The Brisbane Lions have joined the Adelaide Crows and Melbourne Demons as winners of the first ever week of AFLX, defeating the Sydney Swans in the grand final at Allianz Stadium.
Final score
Brisbane Lions 67
Sydney Swans 41
The third and final day of the AFLX tournament is in Sydney, with the Brisbane Lions, Sydney Swans, Gold Coast Suns, GWS Giants, Western Bulldogs and Richmond Tigers taking part. Join The Roar for all the action from 4:10pm (AEDT).
Saturday’s games will be played between four of the interstate squads and the previous two flag winners and while none are at full strength, there is still star power on show.
The new, fast-paced action that the AFL promised before the launch of the competition was evident in the first two dayss, however it didn’t live up to the excitement of a normal game of football gives the viewer.
Goals went back and forth like a basketball game, lacking the build-up and tactics of the real game.
The jury is still out on Zooper goals, which award extra points for kicking it outside the arc – which is 40 metres this year, as opposed to the normal 50 –while the silver balls were scrapped on Day 1 due to poor visibility.
Whether the teams will even bother taking this serious is an issue, too. AFLX really doesn’t give them much of work out, it may help with basic skills, but not in the way a proper game would.
It’s basically just some lighthearted fun, and if it gets people wanting more footy ahead of the seasonp proper, it will be deemd a success.
Prediction
The Giants look to have a better side than most, especially in the midfield – they should flourish in this competition.
A midfield dominant side is the best option in this fast paced end to end game and GWS have it covered.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
The final scores for all the games were as follows. Richmond defeat GWS Giants 49-34 (Pool A) Sydney Swans defeat Western Bulldogs 88-36 (Pool B) Brisbane defeat Richmond 66-61 (Pool A) GC Suns defeat Western Bulldogs 87-22 (Pool B) Brisbane defeat GWS Giants 64-58 (Pool A) Sydney Swans defeat GC Suns 72-41 (Pool B) Grand Final. Brisbane Lions Defeat Sydney Swans 67-41 Will the AFLX be back next season? Who knows what the AFL will do but if it is to make a return then a few changes will need to be made no doubt. Interesting concept but not one i was overly impressed with, it seemed to lack the excitement of a traditional AFL game even when the games were separated by 1 or 2 points. Daniel Rich was impressive throughout for the Lions, this format suited him perfectly and hopefully the Lions can take some sort of confidence boost from this win. Thanks for joining me.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Game over Lions win the 3rd and final grand final of the AFLX. Mitch Robinson gets a 10 pointer on the siren. Lions 67 Swans 41.
Kangajets
Guest
Didn’t the afl put the word out on social media that the game was on, I thought is afl fans could spread the gospel. Or maybe this isn’t a crash hot idea and Sydney people are not going to bother with this brave new concept. It took 35 years for the 18 a side game to catch on , so we mustn’t give up hope .
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Another 10 point goal to the Swans and they are coming back fast. Lions 57 Swans 41. Just over a minute left.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
10 point goal to the Swans. Lions 57 Swans 31. Just over 2 minutes to play.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Brisbane behind. Lions 57 Swans 25.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
That was a goal to the Lions not a behind like i incorrectly said. Lions kick another and then the Swans get one back. Lions 56 Swans 25. Just under 5 minutes to go.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
behind Lions. Lions 50 Swans 19.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
10 point goal Swans. Lions 44 Swans 19.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Behind Swans. Lions 44 Swans 9. 8 minutes remains.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
10 point goal to the Lions. Lions 44 Swans 8.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Second half underway.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Goal Swans right on the half time siren. Lions 34 Suns 8.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
10 point goal Lions. Lions 34 Swans 2. under a minute left first half,
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
10 point goal Lions. Swans respond with a behind. Lions 24 Swans 2
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Behind Lions. Lions 14 Swasn 1.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Behind Lions. Lions 13 Swans 1.
TomC
Roar Guru
Yeah, they certainly look tired right now.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
10 point goal to Daniel Rich. Lions 12 Swans 1. just over 5 minutes to play first half.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Behind Lions. Lions 2 Swans 1.