After a three point thriller the night before, an early morning out in the southern suburbs of Sydney led Sydney University to Olds Park 2 to play St George Crows. Let's just say Olds Park 2 is a very “special” field in the Bruce, McAvaney sense, 110m long, ground sloping towards the gully end, goal posts not exactly lined up and a half decent kick-in would result in the ball near the ballup circle!! Today was St. George opportunity to push for a finals position in that elusive fourth spot whilst Sydney University would defend it at all costs.
In the first quarter St George were out of the starting blocks early but the inaccuracy was telling scoring 2.6.18 to 1.2.8. It seemed the long journey along the M5 East for Sydney University might have lulled them asunder. After the quarter time break, Sydney University woke up and started to put points on the ball although St George’s nasty habit of conceding 50m penalties meant that on a small field such as Olds 2 was a guaranteed gimme goal. At the half time break it was St George 4.7.31 to Sydney University 4.3.27
In the premiership quarter, towards the carpark end St George hit the straps early to outscore Sydney University heading towards the final quarter with the score at 7.9.51 to 5.4.34. In the Easts game St George had led by 14 points and was then over-run by Easts in the final quarter, and it was a 17 point game in this game, would it prove to be sufficient? Read on .....
In the final quarter stamina counted. Sydney University with it’s full reserves and St George with none began to tell on the scoreboard as Sydney University kicked straighter and a bit more direct. The St. George Crows Coach needs to improve his boundary throw-in’s being called twice by the umpires to redo it again to his shame and laughter of his team and supporters as he copped a team-fine. Sydney University hit the front with a long kick that rolled through the behind posts with three minutes to go and when the siren went, the players on the field. were not quite sure what had happened. Sydney University had fallen over the victory line to win 8.6.54 to 7.11.53
It was a great contest by both teams. Although it wasn’t as physical as Friday Night’s contest, the team-work ethic in this match was probably greater by both sides. St. George should be proud of their efforts in this match and it was only one kick that was the difference between the two teams. For Sydney University, it was fourth-placed sealed for the finals baring Easts and St. George winning all their last five matches in a row. However Footy has a nasty habit of being stranger than fiction so anything is possible.
Best on ground in no particular order was Aimee Harris and Christine Coles (St. George), Emma Yuen (Sydney University).
Last Modified on 12/07/2008 16:00