Super Students impressive in big win over NT Thunder

Sydney University continues to impress in the early stages of the 2019 NEAFL premiership season with an 83-point win over the NT Thunder at Blacktown International Sportspark on Saturday.

Out to prove that their surprise win against the Apsley Hornets in Round 1 was not a stroke of good luck, the Students dominated the first quarter to set the tone for a comfortable 21.14 (140) to 7.15 (57) win in ideal weather conditions.

Though NT Thunder fought back in the second quarter, Sydney University co-captain Sam Tagliabue said that he was pleased with the performance of his team.

“We are really happy with how we have started this season – good to back it up after last week,” he told neafl.com.au.

“NT Thunder is obviously a very dangerous side with a lot of really talented footballers that can be really damaging up forward, so we got our hands on the footy and controlled the tempo a little bit and were able to hit the scoreboard.

“We have a bye next week so we’ll just recover. We have a number of errors that we want to work on so just really getting that consistency would be our main thing.”

The Students started finely with Tristan Davies and Bailey Stewart scoring two goals each in the opening five minutes to give them an early lead.

Both Davies and Stewart continued their impressive form, finishing with seven and three goals respectively whilst Nick Foster also scored four majors.

With four players on debut, NT Thunder fought back in the second quarter with Jack Hannath bringing a good battle to Tagliabue in the ruck.

However, possession was the main reason NT Thunder struggled to shut down the Students who finished with 412 to their 269 disposals.

NT Thunder coach Darren Reeves said they were obviously disappointed with the outcome but understand where they are at.

“We have got a bit of work to do but we’ll get there… we will go back to the drawing board and work really hard,” he told neafl.com.au.

“We are obviously a new group so the more we get to play with each other the better.

“We have a bye next week so we will have the opportunity to reset and crack into some work and be ready for Redland in about two weeks’ time.”

Both Sydney University and NT Thunder have a bye next week.

NEAFL Round 2

Sydney University v NT Thunder at BISP

SYDNEY UNI 6.6 9.8 23.23 21.14 (140)

NT THUNDER 0.3 3.10 3.13 7.15 (57)

GOALS – Sydney University: T Davies 7 N Foster 4 B Stewart 3 J Stern 2 T Barton N Coxall J Bartholomaeus S Fong J Hiscox. NT Thunder: W Farrer 2 T Melville 2 K Delahunty S Talbot B McLean.

BEST – Sydney University: J Dimery B Stewart A Gulden J Stern T Davies N Foster. NT Thunder: B Rioli D Weetra J Anderson B McLean J Templeton.