In the end the scoreline might have flattered the European Islanders team, but there was no question of whether they merited their win on saturday at the Kia Oval. The final score of 11.11(77) to 2.3(5) was made to look far more impressive by four final quarter goals as prior to this the only point the team in white had as many goals as behinds was when Ryan McLoskey scored their first goal.

It took both sides some time to settle and get used to new teammates but once they did, the intensity of the contests was fantastic. The Islands team was well on top for the first half, but in the second the continent dominated for long stages without being able to get goals on the scoreboard. In the end both of their goals came in the third quarter from Tomislav Cvetko and Gregoire Patacq. The Islanders remaining goals were scored by James Flavin 2, Kevin McSorley 1, Kevin O’ Brien 1 (Goal of the day), Andy Smyth 1, Luke Booth 1, Levi Fernandez 1, Matt Kilheeny 1, David Saunders 1 and Gerard Walls 1.

At the post match function best on ground awards were given to Troels Ottesen for the Continental team and Gerard Walls for the  victorious Islanders team, with a tickets donated for next year’s grand final by the AFL and by Event Planning Group.