Going into the final round, this was a game that nothing but a win for Granville, outside the five, plus a few other results going their way would secure the Rage a place in the finals. Northern Tigers, already in the finals and just ahead of St. George in 2nd position, had to avoid defeat to secure a crucial home semi-final.

The game started brightly for Granville with a goal as early as the 8th minute when a cross from the left by David Comito found David Harding who slipped the ball into the net with the aid of a deflection from one of the Tigers’ defenders (FNSW show og).

In the 24th minute Nenos Bobo could have put Granville two up but completely miffed his shot in an acre of space with only the keeper to beat.

Granville were made to pay for that costly miss when after a five minute period of sustained Tigers pressure, the visitors finally found the back of the net in the 29th minute courtesy of Max Glanville, who was able to pick up the crumbs of a poor clearance after Park Sung-yun had a rather tame shot on goal.

It was remarkable that the score was still even at half-time as Paul Davies and Glanville, combining very well, continued to trouble the Rage defence and only some wayward final touches prevented a higher Tigers tally.

2 minutes after the break Granville sought to break the deadlock and Calum Hedge struck a cracker but unfortunately for him and Granville’s diminishing finals hopes, the ball was struck straight at Tigers keeper, Stuart Page, who saved well.

With St. George still one nil down to Spirit at Barton Park, the Northern Tigers hopes of a home semi-final were anything but dim and in the 74th minute it was put beyond doubt when Tom Geekie weaved past a few Granville defenders and put the ball just inside the Granville goalpost to give the visitors a 2-1 lead.

Grade 20: Granville Rage - Northern Tigers

Deferred ROUND 21: FIRST GRADE: Sydney University 0 - Northern Tigers 3 (Max Glanville 14'', 88' Paul Davis 80' Pen)
GRADE 20: Sydney University 2 - Northern Tigers 0.