World Footy News

Teams	1st Qtr	2nd Qtr	3d Qtr	Final
Hawthorn	4.5.(29)	4.6.(30)	9.10.(64)	11.15.(81)
Sydney	1.4.(10)	7.4.(46)	10.5.(65)	14.7.(91)

Goals :
Haw : Franklin 3, Roughead 2, Gunston 2, Hale 2, Breust 2, Ellis, Smith
Syd : McVeigh 2, Malceski 2, Morton 2, Jack 2, Kennedy 2, Hannebery, Reid, Roberts-Thomson, Goodes

Norm Smith Medal : Ryan O'Keefe, (Syd), 28 disposals and 15 tackles.

Att : 99,683

Premierships : 1909, 1918, 1933, 2005, 2012

In a see-sawing final quarter Hawthorn had kicked out to an early lead, only to see the Swans pegging back the lead then first levelling the scores before pushing ahead by a first a point, then a Goodes goal to lead by 7. 3 Consecutive misses including a poster from Gunston and 2 (snaps) by Sewell (who had battled valiantly all day with a game high 33 disposals) saw the Swans leading by just 4 points with just minutes remaining. The Swans surged forward, there ensued a stoppage and large pack from which Malceski snapped the match sealing goal, after kicking the Swans first he closed the deal with the last. Hawthorn could rue several posters, and other misses including Franklin who finished with 3 goals 4 plus one very much across the face and out on the full at a crucial time kicking to the Punt Rd end just before half time. Roughead also finihed with 0.3 while Hale squared his ledger with 2.2 after his 2 first half misses. The Hawks inaccuracy cost them, and for the Swans, with the frees ledger sitting 9-22 against, there might have been an grudging excuse had they lost. In the end it was a classic contest irrespective.

Of interest to Canadian footy fans - Mike Pyke finished with 16 disposals and 6 marks and 29 hit outs. The Swans headed into the last quarter with substitute player Luke Parker still to be brought into the game - and shortly into the last made the call of removing a tall. That they replaced big Shane Mumford (6 disposals, 2 marks) was a massive show of faith in Pyke who rucked out the last quarter. Including a key late pack mark (that led to Adam Goodes scrabbling a goal to put the Swans up by 7) as well as a couple of vital contesting efforts in the play that saw his mid-air hack at the ball marked by Jetta who went back with about a minute and a half remaining to drive the ball to the teeth of goals - from where the pack developed that lead to Malceski's match winner.

After the Swans had surged to a 28 point lead midway through the third term, Hawthorn had shown courage to fight back, take the lead just before 3/4 time but conceded a 50m penalty (against Sam Mitchell for a sloppy return of the ball) and late goal to Jarrad McVeigh who regained the lead for the Swans. The first 2 goals of the last quarter came to the Hawks The Swans kicked the last 4 goals of the game, against the Hawks 5 behinds. Goals first to Hannebery on the run to get back with 6; then Jack in the goal square to tie up the scores, followed by Goodes and finally Malceski.

Kieren Jack manages to go one better than his dad (Balmain legend, Garry Jack) did for Balmain in the NRL (losing to Canterbury in 1988 and Canberra in 1989). Jude Bolton has been revealed to have played on through the finals with a partially torn PCL and more significantly a partially torn ACL - and is facing a knee reconstruction and the question would be posed as to whether he's played his last game. Nick Malceski as well headed in for his LARS knee reconstruction in early March 2011, was walking within 4 days and now has a premiership medallion to fully validate the decision. Rhyce Shaw who missed out at Collingwood almost 10 years (the 2003 50 pt loss to Brisbane) ago has tasted the ultimate success and was congratulated by brother Heath after the game - however, the emotion of Mark and Jarrad McVeigh's embrace across the fence during the lap of honour was palpable. (Read Mark's tribute ). Mike Pyke as well has 'stuck it up' his detractors (chief of whom perhaps 'BT' - Brian Taylor, although in part tongue in cheek at times, becoming a bit of a running 'gag' on Ch.7 during the season - so much so that even Swans president Richard Colless passed a message via Ch.7 boundary riders back to 'BT' from the rooms after the game.). Pyke was interviewed on the ground post match by Cameron Ling - and perhaps Pyke doesn't know the Canadian for 'Lingy' as Pyke said it with perhaps a hint of Aussie twang? Mitch Morton spoke of having to earn the trust of his teammates to finally get a game, and the surreal feeling he had as a premiership player 12 months on from leaving Richmond. Adam Goodes has been reported to have suffered a torn PCL early in the contest - through which he played out the game and continued to compete strongly, including kicking a vital late goal. Meanwhile, Swans stalwart Kenny Williams again led the Swans song back in the rooms - premiership cup in hand.

As the clock counted down to the first bounce and from the international angle - the plot was threatening to twist and turn. The late rumour doing the rounds (incl. AFL website here) was that Swans #1 ruckman Shane Mumford was very much doubtful with a hamstring injury from training during the week.

Canadian Mike Pyke has been built up in the media (somewhat overdue Melbourne based recognition - including on AFL.com.au today), and ironically former Hawthorn premiership player and now media commentator Dermott Brereton had suggested that with the weather forecast that the Swans might consider replacing a 'tall'. The obvious candidate would have been Pyke as suggested in the Age here.  Yesterday Swans coach John Longmire denied that Pyke's place was in jeopardy (the Australian here).  Whilst Mumford was in doubt, then Pyke would have been called on to take the number 1 ruck role with perhaps Irishman Tommy Walsh slipping into the 22 (Another of the Swans emergencies is Trent Dennis-Lane with Burmese background).

 Please note that these details are correct at the time of publishing. WFN accepts no responsibility for any changes to these times by broadcasters. Please check local guides or afl.com.au. 

2012 AFL Grand Final INTERNATIONAL BROADCAST SCHEDULE Saturday 29 September.

DATE	MATCH	VENUE	STATE	LOCAL	EST	CST	WST	GMT	NETWORK
Saturday 29 September	Hawthorn vs. Sydney Swans	MCG	VIC	14:30	14:30	14:00	12:30	4:30	Seven Network

Hawthorn has won the battle with Carlton for the signature of a young Irish recruit.  Hawthorn Football Club has signed Irish youngster Ciarán Kilkenny as an International rookie. The 19 year old, who was recently voted the best Under 21 Gaelic Football player in Ireland, tested impressively at the AFL Combine in February.

The youngster from Dublin and his father John recently visited Hawthorn’s Waverley Park headquarters and attended a Hawks’ game.

Picture:Sportsfile.

Bright sunshine and a chill wind met the players from Hawthorn and Sydney this morning as they awoke for the biggest day of Australian Football's year. After the Grand Final Parade yesterday was soaked with rain, a clear night a strong breeze and a very expensive drainage system should ensure that the venue for the match - the Melbourne Cricket Ground will be in great condition for today's match.

Across Australia and around the world, Australians and footy lovers of many nationalities and races will be tuning in to see a great game of football. The bright sunshine may give way to showers during the match but this will hopefully add to what is expected to be a tight contest and provide a great spectacle for one and all.

Football clubs overseas use the day to raise much needed funds to run the club and to assist in the financial burdens of long distance travel to compete. Many playing overseas have found our game at such functions or on the TV thousands of kilometres (or miles) from the MCG. Long may that continue.

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Hawthorn and Sydney will battle it out this Saturday for the 2012 AFL title.

Every year since 2005 World Footy News has displayed an extensive list of Grand Final Parties around the world. And with finals starting this week we once again call for clubs around the world to send details of your party so that fans of the game in your city can watch the big game with you.

You can either post details as a comment below (you must register before you are able to post a comment) or email troy@worldfootynews.com - all these details will be collated as per previous years.

This Saturday's AFL Grand Final will feature a team that has "flown under the radar" for almost all of the season with a player that also befits that description despite having a remarkable story to tell, the story of Mike Pyke and the Sydney Swans.

28 years ago Michael Pyke was born in Victoria, B.C. Canada.  He played basketball, soccer and ice hockey before moving onto rugby where he played for the Canadian national side and a top French side.  Pyke achieved international fame in 2007 for running the length of the field and scoring an intercept try against the New Zealand All Blacks in a RUWC game.

However, injuries prompted Pyke to look for a career change. "In Canada, everyone knows what Aussie rules is but they don't know much about it," Pyke later would say. Together with a friend, Matt Woodland, Pyke put together a DVD showcasing his rugby highlights which Woodland then sent onto AFL player agent Michael Quinlan.  Quinlan, convinced of the possibilities, began dialogue with the Sydney Swan's Stewart Maxfield, as the Swans were known for their success with international premiership player Tadhg Kennelly and their use of “sabermetrics” (Moneyball).
 

Aussie Rules in Canada has enjoyed a purple patch of late. Mike Pyke’s rise to fame and imminent AFL Grand Final appearance with the Sydney Swans has coincided with solid growth on his home soil. Most of the Canadian leagues - spread across four of the thirteen provinces and territories - have expanded their number of teams in recent years, some even adding women’s divisions and second tier competitions.

That purple patch is set to continue with the exciting new formation of the Halifax Dockers; a team looking to break new ground and promote Aussie Rules on a completely new frontier: the province of Nova Scotia.

Sydney Coach, John Longmire was tonight announced as the AFLCA’s Allan Jeans Etihad Airways Senior Coach of the Year in front of over 600 guests at the 2012 Momentum Energy AFL Coaches Association Awards Night at Crown. Voted by his coaching peers, Longmire won the AFLCA Award in only his 2nd year as a Senior Coach. The Award has been named in honour of coaching icon Allan Jeans who passed away last year.

Richmond midfielder Trent Cotchin, won the AFLCA “Wingman Player of the Year Award. Cotchin finished in front of Collingwood’s Dayne Beams with Gary Ablett and Patrick Dangerfield tied in third position. Each Senior Coach voted on a 5,4,3,2,1 basis after each home and away game this Season. Government Minister Andrew McIntosh made the Presentation to Cotchin, with Trent’s partner and parents in attendance.

Chen Shao Liang was described by Kevin Sheehan as a "medium defender type with brilliant leg power. His vertical jump is in the rare category. A standing jump of 86cm and a running jump of 99cm at the China Combine in July were reflective of his background in volleyball and basketball. An exciting athlete that has excelled at school in short distance track events and displays a real desire to learn the game and improve. Is the first player to be selected from the AFL China Academy program in Guangzhou, Southern China

 

You can see him for yourself in the video news story below from Austalian TV Network Channel 9.

Goal umpire Chelsea Roffey will this Saturday become the first woman to officiate at an AFL grand final. Many in the international footy community may remember Chelsea from the 2008 International Cup where she provided media coverage for the AFL site working for Media Giants.

Roffey and Luke Walker were named as the goal umpires for this week's Hawthorn v Sydney season-decider.

The field umpires will be Simon Meredith, Brett Rosebury, and Matt Stevic, while the boundary umpires will be Ian Burrows, Jonathan Creasey, Robert Haala, and Mark Foster

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news...z27R0N3ZQu