Putney knock out the Swans in cliff hanger while Wildcats are minor premiers

In a pulsating last round of the 2011 AFL London season, the Putney Magpies knocked out a desperately unlucky London Swans 10.10 (70) to 9.9 (63). After a greatly improved season, the Swans can be proud of their efforts but will also be massively disappointed not to sneak into the finals for only the second time in the 21 year history of the league. After jumping out of the blocks with a six goal to two first quarter the Swans then handed control back to the Magpies who managed to hold on in the last quarter despite the Swans coach Anthony Raso almost taking a mark in the goal square in the dying minutes. While many on lookers claimed it was a certain grab, it wasn’t paid by the umpires! Best for the Swans were club president Chris Angus and Brian Kelly. As for Putney, the Magpies may loom as a dark horse in the finals given their strong goal kicking power!

In the earlier games the London Swans had a big victory over the Magpies, with Matt Murfitt and Brad Thompson best for the winners. In the social game the Reading Roos finished their season a strong note with Radoslaw Szeniec-Kiedrzynski and Nathan Grindall best for the Roos.

In the next game the North London Lions finished their 2011 campaign in strong fashion with a huge win 23.19 (157) to 5.4 (34) over the Hawks whose season ran out of steam a few weeks back. Despite not making the finals, the Hawks will no doubt be proud of the way they improved this season. Best for the Lions was Daniel Morland who finished the season in dazzling form and will be a handful in the finals for any opposition whilst Brendan McGeever and goal kicking machine Adam Littlechild with another 8 majors also having great games for the Lions. Alistair Sutherland and Jason Elliot battled hard for the Hawkers, with Elliot yet again dominating in another game that will do his league best & fairest chances no harm at all.

In the earlier game the Regents Park Lions consolidated their top two finish with a runaway victory over the Dulwich Dragons with Kurt Cadman and Chris Armstrong best for the Lions. In the social game the Lions rounded off a great day for the club with a victory over the Hawks with ever green Brian Chisholm and Jay Treloar solid for the winners and Tom Strachan and Stephen Gill good performers for the Hawks.

In the final premiership game of the 2011 season the West London Wildcats wrapped up another minor premiership with a solid yet not spectacular performance over the Wandsworth Demons, 7.12 (54) to 4.12 (36). Sundays game will act as a warm up to next week’s second semi final and the Wildcats will certainly be happy to take the slight psychological edge into the important finals match. Best for the Cats were Marc Lonergan and Shane McCauley whilst for the Demons Sam Bates and veteran Ben Jansen battled hard.

In the earlier game the Clapham Demons produced one of the upsets of the season when they knocked over the previously undefeated Shepherds Bush Raiders. Best for the Raiders were Fergus Adamson and Tyson Gorupic. In the social game the Ealing Emus rounded out a fantastic season for the Wildcats club when they had a win to ensure that all 3 West London team ended up as minor premiers which is no mean feat, however will mean nothing once the finals commence this week. Best for the Emus were Julian Kasby and Jarryd Gaggin, whilst for the Demons Michael Garbellini and last year’s senior premiership coach Marcus Thomas battled hard for the Demons!

All eyes now turn to the semi finals this weekend where some fast and furious AFL London action is guaranteed!

AFL London semi final preview
The time of the year has arrived when the boys will be sorted from the men! On Saturday in the ‘second’ semi final, the Wildcats take on the Demons in a replay of last Sundays game with the winner winning tickets to the ball and advancing straight to the Grand Final on Saturday, 6 August. In what should be a titanic battle between these two arch enemies the Wildcats may just prove a touch too strong again although it will no doubt go right down to the wire like all Wildcats and Demons battles!

In the earlier games the Raiders will look to put last week’s hiccup behind them when they tackle the Regents Park Lions and the Raiders should have enough quality to advance to their 11th consecutive Grand Final. Whilst in the social game the Emus should also account for the Demons.

On Sunday all eyes will turn to the cut throat ‘first’ semi final where the North London Lions take on the Putney Magpies. Whilst the Magpies are never to be taken lightly at this time of year both these teams routes to the finals could not have been different with the Lions ending the season in rampaging fashion and the Magpies spluttering into the finals. In what should be a great goal kicking shoot out between the Pies’ Slevision and McGettigan and North’s Littlechild and Keeble, the Lions should have a bit too much quality in the midfield with Moreland and co in sparkling form.

In the conference game the Clapham Demons will be pumped after knocking off the Raiders last week, however this week may be a different story when they face the London Swans who may benefit from their senior team not making the finals. In what should be another great game of footy the Swans are tipped to advance here in what some may describe as an upset. In the social game the Reading Roos who have enjoyed a stellar season should advance to the Preliminary Final as they should have too many runners for the Lions!

Make sure you are there to see all the exciting action of AFL London finals footy this Saturday and Sunday!