Posted on 09/30/2006 1:58:11 AM PDT by Aussie Dasher
West Coast beat Sydney by one point in a classic AFL grand final today at the MCG.
The teams produced a grand final even more nail-biting than their thriller last year, with the Eagles reversing the result to hold on this time to win 12.13 (85) to 12.12 (84).
It was West Coast's third premiership, following its flags in 1992 and '94.
The Swans, who won last year's decider by four points, reduced the margin to one point three times during the last quarter but only led at the very start of the game when they opened the scoring with a rushed behind.
It is the first one-point grand final since St Kilda won its only premiership, at the expense of Collingwood, in 1966, and the fourth in history.
The redeveloped MCG held 97,431 fans, the biggest grand final crowd since 1997.
Sydney was trailling by seven points 17 minutes into the final term when Swan Adam Schneider snapped a goal to make the margin just one point.
The two sides then went goal-for-goal for the rest of the match, with Adam Hunter kicking the Eagles' last goal to put them seven points up.
Nick Malceski's goal at 26 minutes again made the margin one point and was the last score of the match.
The two sides now have an 11-game run of alternate winners.
The Eagles almost secured the game during the third term, when Quinten Lynch's third goal gave them a 25-point lead.
Andrew Embley had a set shot from in front shortly after, but his kick went wide and Ben Cousins also kicked a behind to take the lead to 27.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.au ...
Australian rules make good football watching. It looks like great fun to play.
Wish I could see this Eagles versus Swans game.
It was a ripper!!!
Gosh, it's already been 20 years since St. Kilda won...time flies. I guess it will be another 20 before they reach the Grand Final again!
Regards,
Gosh, it's already been 20 years since St. Kilda won...time flies. I guess it will be another 20 before they reach the Grand Final again!
Regards,
er, I meant 40...
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