Men’s Premier Division Match of the Round Review- North Shore Bombers v Sydney University

Written by Lucas Holmes

 

The North Shore Bombers defeated the Manly Warringah Wolves by 33 points in round 2. Sydney University defeated St George Dragons by 39 points.

 

First quarter

Both sides traded minor scores in the early stages of the contest, with North Shore willing to move the ball through the centre corridor.

It was the Bombers’ ball movement that led to the first goal of the match in the twelfth minute.

Jack Dillion from the half-back flank found Jordan Law in the middle of Gore Hill Oval. Law’s low kick to the far side of the ground opened a leading lane for Max Thomas who marked and kicked from 30 metres.

North Shore’s second came from the resumption of play. Thomas found himself in the centre square and linked with William Giacometti and Harry Walker by hand. Walker’s kick went deep into the forward pocket and found Joshua Rayner, a 50-metre free made the goal a certainty.

Ned Campbell made it three goals in 90 seconds. After a subdued start to the match, it had come to life.

Sydney University scored their first goal of the afternoon late in the first quarter.

Following a boundary throw-in on the centre wing, University’s clearance went low inside the forward 50. Round 2 Rising Star nominee Louis Wilson initially trapped the ball before Samuel Gilfedder fed Jack Hiscox with a wide handball who finished on his right side, running away from goal.

Quarter time North Shore Bombers 3.1.19 Sydney University 1.1.7. 

 

Second quarter

Sydney University started where they left off in the second term.

From the centre bounce, recruit Nicholas Shipley burst out of the front of the stoppage, taking a bounce before he kicked from just outside the 50.

University had two goals in less than a minute. Shipley’s clearance was marked by Nick Foster who was the beneficiary of a 50-metre free-kick and made no mistake from just outside the goal square. After two minutes of the quarter, scores were level.

A worrying moment for Sydney University soon after, Samuel Bennett came off worst for wear following a high mark by North Shore ruck Christian Loone. Bennett wouldn’t take any further part in the match.

University led for the first time after five minutes, Izaac Hughes took a strong mark in the goal square and walked into an open goal.

Hughes’ second came in open play 12 minutes into the second term.

Michael Nettheim and Dylan Abduraham linked up by hand on the attacking side of the centre square before a polished finish on the run by Hughes.

Goals to Thomas (his second) and Law give the edge to North Shore in what was a highly entertaining first half.

Half time North Shore Bombers 6.3.39 Sydney University 5.4.34.

 

Third quarter

Shipley burst out of the stoppage once again to start the third quarter. But on this occasion, he couldn’t quite find his target.

Nick Hill had an opportunity to extend the Bombers’ lead however his set shot from 30 metres fell just to the near side.

Giacometti had a simpler chance soon after but once again only registered a minor score.

The lone goal of the third came 22 minutes into the quarter.

Zac Monk took a diving mark from a Tom Meacham touch pass. Monk’s attempted shot on goal was pulled to the top of the goal square where Rayner took a contested mark and made no mistake.

Three quarter time North Shore Bombers 7.9.51 Sydney University 5.6.36.

 

Fourth quarter

North Shore struck from the first bounce of the final term.

Bombers Captain Jake Veale sent the centre clearance high inside the forward 50. A secondary kick was roved well by Monk whose vision was outstanding and found Thomas who dribbled home from close range.

Thomas’ fourth came a minute later as the margin was extended to 27 points in the North Shore’s favour.

Thomas had the opportunity to kick his third goal of the quarter (fifth in total) but the kick was pulled across the face of the goal.

Sydney University capitalised at the other end through Nettheim.

University was awarded a free kick on the half-forward flank. Too far out to score, the kick was to the hotspot where Nettheim was held out of the marking contest. He made no mistake from close range. The margin was 28 points.

Shipley almost went coast-to-coast on the near wing if not for a Charlie Silvester touch on the goal line.

From the next passage of play, the margin was cut further. Abduraham sent the ball high inside the forward 50 to a contest. Shipley’s quick kick was met by Angus Jones who finished acrobatically, and the margin was back to 16 points.

Jones’ second came directly from a ruck contest before Hughes’ third came as a result of a 50-metre free-kick as the margin was in single digits.

After Shipley won a holding the ball free-kick deep in defence, he found Hiscox on the attacking side of the centre square. Hiscox brushed aside a defender, straightened and kicked just outside the forward 50. Sydney University was in front.

Hiscox kicked a near-identical goal minutes later as University held on for a remarkable victory.

Full time North Shore Bombers 9.11.65 Sydney University 11.8.74.

 

Christian Loone was outstanding not only in the ruck but around the ground for North Shore. Max Thomas was electric in the forward half whilst Jake Monk impressed.

For Sydney University Nicholas Shipley simply took the game away from the Bombers in the fourth quarter. Jack Hiscox was University’s best player on the ground in the first half then kicked the two late goals. Jack Dimery was also stout in defence

 

North Shore Bombers 9.11.65

Goal kickers: M. Thomas 4, J. Rayner 2, N. Campbell, J. Law

Best: N. Campbell, C. Loone, J. Law, M. Thomas, J. Campbell, J. Veale

 

Sydney University 11.8.74

Goal kickers: J. Hiscox 3, I. Hughes 3, A. Jones 2, N. Foster, M. Nettheim, N. Shipley

Best: T. Cordner, D. Abdurahman, S. Gilfedder, N. Shipley, J. Pullinger, J. Dimery