapiatzer.
    At Blacktown International Sportspark, Sunday 4th September 2016.

    Women Division One
    The last Grand Final for the day saw UTS Shamrocks take on Wollongong Saints. The two sides had been dominant in that division, undefeated until they met each other in the final round with enormous percentages; and it was no surprise when they both made it through to the Grand Final. And it would be a thriller.
    The Saints took the upper hand early, with two goals to one to hold a seven-point lead at the first change. But they were held scoreless in the second term, while the Shamrocks added two goals to turn the quarter time deficit into a five-point lead at the long break.
    Scoring was at a premium, and nerves were building through the third term. The Saints would score the only goal of the quarter, as they took the lead and held an advantage of two points at the last change.
    But there were more twists to come in this tale. It was desperate, nerve-wracking stuff as the ball travelled from end to end; but neither side was able to score the goal that would turn the tide their way. The Shamrocks eked out two behinds, the Saints none; and that was all the scoring for the quarter as a desperate battle for possession saw numerous bounces and boundary throw-ins, but open play and runners were hard to find. The siren sounded, scores were level; and so extra time was brought on.
    The Saints had battled bravely, but had nothing more to give. The Shamrocks were able to find something more during the additional five minutes each way. Two goals was enough to deliver a 15-poiint win and the premiership.
    Kate Vallance, Lara Hilmi and Carol Breen got plenty of ball for the Shamrocks, playing a key role in delivering the premiership. The Saints were unlucky to fall in extra time after a stellar season, but Kelly Chan, Leanne Kidd and Nicola Kennedy worked hard all evening.
    UTS 1.0 3.0 3.0 3.2 5.5 (35)
    Wollongong 2.1 2.1 3.2 3.2 3.2 (20)
    Goals : UTS �
    G Behan 3, C McCutcheon 2. Wollongong � C Stanton 2, J Green.
    Best : UTS � K Vallance, L Hilmi, C Breen, C McCutcheon, C Daylight, T McDonough. Wollongong � K Chan, L Kidd, N Kennedy, C Stanton, K Gow, J Stanton.
    At Blacktown International Sportspark, Sunday 4th September 2016.


    NEXT WEEK�S MATCHES

    Premier Division:

    Preliminary Final - Sunday 11th September
    Blacktown International Sportspark � St George v North Shore (4:30pm)

    Division One:
    First Semi-Final � Sunday 11th September
    Blacktown International Sportspark � St George v Western Magic (11:05am)

    Division Two:
    GRAND FINAL � Saturday 10th September
    Blacktown International Sportspark � Camden v North Shore (12:30pm)

    Division Three:
    GRAND FINAL � Saturday 10th September
    Blacktown International Sportspark � Pennant Hills v Wollondilly (10am)

    Under 19s One:
    Preliminary Final � Sunday 11th September
    Blacktown International Sportspark- UNSW-ES v Pennant Hills (9am)

    Women Premier Division:
    GRAND FINAL � Saturday 10th September
    Blacktown International Sportspark � UNSW-ES v Sydney Uni (3:15pm)


    SECOND GRAND FINAL DAY
    Three more premierships will be on the line at Blacktown on Saturday afternoon. Division Three, Division Two and Womens Premier Division will be on the line.
    The program for the day at Blacktown is:
    10:00am � Division Three � Pennant Hills v Wollondilly
    12:30pm � Division Two � Camden v North Shore
    3:15pm � Women Premier Division � UNSW-ES v Sydney Uni
    Last edited by Norris Lurker; 5th September 2016 at 09:12 PM. Reason: correct brain explosion - St George v North Shore next week will be the Prelim Final, not the Grand Final. Oops!

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