The Sydney Swans reserves have thrashed the Belconnen Magpies to become back-to-back ACTAFL premiers. The Swans won 10.16 (76) to 6.7 (43). The win good be a good omen for the Swans first grade team, who won the AFL Grand Final last year after the Swans Reserves won the ACTAFL Grand Final.
Based on the scores at each break, it looks like the Swans dominated the entire match, but were terribly inaccurate with their kicking (excusable given the strong winds)…Belconnen had a decent start, they were level with the Swans at quarter time, Sydney 2.6 (18), Belconnen 3.0 (18), but from there on it was all the Swans.
The second quarter saw the Swans score five time, with the Magpies only scoring once, the Swans led by 19 points at half time, 6.7 (43) to 4.0 (24).
The third quarter saw a minor comeback from the Magpies, but the Swans were still in control, the Swans scored 10 times (only goaling from three attempts) whilst the Magpies could only score four times, and goal once. At three quarter time the Swans led by 35 points, 9.14 (68) to 5.3 (33).
Belconnen appear to have had a better last quarter than Sydney, but it was too little, too late. Belconnen scored five times, and kept the Swans to three scores. At full time it was the Swans winning by 33 points, 10.16 (76) to 6.7 (43).
According to the Swans Reserves website, the goal scorers were as follows:
Swans: Spriggs 2, Currie, Laidlaw, Phillips, Rowe, Simpkin, Thornton, Vogels, Wall. Belconnen: Knowles 2, Bennett, Turnbull, Weston, York.
Best on ground for the Swans was Bevan, and best on ground for the Magpies was Braton.
I am rather disappointed to see that the only people to bother covering the story seem to be the Swans Reserves website [1], not even the local ABC could be bothered to cover the match, instead being more interested in an out-of-town rugby match. I’m not picking on the ABC here, I’m disappointed with all media outlets, it’s just that I think the ABC had the best opportunity to cover the match.
Obviously the match will be newsworthy by morning when the local media outlets read a press release from AFL Canberra or the Swans Reserves…but the most important match of the local season might as well not have been played with the amount of interest the media took in it.
Samuel
Comments Disabled To "Swans back-to-back ACTAFL Premiers!"
#1 Comment By Chuck A. Spear On September 25, 2006 @ 12:10 am
Geez. Another veiled swipe at the ABC.
#2 Comment By Loki On September 25, 2006 @ 12:40 am
I’d watch out for them Magpies next time you venture out with Nattie – they are sure to be a mite testy!
#3 Comment By Captain Flume On September 26, 2006 @ 2:49 am
The best way to defeat a magpie is the same method you use to defeat a crow.
Once we went hunting for crows on my friends farm with .22 rifles with big telescopes on top. The crows would fly away every time we walked into a meadow. They knew we had a gun. My friend said the crows would not fly away if you walked into the paddock holding a stick, ie they can tell the difference when between a person carrying a gun and one carrying a stick. And that’s not because I was doing commando rolls and ordering my party to cover all the exits.
So my answer, to defeat the crows, I mean magpies, is for the team to walk onto the paddock carrying normal sticks instead of guns.
Then, lay the sticks down, and get the whole team to quietly walk around the perimeter of the field, being careful to never take their eyes off their opponents. The crows, I mean pies, will be so curious as to what is going on, they will wring their own necks, and victory will be Pines, I mean the Swans.
All you need is a little bush sense and to keep your dog tied up so it doesnt come rushing out barking hello magpie and pumping rounds out of a semiautp .22.
#4 Comment By Chuck A. Spear On September 26, 2006 @ 11:40 pm
That is sound advice Captain Flume. Bush skills are a must. I would also advise that one wear an orange Stackhat for safety. It lets other hunters know you are there and provides protection from swooping magpies.
#5 Comment By Loki On September 27, 2006 @ 1:14 am
Captain Flume, I would not own up to possessing an illegal self loading .22 – such naughtyness will see you banished to Guantanomo Bay permanently in these uncertain times.
That said, you do present very interesting information about the sticks – I will out your thesis to the test tomorrow and report the results here (I am on extended leave, so it will be a welcome distraction).