Round One of the season took place this weekend, with all seven Sydney University teams looking to kick-start their 2016 season the best way possible.
5th Grade Golds: Sydney AFL Division 4
Three teams featured at Gipp Rd Oval in Greystanes on Saturday, with the Golds first up, losing a hard-fought battle to North Shore by 2 goals.
Ryan Nyberg was voted best afield in the first game of the season, with Hary Murdoch, Lachlan Glascott and Chris Mohen also putting in strong contributions.
Final Score: Sydney University 6.10 46 def. by North Shore 7.16 58.
6th Grade Plats: Sydney AFL Division 5
The second game of day saw the Platinum’s win the Club’s first game of the season, easily accounting for Holroyd Parramatta.
The Students started slowly, kicking 1.3 in the first quarter to find themselves trailing by 2 points at the first break, before a remarkable effort saw the Students kick 14 unanswered goals, while keeping Holroyd Parramatta scoreless for the remainder of the game.
Luke Girgis, Christopher Hardy and Ryman White all booted three majors each, while Axel Norris and Tomas Edwards were best afield for the Students.
Final Score: Holroyd Parramatta 2.0 12 def. by Sydney University 15.16 106.
3rd Grade Blues: Sydney AFL Division 1
The final Saturday game saw the Blues suffer a tough loss at the hands of the Holroyd Parramatta.
The Students fought hard all day, but were unable to match the home side for the full game. Nicholas Lloyd was the leading goal kicker for the Students, slotting 2 majors. Riordan Lee was voted best afield, with Micael Fogarty and Oliver Mahoney also playing well.
Final Score: Holroyd Parramatta 16.7 103 def. Sydney University 5.6 36.
U19 Colts: Sydney AFL U19s Division 1
The remaining four teams featured on Sunday at Henson Park.
The U/19’s laid the foundation for a day of good results, winning their first game of the year against UNSW/ES by 72 points.
Starting off slow, the Colts took a 14 point lead into the first break, before breaking the game wide open in the second, kicking 6 goals to the Bulldog’s 1.
Charlie Mannix was the star down forward kicking 4 goals for the Colts, who managed to keep UNSW/ES to just 5 goals for the game.
Rowdy Friend, Harry Lalor, Oscar Gibbins and Nicholas Bertino were voted best afield for the winners.
Final Score: Sydney University 15.12 102 def. UNSW/ES 5.0 30.
4th Grade Reds: Sydney AFL Division 2
The second of four games Sunday, saw the Reds face off with Western Suburbs, in a great game to watch.
The Students started strong defensively, holding the Magpies scoreless in the first quarter. The second quarter was a tight affair, with both teams hitting the scoreboard. Despite an improved quarter by the away team, the Students held a 13 point lead at the main break.
The third quarter saw the Students pull away, kicking 4 goals to Western Suburbs’ 1, with Student Gordon Willis kicking 3 goals for the game.
The Reds held off a fast finishing Magpies side to win by 19 points, with Adam Birman, Charles Allworth and Brent Pollock impressing the home crowd with their individual performances.
Final Score: Sydney University 9.7 61 def. Western Suburbs 6.6 42.
1st Grade Seniors: NEAFL
After their first finals appearance in 2015, the NEAFL boys welcomed the WSU Giants to Henson Park for their much-anticipated round one clash.
The Students led at both the first break (8 points) and halftime (14 points). Familiar personnel such as Sam Fong and Erol Sertbas worked hard early to ensure the Students stayed in front, while new addition Mike Manteit hit the scoreboard.
The second half saw the Giants begin to dominate; kicking 10 goals to the Student’s five, to run out 20-point victors.
Matthew Rawlinson managed 31 disposals in the loss, while Michael Manteit kicked 3 goals on debut for the club.
Final Score: Sydney University 13.13 91 def. by WSU Giants 17.9 111.
2nd Grade Reserves: Sydney AFL Premier Division
The final game of the weekend saw the Prems also play Western Suburbs under lights at Henson Park.
The first half was hard-fought, with neither team gaining much of an advantage throughout proceedings. The Students led at quarter time by just 2 points, before kicking 5 goals to 3, to hold a 10 point lead at halftime.
The third quarter was much the same as the first half. Neither team was able to breakaway, despite some impressive efforts from both sides.
After taking a 7 point lead into the last quarter, the Students began to move the ball better, finding avenues to goals they couldn’t previously. Matthew Vicic and Thomas Elkington were the standouts down forward, booting 3 majors each, as the students kicked 7 goals to 4, to run out winners by 25 points over the Magpies.
Aron Everett, Allister Clarke and Luke Vella were named among the best afield for the Students.
Final Score: Sydney University 16.7 103 def. Western Suburbs 11.12 78
Don’t forget all seven of our University teams are in action this Saturday, with the NEAFL boys playing reigning premiers NT Thunder at Blacktown ISP from 2pm, the Prems, Blues and Colts at Henson Park, beginning at 12pm, while the Reds, Golds and Plats are playing at University Oval No.1, starting from 9am.
Up the Students!