It was a heartbreaking loss for the Sydney Swans reserves on Saturday afternoon, who suffered a two-point loss to Aspley in this year’s NEAFL grand final.
Despite leading by as many as 32 points late in the third term, a six goal to one final term from the home side, including the match-winning goal on the siren saw the Hornets claim victory at Graham Road Reserve in front of a vocal Aspley home crowd.
While the Swans reserves fell painfully short in Saturday’s decider, midfielder Tom Mitchell was awarded the Andrew Ireland Medal for best afield, following his impressive 30 touches, ten tackles, 11 clearances and one goal in the loss.
The match, which was played at the same venue which saw the Swans reserves fall short to the Brisbane Lions reserves in last year’s grand final, was a game of momentum swings, with both sides getting the edge at different times throughout the contest.
The Swans reserves got off to a fast start, booting the opening three goals of the match, before Aspley fought back late in the term to trail by two points at the main change.
The Hornets then hit the ground running in the second quarter, with Aspley’s run and attacking play helping them to the first two goals of the second term.
Goals to Ryan O’Keefe and Callum Mills kept the Swans reserves in touch, before the home side hit back again to stretch the margin out to 16 points late in the term before a Tim Membrey snap saw the margin roll back to seven points at the long break.
A six goal to four second term gave the home side confidence heading into third quarter, but the Swans reserves appeared up for the challenge from the moment they took to the field in the third quarter.
Led by Shane Biggs and Mitchell in the middle and Membrey and Dean Towers up forward, the Swans reserves piled on seven goals and kept the Hornets goalless, to hold a 32-point lead at the final change.
Following the trend of momentum shifts, Aspley regained dominance in the last quarter, booting five goals before the Swans reserves could slot a major.
The Swans reserves regained the lead, with just minutes to go, when O’Keefe and Mitchell combined to find Zak Jones on the run, who took a bounce and kicked a brilliant goal to put the visitors in front.
But Jones’ goal wasn’t the sealer, with Aspley small forward Daniel Smith winning a free for a throw and slotting a difficult goal from a tight angle as the siren sounded.
Final score
Sydney Swans reserves: 3.5 7.7 14.9 15.10 (100)
Aspley Hornets 3.3 9.4 9.7 15.12 (102)
Goals: T. Membrey 5, D. Towers 2, J. Hiscox , M. Wright , Z. Jones , C. Mills , S. Naismith , T. Mitchell , R. O'Keefe , B. Jack
Best Players: T. Mitchell , T. Membrey , X. Richards , D. Towers , S. Biggs , R. O'Keefe
