Students back on winners list in thrilling victory over Redland

Sydney University has lifted their three match losing curse with a 20-point win over the Redland Bombers in what was a close contest at Henson Park on Saturday.

As anxious supporters watched the match unfold, the Students stole the Bombers opportunity to win their second game of the 2019 NEAFL season, running out 17.8 (110) to 12.18 (90) in a frantic final term.

In a match full of momentum swings, Redland came from 19 points down at the last change to hit the front midway through the term, only for the Students to respond with the next four majors to secure victory.

Now with three wins under their belt, Sydney University midfielder Jake Bartholomaues said that the match indicated some positive signs moving forward.

“After quarter time, we really needed to assess what was going on and knuckle down to finish the game off well,” he told neafl.com.au.

“That meant really improving our communication on the field which starts in the midfield… I think that we are very good at contested football so if we don’t get rucked up against too much we have a very good advantage over other sides.

“We managed to keep the ball in packs, move forward and continue our outside runs which are key positives for the team.”

The match started slow with the Redland Bombers booting four behinds until Clay Cameron booted a goal in the 13th minute to open the floodgates.

As the Bombers built momentum late in the first quarter, early bragging rights were theirs as they took a 25-point lead heading into quarter-time.

However, the Students gathered themselves in the second term and showcased their ability to score goals quickly as they booted six to none, which saw them take a 12-point lead heading into half time.

With their ability to score goals quickly on show, Bartholomaues said this was one of their biggest takeaways from the game.

“I don’t think that many sides can stop us when we get a little run on and our energy is up and about and we’re moving the ball forward quickly,” he said.

“Even last week in the last quarter against the Swans, we were down by about 50 points but we piled on seven goals in 15 minutes.”

Although the Bombers brought the game to a one-point difference in the fourth quarter, it was a team effort from the Students, including three goals and nine inside 50’s from Bartholomaeus, and 26 disposals from Lewis Stevenson that secured the win.

For the Bombers, Matt Hammelmann was outstanding with six goals and ruckman Craig Malone was a colossus, amassing an astonishing 71 hit-outs on his own, with the Bombers winning that statistic 76-21.

Heading into the NEAFL Round 8, Sydney University will have the bye whilst the Redland Bombers will take on the Southport Sharks at Scottsdale Park at 1.30pm on Sunday.

Sydney University v Redland at Henson Park

SYDNEY UNI 2.0 8.4 13.6 17.8 (110)
REDLAND 5.7 5.10 8.17 12.18 (90)

GOALS – Sydney Uni: J Bartholomaeus 3 D Cordell 2 H Morrison 2 W Sierakowski 2 A Sierakowski 2 J Hiscox C Williams J Stern J Veale T Banuelos T Davies. Redland: M Hammelmann 6 C Cameron 2 B Bailey 2 S Cormick D Steven.
BEST – Sydney Uni: J Bartholomaeus M Carroll H Morrison S Barkley A Sierakowski W Sierakowski. Redland: S Cunnington D Steven C Malone M Stallard.

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