Canberra triumphs against Sydney Uni in exciting finish at Henson Park

The Canberra Demons have held off Sydney University in a five-point victory at Henson Park on Saturday in what was a close contest.

In a low scoring match where points were crucial, the winner was determined in the dying minutes of the final quarter with the Demons holding on to win 10.5 (65) to 8.12 (60).

Although the Demons delivered their coach Kade Klemke a win on the 100th game of his NEAFL coaching career, Klemke said that he was pleased to come away with the win, but there are lots of areas for improvement if they want to be a finals side in 2019.

“I think that our pressure and intensity was really good but moving forward, we probably turned it over at costing times which is what has hurt us in the last few weeks. We need to neaten up our game,” he told neafl.com.au.

“I think that Sydney University are a really good running side and love the space so we did really well to shut that down at times, which probably shows why it’s a low scoring game.”

The Demons started strong, accumulating three goals in the first quarter which outweighed the Students single goal to tip the scales in their favour.

However, Sydney University brought the fire power in the third and applied pressure that turned into points when Harry Morrison booted a goal in the ninth minute to bring the game to a one-point difference.

Jack Hiscox and Josh Stern backed that up in the minutes to follow with a goal each that put the Students in front for the first time in the game.

But it was the likes of Jack Powell, Guy Richardson and Tom Faul who booted the last three goals of the third quarter that put the Demons in the lead, and saw them hold onto that lead in the fourth quarter.

Demons ruckman’s Alex Paech and Josh Maynard were impressive with 29 hit outs and 39 hit outs respectively, together adding to 68 which was almost double of the Students’ 35.

Alex Smout was also impressive for the Demons with 28 disposals, seven inside 50s and a goal.

Heading into Round 5, Sydney University will take on the Southport Sharks at Blacktown International Sportspark at 12pm on Saturday.

Although the Students are disappointed with the loss, Harry Morrison told neafl.com.au they will take it in their stride and will learn from it.

“Bad decisions cost us the game in the end… but a positive would be the on-field leadership after a slow start,” he said.

“(Jack) Dimery and Baths (Jake Bartholomaues) were two who stood up and got us back in the game instead of letting us fade away which was good to see.”

Meanwhile the Canberra Demons will take on the GIANTS under lights at Phillip Oval at 6:30pm next Friday.

Klemke said they will focus on improving their ball movement going forward.

“We just don’t seem to have much movement in our forward line and inside 50. We just get caught flat footed at time,” he said.

Sydney University v Canberra Demons

CANBERRA 3.1 4.3 8.4 10.5 (65)
SYDNEY UNI 1.2 2.7 6.10 8.12 (60)

GOALS – Canberra: J Powell 2 A Kinasch R Pollock G Richardson D Roberts T Faul H Carr M Hardie A Paech. Sydney Uni: T Davies 3 H Morrison 3 J Hiscox J Stern.
BEST – Canberra: D Roberts C Owen-Auburn J Maynard R Budd A Baker A Paech. Sydney Uni: A Gulden T Barton H Morrison T Davies J Stern E Cole.

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