1st Grade Seniors: NEAFL
For the first time in the club’s history, the NEAFL side defeated Gold Coast in front of a rowdy home crowd at Henson Park on Sunday.
In a high scoring affair, the Students kicked 5 goals to 4 in the first quarter to lead by a goal at the first break.
Despite boasting 12 AFL listed players, the Suns were lucky to be in the contest at halftime, as the Students’ struggled to convert their chances in the second quarter, kicking 4.6.
The Students defence was the first to halt the free scoring match, holding Gold Coast to just 1 goal in the 3rd quarter. Down the other end, the Students’ forward line was unstoppable, with the likes of Damien Bonney (4 goals), Austin Lucy (3 goals), Nick Winmar (2 goals) and Jake Derickx (2 goals) hitting the scoreboard.
The Suns fought their way back into the game in the final quarter, kicking 6 goals, but it was the Students who took the 4 points, holding off a charging Gold Coast side by 13 points.
2015 NEAFL MVP Tom Young returned to form with 36 disposals, 9 marks, 6 clearances and 8 rebound 50s across half-back and the midfield.
Damien Bonney was named among the best, collecting 27 disposals to go along with his 4 goals and 6 marks.
Mitch Thompson (30 disposals), Matt Rawlinson (29 disposals) and Austin Lucy (25 disposals, 3 goals) were also prolific for the Students.
You can catch a replay of Sunday’s game on NITV (channel 34/144) tonight, starting at 9.30pm.
6 sides are in action this weekend, with 4 games set to be played at No.1 Oval.