Originally posted at neafl.com.au
By KAISER SHIELDS
NEAFL ROUND 4
Saturday, April 27, 2019
Sydney University (4th) v Canberra Demons (6th)
Henson Park, 12pm
SUMMARY
Sydney University will host their fierce rivals the Canberra Demons in their first home match of the 2019 NEAFL season at Henson Park at noon on Saturday, determining where the sides sit in the pecking order.
Fresh from an Easter long weekend bye, Sydney University will be prepared for their new challenge that is the Demons – the same side that knocked the Students out of the finals series unexpectedly in 2018.
Meanwhile, this match is an opportunity for the Canberra Demons to bounce back from their successive losses at the hands of the Redland Bombers and the Southport Sharks.
The stakes are set higher for the Demons as playing coach Kade Klemke reaches the historic milestone of leading a NEAFL side for the 100th time. With that said, the spectators are in for a treat!
RECENT ENCOUNTERS
Elimination Final, 2018: Canberra 15.13 (103) d Sydney Uni 14.1 (94) at BISP
Round 20, 2018: Sydney Uni 17.19 (121) d Canberra 11.8 (74) at BISP
Round 14, 2018: Canberra 10.13 (73) d Sydney Uni 13.14 (92) at UNSW Canberra Oval
TALKING POINTS
1. Sydney University has had a spectacular start to their 2019 NEAFL season campaign, winning two from two. If the early positive signs are any indication, the Students new young side will be a really strong side, especially in attack. The Canberra Demons will regret to underestimate that on Saturday, and a big defensive performance is needed.
2. If the Canberra Demons want the win against Sydney University, they should take to the field with the same pressure and intensity that they did against the Southport Sharks last weekend. The Demons performance this week – how they pick themselves up and bounce back after two consecutive losses – will be a true indication of whether or not they are a premiership threat in 2019.
3. Sydney University’s Tristan Davies is the one to watch out for come Saturday after an impressive performance in Round 2 against NT Thunder where he accumulated seven goals, seven marks and 11 disposals. Davies joined the Students at the beginning of 2018, moving from Melbourne where he played with Williamstown in the VFL, but has been in and out of the Students side the past 12 months. After three rounds of 2019, the 23-year-old leads the NEAFL leading goalkicker race with 12 majors from his first two games.
ROOKIE WATCH
Former Swans Academy member Josh Stern is pressing his claim for a NEAFL Rising Star nomination in the early stages of the season. The Students midfielder so far averages 21 disposals, nine marks, four inside 50s and three goals.
STATS THAT MATTER
Sydney University leads the competition for average goals kicked per match with 18.
PREDICTION
Sydney University by 20 points.