Grand Final: Demons v Shepherds Bush Raiders (Conference)

Ash Pitman | 16.08.16

Clapham Demons 8.2 (50) def. Shepherds Bush Raiders 7.5 (47)

How good was that! Pitto and I are so proud of the boys - the effort, team first mentality and pressure was phenomenal. We literally tackled our way to a premiership. 

It was a hot footy right throughout the game with the Demons never taking a backward step and asserting their authority at the contest right from the outset - Walshy, Sandy, Thommy, Kiercey and Hank didn't allow the Raiders a second to rest. Our midfielders were first in at the footy, the wings held their positions and consistently created the link out of the backline, and the backline. Wowee. These boys were impressive with the ever reliable Fulton, Whitey and Sharply joined by their new partner in crime Noblett actually punching the air out of the ball at times and thwarting many of the Raiders entries. Once they brought it to ground, the likes of Sandells and Skelly were quick to mop up and lace targets all over the shop, as well as NZ Richie doing a job on one of their best players and then in the last quarter single handedly saving an almost certain goal.

Brazilian Ricci ran the show out on the wing, seamlessly picking up possessions at will. He was often joined by his new partner in crime Jesus who had a new role up on the wing and played his best game of the year, attacking the man and the ball like it was his last supper. All of the non-Aussie boys were fantastic right throughout, they all made an impact and hit the ground running when it was their turn. And then we get to the forwards who were super accurate and consistently put scoreboard pressure on the Raiders. Ki provided a target out of full forward, Dod was everywhere across the half forward line, Bambi presented up at the footy, Yeao did what Yeao does (just ask him) and at one stage we were asking whether Dom had actually tackled every Raider player in the forward half. In all though, it was a great team effort and a fantastic win for the Club. Congratulations to Brazilian Ricci for being the first non-Aussie to win the best on ground medal. 

The celebration after the siren showed our passion and how much we enjoyed playing with and for each other - we should be super proud of achieving something that had only ever happened once before in the history of AFL in London. 

Thanks very much for a fantastic year, loved coaching and we really appreciate the respect you gave us all year. 

Goals: Dod 3, TK 2, Yeao 1, Keircey 1, Casa 1

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