Around the Grounds
AFL Europe Championships only 5 days away
The much anticipated triennial AFL Europe Championships kick off this Sunday with the men’s first game day. All matches are taking place at Motspur Park and involve Great Britain, Ireland, Germany, Sweden and the European Crusaders. The men’s tournament runs from Sunday the 14th to Saturday the 20th with the women taking the field from Thursday the 18th until the Saturday.
For more information, click on the link below.
http://afleurope.org/events-media/events/2016-afl-europe-championships/
An All-Glasgow showdown set for SARFL Grand Final
The Glasgow Sharks have sealed their place in the Scottish AFL Grand Final with a nail-biting preliminary final win against the Edinburgh Bloods. With the scores tied deep into the 4th quarter the Sharks eventually ran out 11 point winners in a thriller at Linlithgow Park. This win ends a recent run of dominance from the Bloods in the Scottish AFL league and gives the Sharks one up on their old foes.
Presidents from both clubs had their say on the weekends results:
Bloods President, Craig Stevens
“It was a hard fought, high quality match. We’ve unfortunately come out on the wrong end of the result. We wish the Sharks and the Giants all the best next week in the big one.”
Sharks President John McIntyre
“Great contest and a good result from our club today. Both sides put their all in today and it was one of the best matches to be involved in. The Bloods came at us hard in the last quarter but we withstood the pressure. Off to the Grand Final to play another quality side in an all Glasgow final next week!”
The Grand Final will now be an all-Glasgow showdown between the Sharks and the Greater Glasgow Giants at the same venue as the prelim. The stage is set for a great finish to the SARFL season next Saturday.
AFL Sweden back in action
This weekend saw the Stockholm League kick back into action after their mid-season break. The Sodermalm Blues had their first loss of season 2016 following a 10-point defeat at the hands of the Norrtalje Dockers. The Blues a notoriously slow starters following summer breaks so they won’t be too concerned about this result despite finals being just around the corner.
Matt Schulte kicked a cool 7 goals for the Dockers while Johan Dalberg got himself a handful of goals for the Blues.
Final score: 13.6. 84 to 11.8.74
Leeside Lions get up over the Belfast Redbacks in ARFLI Grand Final
The culmination of the Irish Aussie rules season took place over the weekend with the Leeside Lions convincingly beating the Belfast Redbacks at Mardyke Arena in Cork.
The Lions last played in an ARFLI grand final in 2011 and broke the strangled-hold the Redbacks and the South Dublin Swans have had on the competition in recent years with their performance at the weekend.
They lead at every change to finish the big one in a canter with the scoreboard reading 16.8. 104 to 7.10.52.
Best on ground honours went to Matt Moore with a crucial 7 goals to his name for the day.
Italy confirms their place at Euro 2016
The Italian national team will make their long awaited return to the international arena at Octobers Euro Cup in Lisbon. The Italian’s have been on hiatus for the past few years but are now back on track to make their mark on AFL in Europe.
Massive congratulations on all involved in getting the side ready for this year’s tournament.
The squad is as follows:
- Giovanni ALLOISIO
- Luigi ARNULFO
- Tommaso ARNULFO
- Federico BERNASCONI
- Filippo BOLOGNESE
- Jacopo CARBONCINI
- Denis CONTE
- Thomas DIANA
- Niccolò DE GIORGI
- Marco DEL GAIZO
- Daniele GENNARA
- Andrea LORENZI
- Jacopo NOSARI
- Bruno NUGNES
- Mattia SACCHI
- Christian TIRANTI
HEAD COACH Armando COLOMBO
ASS. COACH Matthew HEWITT
Wildcats, Hawks and a couple of Demons taste success in AFL London Grand Finals
The final day of season 2016 for AFL London took place at the weekend under blue skies and a beaming sun.
The day started off bright and early with the South London Demons controlling the Social division decider from start to finish to claim back-to-back premierships against a courageous Reading Roos. Demons midfielder, Brett Hoare was awarded ‘best on ground’ honours for his tireless work through the middle of the ground. The final scorecard read 8.10. 58 to 3.2. 20.
The Conference division pitted the Clapham Demons against the Shepherds Bush Raiders who were attempting to win their 7th straight premiership. In a see-sawing affair the Demons jumped out to a 10-point lead with 9 minutes on the clock in the fourth. They eventually held out for a thrilling 3-point victory in what turned out to be the match of the day. High-flying Brazilian winger, Ricci Leumann of the Demons became the first non-Australian to be crowned ‘best on ground’ in an AFL London Grand Final as he repeatedly provided the crucial link between the backs and forwards for the Clapham side. The final score in this match was 8.2. 50 to 7.5. 47.
A first-time premier was set to be named in the Women’s division and it was the Wimbledon Hawks who were crowned champions in a demolition of the North London Lions. The girls from the Hawks were unstoppable from the first bounce and finished their perfect season in style holding their opponents scoreless. The Lions should hold their heads high after fighting valiantly all day in front of a large crowd of supporters. Lauren Sparks of the Hawks finished as ‘best on ground’ in a clinical display through the midfield. Final score reading 10.5. 65 to 0.0. 0.
The final game of the day was the much anticipated Premiership division decider between arch rivals the West London Wildcats and the Wandsworth Demons. Unfortunately, the game didn’t live up to its hype as the Wildcats controlled the tempo of the match and never gave the Demons a sniff. The boys from the West proved too fast and skilful for their opponents whose ill-discipline and turnovers at crucial moments proved costly. The Wildcats were best served by midfielders Todd Pfeiffer and Andy Challis, but it was Captain and Full-back, Jared Risol, who deservedly claimed ‘best on ground’ honours for his role in constantly repelling Demons forward entries and launching his side onto the offensive. The final scorecard reading 14.10. 94 to 7.1. 43.
