David EdwardsGrand Final Review - Eagles Soar as Swans Float
October 2nd 2006 12:55
Now I am sorry for all the sports fans who do not prefer the AFL or NRL, but this past weekend was not for you. For the rest of us, what more could be said other than what a weekend of football.
In the AFL , the Grand Final went down to the wire like everyone anticipated. With a premiership rematch between the West Coast Eagles and the Sydney Swans on the cards, and how a number of fierce and close rivalry matches that have occurred since then between the two biggest sides in the league, every single AFL fan was anticipating an extremely close match. And many were not disappointed.
But from the first ball bounce, it did seem that the Eagles were indeed determined to take the premiership cup. In the first two quarters, West Coast were dominate over the Swans, and in fact, it did seem that we were seeing just a mere shadow of the defending premiers. Key players such as Adam Goodes, Jolly, and even big bad Barry Hall did not seem to be performing at their absolute best, and by half time the Eagles were in front by 25 points.
Whilst the Eagles were sitting pretty for the club’s third premiership, there was still a half left in the match and the Swans were not going to go down without a fight. Despite being 27 points with 16 minutes left in the third quarter, they began to make their championship push, and with quick goals by Nick Davis, and a amazing boot by Lewis Roberts-Thompson gave the Swans only a two goal deficit going into the last quarter of the season.
In the final quarter, we saw what all Grand Finals should be made of. Hard hitting tackles, magnificent runs by the midfielders, and above all, the underdogs fighting to the last possible seconds for the trophy. In the space of the quarter, the Swans were able to outscore the Eagles 4.1 to 2.3, but it was a lot more complicated than that. As the final score was booted, and as each and every player gave everything they got, the final siren went, and unlike 2005, it was the Eagles that were victorious at the end of it, by a single point.
It was the third closest Grand Final it the games history, behind the draw in 1977, and equal with the Grand Final in 1899. It was a testament of how close these teams are at dominating the competition. But most importantly, it gave the fans the win they deserved. With only four points separating these two teams only a year beforehand, the supporters of the game knew that if a rematch occurred, it was going to go down to the wire once again, and they were not disappointed. Whilst the Eagles were able to get the premiership that they have worked hard for in the last two seasons, the Swans would feel dejected that a single point lost them the competition, ironically as well since a rushed behind from them opened the scoring in the game, but it gives them more of a drive for next season. Whatever the way these two sides go, at least it will be know that their rivalry is one of the biggest in the modern game, and we all will be anticipating game as hard fought and competitive as this last Grand Final has been.
Tomorrow, we review the NRL Grand Final in detail, and as most football fans have already begun to do, countdown for next season’s game opener.
Until next time, sports minds.
In the AFL , the Grand Final went down to the wire like everyone anticipated. With a premiership rematch between the West Coast Eagles and the Sydney Swans on the cards, and how a number of fierce and close rivalry matches that have occurred since then between the two biggest sides in the league, every single AFL fan was anticipating an extremely close match. And many were not disappointed.
But from the first ball bounce, it did seem that the Eagles were indeed determined to take the premiership cup. In the first two quarters, West Coast were dominate over the Swans, and in fact, it did seem that we were seeing just a mere shadow of the defending premiers. Key players such as Adam Goodes, Jolly, and even big bad Barry Hall did not seem to be performing at their absolute best, and by half time the Eagles were in front by 25 points.
Whilst the Eagles were sitting pretty for the club’s third premiership, there was still a half left in the match and the Swans were not going to go down without a fight. Despite being 27 points with 16 minutes left in the third quarter, they began to make their championship push, and with quick goals by Nick Davis, and a amazing boot by Lewis Roberts-Thompson gave the Swans only a two goal deficit going into the last quarter of the season.
In the final quarter, we saw what all Grand Finals should be made of. Hard hitting tackles, magnificent runs by the midfielders, and above all, the underdogs fighting to the last possible seconds for the trophy. In the space of the quarter, the Swans were able to outscore the Eagles 4.1 to 2.3, but it was a lot more complicated than that. As the final score was booted, and as each and every player gave everything they got, the final siren went, and unlike 2005, it was the Eagles that were victorious at the end of it, by a single point.
It was the third closest Grand Final it the games history, behind the draw in 1977, and equal with the Grand Final in 1899. It was a testament of how close these teams are at dominating the competition. But most importantly, it gave the fans the win they deserved. With only four points separating these two teams only a year beforehand, the supporters of the game knew that if a rematch occurred, it was going to go down to the wire once again, and they were not disappointed. Whilst the Eagles were able to get the premiership that they have worked hard for in the last two seasons, the Swans would feel dejected that a single point lost them the competition, ironically as well since a rushed behind from them opened the scoring in the game, but it gives them more of a drive for next season. Whatever the way these two sides go, at least it will be know that their rivalry is one of the biggest in the modern game, and we all will be anticipating game as hard fought and competitive as this last Grand Final has been.
Tomorrow, we review the NRL Grand Final in detail, and as most football fans have already begun to do, countdown for next season’s game opener.
Until next time, sports minds.
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