World Footy News

When writing history, one train of thought says that clubs go through the stages of initial development, success, domination and then legends. It might be the time to have a close look at the Manchester Mosquitoes and review their place on that particular pecking order.

The Manchester Mozzies have claimed the 2016 AFLCNE premiership with an emphatic 83 point victory against the Nottingham Scorpions in the Grand Final. For the Mozzies it is a rare “three-peat” of flags, claiming the titles in 2014, 2015 and now 2016. More impressive is the fact that they have now won five flags in seven years from their six Grand Final appearances.

As they did last year, the Mozzies raced out of the blocks with a big first quarter. Not as frightening as 2015 when their 12 goal to one first term effectively buried the Sheffield Thunder by quarter time, but their eight goal term set up a six goal quarter time lead. The Scorpions were already heavily on the back foot.

Down by 55 points by half time, the Scorpions knew that all hinged on a big third quarter to reduce the gap and give themselves a chance to storm home in the last quarter. However, the Mozzies had other ideas hammering on 13 scoring shots to two for the term and opening up a massive 86 point lead.

The final quarter was for pride and the Scorpions won the quarter, but by then the damage had been done. By the final siren the Mozzies had triumphed again and the celebrations began for a team that went through the season undefeated – an impressive feat in its own right.

Quarter Time: Mozzies 8 4 52 v Scorpions 2 3 15
Half Time: Mozzies 15 5 95 v Scorpions 6 4 40
Three Quarter Time: Mozzies 20 13 133 v Scorpions 7 5 47
Final: Manchester Mozzies 23 18 156 defeated Nottingham Scorpions 11 7 73

The battle for the newly minted Premiership Plate was played as the curtain-raiser to the main event. Fifth placed Sheffield Thunder took on sixth placed Tyne Tees Tigers. Their ladder positions wouldn’t change but the prestige of another piece of silverware was incentive. The Thunder worked hard to lead at half time, up by 16 points, and they also won the final quarter narrowly.

But a withering third quarter by the Tigers with five unanswered goals was enough for them to take the lead by three quarter time and withstand a strong challenge from the Thunder in the tense last quarter to claim the plate.

It completed another good finish to a season for the Tigers. They finished 2015 on a roll also, and to win the plate this year says much about their improvement and paints a rosier picture for the future.

Final Score: Tyne Tees Tigers 14 15 99 d Sheffield Thunder 12 18 90

So, now all clubs look towards their respective off-seasons with a host of tournaments, both regional and international, to compete in and develop lists in readiness for 2017 when it all starts again.

The top four this season can work towards re-establishing the form which got them there in 2016, however those teams outside the four can look towards a promising new year. The Tyne Tees Tigers have a plate to crow about, the Merseyside Saints managed a win in their first season and will only improve and Sheffield Thunder can build on their four wins this season. It is also possible that the Birmingham Bears return to battle next season.

But for the time being it is a hearty congratulations to the Manchester Mozzies on their 2016 premiership and the new pages they have written in the AFLCNE history books.

(Picture: Elise Cox - Manchester Mozzies)