The West Coast Eagles got revenge over the Sydney Swans from last years Grand Final by defeating the Swans by 1 point. The Swans looked all but out of the running at halftime, down by 25 points. However, the Swans fought back and during the final period the score fluctuated from the Eagles being up by 7 points and being up by 1 point. Unfortunately for the Swans, they were never able to get their noses ahead in the final period, but they put up a spirited effort in what was a thrilling end to the AFL season.

Congratulations go out to the Eagles, who have won their first premiership since the 1994 season.

The Eagles celebrate their Grand Final victory

Last year while I was back in Australia, I departed the homeland on the weekend of the both the AFL and NRL Grand Finals. Why I planned my departure for the biggest sporting weekend in the country, I still don’t know, but next time I will be sure to look at a calendar before purchasing my tickets. It doesn’t seem that long ago that I was having a great time with all my friends and family back home, but it has been a year and it’s Grand Final time yet again!

In the AFL Grand Final, it’s a rematch of last year’s closely fought battle between the West Coast Eagles and the Sydney Swans in a match where the Swans ended up winning their first premiership (since moving to Sydney) by 4 points. This year the teams have played two extremely tight games, with the Eagles winning their round 15 match by two points and the Swans winning in the first round of the finals by one point. The Swans will be fired up after Adam Goodes won his second Brownlow Medal, and the last time the two same teams played in consecutive Grand Finals (2002 & 2003), the team that won the first Grand Final also won the rematch. I think this trend will continue and Sydney will win back-to-back Grand Finals.

The AFL trophy

In the NRL Grand Final, the Melbourne Storm play the Brisbane Broncos. Melbourne ran away with the Minor Premiership, winning 6 more games than Brisbane did during the regular season, and in their only meeting this year, the Storm beat the Broncos 10-4. Melbourne have easily been the most impressive team during the course of the season and should win Sunday’s match, but Brisbane can never be underestimated and have a knack of rising to the occassion - especially on the biggest stage. However, Melbourne will win their match and their second premiership.

The Provan-Summons trophy