AFL Sydney: East Coast completes hat-trick, North Shore finally gets over the Premier hump

The East Coast Eagles have etched their name into AFL Sydney women’s folklore after creating history with a third-straight title. Hear from the club after their incredible showing.

The East Coast Eagles completed a hat trick of Premier Women's division flags. Photo: Narelle Spangher/AFL Sydney

East Coast has completed an AFL Sydney hat-trick by claiming the Premier Women’s division once again.

On a bumper weekend at Blacktown International Sportspark, the Eagles solidified their place as one of best ever teams in the competition after a 9.9 (63) to 5.2 (32) defeat of the Wolves.

They create history as just the second team to win three-straight titles in the division, emulating the feat of the UNSW-ES Bulldogs from 2016-18.

“It’s really exciting. We’ve done it a couple of times in the men’s program dating back 15 years,” coach Ash Moeller said.

“The men’s side has been struggling over the last few years, so it’s great for the club to have a lot of success in the women’s program.

“We celebrated pretty well and stayed together as a group. Things couldn’t have gone more to plan.”

The Eagles were able to kick clear in the second quarter as they opened up an 18-point lead before extending that beyond four goals heading into the fourth, with Rylee McGartland kicking five goals.

“We had good control of the game, but when they went forward they took their opportunities,” he said.

“The game was largely played in our forward half. We didn’t capitalise on our chances early, but from the second we built a bit of a buffer and dominated the first half of the third quarter.

“The difference in effort, energy and intent from when we played them a few weeks ago made a world of difference.”

Ruck Caitlin Reid was named best on ground and Moeller praised her ability to come back from adversity.

“She was awesome,” he said.

“Coming off a back injury she was pretty sore coming into the game, but she’s just an athlete and covers the ground so well.”

The North Shore Bombers claimed the Premier Men's division flag. Photo: Narelle Spangher/AFL Sydney

BOMBERS BREAK THEIR DUCK

North Shore has moved on from the heartbreak of two-straight grand final defeats to complete a perfect Premier Men’s season.

The Bombers came into their clash with Manly as the undefeated minor premiers and proved too strong for the Wolves, coming out on top 10.9 (69) to 5.6 (36).

North Shore shot out of the blocks to lead 30-2 at the end of the first term, extending that margin to 37 points at the main break and never looked like they would be run down.

“We’ve lost the last two grand finals and it’s been 17 years since we’ve won a Premier Men’s title since a successful run in the early 2000s,” co-coach Ryan Meldrum said.

“There’s been a lot of disappointments over the past five or six years in the finals.

“To win a flag and go 20-0 on the season sends a statement that we were motivated, committed and worked hard to get that result.”

Meldrum said the young roster was able to channel the hurt from going so close in the past into a complete season.

“We’ve had seven changes from last year’s grand final side and our average is under 25,” he said.

“In some ways it was just part of their development. They learned the difference between a home and away game and a final.

“Nothing was going to stop them. They were so zoned in and confident in each other. The previous losses really connected them and that showed on Saturday.”

Fraser Thurlow was awarded best on ground for his three goals, with the 2.05m forward displaying his dominance in a hot start for the Bombers.

“We had a focus early to put the ball into their forward line. When we got the ball out of the middle we wanted to get it long and deep, and our momentum took over,” he said.

“Fraser in his first year at North Shore after previously playing in the VFL with Southport. He’s super fit, super talented and dominated with some great service from the mids.”

It’s just the second time since 1903 a team has claimed the first grade, reserve grade and U19s titles, with the Bombers competing in six of the 12 grand finals held over the past fortnight.

OTHER GRADES

UNDER 19 DIV 1

North Shore 13.13 (91) def Sydney University 5.10 (40)

Four goals to Max Toohey put the exclamation mark on a dominant victory from the Bombers. They led by just 16 points at the end of the third quarter before booting eight goals in the fourth to kick right away.

MEN DIVISION FOUR

St George 7.5 (47) def Hawkesbury 6.7 (43)

The final of 10 grand finals across two days was one of the most exciting. The Dragons held off the Jets by just four points, with Declan Donohue, Stephen Wilsen and Callum Andrews all kicking two goals.

MEN DIVISION THREE

UNSW-ES 6.7 (43) def Pennant Hills 6.2 (38)

An incredible fourth quarter comeback guided the Bulldogs to a thrilling five-point win over the Demons. Trailing by 15 points coming into the final term, UNSW-ES outscored Pennant Hills 21-1 to take the flag.

MEN DIVISION TWO

Southern Power 7.7 (49) def North Shore 6.9 (45)

The Power had to hold off a fast-finishing Bombers to prevail by four points. North Shore kicked four goals in the final term to get back to within a kick, but the Power were able hold them off over the concluding stages.

MEN DIVISION ONE

North Shore 8.8 (56) def Sydney University 6.11 (47)

Benjamin High kicked three majors to propel the Bombers to a nine-point defeat of Sydney Uni. The two sides couldn’t be split by more than one goal at the end of each change, before three goals in the fourth lifted North Shore home.

WOMEN DIVISION THREE

South West Sydney 3.11 (29) def North Shore 0.1 (1)

Kasee McIlvenny kicked two goals in the first half as the Blues were able to comfortably hold North Shore out. A 23-point lead at halftime proved too much to bridge as SWS claimed the flag.

WOMEN DIVISION TWO

Camden 6.7 (43) def Inner West 1.1 (7)

Two goals from Jaimee Kitchener spearheaded a dominant showing from the Cats to take out Inner West in the grand final. They kept the Magpies scoreless to the break and conceded just the one goal in their win.

WOMEN DIVISION ONE

UTS 6.8 (44) def Randwick City 4.5 (29)

A big second quarter from the Bats helped them to a 15-point win over the Saints. They kicked three goals in the period to maintain a lead they would hold until the end, with Siena Visentini finishing with three majors.

Originally published as AFL Sydney: East Coast completes hat-trick, North Shore finally gets over the Premier hump