PSS Presents: Around the Grounds
Each week AFL Europe will take a look around the continent at the Australian Football highlights and thrilling matches. This Around the Grounds article delves into the standout performances from the weekend’s action and is presented by PSS International Removals.
MANCHESTER MOSQUITOES DOMINATE IN AFLCNE GRAND FINAL
After an action-packed home and away season, it all came down to the AFLCNE Grand Final on Saturday as the Manchester Mosquitoes played the Wolverhampton Wolverines at Lockwood Park in Huddersfield. To start the day, the Huddersfield Rams took on the Nottingham Scorpions in a third-place playoff match, with the host team winning a high-scoring thriller by just three points. While that was a close encounter, the Grand Final wasn’t as tight, with the experience of the Mosquitoes shining through as they continued their superb form from the regular season all the way through the finals. After a fast opening two quarters, the Mosquitoes held a comfortable lead at half-time. The Wolverines tried to take the game on in the second half and contested hard for the football, but Manchester was just too strong across the ground, running out 52-point winners to be crowned as Premiers and Champions of the 2019 AFLCNE season.
Final Scores (AFLCNE Finals Day)
Men’s: Third-Place playoff – Huddersfield Rams (101) defeated Nottingham Scorpions (98).
Grand Final – Manchester Mosquitoes (95) defeated Wolverhampton Wolverines (43).
AFL MASTERS CONCLUDE EUROPE TOUR IN IRELAND
Saturday saw the AFL Masters take on the Ireland Gaelic Masters in the AFL Masters’ final match of their 2019 European Tour. Having played in France and England, a big couple of weeks finished with an International Rules game, with both the AFL and Gaelic balls being used for half the game. A physical opening quarter, played with the oval ball, saw both teams play the majority of the game through the middle of the ground, with not much goal action as Ireland took an eight-point lead into the first break. In the second quarter, this time with the round ball, the Ireland Masters started to gain some ascendancy in the game but Australia’s defence helped keep them in the game, as the margin at half-time was 28-points. Back to the oval ball, and the Australian’s bounced back with more run and hitting the scoreboard in the third quarter as the margin was reduced to 15-points in favour of Ireland. With a smaller bench due to injuries, the Australian’s couldn’t keep up with Ireland in the last quarter as the home side ran away with the game as they ended up winning by 58-points. A great game from both teams showcasing their skills and despite the result, a positive way to finish the AFL Master tour of Europe.
Final Scores (2019 AFL Masters European Tour)
Men’s: Ireland (87) defeated Australia (29).
NORTH LONDON LIONS SECURE GRAND FINAL SPOT IN THRILLER
The opening week of AFL London Finals saw qualifying finals take place on Saturday and elimination finals on the Sunday. With four games each day, there was no lack of action across the league. On Saturday, the Wandsworth Demons played the North London Lions at Peckham Rye for a place in the Grand Final in two weeks’ time. In a tight game, there was a clear scoring end with the wind assisting whichever team was kicking toward the Peckham end. Both teams exchanged blows as neither side were able to gain control in a physical contest with the result still in the balance heading into the final quarter. Kicking with the wind, the Demons put on plenty of forward pressure but one passage of play from the Lions changed the game. As the Lions got the ball out of defence, they linked together a passage of play that ended up in the hands of their full-forward all by herself about 15 metres out, who turned around and kicked what ended up being the winning goal. Despite a frantic last couple of minutes, the Lions held strong to win by a single goal and book a place in the big dance while the Demons get another chance next week against the West London Wildcats.
Final Scores (AFL London)
Women’s Premiership: North London Lions (29) defeated Wandsworth Demons (23).
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