A comfortable win over the Canberra Demons, in Round 20, has earned Sydney University’s NEAFL side their best ever regular season record, with 13 wins and 4 losses. The Students continue to gather momentum heading into finals after defeating the Demons 15.17 (107)- 6.12 (48) on the road. The 59 point victory secures them a top three spot on the ladder, with one regular season game remaining.
While Sydney Uni kicked the first two goals of the match, they struggled to develop clean ball movement and continuity in windy conditions. Frustrations continued in the second quarter where the Students found it difficult to convert their chances. Although they kept Canberra’s opportunities to a minimum, the Students were only able to manage one major for the quarter.
Coach Tom Morrison was disappointed with the team’s first half efforts. “We went away from our style of play for long periods of the contest and weren’t able to continue the form of the previous 2 matches.” Despite this, Sydney Uni had a 38-18 lead at half time.
The Students came out after the main break with a sense of urgency and produced a much more positive second half performance. They piled on ten second half goals to Canberra’s four, providing glimpses of excellence which we had seen in the couple of weeks prior. “We finished the match strongly, playing our best football in the fourth quarter of the match,” Morrison added.
Captain, Tim Barton was pleased his team could “grind out a good win in a pretty scrappy game.” He was also happy to see some of the younger players on the team step up in the contest. “There were some pretty impressive performances from a few of the younger players which is great to see.”
Morrison was also impressed with the young guns, adding , “the highlight of the match was the impressive form of our younger players in Matt Wilson, James Lonergan, Jack Hiscox and a best on ground performance from Ryan Hebron.”
Hebron’s performance was highlighted by an impressive 15 marks to go with 28 disposals. Wilson had his highest possession game for the year with 26 disposals, 3 inside 50’s and 2 goals. Lonergan created a lot of opportunities moving forward and Hiscox was everywhere, clocking 17kms, while gathering 19 disposals and 3 goals.
Other notable performances came from Tom Young and Zac O’Brien who each contributed 32 disposals and a goal, continuing their dominant form through the midfield, aided by ruckman Sam Tagliabue.
The win did, however, come at a cost for the Students with an injury to key young defender Darcy Baron-Hay. “Darcy went down early in the match with a hamstring injury after what has been an outstanding NEAFL season from an impressive young man,” Morrison said. The Students will hope to see Baron-Hay return during their finals campaign.
The Students will now turn their focus to their last regular season game where they take on an improved Redland side in what is predicted to be a tough match, before entering an exciting finals campaign.
Next Up
The Students head North to take on the Redland Bombers at Tidbold Park. Kick-off is at midday on Saturday August 19.
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY 4.3 5.8 10.13 15.17 (107)
CANBERRA 1.5 2.6 5.11 6.12 (48)
GOALS
Sydney University: J Hiscox 3, M Wilson 2, K Murphy, J Derickx, A Day, T Young, Z O’Brien, J Loneragan, A Lucy, J Potter, T Ayton, M Manteit.
Canberra: A Swan 2, A Bruce, B Fulford, R Stevens, M Maguire.
BEST
Sydney University: R Hebron, J Hiscox, M Wilson, J Loneragan, S Tagliabue
Canberra: J Harper, T Highmore, S Martyn, M Hardie, A Swan, M Maguire.