AFL Sydney have won the Carter/Jesaulenko Shield for the first time with a 15.12.102 to 12.6.78 win over AFL Canberra at Blacktown Olympic Park on Saturday.
In perfect conditions and in front of a good crowd the home side had to overcome a slow start and early inaccuracy in front of goal before recording the 24 point win.
AFL Canberra had all the play early and quickly had three goals on the board courtesy of forward Dean Roulstone. AFL Sydney steadied and whilst they had plenty of the play, they were unable to convert with full forward Gus Seebeck spraying his first three shots at goal. Two more goals to Canberra through Ryan Quade and Andrew Ainger saw Canberra get out to a 27 point lead before Seebeck finally found the big sticks, and at quarter time the difference was 20 points.
Seebeck kept his goal kicking boots on early in the second quarter and two quick goals had Sydney back in the hunt, especially as their midfield in Jason Coulloupas, Charlie Richardson and Shane Ryan were starting to gain the ascendancy. Canberra were able to respond with goals to Ainger (2) and Quade whilst further goals to Kieran Wright, Seebeck and Matthew Withers had the margin at 8 points at the main break.
In the third quarter AFL Sydney began to stamp their authority through the work of ruckmen Earl Shaw and Ed Wilson whilst the defence of Mark Skuse, Josh Duncan, Ron Wason and Lloyd Shepherd was able to get the upper hand on their opponents. Sydney kicked six goals for the term via Wright 2, Rutland, Ryan, Donohue and Coulloupas, whilst Canberra were restricted to three goals. At the final change Sydney held a 12 point advantage.
Keen to record their first victory in three years the senior players Declan Donohue, skipper Alastair Richardson, Chris Lees and Matt Withers pushed home their advantage and the pressure applied by the Sydney side had their more fancied opponents back pedalling.
After early misses to Withers and Seebeck, goals to Matt Carey (who was outstanding all day), Richardson and Wright had the advantage out to five goals before a late Ainger goal, his fourth for the day, reduced the final margin to 24 points.
The win was a great result for all involved in the program. Jason Coulloupas was awarded the Best on Ground trophy for his tireless work in the middle of the ground.
AFL Sydney 1-4 6-6 12-9 15-12-102
AFL Canberra 5-0 8-2 11-3 12-6 - 78
Goals:
AFL Sydney: Seebeck 4, Wright 4, Rutland, Ryan, Coulloupas, Donohue, A.Richardson, Carey, Withers
AFL Canberra: Ainger 4, Roulstone 3, Quade 3, Dean, Gibson
Best:
AFL Sydney: Coulloupas, Carey, Withers, C.Richardson, Duncan, Wright
AFL Canberra: Longmore, Bruce, Clarke, Roulstone, Tutt, Ainger
Umpires:
Gestier, Hissey, Healy
Taken from AFL NSW/ACT website
Website Editor