Sydney University’s Australian Football teams finished the 2014 Sydney Premier League season with titles in the Men’s Division Two and Women’s Premier Division competitions.
Peter Casey kicked four goals in Sydney University’s 39-point win over Blacktown Magic in the Grand Final at Blacktown International Sports Park on Saturday, taking his tally to 27 for the season.
Jeffrey Melville also ended the season with 27 goals after kicking two in the season decider.
Sydney University led 13-6 at the first break, but trailed 25-22 at the main break after Blacktown kicked three goals to take the lead.
But the Students rallied in the business quarter, slotting five goals to go to the final break with a 57-37 advantage. Another four goals in the final quarter turned it into a dominant win and back-to-back titles.
Casey was one of Sydney University’s best, while Nicholas Lye, Daniel Potts, Tim Air, Michael Baker and Michael Higgins were also strong performers for the winners.
Blacktown were worthy grand finalists, with solid performers in Jarrod Van Veen, Mark Burger, Brad Whale, Benjamin Akmens, Leighton Corr and Ashley Moeller.
Sydney University’s Women’s Premier League side made it back-to-back titles to go with back-to-back minor premierships.
In a low-scoring affair at Blacktown International Sports Park on Saturday, Sydney University ran out 37-20 winners over Eastern Suburbs Tigers, with the goals coming from Katrina Byrne, Amy Foo, Stacey Lancaster, Aoife McDonnell and Libby Sadler. Hannah McIntosh goaled twice for Eastern Suburbs.
Sydney University led 25-16 at the half-time break. With no majors in the third term they led 30-19 at the final break and kicked the only goal of the final quarter to take the title.
Rachael Stack, Sera Kaukiono, Jennifer Lew, Alice Wood, Aiofe McDonnell and Lara Creber turned in fine performances for the winners, while Luisa Marzotto, Courtney Gum, Madelane Collier, Jasmine Smith, Nicola Vrachnas and Sasha Banki were among the best for Eastern Suburbs.
The win culminated a 34-match winning streak for Sydney University in the Women’s Premier League. After losing the 2012 Grand Final, they went through the 2013 season undefeated through 15 rounds, the major semi-final and the Grand Final. They repeated that effort this season.
The game was also streamed live and can be viewed here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecPQ6EQOWmU&list=UUMG_B7bc2wr6nn_G-f1rozg
In the other Sydney Men’s Premier League competitions, Sydney University finished 5th in the Premier League, earning an elimination final against Western Sydney Magpies. The Students won 88-43 to move into the semi-finals, but their season came to an end when they lost 89-68 to St George Dragons, who subsequently lost the final to Pennant Hills.
The Premier League Grand Final will be between Manly-Warringah Giants and Pennant Hills, this Saturday at Blacktown International Sports Park.
Sydney University’s Division Three team also finished fifth in the competition proper. The won their elimination final 59-53 over Pennant Hills Demons, and advanced to the final with a dominant 130-36 win over Nor-West Jets in their semi-final.
But their season ended in the final when Penrith Rams triumphed 48-31. Randwick City Saints defeat Penrith Rams 149-22 to claim the 2014 title.
Sydney University’s Division Four team ended the season proper in third place, earning themselves two bites of the cherry. They lost their elimination final 72-60 to Wollondilly Knights, but kept their chances alive with an 86-57 win over UNSW-Eastern Suburbs in their semi-final.
Wollondilly proved too strong again in the final, running out 59-40 winners to move into the grand final, which they lost 62-33 to UTS Bats.
Sydney University’s Division Five side finished fifth on the competition ladder but dipped out of contention when they lost their elimination final 107-18 to Blacktown Magic, who went on to claim the 2014 title with a 78-29 win over Penrith Rams in the Grand Final.
Sydney University’s Under 19 Division One side finished sixth on the competition ladder and missed out on a finals berth. The Under 19 Grand Final will be between North Shore Bombers and St George Dragons, this Saturday at the Blacktown International Sports Park.
Scoreboard
Sydney Men’s Premier League – Grand Final
Division Two: Sydney University 11.19: 85 (Peter Casey 4, Andrew Holmes 2, Jeffrey Melville 2, Roland Wood, Daniel Potts, Ryan Kennedy) d Blacktown Magic 7.4: 46 (Samuel Low 2, Benjamin Akmens 2, Dean Connors, Matthew Newson, Leighton Corr) at Blacktown International Sports Park on Saturday.
Best players
Sydney University: Peter Casey, Nicholas Lye, Daniel Potts, Tim Air, Michael Baker, Michael Higgins.
Blacktown Magic: Jarrod Van Veen, Mark Burger, Brad Whale, Benjamin Akmens, Leighton Corr, Ashley Moeller.
Sydney Women’s Premier League – Grand Final
Division One: Sydney University 5.7: 37 (Katrina Byrne, Amy Foo, Stacey Lancaster, Aoife McDonnell, Libby Sadler) d UNSW-Eastern Suburbs Tigers 2.8: 20 (Hannah McIntosh 2) at Blacktown International Sports Park on Saturday.
Best players
Sydney University: Rachael Stack, Sera Kaukiono, Jennifer Lew, Alice Wood, Aiofe McDonnell, Lara Creber.
UNSW-Eastern Suburbs: Luisa Marzotto, Courtney Gum, Madelane Collier, Jasmine Smith, Nicola Vrachnas, Sasha Banki.
