Injury and ill-discipline proved the downfall for the Students as they were defeated by 36 points in their round three NEAFL clash against the Hills Eagles at Bruce Purser Reserve on Saturday night.
A slightly changed side from round 2 due to injuries, Sydney University showed great commitment to the cause and found themselves up 20-18 at the first break.
A poor second quarter where Sydney Hills scored nine goals to one, combined with inaccuracy in front of goals, ultimately cost the Students. For the second week running, scoring shots were basically equal, with the oppositions clinical finishing being the difference. The score ended Hills Eagles 20.9-129 to Sydney University 13.15-93.
After the match Senior NEAFL Coach Daniel Gilmore was upbeat as he explained that he was encouraged by the depth of the clubs program, with the premier division side notching up a win (16.20-116 v 6.7-43) and the NEAFL squad expecting up to five players back from injury for their next game against Eastlake.
“Our depth at the club runs deep with our premier division playing good quality football and having a great win. This will be important as the year progresses,” said Gilmore.
However Gilmore was disappointed with the loss and felt that the players themselves understood that they could play a better style of AFL.
“The NEAFL team lost and we felt amongst the group we didn’t play the brand of football we are capable of for long enough with our discipline being exposed. Our attitude towards the contest is never questioned but we lost concentration with poor discipline in the game,” said Gilmore.
While the NEAFL squad was dissatisfied with their performance over the weekend the team will strive to fix perceived game play issues at training this week and will welcome back a number of injured players.
“We had a couple of injuries and there will be some cattle dropped back with Michael Higgins, Aron Everett, Ryan Edwards and Peter Dugmore all available. Also Charles Shaw was tested with a slight knee injury and has trained hard over the weekend to push for selection in the coming week,” explained Gilmore.
Gilmore’s NEAFL team will next face an Eastlake outfit that will be smarting after being thoroughly outplayed last weekend by competition heavyweights Queanbeyan.
The Students take on Eastlake on Saturday April 13 at 2pm at Drummoyne Oval.
