A SUPERB performance from Claremont defender Daniel Curtin earned him the best on ground medal during Team Houli’s 28-point victory over Team Murphy at the MCG today. The AFL Grand Final’s curtain-raiser was a showcase of next year’s AFL Draft prospects, and Curtin rose above all others as a rebounding defender. Placed in a back six that saw Team Murphy fire 20 scoring shots past them, Curtin provided some composure and stability on his way to 20 disposals and eight marks.

Curtin was far from alone in those that stood up during the 10.8 (68) to 4.16 (40) victory, as Team Houli came from behind at the main break to slam home seven goals to one in the second half. Inaccuracy was an issue from the start for Team Murphy, as Western Jets forward Logan Morris started strongly with a great snap, and presented strongly, but followed the goal up with four behinds. He was far from alone in that regard, as Team Murphy’s lead at half-time was still 3.10 (28) to 3.3 (21).

Oakleigh Chargers ball magnet Will Lorenz was almost single-handedly keeping his side in it early, racking up the ball with ease before being moved out of the midfield as part of rotations in the second half. Jake Rogers and Kobe Shipp were also busy through the forward and back halves respectively for Murphy, as Tasmanian Ryley Sanders was ultra impressive with 15 disposals at the main break. It was a story of the game though with Murphy racking up a whopping 63 more disposals at half-time, but only leading by the seven points.

That inaccuracy would prove to become an issue after the main break as Jack Delean put on a show in the premiership quarter, kicking all three of his goals as he steered Team Houli to a five goals to nil third term. With Curtin repelling everything in the back and the Tasmanian duo of Colby McKercher and Jack Callinan impressive, everything got onto Team Houli’s terms. Only the sheer amount of chances kept Team Murphy in the match, facing a 21-point deficit at the final break.

Delean almost kicked his fourth goal in the space of 20 minutes through the opening inside 50 but missed, then up the other end, it was Gippsland Power enigma Zane Duursma who slotted his second with a clever snap. That would prove to be the only major of the second half for the losers, as Houli would finish off the game with goals to Darcy Wilson and Callinan. Houli also had chances to extend the lead, but made more of their chances count throughout the course of the game. In the end, the final score read Team Houli 10.8 (68) to Team Murphy 4.16 (40).

The teams played for the Kevin Sheehan Trophy which was awarded to Team Houli captain Jed Walter post-game. Curtin was named best-on for his work in defence, while the likes of McKercher and Delean shone throughout. Another South Australian, Luca Slade found plenty of it, as did Oakleigh Chargers’ Nathan Philactides. For Team Murphy, Benjamin Ridgway and Caiden Cleary (who racked up a massive 31 disposals) were among the best alongside Rogers, Lorenz, Sanders and Shipp.

TEAM HOULI 2.1 | 3.3 | 8.5 | 10.8 (68)
TEAM MURPHY 1.5 | 3.10 | 3.14 | 4.16 (40)

GOALS:

Houli: J. Delean 3, J. Callinan 2, C. Nyko, M. Taha, M. Rudd, C. Livingstone, D. Wilson
Murphy: Z. Duursma 2, L. Morris, W. Lorenz

RMC BEST:

Houli: D. Curtin, C. McKercher, L. Slade, J. Delean, N. Philactides
Murphy: B. Ridgway, J. Rogers, W. Lorenz, R. Sanders, C. Cleary, K. Shipp