Played in overcast and occasional drizzly conditions, on a fantastic playing surface, AFL Sydney kicked the first goal of the game through a Mark Skuse snap. VAFA hit back with goals to Leigh Hendra, Justin Arnold, Adam Pirrie and Andrew McGuiness. AFL Sydney were working hard with Declan Donohue and Phill Entwisle doing a fine job in defence and Dwain Watkins was tireless in the middle. An excellent snap from Dane Rampe and a scrambling goal from Alex Lee saw the home side go into the first break trailing by just seven points.
The second term saw AFL Sydney gain the ascendancy with Luke Jarjoura and Jason Coulloupas starting to take control of the centre whilst Angus Darling was nullifying the impact of the VAFA bigmen. Troy Luff moved forward in the second term and responded with two goals from strong marks. Matt Carey also proved dangerous around goals and managed to kick two goals for the term which saw Sydney open up a 22 point lead. The VAFA managed to kick two late goals through the agency of McGuiness and Marty Pask and reduce the gap to 10 points at the long break. Sydney suffered a blow in the second term with Troy Bartlett being forced out of the game with a corked thigh.
VAFA came out after half time full of fire and took control of the game, dominating the stoppages and were able to kick three goals for the quarter through Pirrie, Mark Paterson and Ben Doherty. strong defensive work also prevented AFL Sydney from kicking a goal in the third quarter and the visitors led by six points at the final change. Sydney can thank the defensive work of Entwisle, Donohue, David Coupe, skipper Alastair Richardson, Kieran Wright and Chris Noordhoff to remain in touch with one quarter to go.
Sydney Coach Danny Ryan urged his charges to keep working hard however the visitors got the important first goal of the last quarter through Arnold’s second. A snap goal from Pirrie saw the VAFA extend the lead to three goals however Sydney were not done yet. Jon Vlatko kicked a goal from a mark following an excellent smother from Rampe to keep them in touch, and this was followed by a goal to Rampe. The VAFA responded with goals to Doherty and an excellent goal on the run from Patterson saw them extend the lead to 17 points with five minutes to play. Sydney refused to give in and when Darling and Vlatko both goaled from marks the difference was just five points. Sydney were able to gain possession and Richardson marking 70 metres out from goal, unfortunately the siren sounded at this point. Richardson had a unlikely shot for gaol after siren however the distance was too great and the VAFA had recorded a five point victory.
V.A.F.A 4.3 6.4 9.6 13.8 (86)
AFL Sydney 3.2 7.8 7.12 11.15 (81)
Goals:
VAFA – Pirrie 3, McGuiness 2, Arnold 2, Doherty 2, Paterson 2, Pask, Hendra
AFL Sydney – Vlatko 2, Rampe 2, Carey 2, Luff 2, Skuse, Lee, Darling
Best
VAFA – Steele (BOG), Serafini, McGuiness, Doherty, Robbins, Heya, Frangiacomo
AFL Sydney – Entwisle, Donohue, Coupe, Lee, Darling, Jarjoura, Watkins
Umpires: Anderson, Richardson, Davidson at Henson Park
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