Only 5 games of Students football were played over the long weekend due to byes and wet weather.
Despite the lack of games, there certainly was no lack of positives results, with the Students winning 4 games, to continue the Club’s great start to 2016.
1st Grade Seniors: NEAFL
The NEAFL boys faced off with Canberra on Saturday, in the club’s only game at Drummoyne Oval for the 2016 season.
A steady rainfall had set in early, as the Students endured their worst start to a game in 2016, conceding 5 goals without a reply, to trail by 29 points at the first break.
Coach Daniel Gilmore’s words at quarter time seemed to have the desired effect, as the Students kicked 7 goals to Canberra’s 2 behinds in the second quarter.
Nick Winmar and Mitch Thompson were dangerous up forward, while the ever-reliable Tom Young and Lewis Stevenson fed off Max Wilson’s strong ruckwork.
The second half saw the Students continue to dismantle a helpless Canberra side, extending the Students’ lead to 41 points, as Canberra went consecutive quarters without a major.
Rain continued to fall in the last quarter as the Students outscored Canberra once again, kicking 2 goals to 1, to see out a 46-point win.
In the middle, Tom Young, Lewis Stevenson, Max Wilson and Jackson Potter worked hard all day. Nick Winmar proved a handful up forward, finishing with 3 goals, while Will Sierakowski was vital down back.
Final Score: Sydney University 13.16 94 def. Canberra 6.12 48.
3rd Grade Blues: Sydney AFL Division 1
The Blues travelled down the road to Mahoney Park in Marrickville to play Balmain, who sat just 1 win behind the Blues on the ladder.
The first 3 quarters were a tight affair, with neither team leading by more than 3 points at any of the breaks.
With only 4 goals kicked before the final break, both the Students’ and Balmain’s backline were in top form.
Once again, the final quarter saw the Students’ superior fitness help them run over the top of Balmain, booting 4 goals straight, to the opposition’s 1.
Nik Dale was impossible to stop up forward, kicking 4 of the team’s 6 goals for the match.
Liam Blue, Andrew Holmes and Jon Walsh were also standout performers for the Blues.
Final Score: Balmain 3.8 26 def. by Sydney University 6.9 45.
4th Grade Reds: Sydney AFL Division 2
Following the Golds win at Weldon Oval on Saturday, the Reds faced a tough game against an in-form Manly side.
Manly enjoyed the better start of the two sides, kicking 2.4 to the Students 0.1, in typical, wintery conditions.
The Students battled hard but were once again outplayed by Manly in the second quarter. The Giants kicked 3 goals and managed to hold the Students goalless for the half, to lead by35 points at halftime.
The second half looked a lot brighter thanks to some inspired play by the entire Students team. The backline held Manly goalless for the third term, the midfield put their head over the ball and supplied the forwards with some great scoring chances that the forwards converted, kicking 2 goals to trail by just 21 points at the final break.
Despite the improvements made in the third quarter, Manly were able to close out the game, kicking 3 goals to 1 to finish 40-point winners.
Sam Bailey, Luke Freemantle and Stephen Lloyd were best afield for the Students, while Harry Skacel was the only multiple goal kicker.
Final Score: Manly Warringah 8.14 62 def. Sydney University 3.4 22.
5th Grade Golds: Sydney AFL Division 4
The Golds travelled to Weldon Oval on Saturday, hoping to claim their third consecutive win.
The Students kicked the only goal of the first quarter, in what was a tightly-fought battle early on.
The second quarter saw Manly manage 2 goals to the Students one, as the teams shared the lead at the main break.
The Students looked like their poor form in front of goal may cost them the 4 points, managing an inaccurate 3.12 at three-quarter time, compared to Manly’s 4.3.
The final quarter saw the Students break the game open with their superior fitness and ball movement.
The Golds booted 3 majors in the last 20 minutes to run out deserving 22-point winners away from home.
In his first game for the club, Jordan Pickard showed his worth, kicking 2 goals, while Tim Lay, Luke Higgins and Ryan Nyberg performed notably.
Final Score: Manly Warringah 4.5 29 def. by Sydney University 6.15 51.
Sydney University Bombers (Women’s)
The Bombers backed up their convincing round 1 victory with a comfortable 47-point win over Auburn on the weekend.
The Bombers led the game from start to finish, with standout performers including Alice Wood, Kaitlin Koh and Nicola Barr (2 goals).
Final Score: Auburn 1.1 7 def. by Sydney University 8.6 54.
All 8 teams are back in action for round 5, with the Reds, Golds, Plats and Bombers set to play at Oval No.1 on Saturday.
The NEAFL boys travel north to face Aspley, while the Prems and Colts cross the bridge to face Manly.
The Blues are the only game scheduled for Sunday this week, as they face Macquarie University, in honour of the late John Benson.
Up the Students!
