Swans celebrate grand final victory

Updated September 30, 2012 16:43:50

Celebrations are continuing for the Swans, who are celebrating their 10-point premiership victory over Hawthorn via meetings with fans in Melbourne and Sydney.

Sydney took victory after a thrilling encounter with the Hawks that saw six lead changes in a high-intensity encounter.

Hawthorn started the stronger of the two sides, but Sydney managed to kick six unanswered goals in the second quarter to gain the advantage going into half-time.

The Hawks battled back to take the lead in the final quarter, but Sydney once again answered strongly with four goals to seal the title.

Re-live all the action from Grandstand's live blog.

Swans fans in both Sydney and Melbourne have celebrated the club's fifth premiership, which included three as South Melbourne.

Many Melbourne-based Swans fans followed South Melbourne before they relocated to Sydney in 1982.

This morning, about 3,000 Swans supporters attended a presentation at Melbourne's Lakeside Oval, considered to be the spiritual home of the Swans.

Swans coach John Longmire thanked them for their support.

"We are so lucky having a club in Sydney, but also real homeland support in Melbourne," he said.

Josh Kennedy says the old Swans fans played a big part in the teams' success.

"I am incredibly humbled by the supporters that have come out today. they make it possible for us to do what we do and also lucky to be able to do what I love and reach the pinnacle," he said.

Injured grand final heroes Adam Goodes and Jude Bolton assured the crowd that they will play on in 2013 in an attempt to defend their title.

One fan said he had followed the Swans as they made their move north from Melbourne.

"I came out from the west and started barracking for them at the age of 11. I am 79 now so to see [another premiership] is just unbelievable," he said.

Another fan said that it was great to be celebrating the Swans victory at Lakeside Oval.

"My whole family are Swannies and we are going to celebrate for weeks and weeks," she said.

The team were about half an hour late and were showing the effects of a big night's celebrating.

Ruckman Shane Mumford missed the team bus and arrived a few minutes later, wearing his match-day jersey and bright green shoes.

Mumford jumped on stage to a big cheer and let out a big yell, much to the amusement of his team-mates.

The players were interviewed on stage before mingling with fans and signing autographs.

The players will also great fans at the SGC this afternoon.

ABC/AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, sydney-2000, nsw, hawthorn-3122, vic, australia

First posted September 30, 2012 11:58:15

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Saints celebrate beating the Blues

At the final siren Saints supporters whooped and cheered like it was a Grand Final victory, but given the match is similar in local build-up to a showdown, and that beating your greatest foe feels incredible, so they should have.

The final score was Eyre United 13.9 87 defeating Tumby Bay 9.13 67.

The Saints began the game by scoring the first goal and despite the ball being in the Tumby forward lines for much of the game by quarter time the score was 3.1 to the Blues 1.6.

Tumby Bay coach Michael Curtis gave his team a spray in the quarter time huddle, his voice audible around the ground as he kept the Blues moving - making them run on the spot for the entire break.

It wouldn't have been hard for Eyre United coach Ron Simpson to fire up his side - they were on top and loving it.

In the second quarter the Blues' confidence was down and their frustration was rising. The half time break saw the Saints lead 8.4 to the Blues 3.9.

Once the third quarter started, things seemed to be on more of an even keel with each side putting on three goals for the quarter. The Saints were being given opportunities from umpires penalties delivered from Blues loose lips and late contacts.

Three quarter time and the Saints 11.8 lead the Blues 6.11.

In the fourth quarter Tumby Bay led hard and clawed their way back into the game, but the Saints held out.

It was great to see confidence returning to the Saints, especially for the younger generation of footballers who wouldn't have won many A Grade games. Nick Gale and Jack Jacobs are Sainters to keep eyes on into the future.

After many years of being a top side, the Blues need to address some discipline issues and remember how losing this game felt, so they can use it to spur them on next time they meet.

Saints best: Ryan Modra, Joseph Burgoyne, Brad Foster, Scott Fitzgerald, Chris Dunn, Jordan Telfer.

Blues best: Tyson Cross, David Butler, Will Nankivell, Tom Kelly, Michael Curtis, Damian Clark.

Saints goals: Darryl Marshall 4, Brad Foster 2, Dylan Dunn, Matthew Schramm 1, Tynan Hill, Scott Fitzgerald, Dennis Males, Joseph Burgoyne.

Blues goals: Chris Prime 3, Michael Curtis 2, Jimmy Chard 1, Adam Milton, Tom Kelly, Luke Wilkins.

Tumby Bay 22.18 150 defeated Eyre United 3.2 20

Brian Coad kicked 6 goals, Ricky Clark 4 and Addison Lands 3 for the Blues, with Cameron Pedemonte, Andre Smith and Ritchie Stazinowski named best.

For the Saints Ben Smith kicked 2 goals and Aaron Sayers kicked the other, while Ben Robbie Flavel and Robert Degner were best.

Tumby Bay 24.15 159 defeated Eyre United 2.0 12

Luke Partington kicked eight goals for the Blues while Joe Walker nailed five and Tom Hennell three. Partington, Walker and Hennell were also the top three best.

Eyre United's Jackson Liddicoat kicked their two goals while Justin Jessop, Jack Jacobs and Tyson McCallum were named best.

Tumby Bay 6.11 47 defeated Eyre United no score

Jackson Murphy kicked two goals for the Blues and was best along with Marley Butler and Mitchell Higgins.

Eyre United's Will Stratford, Harry Degner and Kaden D'Agostitini were named their best.

By Sylvy Dolphin.

Perfect football conditions prevailed at Lock for the showdown round in Great Flinders football. Supporters of the winless Lock Roos were hoping to see some spirit amongst their players whilst the United Yeelanna eagles have been showing their worth as a finals contender.

The Eagles were missing Skinner, with Lever stepping up to his second A grade match whilst Lock were missing several players due to wedding duties.

The home team were quick off the mark due to a successful tackle by A Hetzel on big Jamieson, with conversion to follow. Within seconds a poor Lock handpass into the arms of Secker saw him make no mistake.

A good clearance to the Eagle's forward area was swooped upon by S Beard, but a further turnover put the ball onto Michael Crettenden's chest who found the big sticks. Yeelanna's third goal came through a clearance and run from T Habner to the scoring zone.

The game was competitive and for the next ten minutes neither side could gain the upper hand. Arbon was having a boomer across the half back line, supported by A Heath, Hentschke and Morton, whilst M Habner and Haylock led the defence for the Eagles, backed by their runners Skinner, Breed and Watson.

Britza was in everything for the Roos as was Northcott and Longmire. Schultz and Jolly were instrumental in breaking through to notch the Eagle's next goal with the response from L Heath after a free at 30 metres.

The next clearance saw two Eagles passes find the chest of Dufek. A run on by the Eagles in the last few minutes saw a goal apiece to Crettenden and Breed to see the quarter time scores at United Yeelanna 7-3, Lock 2-1.

Statistics for both sides would have been comparable - this was reiterated by coach Bower and his troops were urged to make better use of the ball. Murnane was happy with the performance of his boys other than some sloppy disposals.

The second quarter belonged solely to Yeelanna. Lock was unable to add a major for the quarter whilst Yeelanna added 6-5.

Big Jamieson and Simpson were invaluable all over the ground with Skinner, Watson, Dufek, and Crettenden all getting plenty of action. T Habner, Whittaker and Hancock's booming left leg completed the task of adding to the scoreboard.

With little pressure from the flat footed Lock midfield, Hentschke, A Heath, Morton and Cummins were continually bombarded with Yeelanna pack attacks.

The experienced Yeelanna midfield was too fast and skilled. Their commitment to the ball and the team with backup and support found the Roos wanting.

Half time United Yeelanna 13-8 Lock 2-4

A turn around in play saw a very competitive third quarter. Two bites of the cherry paid off for Breed as he was able to get the ball to the hot forward Hancock followed by a second within minutes from a free forty metres out.

A clever pass from Agars and Britza on passed to Longmire saw Lock's first major for the quarter. Skinner continued his pacey game and a stint at full back for M Habner saw 2 points for them, until A Peace goaled again for Lock. Zacher, A Pearce, Morton and Agars battled well with their opponents, but no quarter was given from Crettenden, Breed, Skinner and T Habner.

With the run of the ball and on his favoured left side, Sam Hancock kicked truly to end the quarter at 16-10 to Lock 4-6.

The final quarter was an anticlimax. The spirit seen from the Lock side had vanished and Yeelanna had control of the game firmly in their hands. Secker, Glover, Hancock and Breed all added to their goal kicking tally, well fed by Skinner, Watson, Crettenden and T Habner backed up by their two big men in Jamieson and Simpson.

Lock's lone goal was soccered from the ground at the three minute mark, almost a last hurrah.

A Hetzel, Arbon, Morton and Zacher continued their work for Lock but there was not enough from other team members to make a difference. Final scores United Yeelanna 21-15 Lock 5-7.

Yeelanna were best served by Breed, T Habner, Jamieson, Simpson, Watson and Hancock for his brilliant running and 6 goals. Lock's A Hetzel, Arbon and Britza didn't give up all day and Zacher, Morton, Longmire and Northcott had some good patches of play.

Yeelanna looks a well balanced team, their youth now with experience under their belt and the ensuing confidence this inspires. Their leg speed and disposal skills are good and combined with their team attitude have morphed into a real finals contender. Lock's focus must be on getting a win on the board during the second round, but one wonders if this will be possible while they persist with their current forward setup.

Umpires Pearce and McLachlan are to be commended for keeping the players honest and transparency in their decisions.

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Great Flinders to celebrate 100 years with match against Port Lincoln

One hundred years of football will be celebrated in the Great Flinders league this weekend as their Centenary celebrations kick off with the association match against their nemesis Port Lincoln.

The home team will run out under the tutelage of first time Great Flinders coach Craig 'Ferret' Curtis, who has proudly played for the side over many years.

Captain is George Pedler, who takes on the role 54 years after his grandfather Vin Pedler led Great Flinders.

George says it's a proud time for the club.

"Oh there's a huge amount of pride I mean the guernsey has been worn by a lot of great players and a lot of those will be present so there's yeah a real honour and it's great to be a part of it," he says.

The Great Flinders captain says that the side trained very well with all players keen to line up and represent their team.

Vice captain is Daniel Wedd who will be part of the difficult to penetrate Great Flinders backline, joined by Tysan 'Rooster' Mickan, James 'Flog' Pedler and past Eyre Peninsula representative Mark Habner.

Some tough courageous footballers will be lining up in the middle with George, Scott 'Jock' Blacker (who also just celebrated a birthday - happy days), possibly Jimmy Chard as well as the very good, fast, electrifying footballer with a proud Port Lincoln history - Joseph Burgoyne.

In the Great Flinders forward line we'll see the strong hands of Jim Holman who's been playing in the maroon since high school and has been performing well up forward for Ramblers this season, as well as dual Mail Medallist Hayden Parker.

But while the passion and will to win is strong in the Great Flinders camp, a whisper has come in that the Port Lincoln team selection and guernsey 'presentation' night was flat, so the question remains - can they lift up in order to take it to their rivals?

Port Lincoln sporting correspondent Bluey Dunn thinks they can.

Bluey was a representative of the Port Lincoln side in 1950 and says that he'll never forget playing against Great Flinders , despite being severely concussed in the match.

"Any person picked for Port Lincoln should be proud of that position to play, should defend it to death and get stick into it... so you Port Lincoln boys, we're expecting a lot out of you, no shirking it, get into it, get stuck into it and win this game," he says.

Port Lincoln will line up with two captains, Andrew 'the wall' Jericho at centre half back and co-captain the 'gladiator' Matthew Goodwin (also known as the Scarlett Pimpernel by Bluey) with vice captain Craig Reincke in full back.

Bluey says the Port Lincoln side will line up with five Mail Medallists on the ground.

"They can all be used as on-ballers, mid-fielders or they can push forward or go back and that starts with Wes Bilney, then Harry Miller (from Hawthorn), Matthew Keatley, Matthew Godwin, Murray Kelsh who can play in the upper half forward even be put back in the pocket or around the centre bounce, and of course you'll have the rucks being led by Jesse Kemp who's in remarkable form," Bluey says.

In late news, Yoey Wagner is believed to have sustained a injury to his rear end in a staple gun incident on Friday afternoon. Whether or not that will keep him out of the side, we'll have to wait and see.

The games kick off at Cummins oval at 9.30am with the Under 13s playing four 12 minute quarters. Trophy presentation will be held after the game next to the change rooms.

The Under 15s will play 2 x 15 minute halves and begins at 10.30 with Great Flinders Vs Lincoln Districts, at 11.10 it's Lincoln Districts Vs Lincoln City, then at 11.50 it's Lincoln City Vs Great Flinders.

The Under 15s trophy presentation will take place next to the change rooms after the games.

The Under 17s begins at 12.30pm, again playing 2 x 15 minute halves with Great Flinders Vs Lincoln Districts, at 1.10 Lincoln Districts Vs Lincoln City and then at 1.50pm Great Flinders Vs Lincoln City. Again the trophy presentation will be held after the games at the change rooms.

The League match will kick off at 2.30 when the teams line up for the Australian National Anthem, the coin toss and a short speech to mark the occasion.

At around 2.45pm the A Grade game will begin, playing four 20 minute quarters plus time on. At the end of the match the trophy presentation will take place on the oval.

A display will also be open for viewing in the Cummins Bowling Club during the day, with memorabillia and photographs of Great Flinders history.

Check out what's happening in the Great Flinders Vs Port Lincoln netball games in the report by Brooke Neindorf.

After the games are played, there is an evening event at the Cummins town hall with the auction of the heritage guernsey's, guest speaker former Adelaide Crow Shaun Rehn and more.

To check out what the weather will be doing, take a look at the four day forecast on our website. At this stage looks like wet and windy.

Wudinna will be hosting a round robin interleague game between them, Eastern Eyre and Far West this weekend.

In a Mortlock Shield type of day, the gates will open at 8.30am with a bacon and egg breakfast available.

Their matches begin with the Under 15s at 9.30 with Mid West taking on Eastern Eyre, followed by Eastern Eyre Vs Far West at 10.20 and Far West Vs Mid West at 11.10.

The Under 13s will play at the Wudinna Area School Oval beginning at 10am with Mid West Vs Eastern Eyre, 11am is Eastern Eyre Vs Far West and 12 noon is Far West Vs Mid West.

The Under 17s will be on the main football oval again from 12 noon with Mid West Vs Eastern Eyre, 1pm for Eastern Eyre Vs Far West at 2.35pm for Far West Vs Mid West with medal presentations for the junior teams at 2.35pm.

The League begins at 2.40pm with Mid West Vs Eastern Eyre, at 3.40 it's Eastern Eyre Vs Far West, followed by Far West Vs Mid West at 4.40pm with Medal Presentations at 5.30pm.

Best of luck to all teams competing.

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