The Grand Final of the Sydney Premier Division Australian Rules competition will be a showdown between the defending premiers East Coast Eagles and the 2010 minor premiers Sydney University.
The Eagles won the right to defend their title when they defeated Western Suburbs by 55 points in the preliminary final on Sunday. East Coast had 11 scorers in their 16.10 (106) to 6.15 (51) triumph over Wests.
After topping the ladder at the end of the season proper, the Students moved into a grand final berth with a 13-point win over Western Suburbs in their major semi-final.
Sydney University could create history for the club with three titles on Saturday, with the Reserve Grade and Under 18 teams also through to the Grand Finals.
Sydney University Reserves will meet UTS in the season showdown after UTS accounted for Manly-Warringah 13.15 (83) to 2.10 (22) in their preliminary final.
And Sydney University Under 18s will meet East Coast Eagles in the Premier Cup Grand Final after the Eagles defeated North Shore 8.7 (55) to 6.9 (45) in their preliminary final on Sunday.
The Grand Finals will be played at Blacktown Olympic Stadium on Saturday, September 18, with Under 18s kicking off at 9.45am, Reserve Grade at noon and First Grade at 2.30pm
Sydney University First Grade coach Roger Moten is hoping to bring home the club’s first flag since 1992 when Ron Carter and Brett Scott led the First Grade to a premiership (18.16: 124 to 8.11: 59 over North Shore) and the Club of the Year award.
The club’s inaugural – and only other – First Grade premiership was in 1969 when Rodney Tubbs captain-coached First Grade to a NSW AFL title with a win over St George.
Meanwhile, Sydney University has a number of players nominated for the Sydney AFL Team of the Year, to be announced at the Phelan Medal presentation dinner at Doltone House tonight.
Adam McConnochie and Ben Mankarious have been nominated as best midfielders, Mark Egan and Alex Lee as best forwards, and Tom Elkington as best ruckman. And Moten has been nominated for the coach’s award.
Scoreboard
First Grade: East Coast Eagles 16.10: 106 d Western Suburbs 6.15: 51. East Coast Eagles to meet Sydney University in Grand Final at Blacktown Olympic Park from 2.30pm on Saturday, September 18.
Reserve Grade: UTS 13.15 (93) d Manly Warringah 2.10 (22).
UTS to meet Sydney University in Grand Final at Blacktown Olympic Park from noon on Saturday, September 18.
Under 18 Premier Cup: East Coast Eagles 8.7: (55) d North Shore 6.9: (45).
East Coast Eagles to meet Sydney University in Grand Final at Blacktown Olympic Park from 9.45am on Saturday, September 18.
