World Footy News

The Tokyo Goannas failed by 6 goals in their quest to win the Japan AFL premiership for the 3rd year in a row yesterday going down to the Samurais in the Japan AFL's season decider at the Radisson Ground, Narita. Final score 170 - 133.

In great conditions for footy, a slight breeze, sunlight peering through thin cloud, the Samurais got off to a flying start, kicking the first few goals of the game before the Goannas steadied and put a few on the board. The Sams showed superior speed, fitness and better use of the footy for the next 2 quarters to have a commanding lead at 3/4 time. A last quarter burst of quality Goannas play as they started to win the ball around the stoppages and slammed on at least 6 unanswered goals in the first 10 minutes of the final term. This reduced the deficit, but it was not enough, as the Samurai's steadied and held on to a well deserved Grand Final victory

Best on ground was Samurai gun Michito Sakaki while Travis Wilson was the Goanna's best, closely followed by Dan McGrath (8 goals), Benny Sachse in the ruck, Ron Mitchell (5 goals) as well as full back Jon Holroyd who kept Crazyhorse pretty quiet. Goalsneak Matty Reilly and centreman Shane Flanagan were threats all day while Matt "BumpNGrind" Edmonds took footy to new levels in Asia with a few pre-game beers.

In the curtain raiser, the visiting Osaka Dingoes over-ran a gallant Eastern Hawks. A detailed match report will be available on www.tokyogoannas.com in the near future.

The 2005 Japan AFL season concludes over the next 2 weekends with the JAFL Presentation night on December 3 (tickets still available) and the Goannas Best and Fairest (Kim Bebbington Award), Xmas Party and AGM at 3pm on December 11 at the Clubhouse!