By Robert Morrison
Sydney University Australian National Football Club has ended the 2009 season in an extremely positive position – with three of their five teams making the finals to be played this weekend and all of their teams finishing in top five.
The inaugural U18 Challenge Cup Colts team finished a clear first, scoring 2181 points throughout the season – nearly twice as many as any other team. As did the Reds (Division Four), who finished first by a whopping 12 points. And the Reserves finished a solid forth.
“We’re very proud of all our teams,” said Club President Jason McLennan. “To have all our teams finish inside the top five is a phenomenal accomplishment and one every single player and coach should be proud of. We’re in with a great chance to grab some silverware this year too.”
The First Grade side finished the season on a high, winning their last three games. Their 25 point triumph over third placed UNSW-ES in the last game of the season was definitely a highlight.
“It’s funny how sport works like that sometimes,” said Senior Coach Roger Moten. “The last few weeks the guys have just been going out there and enjoying themselves and they’ve been playing the best footy they’ve played all year. It’s just s a shame this form wasn’t around earlier in the season, I think we would have definitely been up there.”
The game against UNSW-ES was a see-sawing encounter for the first three quarters, the Students leading by 5 points at the last change. However in their last quarter of the season Sydney Uni opened the game to some high-scoring, with students booting 7 goals to 4.
Mark Egan kicked 6 and Sam Crichton 3 for the Students, while Ben Mankarious and Egan were again among the leading ball-winners. The game finished 16.19.115 to 13.12.90.
The Division Two side unfortunately lost their last game but did finish their season a solid 5th. This, however, meant they frustratingly remain one spot outside the finals in their competition.
The Reserves are playing UNSW-ES in the first semi-final and will be looking to continue their current form when they kick off at 12pm at Blacktown Olympic Park this Sunday. The Reds are also meeting UNSW-ES, and are playing at Bruce Purser Reserve this Saturday at 10:30am. The Colts are going up against Southern Power at 8:30am, also at Bruce Purser Reserve this Saturday.
Quotes: Jason McLennan (President) 0422 240 857
Roger Moten (Senior Coach) 0404 654 853
