NEAFL
Tom Mitchell and Ryan O'Keefe have starred in the Sydney Swans reserves' heartbreaking two-point Grand Final loss to Aspley in the NEAFL.
Mitchell, who shone at times in the NEAFL this year but played just six senior games for the Swans, won the Andrew Ireland Medal for best afield in the contest at Graham Road Reserve.
The 21-year-old had 30 touches, laid 10 tackles, kicked a goal and won 11 clearances.
Dual premiership player O'Keefe, who won't play on with the Swans next year but believes he still has something to offer at AFL level, kicked a goal and was listed in the best.
Despite leading by 32 points at three-quarter time, the Swans went down after allowing a six goal to one final term, which included a match-winning goal on the siren to Daniel Smith.
Swans forward Tim Membrey kicked five goals while first-year midfielder Zak Jones put the Swans back in front with minutes to go before Smith's sealer, which stemmed from a free kick.
Aspley 3.3 9.4 9.7 15.12 (102)
Sydney Swans 3.5 7.7 14.8 15.10 (100)
GOALS
Aspley: C. French 3, D. Smith 3, H. Joyce 1, J. Turner 1, J. Wagner 1, R. Holman
1, M. Payne 1, J. Williams 1, E. Sansbury 1, L. Dawson 1, R. Toye 1
Sydney Swans: T. Membrey 5, D. Towers 2, B. Jack 1, M. Wright 1, J. Hiscox 1, S.
Naismith 1, R. O'Keefe 1, T. Mitchell 1, C. Mills 1, Z. Jones 1
BEST
Aspley: R. Matthews, J. Wagner, D. Smith, R. Thomson, A. Lucy, R. Holman
Sydney Swans: T. Mitchell, T. Membrey, X. Richards, D. Towers, S. Biggs, R. O'Keefe
VFL
Footscray has won through to the VFL Grand Final after a 32-point win over Port Melbourne in Saturday’s preliminary final.
After an enthralling battle, the Bulldogs hit the front just before the last break before booting 10 goals to five in the final term to blow their rivals away.
Recently re-signed midfielder Lin Jong was named best on ground for the Bulldogs, with fellow AFL-listed players Brett Goodes, Liam Jones, Michael Talia and Jason Johannisen also prominent.
Brett Goodes of the Bulldogs breaks away from Port Melbourne's James Magner. Picture: AFL Media
The Dogs will play the winner of Sunday's preliminary final between Box Hill and Williamstown.
