ADFA double dips
Back-to-back premierships in Canberra league

The ADFA Rams begin celebrations.

OFFCDT David Woerner rucks, while No. 9 PLTOFF Todd Roper roves the pack in the preliminary final against HMAS Harman.

By OCDT Will Langdon

THE ADFA Rams Australian Football Club created history by defeating the Gungahlin Jets to win the Canberra District Football League First Division premiership for the second year in a row.

In a dominant display, the Rams led all day, running out winners 18.8 (116) to 9.13 (67).

ADFA started with a bang by kicking the first four goals and getting the large ADFA crowd involved in the match.
However Gungahlin soon settled down and managed to get back into the game and what looked like being a typical, one-sided grand final now seemed to be anyone’s match.

Unfortunately for Gungahlin, this trend lasted for about as long as their post match celebrations.

Poor kicking from Gungahlin saw ADFA take a narrow 11-point lead into half-time.

Then in the most scintillating football they had produced all season, ADFA out scored Gungahlin in the third quarter 45 points to zero, putting the game beyond doubt by the final break.

Last year’s club captain and league best and fairest winner Air Force Officer Cadet Ian Firns, dominated the game from start to finish, taking out the best on ground award.

With incredible poise and speed on the wing, OFFCDT Firns inspired the ADFA midfield, which in the second half tore the game wide open. He celebrated the match in the final quarter by taking out both mark and goal of the day honours.

Other stand out performances came from Air Force Officer Cadet David Woerner who controlled the ruck all day and rover Air Force Officer Cadet Damon Stefani.

Full forward Clayton Wehner received close attention from the Gungahlin defenders, but kicked six goals in his record third premiership with the Rams.

Also making an impact on the scoreboard was Army Officer Cadet Damian Stubbs who kicked three straight, while Midshipman Ash Wallin and Army Officer Cadet Patty McKay both kicked two goals.

Captained by Army Officer Cadet Steven Jamieson and coached by Major Andy Fidge, ADFA finished second on the ladder at the end of the home and away season.

After poor performance in the second semi-final against Gungahlin, ADFA bounced back a week later in the preliminary final to cruise to an easy victory against an unnerved HMAS Harman, giving ADFA a spot in the grand final and a chance to win back-to-back flags.

The 39-point victory ensured celebrations lasted well into the morning, as the ADFA Rams savoured its first ever back-to-back premiership success. It was their fifth premiership in just 16 years in the Canberra First Division League.

.