|
ROAR OF THE TIGERS: Amager Wins 1992 Premiership
Predictably, the Grand Final began at a furious pace with both teams keen to dominate early. Despite the enormous pressure and an early goal by the Crocodiles, it was the Tigers who took control. Even though the Crocs' big Justin Cypher was winning most of the ruck hit-outs, it was the Tigers' McDonald brothers and Gavin Joyce winning the ball out of the centre and moving it down to their forward line where the "clever" Flemming Larsen took some great marks and kicked early goals for the Tigers. Copenhagen often moved the ball to their forward line only to find the safe hands of Tiger, Flemming Tiny. At quarter time, Amager lead, 4.4.28 points to Copenhagen's 1.3.9 points.
The start of the second quarter saw Amager again dominate with early goals by David McDonald and Morten Lykkeskov to stretch the Tiger lead to 33 points. The Crocodiles were also playing good football but found it difficult to score goals. With ten minutes remaining to the half- time break, the Crocodiles took control. With Cypher, Properzi and Coleman playing brilliant football in the centre, and Boris Kjær and Jesper Petersen stopping all Tiger attacks, Copenhagen went on a "roll". When the half-time siren sounded, the Crocs had kicked four goals to Amager's one point, the score being Amager 6.8.44 points to Copenhagen 5.6.36 points.
At the start of the third quarter, both teams realised the importance of scoring early with the game being so close. Again it was the Tigers who scored two early goals through Jimmi Larsen and David McDonald to set up a comfortable lead. But the Crocodiles applied non-stop pressure all over the ground, pulling back the two goals in the process. All players could feel the pressure and the Crocodiles' Properzi and Chris Hall both missed easy shots in front of goals. In the dying minutes of the quarter, Amager scored two more important goals, to end the third quarter score with 10.10.70 points to Copenhagen's 7.11.53 points.
The final quarter started with every player giving everything they had and neither team could dominate. Then Amager scored a goal and it looked all but over for the Crocodiles. But this was not to be. A magnificent goal from 50 metres out by John Woodward gave new inspiration to the Crocs. Shortly after, a sensational running goal from the pocket by Justin Bourke followed by a snap goal from Aaron Ravenarki (1992 DAFL "Best and Fairest" medal winner) brought Copenhagen to within two kicks of the premiership.
But Amager would not give in, and it was the Tigers' courageous captain, Kim Madsen, who surged through the middle to score a great goal. Adam Holberg ended Copenhagen's premiership dream, scoring for the Tigers shortly after, and when the siren sounded to end the game, the score stood Amager 14.11.95 to Copenhagen's 11.14.80.
|