AFL Europe Match of the Round
Manchester Mosquitoes v Nottingham Scorpians – Burnage Rugby Club, Manchester 12pm start.
This weekend sees the AFL CNE Grand Final hosted by the Manchester Mosquitoes in what will be their 6th Grand Final appearance up against the Nottingham Scorpions.
The reigning premiers stormed into the Grand Final after an 85 point win over the Huddersfield Rams whilst the Nottingham Scorpions ran out the Wolverhampton Wolverines by 39 points in last weeks finals.
The Mozzies will looking to make it three straight after winning the title in 2014 and 2015, whilst also going through this season undefeated and coming runners up in the 2016 AFL Europe Champions League to London club, the West London Wildcats. With a stellar few years the Mozzies have been in the Grand Final for the last six years, winning five of them, potentially making this their 5th flag over seven years.
Underdogs, the Nottingham Scorpions took out the honours in 2005 and 2011 and after a few years away from finals contention will be coming to Manchester with one idea in mind. This season has seen a resurgence for the Scorpions, playing six quarters of football against the Mozzies, five of them have been separated by less than a goal.
The president’s takes on tomorrow’s match:
Ben Sweetman, Manchester Mosquitoes:
This season we managed to go through undefeated. We had quite a few new players again and ended up with 3 players named for the upcoming GB squad. It came down to the final game of the season against Nottingham as to who would finish top. It was a tight game with only a kick or two in it at all three breaks. In the final qtr we were able to break the game open and secure the win and the minor premiership. We are expecting a very tough game in the final, Nottingham are a strong and physical side and highly skilled as well.
Andrew Batchelor, Nottingham Scorpions:
We’ve had our best team out nearly every game and despite a close call in the first 3 quarters of the semi against a good Wolverines outfit we’ve dominated every game…except against the Mozzies. Most of our team are veterans of the two finals we lost to Manchester all those years ago and are hungry for a win this Saturday. The boys are pumped and believe this is our year to take the flag. We’re going to see the best defensive team in the Scorpions versus the best offensive team in the Mozzies. So don’t be surprised if the game is won or lost in the last minute of the match…a winning goal after the final siren is even a possibility.
The match will be played at the Manchester Mozzies home ground, the Burnage Rugby Club. The Grand Final kicks off at 2pm, preceded by the Plate Final at midday.
