U19 Div 1

NEAFL MATCH PREVIEW: Southport v Sydney University

By Cameron Smith (NEAFL Media)

NEAFL ROUND 10

Saturday, June 9, 2018

Southport Sharks (3rd) v Sydney University (1st) at Fankhauser Reserve, 12pm
*This match will be streamed live on NEAFL TV (youtube.com/northeastafl)
*Live Champion Data statistics available on the Official NEAFL App

SUMMARY

After both sides had disappointing losses last week, this blockbuster clash between third and first is an important one. The top-of-the-table Students got blown out of the water after quarter-time last week against the Swans, to lose their first game of the season. Southport knows what it is like to have a disappointing loss against the now very dangerous Swans, losing by 88 points two weeks earlier.

Southport, fresh after the bye, were unable to respond from that poor performance losing to the SUNS last week in the Gold Coast derby, losing the match by 14 points. The Sharks had such a good start to the season but cannot afford to lose their third in a row in such an even year, with a loss potentially resulting in them only still being inside the top six due to a healthy percentage. With three players inside the top ten of the NEAFL MVP leaderboard including the leader, three of the top 10 goal kickers, and a couple of rising stars on the field, it is set to be an entertaining Round 10 clash.

*Full teams to be announced Friday morning.

RECENT ENCOUNTERS

Round 7, 2017: Sydney Uni 13.10 (88) d Southport 6.19 (55) at BISP
Round 7, 2017: Sydney Uni 18.22 (130) d Southport 5.13 (43) at BISP
Round 1, 2017: Sydney Uni 15.14 (104) d Southport 10.12 (72) at Fankhauser Reserve

TALKING POINTS

1. In Round 4 when the two sides met at Henson Park, only two points separated the two side’s at half-time before Sydney Uni ran away in the second half. Interesting, Southport won the contested ball, hit-outs, clearances, inside 50s and had two more scoring shots than the Students, but lost by 33 points. A wasteful 6.19 cost them dearly, an area they will want to rectify this time around.

2. Southport was impressive at the start of this year, beating Canberra, Redland, Aspley, the GIANTS and NT Thunder. However, they are yet to beat a fellow side inside the top four. After two disappointing losses, what a better way to respond than beating the team sitting on top at home.

3. The Sharks have been good at home this year; last week being the first time they had lost at Fankhauser Reserve this year. However, coming up against Sydney University who have only lost once playing interstate since Tom Morrison took over as head coach cannot take the home ground advantage for granted.

ROOKIE WATCH

Sydney Swans Academy product Sam Barkley was impressive in the Students’ last trip to Queensland when they played Aspley. Barkley, 19, was part of the backline which kept Aspley to 11 goals, despite conceding 57 inside 50s. TBarkley has been an important part of the Students backline and has played every match so far this season for his new club, equaling the number of games he played in the NEAFL last season for the Swans.

STATS THAT MATTER

When NEAFL MVP leader Andrew Boston has had 25 disposals or more, Southport has won. However, when Boston has had less than 25 disposals, Southport has lost.

PREDICTION

Sydney University by 8 points.

 

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