The lights were bright, the weather was cold, the game was red hot, the crowd was on their toes and the timekeeper had his finger hovering over the siren.

It had been an action-packed match and after 100 minutes, it all came down to the final seconds to separate last year’s frand finalists. The lead had alternated all night, but right when it mattered, Sydney Uni were in front by a point,only to conceded a goal from Stephen Doyle which saw the Eagles in front by five points. But still the time keeper wouldn’t blow the siren. 

The Students recovered quickly and on the short Sydney Uni oval, went straight down the middle and bang they were a point ahead with another major. From the bounce of the ball, Jon Vlatko got the footy and from 50 metres out took a long shot. The East Coast forwards were out of position and it sailed over their heads in the direction of the goal umpire. A goal would surely win the game, but it was slightly off line and, despite Doyle’s best efforts to mark, that goal umpire could only signal a point to tie the teams together.

Still the siren wouldn’t sound and a desperate struggle emerged on the Eagles’ half-backline until it popped out of the pack. Suddenly it was in Jamie Vlatko’s hands. He kicked long to an unmarked Damien Charleston 45 metres out on the half-forward flank, but right on the boundary. Could he at least kick a point from here to give the Eagles victory?

We will never know. Charlie saw Mark Goodey clear in front of goals and as the 30 metre pass was in the air, the clock ticked over to zero and the pesky timekeeper blew the siren to end a thrilling battle.

These two clubs have been invited into the NEAFL for 2012 and surely their epic battles will continue for many years to come. On Saturday night, the 2011 AFL Sydney Premiership competition was on the line and both wanted bragging rights.

Inspire of the tie, East Coast remains in second place with Sydney Uni in third, equal on wins, but with a game in hand as the Students still have a bye left in their draw.

Charleston was magnificent around the ground with his impeccable high marking, not to mention the “golden fist” when required to spoil. Pat Walton is progressively coming into form ready for the finals and Jamie Vlatko steered through three to take his tally to 49 for the season.

This exciting match can be seen again on Foxtel’s Main Event channel this Friday night at 6.30pm, courtesy of our own digital sports team.

This week sees the top of the table clash with the Balmain Dockers at Bruce Purser Reserve. Victory here will go a long way to determining who gets the first week’s rest come finals time. Make sure you’re at Bruce Purser Reserve to see what should be a beauty.

And afterwards, we will see you at the Eagles’ Team of The Decade dinner at the Council Chambers Function room on the corner of Carrington and Showground Roads in Castle Hill.   

In other games, the Division One boys had a great win over the better placed Sydney Uni to maintain their hold on fifth position. The Under 18 Premier Cup team whipped last year’s premiers when they defeated Sydney Uni by 93 points and have now taken a four-game lead at the top of the table.

Division Three had a narrow 14-point loss to Mac Uni, while the Challenge Cup colts won well in a fiery match over Holroyd Parramatta. The 19-point margin incredibly reversed the earlier 123-point loss in round eight.      

For all scores and details on every game, please visit www.sydneyafl.com.au.  

Sydney Uni: 5.1 7.1 10.6 13.8 (86)
East Coast: 3.1 8.3 11.4 13.8 (86)

Goal kickers:Jamie Vlatko 3, Ryan Silvester 2, Ben Rogers 2, Stephen Doyle, Trent Baker, Steve O’Connor, Mark Goodey, Ben Bourke, Mike Beardsley.
Best players: Damien Charleston, Pat Walton, Justin Steer, Aaron Savage, Ben Bourke, Jamie Vlatko.

Extravaganza

Premier Division
Best:  Damien Charleston owned by Mark Goodey Synd. $200
First free:  Mike Beardsley owned by Maree Gawley   $50

Division One:
Best:  Mark Maher owned by Maree Gawley   $100
First free:  Scott Pierce owned by J Frost & P Physick  $50

Division Three:
Best:  Matt Scholz owned by Steve Gawley  $30

Next week’s games

Saturday, July 23

Bruce Purser Reserve
2.10pm   Premier Division v Balmain
12pm  Division One v Macquarie Uni
10am   U/18 Challenge Cup v Balmain

Pioneers Park
2.10pm   Division Three v the Saints

U/18 Premier Cup have the bye.