With the Newtown Breakaways watching on for the sidelines eagerly wondering who would be their Grand Final Opponents, it was an enthusiastic Sydney University Bombers and a Balmain Dockers that would play the next 2 hours for the right to be in the Grand Final. Could it be the Minor Premiers or would it be the 3rd placed team that would make it to the Big Dance?
In the first quarter Balmain made quite a few forward thrusts which were stopped by resolute Sydney Uni defence with Jennifer Lew in particular outstanding. Lynda Rowan kicked the first goal from pack play, and it was to be a quick reply from Emma Yuen for the Bombers in very much run-against play goal. However this spurred the Dockers into action with two goals by Belinda Pride, one being a Right hand side shot and the other being a set shot from the other side.
In the second quarter, Kate Fitzsimons kicked a goal and No. 32 for the Dockers made a great tackle on Melissa Khoury gaining a holding the ball decision. The Bombers were struggling to make headway of getting the ball past their midfield but managed to break out of their defensive zone and Mai Nguyen took a great mark on the run and convert for the Bombers second qoal. Belinda Pride kicked her third goal on the run giving the Dockers a healthy lead at half time.
In the third quarter, the Bombers fired up by their coach to put everything on the line came out with resolve and Marie Keating thus opened the scoring with a right foot snap and then Melissa Khoury scored the second goal to increase the tension amongst the spectators. Belinda Pride steadied the ship for the Dockers with another two goals. Melissa Khoury scored another goal and hopes of the Bombers increased when Dockers Gun Midfielder Jackie Buckthought was red-carded for the game for reckless play. Monica Chew scored a team goal on the siren for the Bombers and the Sydney Uni team had a sniff of victory with a quarter to go.
In the final quarter the Dockers had a player short, so all players had to contribute if they could stave off the fast finishing University Bombers. Marie Keating kicked another goal on the run, and Sydney Uni tried all they could in attack and in defence typified by Adriane Garland's tackle on a goal-bound Belinda Pride. However it looked like the Bombers had expended all their energy in the third quarter as they were unable to use their one player advantage to dominate possession. Alison Parkin from the right wing exteremities was able to deliver the ball to Belinda Pride to kick the sealing goal. Amelia Kavanagh was able to score a consolation goal for the Bombers but it was a very relieved Dockers side who celebrated in relief at the final siren.
The final score was Balmain Dockers 9.8.62 over a brave and very accurate Sydney University 8.0.48. Sydney University finish 3rd and will have much to celebrate finding some very good rookie players who will be no doubt superstars in the future. I will do a Grand Final Preview separately.
P.S. Due to University Commitments I will not be available for the Grand Final, I look forward to the DVD, although people are free to send me in their submissions and photos.
Last week, we made mention of the Youth Girls Grand Final. Only now can the full story be told.
2010 Youth Girls Grand Final
Both teams were warmly supported in the beautiful conditions at Figtree
by both sides with an especially large presence of Shellharbour
supporters. Also in attendance was the SWAFL Umpires Coordinator John
Van Den Ham, NSW TPP Coordinator Lisa Roper and TPP Players Sarah Court,
Shellee Gibson, Olivia Hall, Jemma Still, Dani McCarthy, Kellie Nolan, Marie Keating and Renee Harrington.
Both teams had constructed beautiful banners for both sides to run
through. The Figtree Kangaroos were clapped by the victorious Figtree
Under 15's (Red) team from the Major semi-final before the game started.
As always the game featured tough hits with
close-in football and thus it was no surprise that no goals were scored
in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, both sides scored two goals each with end to end
play. Natalie Noronha (Swans) scored a goal from a free kick on a slight
angle and Caroline Saliou also scored from a free for a high tackle in
front. The third quarter was a goal-less quarter. In the final quarter,
more end to end play occurred with Madison Giffin scoring a 50m penalty
from in front of goal bringing the Roos in front. With time expiring,
could the Swans lift? The Swans were bombing constantly into their
forward zone but the Roos backs led by Sophie Lavender were desperately
clearing the ball to their wing. With less than 30 seconds to go,
Caroline Saliou jinked around and hook the ball with her right foot to
score a goal on the buzzer!
When the siren sounded, confusion arose a goal umpire had equal score
and thus a draw was declared resulting in extra time which meant ten
extra minutes was to be played. Both teams had five minutes to suck up
some water and find some energy that had been depleted. Both sides
trudged back on the field ready to settle the effort for once and for
all. April Maciejowski scored the only goal of the extra time and thus
Figtree at that stage were the Youth Girls Champions.
This result had caused confusion and other emotions
to many of the crowd, especially the Shellharbour Swans crowd who had
the Swans at a different score at the end of normal time and thus an
appeal was lodged about the scoring error. On closer examination after
the video review midweek and reexamination of the goal cards which had
the same number of goals and behinds on both cards, the Regional
Committee declared that the score at the end of normal time was
Shellharbour Swans Youth Girls 3.7.25 to Figtree Kangaroos Youth Girls 3.5.23.
Wow, what a classic game and it was so impressive
the attitudes of the players on both sides who took the determination of
the umpires decisions with a lot more grace than some of the spectators
who were verbose in their attitudes.
We congratulate the Shellharbour Swans coached by Shane Grenfell who
will be officially awarded the trophy on the Illawarra GSJ Grand Final
on Sept 12 at North Dalton Park. We commiserate the Figtree Kangaroos
coached by Ian Giffin who have been the standard of Youth Girls Football
only losing two games in two years of football.
For some of the players on both sides, this was
their last game of Youth Games Football being too old next year, we wish
you well and hope to see you play for the Wollongong Saints in the
Sydney Women's AFL.
We also thank parents, supporters, officials and players for making it
another successful year of youth girls football. 10 players from both
sides are now reuniting and will travel to Canberra and combine with the
ACT Girls and play in Melbourne from September 5-12. These girls are:
(Shellharbour Swans) Talarah Bell, Emma Carberry, Melanie Hampton and
Caroline Saliou (Figtree Kangaroos) Madison Giffin, Jessie Mulholland,
April Maciejowski, Stephanie Power, Jessica Purcell and Sophie Lavender.
Last Modified on 19/09/2010 13:45