Sydney Uni came up empty handed in a heavy loss to the Brisbane Lions in Blacktown over the weekend. The Students were unable to match the pressure and intensity of the visiting side for majority of the match. As a result the Lions claimed a 132-67 victory.
The Lions came out and played a really consistent opening quarter and this continued for the entirety of the match. Their ability to control possession and create a lot of opportunities, matched with their efficiency in front of goal, made it difficult for the Students to compete from the beginning.
The Lions stunned the Students in the opening quarter kicking four unanswered goals to go into quarter time with a 23 point lead. The Lions kept the pressure on, kicking another three goals before Jake Derickx kicked Sydney Uni’s first goal, 15 minutes into the second quarter. Momentum seemed to shift slightly as the Students slotted two more goals in the space of five minutes. Just as Sydney Uni were looking to make a run, Tom Young and Lewis Stevenson went down with injuries in quick succession and the Lions were able to score three quick goals just before half time.
Despite being down 40 points and losing two key senior players in the first half, to Sydney Uni’s credit, they fought hard and won the third quarter. The Students continued to match the Lion’s intensity at the start of the last quarter, however, crucial errors at inopportune moments allowed the visiting side to pile on 38 points in the final 20 minutes to close out the match.
“We were outplayed by a strong and well drilled Brisbane team on the weekend. They were able to control possession throughout the contest and hit the scoreboard heavily, scoring at over 60% from their inside 50 count. We were a bit disjointed in defence and offence and were unable to capitalise on our scoring opportunities even when we controlled the play for long periods, primarily in the 3rd quarter,” Sydney Uni head coach Tom Morrison said after the match.
“Brisbane were able to counterattack with effect from our forward half and we were unable to maintain possession for long periods. We lost Tom Young and Lewis Stevenson to injury before half time, which put a great deal of pressure on our midfield group. However, I felt that we stood up and fought out the contest by dominating the third quarter regardless of what the scoreboard indicated.”
In his return to the side, Zac O’Brien was outstanding in the midfield finishing with 27 disposals, 6 tackles and a goal. “O’Brien was best for us and he was well supported by Will Sierakowski and Jack Hiscox. Unfortunately, apart from those three, we were without a great deal of genuine four quarter contributors,”Morrison added.
With two losses in as many weeks, against two strong and experienced teams, Sydney Uni have learnt some valuable lessons that they will carry into the remainder of the season.
“The past fortnight has shown that the Swans and Brisbane have been the better sides with healthy lists and have taken their opportunities in front of goal. We will be better for the past fortnights experience and will look to finish the season strongly. Our focus will be an improved performance and growth amongst the team week on week.”
“We have reviewed the match (against Brisbane) closely and are very aware of the areas that we were beaten in and we will amend those against Canberra this Saturday”
NEXT UP
The Students will look to get back to their winning ways as they take on the seventh placed Canberra Demons at Blacktown International Sportspark. Kick-off is at 2pm on Saturday 8th July.
SYDNEY UNI: 0.1 3.3 7.7 10.7 (67)
BRISBANE: 4.0 10.3 14.4 21.6 (132)
Goal Kickers
Sydney Uni: N. Cooper 2, J. Hiscox 2, J. Potter, C. McFadden, D. Bonney, J. Derickx, R. Hebron, Z. O’Brien
Brisbane: B. Keays 4, M. Hammelmann 3, L. Dawson 3, M. Close 3, J. Clayton 2, J. Schache 2, C. Lyons, C. Hanley, J. Allison, O. McInerney
Best Players
Sydney Uni: Z. O’Brien, W. Sierakowski, J. Hiscox, M. Rawlinson, N. Cooper
Brisbane: B. Keays, O. McInerney, J. Allison, J. Jansen, J. Frost, C. Lyons