SYDNEY AFL FINALS WEEK 1 2018
Article by Michael Shillito

When the finals come around, we know it’s the best of the best in action; and every game counts for plenty. And while North Shore as minor premiers enjoyed the week off, four teams were in action in two high-stakes clashes. Both were played on Sunday afternoon, and by the end of the day Uni NSW-Eastern Suburbs were within a game of the Grand Final while East Coast’s season was over.

Henson Park was the venue for the Qualifying Final, a university derby where UNSW-ES took on Sydney Uni. It wasn’t sudden death, but for the winner there was the chance to play off for a spot in the Grand Final. It would be a cracking contest that would be up for grabs until the final minutes.
Both games between the two clubs during the regular season had been decided by less than a kick; and there didn’t look to be much in this game during the first quarter. It was tight and tough, plenty of close checking and some heavy tackles between two sides relishing the contest and showing plenty of fight. The Bulldogs had the slightest of edges, two goals to one for the quarter seeing them lead by six points at the first change. But there wasn’t much in it.
An enthralling contest was taking shape as the second quarter unfolded. The Students flirted with the lead, only for the Bulldogs to find the answering goals. Around the ground were the odd act of individual brilliance, but no-one could find a way to break the game open. The Students were taking the game up to the Bulldogs, and many of the stats would run their way during the quarter. But the scoreboard would show three goals apiece, and a three-point lead to UNSW-ES as the teams returned to the rooms at half time.
It was goal for goal, an arm-wrestle where the decisive edge would be elusive. When the Bulldogs attempted to make a break, the Students would find a way to peg them back. When the Students took the lead, the Bulldogs would find a way to restore their advantage. The Students had the better of possession, more inside 50s and more scoring shots. But the Bulldogs were more efficient with the use of their lesser number of chances. Each team would end up with three goals from an entertaining quarter. The Bulldogs had scored one more goal overall, but scores were level at the last change.
The faithful from both clubs knew they were watching a fascinating contest, and there were no shortage of well-wishers listening in as the coaches addressed their charges on the field during the break. The message was simple, that this is the time to stand up and win the game. And, as it had been all day, it was still goal for goal. The game was in the balance until the final minutes, a contest of fluctuating fortunes and momentum swings. But in the final moments, when tired bodies were willing themselves on and adrenaline was spurring them to attempt the decisive move, it was the Bulldogs who were able to find the way to cross the finish line. A late surge gave the Bulldogs a run of five goals to three, and a narrow 14-point win.
Bulldog mentor Steven Pollock led from the front to finish with four goals, while James Pascoe also drew twin flags from the goal umpires four times. Around the ground, plenty of possessions to Matt Rawlinson, Harrison Collins and Brandon Jack were crucial in getting the Bulldogs over the line. It had been an absorbing contest, but in the end the Bulldogs managed to find a way to get it done. The Bulldogs have a date with North Shore next week, playing off to be first in the Grand Final. It won’t be easy, but they’ve beaten the Bombers once already this season.
Monty Krochmal, David Johnson and Tim Cordner were best for the Students. They had put up a good contest and took it up to the Bulldogs; but fell just short. But it’s not over for Sydney Uni. The advantage of finishing in the top three is they get another shot. They get a crack at Manly next week, a team they’ve already beaten twice this year.

Manly took on East Coast in a sudden-death Elimination Final at Blacktown on Sunday. The stakes were high, the desperation even higher. It was a game more noted for its intensity than the skill, and a scrap for much of the afternoon.
As the game started, the dark clouds were rolling in; and the rain started midway through the first quarter. Not particularly heavy, but enough to make the ball hard to get a grip on. On the field, the bumps were hard and clean possessions were hard to get. The Wolves made the early attacking, having the ball in their forward 50 for much of the early exchanges. And as the quarter drew on, the Eagles would make the Wolves pay for their inaccuracy and turnovers in the forward line as they would grab two late goals against the run of play to lead by eight points at the first change.
It was two goals apiece in the second quarter. The Eagles were looking to establish a break, but for every action they would make, there was an equal and opposite reaction by the Wolves. Both sides were defensively minded, preventing the opposition from finding room to move. The outside runners were starved of possession, while this was a game for the determined blockers as the pressure continued to build. The Eagles were 10 points to the good at the long break; not a big margin, but it was looking a handy lead in the context of the contest that was unfolding.
The lights were in full effect by the third term, the yellow ball hard to control as the rain got a bit heavier. Both sides were scrapping and fumbling, looking to knock the ball to an advantage that wasn’t there. Packs formed around every possession, players denied the room and time to move. The tension was building, the pressure relentless. It wasn’t pretty to watch, and certainly wasn’t a quarter of footy for the connoisseur of the aesthetic. Two teams high on desperation but struggling to execute the game plan; an old-fashioned scrap. Neither team would penetrate the big sticks in the third quarter, the Eagles clinging to a narrow seven-point advantage at three quarter time.
The game was there to be won. It was up to the team that could stand and deliver. The game had been a slog, and it was time for the match-winner to step up. The time had come, and it was the Wolves who would rise to the occasion. The Eagles were unable to muster a score in the final term, rarely getting anywhere near their forward 50. The Wolves were controlling the contest, keeping the ball locked inside their attacking zone for much of the quarter. The accuracy wasn’t there, and the Wolves would only manage 2.6 for the quarter. But that was enough.
The 11-point win wasn’t one for the classics. But for the Wolves, it was a valuable result. They won ugly, but they won. And in the finals, that’s what matters. Jordan Weir, Alex Fraser and Gareth Benbow were instrumental in getting Manly over the line; and they live to fight another day.
The Eagles were well served by the efforts of Lewis Walters, Eugene Kruger and Brandon Clark. But in the end, they just couldn’t get the job done when they needed to. To only manage one behind in the second half was a disappointing fadeout after leading for most of the day. It had been a moderately successful season for the Eagles, claiming some handy scalps along the way. 11 wins in the regular season. The best defensive record in the league, conceding less points in the regular season than anyone else, including North Shore. But too often they struggled to post a winning score; and that would again be the case in this final. With the loss, their 2018 season comes to an end, and the countdown to a fresh start in 2019 is under way.

The finals action continues next weekend; with games on both days at Blacktown. On Saturday, a rested-up North Shore takes on UNSW-ES, and for the winner is a place in the Grand Final. Sunday is a sudden-death encounter as Sydney Uni play Manly in a contest from which only one team will survive.


Premier Division:
Qualifying Final
Uni NSW-Eastern Suburbs 2.4 5.4 8.4 13.7 (85)
Sydney University 1.4 4.7 7.10 10.11 (71)
Goals : UNSW-ES –
S Pollock 4, J Pascoe 4, T Redden, H Collins, B Jack, T Banuelos, J Aish. Sydney Uni - W Stratford 3, M Powys 2, D Johnson 2, M Krochmal, M Nettheim, M Picken.
Best : UNSW-ES – M Rawlinson, H Collins, B Jack, D Pfeiffer, M Thompson, D Cordell. Sydney Uni - M Krochmal, D Johnson, T Cordner, A Clarke, S Gilfedder, S Krochmal.
At Henson Park, Sunday 26th August 2018.

Elimination Final
Manly-Warringah 0.4 2.6 2.10 4.16 (40)
East Coast Eagles 2.0 4.4 4.5 4.5 (29)
Goals : Manly -
J Field, A Robertson, J Brain, H Ellem. East Coast – Z Johns 2, E Kruger, D Saywell.
Best : Manly – J Weir, A Fraser, G Benbow, L Behagg, A Robertson, A Butler. East Coast - L Waters, E Kruger, B Clark, S Turner, A Browning, B Bourke.
At Blacktown International Sportspark, Sunday 26th August 2018.

Premier Reserves:
Qualifying Final
Pennant Hills 10.8 (68)
Uni NSW-Eastern Suburbs 4.7 (31)
Goals : Pennant Hills –
Not available. UNSW-ES – Not available.
Best : Pennant Hills – Not available. UNSW-ES – Not available.
At Henson Park, Sunday 26th August 2018.

Elimination Final
North Shore 2.2 4.8 4.10 7.13 (55)
East Coast Eagles 2.1 2.2 5.3 7.6 (48)
Goals : North Shore –
K Latham, D Vandenbrink, B Cunningham, T Alexander, S Hocking, Z Middendorf, L Borg. East Coast - S Pierce 3, J Patira, J Large, J Ford, M Perl.
Best : North Shore – T Alexander, S Fraser-Krause, C McFadden, M Whitbread, T Weston, L Borg, East Coast - S Pierce, L O'Connor, B Trewin, J Large, A Foxall, D O'Connor.
At Blacktown International Sportspark, Sunday 26th August 2018.

Platinum Division:
Major Semi-Final
Western Magic 3.2 5.4 8.8 9.11 (65)
Penrith 0.2 4.4 4.4 7.5 (47)
Goals : Magic -
I Heath 4, A Savage 2, A Moeller, E Barclay , D Hines. Penrith - B McGovern 4, L Cooke, M Stevens, P Pope.
Best : Magic - J Hobby, H Lelliott, J Rene, J Brazill, J Schwarze, J Mann. Penrith - P Pope, M Laffan, J Stevens, B Wilson, N Wright, J Anasis.
At Blacktown International Sportspark, Sunday 26th August 2018.

Minor Semi-Final
Macquarie Uni 10.17 (77)
Southern Power 7.9 (51)
Goals : Macquarie Uni -
D Mcdonald 3, J Brackin 2, Z Meredith 2, L Mead, A Rodgers, L Shipway. Southern Power - H Wallis 2, A Wardrop 2, R Vance, C McGee, J Stainlay.
Best : Macquarie Uni - L Falconer, M Hansen, D Mcdonald, Z Meredith, D Brogan, J Brackin. Southern Power - A Hooker, A Denoon, J Preston, C Aggett, M Lowe, D Rawlinson.
At Henson Park, Sunday 26th August 2018.

Platinum Reserves:
Major Semi-Final
Southern Power 10.8 (68)
Macquarie Uni 3.10 (28)
Goals : Southern Power -
R Murphy 2, L Davis 2, L Jansson, C Hayes, C Hains, R Brown, R Sharpe, M Graham. Macquarie Uni – J Young, B Cooper, G Nixon.
Best : Southern Power - R Thomson, R Murphy, B Humbler, M Graham, L Jansson, R Davis. Macquarie Uni - H St Hill, W Freeborn, R Holdman, C Hayes, A Morris, J Young.
At Henson Park, Sunday 26th August 2018.

Minor Semi-Final
Western Magic 2.1 3.4 4.7 7.12 (54)
Penrith 2.2 2.4 2.4 2.4 (16)
Goals : Magic -
J Roughley 3, A Perkins 2, D Armstrong, P Barclay. Penrith – B Shoebridge, D Nelson.
Best : Magic - G McLoughlin, D Lennon, T Beard, A Van Veen, B White, J Bragg. Penrith - J Yates, K Quirk, J Fisher, L Geeves, J Rix, E Konarew.
At Blacktown International Sportspark, Sunday 26th August 2018.

Division One:
Major Semi-Final
Pennant Hills 0.0 6.1 8.3 9.3 (57)
Sydney Uni 0.0 3.7 4.9 7.12 (54)
Goals : Pennant Hills -
P Carey 4, J Gunstone 2, C Allison, J Leedham, S O'Regan. Sydney Uni - G Robbie 2, N Rohrt, J Cutrupi, G Willis, T Doyle, J O'Halloran.
Best : Pennant Hills - A Smith, J Gunstone, S O'Regan, C Allison, P De La Mare, P Carey. Sydney Uni - S Power, B Pollock, J Hollywood, H Greenwood, L Astri, S Prendergast.
At Rosedale Oval, Saturday 25th August 2018.

Minor Semi-Final
North Shore 4.2 7.4 11.8 14.9 (93)
Randwick City 2.2 3.3 4.4 4.5 (29)
Goals : North Shore -
T Ross 4, C Silvester 4, A Jalloh 2, T Plant 2, A Cox, B Bourn. Randwick City - N Daly 2, J Millard 2.
Best : North Shore - T Ross, A Jalloh, T Criniti, A Cox, B Linford, M Goode. Randwick City - J Millard, J O'Dwyer, B Davis, N Daly, N Murphy, N Poerio.
At Kanebridge Oval, Sunday 26th August 2018.

Division Two:
Qualifying Final
UNSW-ES 3.1 7.1 9.3 11.4 (70)
Camden 2.0 3.2 5.3 5.4 (34)
Goals : UNSW-ES -
A Werfel 4, C McKinlay 2, A Dawes 2, T Williamson 2, N Weldon-Bowen. Camden - A Noyce 3, K Chisholm, J Boyd.
Best : UNSW-ES - N Weldon-Bowen, A Werfel, A Dawes, Y Gilanyi, C McKinlay, T O'Donnell. Camden - B Sommerville, J Leys, D McKay, L McCann, N Freund, A Noyce.
At Kanebridge Oval, Saturday 25th August 2018.

Elimination Final
UTS 1.1 1.7 4.9 7.10 (52)
Pennant Hills 0.0 1.0 2.1 3.4 (22)
Goals : UTS -
T Cunningham 2, T Thorn-Saville 2, P Mullane, J Aspinall, M Gaffney. Pennant Hills - B Miedler, A Colautti, J Mott.
Best : UTS - D Georos, M Gaffney, T Cunningham, M Rice-Brading, M Ayers, J Ellison. Pennant Hills - R Isberg, N Ryan , L Ford, A Colautti, M Van Rooy, J Watkins.
At Kanebridge Oval, Sunday 26th August 2018.

Division Three:
Qualifying Final
Macquarie Uni 0.0 3.6 3.6 7.9 (51)
Pennant Hills 0.0 2.1 4.4 5.9 (39)
Goals : Macquarie Uni -
Not available. Pennant Hills – T Roddan 4, C Godfrey.
Best : Macquarie Uni - Not available. Pennant Hills - A Huggins, D Boulet, W Johnson, N Lee, Z Morris, H McLean.
At Rosedale Oval, Saturday 25th August 2018.

Elimination Final
Sydney Uni 1.2 4.3 6.7 8.10 (58)
UNSW-ES 0.2 1.7 1.9 1.9 (15)
Goals : Sydney Uni -
J. Toyer 2, A. Antoniazi, J. Reddie, N. Barnard, H. Campbell-Ross, G. Stephenson, T. Whitehead. UNSW-ES – T Roberts.
Best : Sydney Uni - C Goodsir , P Chidrawi, C Cole, J Toyer, M Wonders, N Barnard. UNSW-ES - M Drummond, T Roberts, Y Lecordier, J Martin, C Phasey, G McCauley.
At Kanebridge Oval, Sunday 26th August 2018.

Under 19s One:
Major Semi-Final
UNSW-ES 2.4 5.8 6.10 9.15 (69)
St George 0.2 0.3 4.5 6.7 (43)
Goals : UNSW-ES -
J Sorenson 2, H Dyson 2, C Burgess-Hoar, E Gulden, T Tyson, M Harmanis, M D'Agostino. St George - A Stelzer 2, K Ayres, E Maher, E Selvi, B Uglow.
Best : UNSW-ES - L Swaney, E Gulden, S Thorne, A Backlund, A Bryan, H Dyson. St George - J Dol, B Johnson, C Nash, C Felton, E Maher, N Carey.
At Kanebridge Oval, Saturday 25th August 2018.

Minor Semi-Final
North Shore 1.4 8.5 10.11 13.14 (92)
Sydney Uni 1.1 2.4 3.5 5.5 (35)
Goals : North Shore -
N Hill 4, O Bird 3, J Potter 2, J Puncher, P Roseby, A Rankin, C Barker. Sydney Uni - L Gallen 2, W Greenaway, T Linfield-Kent, A Apostolou.
Best : North Shore - P Roseby, M Crisafulli, R Barkley, A Bastas, N Hill, L Lawrence. Sydney Uni - W Greenaway, M Dyster, D Dickson, B Byrne, H Blanchfield, J Wilks.
At Kanebridge Oval, Saturday 25th August 2018.

Under 19s Two:
Elimination Final
UNSW-ES 3.3 4.5 4.7 5.9 (39)
North Shore 3.0 3.1 5.2 5.2 (32)
Goals : UNSW-ES -
M French 3, E Hart, B McMorrow. North Shore - J Dillon, H White, D Drumore, B Harvey, C Roche-West.
Best : UNSW-ES - E Hart, T Faddy, O Benjamin, A Alexakis, T Johnson, T Ingram. North Shore - C Pool, J Dillon, B Harvey, J Crisafulli, H Morgan, D Drumore.
At Kanebridge Oval, Saturday 25th August 2018.

Qualifying Final
Wests Goannas 2.3 3.5 4.6 8.6 (54)
Penrith 0.3 4.5 5.8 7.9 (51)
Goals : Wests Goannas -
C Newton 5, T Ryan 3. Penrith - K Borwick 2, M Field 2, D Redding, Z Redding, B Kenny.
Best : Wests Goannas - C Newton, N Penna , D Nagle, D Hevers, H McArthur, K Duong. Penrith - J Harding, M Field, N Pianta, K Borwick, B Kenny, J Salter.
At Kanebridge Oval, Saturday 25th August 2018.

Womens Division One:
Major Semi-Final
Western Magic 1.2 3.3 4.5 6.5 (41)
Wollongong 2.1 2.2 3.3 4.4 (28)
Goals : Magic –
C Corr 3, T Kleyn 2, G Stott. Wollongong - R McGartland 2, P Davis, N Kennedy.
Best : Magic – R Leard, M Jansen, H Cole, C Corr, M O'Keeffe, A Weir. Wollongong - J Stanton, L Donnelly, R McGartland, E Morris , S O'Donoghue, A Anderson.
At Rosedale Oval, Saturday 25th August 2018.

Minor Semi-Final
East Coast 2.0 4.2 6.2 6.3 (39)
Pennant Hills 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.3 (21)
Goals : East Coast –
C Arndt 2, E Goodsir , S Ford, G Bower, B Hourigan. Pennant Hills - L Donohoe 2, B Wade.
Best : East Coast – S Ford, B Tarrant, B Hourigan, E Goodsir , L Moran, C Torpy. Pennant Hills - E Jones, C Owen, E Rugg, M Hare, D Greyling, E Davis.
At Kanebridge Oval, Sunday 26th August 2018.

Womens Division Two:
First Elimination Final
Auburn-Penrith 0.0 1.4 3.5 4.5 (29)
South-West Sydney 0.1 0.2 0.5 1.5 (11)
Goals : Auburn-Penrith -
R Davis, A Sutas, B Corless, M Pyman. South-West Sydney – Not available.
Best : Auburn-Penrith - Y Ghamrawi, B Elkheir, A Alameddine, E Lai, S Kostic, E Kenny. South-West Sydney – Not available.
At Rosedale Oval, Saturday 25th August 2018.

Second Elimination Final
Macquarie Uni 1.1 1.4 1.4 2.6 (18)
Pennant Hills 0.1 0.1 0.1 1.2 (8)
Goals : Macquarie Uni -
Not available. Pennant Hills – A McMenemy.
Best : Macquarie Uni - Not available. Pennant Hills - M Owen, E McDonald, P Roditis, J Donovan, J Klopf, G Stewart.
At Rosedale Oval, Saturday 25th August 2018.


NEXT WEEK’S MATCHES

Premier Division:

Major Semi-Final – Saturday 1st September
Blacktown International Sportspark – North Shore v UNSW-ES (2:55pm)
Minor Semi-Final – Sunday 2nd September
Blacktown international Sportspark – Sydney Uni v Manly (3pm)

Premier Reserves:
Major Semi-Final - Saturday 1st September
Blacktown International Sportspark – Sydney Uni v Pennant Hills (5pm)
Minor Semi-Final – Sunday 2nd September
Blacktown International Sportspark – UNSW-ES v North Shore (10:50am)

Platinum Division:
Preliminary Final – Saturday 1st September
Henson Park – Penrith v Macquarie Uni (2:40pm)

Platinum Reserves:
Preliminary Final – Saturday 1st September
Henson Park – Macquarie Uni v Western Magic (12:40pm)

Division One:
Preliminary Final – Sunday 2nd September
Blacktown International Sportspark – Sydney Uni v North Shore (9am)

Division Two:
Minor Semi-Final – Sunday 2nd September
Henson Park – Camden v UTS (12:40pm)
Major Semi-Final – Sunday 2nd September
Henson Park – Sydney Uni v UNSW-ES (2:30pm)

Division Three:
Minor Semi-Final – Sunday 2nd September
Henson Park – Pennant Hills v Sydney Uni (9am)
Major Semi-Final – Sunday 2nd September
Henson Park – Camden v Macquarie Uni (10:50am)

Under 19s One:
Preliminary Final – Saturday 1st September
Kanebridge Oval – St George v North Shore (2:30pm)

Under 19s Two:
Minor Semi-Final – Saturday 1st September
Henson Park – Penrith v UNSW-ES (10:50am)
Major Semi-Final – Saturday 1st September
Kanebridge Oval – Southern Power v Wests Goannas (12:40pm)

Womens Premier Division:
Major Semi-Final – Saturday 1st September
Blacktown International Sportspark – Macquarie Uni v UNSW-ES (9:40am)
Minor Semi-Final – Sunday 2nd September
Blacktown International Sportspark – Auburn-Penrith v Southern Power (1pm)

Womens Division One:
Preliminary Final – Saturday 1st September
Kanebridge Oval – Wollongong v East Coast (10:50am)

Womens Division Two:
Major Semi-Final – Saturday 1st September
Henson Park – Camden v Holroyd-Parramatta (9am)
Minor Semi-Final – Saturday 1st September
Kanebridge Oval – Macquarie Uni v Auburn-Penrith (9am)