AAFL 2005 Grand Final Results - Mt Roskill Saints Auckland AFL FC

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Monday, 1 May, 2006

Mt Roskill Saints 9.7.61 points
defeated
North Shore Tigers 7.12.54 points

Goal Scorers: Saints
Dion Nash 2, Pete Jensen 2, Gareth Rattray 2, Brendan Hines 1, Steve Faiweather 1 and David Kay 1

Goal Scorers: Tigers
Emrys McArley 2, Caleb Stick 1, Greg Staines 1, Todd Danks 1, Tim Staines 1

Best Players: Saints
Paul Munt, David Kay, Lewis Hurst, Gareth Rattray, Pete Jensen and Dion Nash

Best Players: Tigers
Louis Mclennan, T. McArley, Shaun O'Toole and Clint Harvey.

The Mt Roskill Saints are Premiers after defeating the North Shore Tigers in one of the closest finals in recent history. The win is the Saints first victory since 1997, breaking a seven-year drought.

In perfect conditions at a very well prepared Beecroft park, Tigers captain Louis McLennan won the toss and kicked towards the motorway end of the ground. A quick scan of the field identified some predicted match ups and some different strategies. Tigers veteran Miles Stratford lined up on Saints full forward Steve Fairweather. Saints tall Matt Callaghan lined up at full back and marked Tigers Spearhead Greg Staines who looked somewhat inhibited from the start after sustaining a serious ankle injury in the Preliminary final. In a bold move, the Saints played David Kay across half forward, away from his usual position of centre.

From the first bounce, the Saints looked sharper than their Tiger opponents, running the ball and hitting targets and generally getting more numbers to the ball. Former NZ cricketer Dion Nash opened the scoring with a clever snap from 45 meters out. The Saints had many players who were on top of their opponents. David Kay was outstanding at half forward and was clearly the best player on the ground in the first quarter. In addition to Kay and Nash, Munt, Rattray and Hurst were all busy. The Tigers were getting enough of the ball in the midfield through rover Tristan McArley however only scored their first goal late in the term via a goal from Caleb Stick. The Saints went into the first break with a handy 14-point lead.

The second quarter was a tough affair with the Tigers trying to steady and play to their game plan. Dion Nash scored early in this term and when Brendan Hines kicked his first, the Saints had opened up a 24-point lead. The Tigers were trying but made too many simple skill errors, which prevented them from getting pass their half-forward line. Saints player Matty Callaghan was very good at centre half back. McArley continued to gain possessions through the midfield however had little help. Key Tigers player Todd Danks was being well held. Peter Boyce was defending well, playing a loose man across the half-back line for the Saints. Saints player Paul Munt continued to dominate around the ground. His clever running and neat left foot created trouble for Tigers coach Vanstam.

The third quarter started the same however Tigers Captain McLennan had other ideas. In a spirited performance, he lifted another gear and was everywhere. He had been a solid performer against Saints ruckman Tagg in the first half, however did everything he could to lift his side in this stanza. McLennan had earlier in the morning won the Tigers Best & Fairest award. His teammate and runner up in the award Tristan McArley, had 10 possessions in the quarter. In addition to this, Tigers coach Vanstam moved Shaun O'Toole onto the dangerous Kay. This seemed to stop the Saints momentum and it looked like the Tigers would come back. Saints player Peter Jensen then kicked two goals within the space of 5 minutes to steady the flow. To add to Jensen's two goals, Greg Staines missed a golden opportunity to convert as he missed an easy goal. The last break saw the Saints leading by 29 points.

The last quarter was a case of the Tigers trying to march home and the Saints holding on. The Tigers started to get players performing with Emrys McArley, Clint Harvey and Brett Rodikal helping the Tigers outstanding players Mclennan, McArley and O'Toole. Todd Danks (Tigers) kicked a goal and was awarded another as a result of some crude play by a Saints player. He missed his second opportunity from an easy set shot. Gareth Rattray, who had looked dangerous all day up forward for the Saints kicked the sealer to ensure the Saints were the 2005 Premier.

Congratulations to Peter Boyce (Coach), Steve Faiweather (Captain), Dave Baker (Assistant Coach), Greg Cairns (President) and the Saints players for their wonderful season.

Saints player Paul Munt was awarded the Wells medal for the best player in the Grand Final.

Umpires Stewart Meek and Rob Greenwood did a good job with no real issues arising from the day.