LA Swans Win Grand Final Thriller

The Los Angeles Swans have won the SCAFL 2006 Grand Final by 7 points in a great game against Orange County at Heritage Park on Saturday.

With the teams playing for the inaugural Wallaby's Cup, courtesy of sponsor Wallaby's Pub, and playing off in the Final after a win a piece during the season, it was always going to be a close match. It didn't look that way early, with LA getting the jump on OC and going into the first quarter break with a strong lead. With some more accuracy in front of goal, the Swans could have blown out the score early, as they were clearly playing with more intensity and the midfield of Cliff, Mirosevich and Schulin gave the Swans all the momentum.
1st qtr: LA 4.6 30,  OC 1.3 9.

The Bombers came out a different side in the 2nd quarter after an address from Coach Donnie Lucero, and after a few changes the team started to click. It was a complete reversal of the previous quarter as Ross, Wetherall and Morgan started winning some midfield clearances, and the Bombers forwards got more chances. Meanwhile defender Kelly Nelson was outstanding at full back and repelled many Swans forays. OC kicked 5 goals to 2 for the quarter, to send the teams into the half with scores level.
Half time: LA 6.8 44, OC 6.8 44

OC continued their domination in the 3rd quarter, and now it was their turn to rue missed chances as they kicked 4 goals 3 but couldn't put the Swans away, who held firm with 3 straight to go into the 3rd quarter huddle, 9 points down.
3rd qtr: LA 9.8 62, OC 10.11 71.

The final quarter was pretty frantic, especially after LA jumped out of the blocks with 3 goals to take a handy lead. But OC weren't done with, and fought back with a few of their own to again take the lead with only minutes remaining. But it was the Swans who wanted it more, and they peppered the goals for 5.5 while the Bombers could only manage 3.1. When the final siren went the Swans players celebrated a hard fought, well deserved 7 point victory.
Final score: LA 14.13 97, OC 13.12 90.

The medal for Best on Ground in the Grand Final went to LA captain Steve Cliff, who narrowly edged out OC's Kelly Nelson for the award, followed closely by LA's Scott Fisher.

Photos from the game will be posted on the site soon, meanwhile a selection can be viewed at http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=54263807/a=17119649_17119649/t_=17119649

- Chris McNeil
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