Grand
Final Wrap up
by Gordon Armstrong
GRAND Final success on one of the most hallowed grounds in Australia,
Adelaide Oval, surely must be one of the biggest thrills in a sportsperson's
career.
And so it was for PHOS Camden which lived up to its pre-match favouritism
by beating Adelaide University by 11 points in the division one amateur
football Grand Final last Saturday.
While the match wasn't the greatest spectacle it did keep the interest
with a number of game swings where one side, then the other, dominated
for long passages of play. Uni's turn was from the first bounce to
about 10 minutes into the second quarter when it ran out to a 25-point
lead with its runners carving up the Phantoms. Losing Ryan Eagle in
the early minutes set the Blacks back but PHOS had its own worries
with a knock to Glenn Sandford early in the first quarter.
But after Uni's rush to lead 5.3 to 1.2 the Phantoms hit back all
over the ground. Shaun Walker started the golden goal run 12
minutes in then Peter Mellor snapped truly. Jaryn Blethyn
joined the goal show when he kicked a freakish dribbled shot which
crossed the goal line from a kick from the pocket. He followed that
up with a goal at the 25-minute mark, Cav Boyle accepted a
handball from Michael Talbot to goal, while Mellor goaled
at 28 minutes to see PHOS ahead at the break 7.11 to 5.3 PHOS in full
flight and Uni seemingly on the ropes.
When Adrian Pope had two bounces to kick a goal at the eight-minute
mark it looked a case of how far PHOS. But Uni finally found a way
to crack the tight PHOS defence and gave spearhead Evan Arnold two
rare chances to kick goals, which he did. Sandford then replied
late in the term to give PHOS a handy 9.12 to 7.10 lead at the last
change.
PHOS held sway in the last quarter and always looked a winner, the
only mini drama when Uni's Tim Lock kicked a goal and then was awarded
another shot (a goal) when the umpire deemed he had been tackled after
the first goal was kicked. But time was on the Phantoms side and they
chalked up their second flag in three years 11.17 to 10.12, Uni losing
its second successive Grand Final (lost to Kilburn last year).
Grand Finals are emotional times, both in the lead up and on the day.
Players left out of GF sides, for whatever reasons, are left to rue
just what might have been. But there are good news stories for those
who get the nod. Former AFL and SANFL player Glenn Sandford
had never played in a Grand Final, centre half back Nathan Wohling,
up from the Bs mid-way throughout the season, lost in his first A
grade to Uni, then played in eight straight winning games including
two finals. Craig Bensch enjoyed the thrill of winning the
Pfitzner Medal as best player in division one and then 10 days later
wins a flag emulating Adrian Pope's double in 2000. Mark
Edwards capped off his All-Australian selection this year by winning
his first senior flag, while Brad Richardson, Andrew Rosman
and Pope all defied injury to make the big day. And lionhearted
Josh Story saved his best for last by taking out the best on
ground medal in the final. With an improved showing from the B grade,
a premiership in Cs and a runners up in under 17s, coach Gary Peach
and crew have plenty to work with.
A
GRADE
Grand Final
PHOS
Camden ... 1.2 ... 7.11 ... 9.12 ... 11 . 17 (83)
Adelaide Uni ........ 4.3 ... 5.3 ..... 7.10 ... 10 . 12 (72)
Best
- Story,
Rosman,
Shaun Walker, Newham,
T.Voigt, Bensch, Richardson, Stephens,
Caldwell, Pohlner, Wohling,
Boyle, Naish
Goals - Blethyn, Mellor, Sandford 2, Boyle, Heath, Pope, Talbot, Shaun
Walker
Best
& Fairest - Mark Edwards
Runner Up - Damian Newham
Division 1 Pfitzner Medalist - Craig Bensch
State Representatives - Adrian Pope, Mark Edwards, Shaun Walker,
Glenn Sandford
All Australian - Mark Edwards
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