Wildcats through to the big one while North London survive another week

ON Saturday the West London Wildcats advanced to their 11th Grand Final in 13 years with a strong four quarter display over arch enemies the Wandsworth Demons. Whilst the Demons started the game in dazzling fashion with ace goal kicking forward Mark Brescacin booting a couple of early goals, from that moment on the Wildcats controlled the game to run out 60 point winners in the end, 15.11 (101) to 6.7 (43). Best for the Wildcats was captain Steven Puhar, Adam Broadbent with seven goals and Aaron Kempe who controlled traffic across half back. Barry Hayes, Louie McClleland and James O’Connell battled hard for the Demons.

In the Conference game the Shepherds Bush Raiders maintained their perfect record of playing in every Conference Grand Final since that division commenced in 2001, winning all but one, with a big victory over the Regents Park Lions. Best for the Raiders were Jack Russell with four majors, Luke Hill, and big Sam Widmar up forward who took some towering marks. Whilst for the Lions, David Strugnall and Jimmy Boot battled hard.

In the Social game the Ealing Emus bounced out of the blocks booting six straight goals to lead 6.0 at quarter time, however from that point onwards the South London Demons slowly wrestled back control and finally in the last minute of the game they hit the front for the first time to win by four points.The Emus player had a chance on the siren to win the game back but could only manage to kick it out on the full kicking into a swirling wind.

On Sunday in the minor semi final, the North London Lions continued their great late season form when they defeated a gallant Putney side 15.4 (94) to 11.5 (71). Whilst North looked to have the stronger team for the first half, the Magpies had other thoughts after half time and despite being undermanned in the absence of their two gun forwards, Slevision and McGettigan , they came out fired up and kicked three goals to one against the wind in third quarter. At the last change, the Magpies had a one point lead and the wind at their backs and North’s season was really on the ropes. However the Lions were determined not to be beaten and ended up running out four goal winners in a strong display. Best for the Lions were Courtney Shergold, Marty Plews and Travis Strawhorn, whilst for the Magpies Josh Cutten, Greg Chapman and Jacob Bailey battled hard.

In the Conference game the Clapham Demons had too many weapons all over the ground for the Swans, and in a strong display now look like a potential Grand Finalist team in the making! Best for Clapham were Liam Baker, Jarryd Brown and Brendan Clohesy, whilst for the Swans Chris Angus, Tom Butlin and Ben Butlin worked hard for the Swans! This result marks the end to the season for the Swans club who made some great steps forward in 2011 and will no doubt look to build even further in 2012 in what is a great sign for the eveness of the competition!

In the Social, the Bounds Green Lions advanced to the Preliminary Final when they managed to hold off a fast finishing Reading Roos. Chris Armstrong, James Masemann and Duncan Brennan were the better players for the Lions, whilst Ben Banks, Travis White and George Hepburn tried valiantly for the Roos.

AFL London preliminary final preview

Cut throat time is amongst us with the winners this week getting the ticket to the big dance whilst for the losers, it’s Mad Monday time!

On Saturday down at Motspur Park the North London Lions take on the Wandsworth Demons. The Lions are coming off a solid win over Putney and should have too many big guns for the Demons. The Lions engine room will be key, especially with the drive they get from Moreland and Capsalis who then get it in long to the match winning key forwards in Littlechild Shergold and Keeble. At the other end, the Lions will need to shut out the Demons gun forward Mark Brescacin to ensure the Dees don’t get a winning score! Whilst the Demons can never be under estimated and have the ability to keep rising in the big games, the Lions should take the prize for the right to challenge the Wildcats for the 2011 Premiership, which would be their first Grand Final since their back to back success in 2001 and 2002.

In the Conference this game looks to be a belter with the Clapham Demons recording a strong win on Sunday whilst the Lions were overpowered by the Raiders. Both sides will be desperate to win this one to reach the Grand Final and the Demons are tipped to take this out one out in a very close contest.

Whilst in the Social Game the Ealing Emus will be red hot favourites over the Bounds Green Lions. The Emus will be eager to make amends for last weeks slip up when they lost the game in the last minute of the game, whilst the Lions will look to enter their first ever social Grand Final. The Lions will no doubt battle hard early but expect the Emus to bounce back and win a place in the Grand Final.

Make sure you are there to see all the exciting action this Saturday at Motspur Park (Motspur Park is only three stops from Clapham junction or two from Wimbledon and a 1 minute walk). And don’t forget the League Best and Fairest Night on Monday 1 August from 7pm at the Wahoo Bar in Putney.