MATCH PREVIEW: Sydney Uni v NT Thunder

NEAFL ROUND 10

Saturday, June 8, 2019
Sydney University (6th) v NT Thunder (10th)
Blacktown International Sportspark, 12pm

SUMMARY

This Queen’s Birthday long weekend, Sydney University and NT Thunder will go head to head at Blacktown International Sportspark at noon on Saturday in a matchup that will truly test how the teams measure up.

Sydney University will be wanting to redeem themselves to secure their fourth win of the 2019 NEAFL season after a disappointing 24-point loss to the Canberra Demons last week.

Similarly, NT Thunder will be looking for their next win after a disappointing 21-point defeat last week at the hands of the Redland Bombers.

With both teams stocked up with more motivation to win than they could possible need, this match will be an interesting one for spectators to watch.

RECENT ENCOUNTERS

Round 2, 2019: Sydney Uni 21.14 (140) d NT Thunder 7.15 (57) at Blacktown International Sportspark
Round 21, 2018: Sydney Uni 19.19 (133) d NT Thunder 3.6 (24) at Blacktown International Sportspark
Round 8, 2018: Sydney Uni 18.11 (119) d NT Thunder 9.7 (61) at Blacktown International Sportspark

TALKING POINTS

1. Following Round 9, Sydney University are sitting just inside the top 6 on the 2019 NEAFL ladder with three wins and four losses. A fourth win is exactly what the Students need and isn’t a stretch for them to achieve if they tap into the impressive form that was on display in the opening rounds of the season.

2. If Sydney University want the win against NT Thunder, it will be important that they play consistently for the whole four quarters of the game. In their matchup against the Canberra Demons last week, the Students started in the first quarter well but lost their way in the second term, and that inconsistency plagued the game, ultimately leading to their defeat.

3. If NT Thunder are serious about earning their second win of their season and moving up the ladder, what better place to start than with a win against Sydney University this week? It will not be an easy task but if NT Thunder can muscle up and keep possession of the ball, who knows what is possible.

ROOKIE WATCH

Look out for Sydney University’s young gun Jake Bartholomaues who never misses an opportunity to make his mark on a game. A Sydney Swans Academy graduate, Bartholomaues had a breakout season with the Students in 2018, winning the club’s Chas Wilkinson Rising Star Award, while also earning a NEAFL Rising Star nomination. This year, Bartholomaeus has gone to another level, averaging 25 disposals (48% contested), 5.6 inside 50s and 6.4 clearances per match.

STATS THAT MATTER

Sydney Uni is NT Thunder’s bogey team. The Territorians haven’t beaten the Students since the Elimination Final of 2015, losing the past eight games by an average of 63 points.

PREDICTION

Sydney University by 30 points.

Don’t forget to download our free NEAFL App, featuring live Champion Data stats, player bios and more! Available now from the Google Play and Apple stores.

Have your say! Follow the NEAFL on Twitter (@neaflofficial), Instagram (@neaflofficial) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/neaflofficial).