2019 SEASON PREVIEW: Sydney University

It’s young talent time at Sydney University in 2019 as a youthful squad looks to take on the competition. Do they have what it takes to go all the way?

2018 SUMMARY

The Students were able to start the 2018 in the perfect way with seven wins from their first seven games, including a win over the eventual premiers Southport in Round 4. After a mid-season slump in form, Sydney University finished with a record of 12-6 to finish the home and away season in third position on percentage. On the back of securing their fourth straight final appearance, Sydney University suffered a shock Elimination Final loss against a youthful and determined Canberra side, ending their season. Sydney University did well at the NEAFL MVP Awards night after four players (Ryan Hebron, Adam Gulden, Tom Young and Craig Bird) were selected in the NEAFL Team of the Year and former Sydney and Essendon midfielder Bird polling fifth in the league’s MVP count.

WHAT’S NEW IN 2019?

Sydney University’s squad in 2019 will be far different from their 2018 season due to the loss of some experienced players, such as former AFL listed players Xavier Richards, Bird, Zac O’Brien and Shaun Edwards, plus Driscoll medallists Jake Derickx and Hebron.

In 2019 Sydney University is looking to fill their squad with a bundle of local talent sourced from the Swans and GIANTS Academies respectively. Some of The Student’s local signings include former Swans academy products Bailey Stewart, Josh Stern and Joey Reinhard, plus Jake Veale, who has returned home to Sydney following two years with SANFL club Sturt.

FIRST MONTH

The Students have three games at home in their opening month of football, giving a new-look side a chance to bank some early wins.

A first-round match up against 2018 Preliminary Finalists Aspley will be a tough introduction for Tom Morrison’s young side before facing a non-finals team from 2018 in NT Thunder in Round 2 at Blacktown. This early season match will be important towards likely setting the tone for their season.

Sydney University will then have a week off due to a bye in Round 3 before another hard match up and replay of last year’s Elimination Final with the Canberra Demons. This will certainly be a fixture to watch as two of the competition’s youngest sides face off.

2019 WILL BE A HIT IF… 

The next generation stands up. As Canberra showed the competition in 2018, never rule out a young list in determining success on the field. Whilst development of the young players will be at the forefront of coach Tom Morrison’s mind, making the top six would be a fantastic achievement for a list which has seen a heavy turnover.

2019 WILL BE A MISS IF…

Injuries hit the club where it hurts the most – their experienced players. The likes of Tim Barton, Lewis Stevenson, Tom Young, Adam Gulden and Will Sierakowski will play major roles for the Students this year with both on field and off-field leadership. In order to get the most out of their new recruits and maintain a healthy list, the experienced heads will need to be there in support. Should some of Sydney Uni’s stars start to miss a few games, it will make the job harder.

STAR POWER

Losing quite a few of their stars in the off-season is a big blow to the Students, but don’t be fooled – there is still some serious firepower on their list. As mentioned earlier, Barton, Stevenson, Young, Gulden and Sierakowski will lead the pack, amongst a list which still boasts Jack Hiscox running up and down the wings, key defender Darcy Baron-Hay coming back from injury, ruckman Sam Tagliabue, and swingman Austin Lucy.

ROOKIE WATCH

Where do you start? The Swans Academy contingent – Stewart, Stern, Reinhard and Shumack – are likely to be thrust straight in to the Students’ lineup to start the season. All four players played for Sydney in last year’s NEAFL Grand Final against Southport. In addition, former GIANTS Academy member Tom Banuelos looks a likely type up forward, as does Luke Robertson, who’s made the switch from Canberra Demons.

TO KICK THINGS OFF…

Round 1 – April 6

Sydney University v Aspley Hornets at Henson Park, 12pm