AFL Europe Match of the Round
SARFL Grand Final – Greater Glasgow Giants v Glasgow Sharks
It’s an all Glasgow showdown in the Scottish Australian Rules Football League (SARFL) this weekend. Linlithgow Rugby Club is backing up to host the season finale with a 2pm bounce scheduled.
The Glasgow Sharks won through to the grand final with an 11-point win over archrivals, the Edinburgh Bloods, in last weekend’s preliminary final. The Sharks finished in 3rd place with 4 wins from 6 games.
The Greater Glasgow Giants have been the benchmark of the SARFL in season 2016 and won automatic qualification for the grand final after claiming the minor premiership at the end of the regular season. They won’t need any extra motivation going into this game after going down in last year’s final.
The two sides have only met once so far this season which was at the start of June where the Giants got over the Sharks in a 6-point win. If this game is anything to go by then Saturdays final should be an absolute thriller.
Both sides will go in near full strength, however, the Giants were left shattered after key player and ruckmen, Mark Townsend, broke his leg in the last game of the season. His tap-work and presence in the middle of the park will be sorely missed by the minor premiers.
The Giants will be best served tomorrow by former Scotland captain, Ross Thomson, last year’s joint SARFL Best and Fairest winner, Dougie Smith and young Scottish half-forward Keir Wotherspoon
The Sharks will be looking for captain and fullback, Andy Butler to hold down the fort in the backline. Andrew McManus is a lively type in front of goals for the Sharks and he’ll need to be kept in check by the Giants if they want a chance to win this game. Also keep an eye out for James Hancock and Alexander Clark to have big games after running into some hot form at the business end of the season.
The all Glasgow final is going to take centre stage this weekend for Scottish AFL and the previous history between the two clubs bodes well for a spectacular culmination to what has been the hardest fought SARFL season to date.
Coach’s thoughts – Greater Glasgow Giants, Douglas Hunter
“It’s fantastic for Glasgow to have both teams in the Grand Final and shows the depth of talent in the city. Games against the Sharks are always tough and that Grand Final intensity will only add to that. Whoever comes out on top will have earned it and we believe we’re a great chance of being that team.”
Coach’s thoughts – Glasgow Sharks
“The grand final is the culmination of the work the club has put in over the last year. We are bolstered by a great semi-final win and will take great confidence into this game knowing that our best is capable of beating anyone.”
