Men’s Premier Division Match of the Round Review- UNSW-ES Bulldogs v Sydney University

Written by Lucas Holmes

 

Recap

After nearly 260 days since matches were played, AFL Sydney was back for season 2022. Despite the weather that caused havoc over the previous month, an enthusiastic crowd packed into Henson Park to see two traditional rivals kick off the season.

UNSW-ES welcomed back triple premiership player Darren Pfieffer as their Head Coach. Whilst Sydney University elevated Lindsay Scown to the role after being Senior Assistant.

 

First quarter

UNSW-ES had a forward fifty entry from the first centre bounce. Mitchell Conn received a handball on the Bulldogs’ defensive side of the centre square and delivered by foot to Liam Ross on the centre wing. Ross wasted no time in looking for Kieran Emery but three Sydney University defenders converged on the key forward.

Despite the Bulldogs’ dominance in the early stages, it was Sydney University kicking against the breeze that registered the first goal fifteen minutes into the contest. Izaac Hughes who missed a simpler chance a few minutes before made no mistake with a set shot from where the fifty-metre arc intersected the boundary line.

The Bulldogs had their first major 2 minutes later through Emery. A diagonal kick from the half-back line opened up the centre corridor for UNSW-ES. The fast ball movement left Emery one on one inside the forward fifty taking a strong mark and kicked from just inside the arc.

UNSW-ES managed another goal just before the quarter-time siren through Toby Renshaw.

Quarter time UNSW-ES Bulldogs 2.5.17 Sydney University 1.1.7.

 

Second quarter

Sydney University elected to switch the ball out of defence regularly in the early part of the second quarter. However, this led to UNSW-ES’s third goal. Max Geddes read the switch of play in Sydney University’s defensive fifty and took an intercept mark twenty-five metres out from goal. Geddes smartly kept the ball low and the Bulldogs had a goal against the wind.

Sydney University had a few shots on goal through Hughes but could only manage two minor scores as result.

UNSW-ES made it two goals in quick succession. Jack Willis sent the ball high inside the forward 50 and kicked it toward Emery. Although outnumbered, Emery bought the ball to the ground where Fred Tricks was in the perfect position to read the drop of the ball and dribbled home an easy goal.

It was a big second quarter for the Bulldogs, who kicked five goals against the breeze whilst keeping Sydney University to three points.

Half time UNSW-ES Bulldogs 7.7.49 Sydney University 1.4.10.

 

Third quarter

Much like the conclusion of the second quarter, it didn’t take long for the Bulldogs to hit the ground running in the third.

With a ball up between half-back and centre-wing for UNSW-ES, Geddes broke through the stoppage and found Dean Towers at centre half-forward. The former Sydney Swan showed his agility and poise with the ball in hand and found Emery twenty-five metres out directly in front of the goals. The margin out to forty-five points.

After Emery kicked another, Sydney University came to life. The consistent Samuel Bennett took an intercept mark on the half-forward flank. Bennett, who took on two opponents, centred the ball to the top of the goal square where Sydney University claimed their second goal of the third quarter

Sydney University had two goals in quick succession, a crunching tackle from Samuel Gilfedder was compounded with a fifty-metre penalty against the Bulldogs making the set shot a certainty.

Nick Tsindos made it three goals soon after. Jack Dimery took an intercept mark on the centre wing. His kick quickly found Nick Foster about forty metres out from goal and fifteen metres inside the boundary. Foster got back off the mark quickly and went short to Tsindos on a much tighter angle. This didn’t worry him however, the margin was six goals.

Hughes added a goal late to further reduce the margin at the last change.

Three quarter time UNSW-ES Bulldogs 9.9.63 Sydney University 5.4.34.

 

Fourth quarter

Sydney University got off to the ideal start in the final term. Peter Spurling took an intercept mark following a kick out. He was the beneficiary of a fifty-metre penalty. The margin was twenty-six points.

You could tell the tide was well and truly beginning to turn as Hughes kicked another major. The Bulldogs turned the ball over in the middle of the ground, as University swooped and the ball was kicked to space inside the forward fifty. Hughes with his elite speed collected the ball in stride and kicked it across his body for yet another impressive goal.

Hughes added to his tally almost immediately in an identical fashion. Bennett burst through the centre bounce and unloaded his kick to the forward pocket. Hughes juggled the mark but a sharp handball from a teammate gave him enough time to steady and snapped across his body once more. The gap was closed to thirteen points.

Foster trimmed the lead once more as he won a high contact free-kick deep inside the attacking fifty. The margin was seven points.

The Bulldogs kicked a much-needed goal to stem the flow of Sydney University goals and who else but Kieran Emery to do so.

Superb vision and unselfishness from Conn to kick laterally instead of towards goal and found Bailey Foot at centre half-forward. Foote popped the ball to the top of the goal square where Emrey took a strong contested mark.

Hughes kicked another goal, but it was too late as the Bulldogs held on to win by five points. A fabulous game to start the season.

Full time UNSW-ES Bulldogs 10.13.73 Sydney University 10.8.68. 

 

For UNSW-ES Mitchell Conn’s ball use was a feature throughout the match, while Fred Tricks was also important. Despite being well held by Spencer Krochmal, Kieran Emery kicked four-goal but also bought the ball to the ground for the small forwards.

Sydney University after they started slow, had all of the momentum after half time.

Samuel Bennett was outstanding around the ground, especially in his stoppage work. Peter Spurling was one of the best players on the ground (particularly after halftime), whilst Izaac Hughes provided a focal point and finished the large majority of his shots on goal.

 

UNSW-ES Bulldogs 10.13.73

Goal kickers: K. Emery 4, Z. Cameron 2, M. Geddes, T. Tyson, T. Renshaw, F. Tricks

Best: M. Conn, M. Geddes, T. Baxter, F. Tricks, K. Emery, B. Foote

 

Sydney University 10.8.68

Goal kickers: I. Hughes 6, S. Gilfedder, N. Foster, N. Tsindos, P. Spurling

Best: S. Bennett, J. Dimery, S. Krochmal, O. Davis, A. Lucy, I. Hughes