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.
WATERLAND EAGLES GET FIRST EVER WIN
The Waterland Eagles recorded their first-ever win on Saturday in Round Three of the AFL Netherlands season. With three teams competing; the Amsterdam Devils, Delft Blues and the Eagles, each side played two games each but it was the Eagles and Blues clash that was significant. It was a close battle from the start, with neither team able to gain an upper hand in the opening half. The Delft Blues, fielding a team for the first time this season, managed to get the margin down to trail by just a point at the start of the second half of the game. However, the Eagles’ fitness and class started to show and take control. The Eagles midfielders and forwards started to convert their chances and ended up recording their first-ever win by 50 points. These two sides will play each other again on the 10th of August in the Preliminary Final to decide who will play the Amsterdam Devils in this year’s Grand Final.
Final Scores (AFL Netherlands)
Men’s: Waterland Eagles (11.5. 71) defeated Delft Blues (3.3. 21).
LONDON SWANS WIN FIRST EVER PREMIERSHIP
Saturday saw the Women’s Conference Grand Final for AFL London take place at Motspur Park as the London Swans faced the Wandsworth Demons. The London Swans went into the game undefeated, while the Demons reached the final after playing in the preliminary final last weekend. In the two games these teams played against each other during the regular season, the Swans came out on top on both occasions and this game would follow the same course. With rain around London on Saturday morning, the opening two quarters were contested in challenging conditions, but the Swans were able to gain control as their midfield provided plenty of football to the forwards. The Swans took a comfortable lead into half-time, but the Demons tightened up their defence in the third quarter and looked to get on the scoreboard. However, whenever they were challenged, the Swans stepped up, and despite their inaccurate kicking, finished off the match strongly to win by 56 points and win their first-ever premiership in the process.
Final Scores (AFL London Women’s)
Women’s Conference: London Swans (6.20. 56) defeated Wandsworth Demons (0.0. 0)
HEATSEEKERS AND WOMBATS BATTLE IN HOT CONDITIONS
Round Two of the AFL Finland season took place on the weekend in Paimio. With the temperature reaching as high as 31 degrees in the sun, the three sides competing had their fitness tested throughout the day. The Helsinki Heatseekers, Waasa Wombats and Turku Dockers all played each other once in the 9-a-side format, with the matches being played over two halves of 10 minutes. The standout match for the day was the second game, between the Waasa Wombats and the Helsinki Heatseekers, as the Wombats were looking to recover from their loss in the opening match. Unfortunately for the Wombats, they suffered two significant injuries and the Heatseekers started the stronger of the two teams. In the second half, the Wombats fought back as they kicked three goals in the second half, but the fast start from the Heatseekers was enough to see them win by 16 points. There is still plenty to play for in AFL Finland, with the final cup day taking place on the 24th of August in Vaasa before the Grand Final in September.
Final Scores (AFL Finland)
Men’s: Helsinki Heatseekers (35) defeated Waasa Wombats (19).
Turku Dockers (53) defeated Waasa Wombats (8).
Turku Dockers (35) defeated Helsinki Heatseekers (8).
SWANS SUCCESSFUL IN FINAL MATCH OF SEASON
In their final match of the season, the South Dublin Swans recorded a hard-fought win against the finals-bound Leeside Lions. According to the Swans, this win was a good reward for the teams’ effort throughout what was described as a difficult season. With a finals place already secured, the Lions could focus on testing out some new tactics and positional changes that surprise their opposition during the ARFLI finals. The Swans were the stronger team throughout the match, taking their chances when presented in front of goals, with their accuracy being one of the key highlights on the day as they kicked 18 goals from 23 scoring shots on their way to a 45-point victory. For the Lions, they kicked 14 behinds but will be confident in turning that around with finals coming up so soon to decide the 2019 premiers.
Final Scores (ARFLI)
Men’s: South Dublin Swans (18.5. 113) defeated Leeside Lions (9.14. 68).
FINAL ROUND WIN SECURES TOP PLACE FOR SHARKS
The battle for the top spot and the minor premiership in the SARFL all came down to the final match of the home and away season between the Glasgow Sharks and the Edinburgh Bloods. In a high-scoring match, both teams battled hard in this hotly-contested game that was just as entertaining for the crowd as it was the players. In wet conditions, neither team was able to gain complete control of the wet football but it was the Sharks who created more opportunities and even though they were inaccurate, kicking 18 behinds, the Sharks also kicked 17 goals on their way to a 19-point victory. These two will play each other again in the Preliminary Final for an automatic spot in the Grand Final, and despite this result, the Bloods will feel confident in turning the result around. The Bloods were also inaccurate in the damp conditions, kicking 17 behinds for the day but also created enough scoring chances for them to be confident of taking it right up to the Sharks when they play next weekend.
Final Scores (AFL Scotland)
Men’s: Glasgow Sharks (17.18. 120) defeated Edinburgh Bloods (14.17. 101).
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