SYDNEY University has climbed back up to third on the Tribal Sport NEAFL Ladder after comfortably beating Redland by 67 points at Scottsdale Park on Saturday.
After a disappointing loss last week there was no chance the Students were going to take Redland lightly, ensuring they return to Sydney 17.15. (117) to 6.4 (50) victors.
Despite being last on the ladder, the Bombers did have a bit to play for – hosting their last game for the year at Scottsdale Park – where they had not won a game all year.
The Bombers did start the game positively in the opening minutes, but it soon became clear Sydney University had no intention of leaving Queensland without the four points.
The Students kicked seven goals to zero in the opening term, holding a commanding 39-point lead at quarter-time. It could have been a different ball game though, if Redland had kicked straight in the first quarter, with only five behinds to show for their efforts at the break.
Sydney University continued on their rampage in the second quarter kicking another two goals, before finally Jack Rolls kicked Redland’s first when he converted on the run. The Bombers were able to stem the bleeding, going goal-for-goal with the Students for the remainder of the half and into the third quarter.
However, after the Bombers kicked the first goal of the fourth term through Matt Thomson, the band-aid was ripped off, with the Students kicking the last four goals of the game.
It was a much-needed win for the Sydney University, who have had a roller-coaster 2018 season.
Heading into crunch time for the Students, Craig Bird (36 disposals, 10 clearances and a goal), and Ryan Hebron (31 disposals, 13 marks and eight rebound 50s) were stand-outs.
For the Bombers, Jackson Paine was unbelievable with 38 disposals – beating his career high of 31 disposals that he set last week. These included 22 contested possessions, eight marks, seven clearances and five inside 50s.
Young guns Rolls and debutant Tom Matthews were also solid for Redlands, but in the end the side was not good enough. The Bombers will have a very genuine chance of winning next week when it takes on the Thunder in Darwin a rematch that follows a Bombers win against Darwin in Alice Springs this year.
Sydney University, on the other hand, has a bye, before heading into a crucial last two home-away games against Canberra and NT Thunder.
GOALS – Sydney Uni: J Hiscox 3 D. Bonney 2, W. Sierakowski 2 J Bartholomaeus N Reinhard J Potter C McFadden J Marsh A Gulden M Wilson A Lucy J Derickx C Bird. Redland: M Hammelmann 2 R Dadds M Thomson J Rolls P Yagmoor.
