Men’s Premier Division Qualifying Final – North Shore Bombers v Sydney University
Written by Lucas Holmes
Previous meetings
The North Shore Bombers were run down by Sydney University in round 3 by 9 points. In round 18, Sydney University defeated the Bombers by 29 points.
First quarter
The North Shore Bombers showed their intent to move the football early.
Round 18 Rising Star nominee Will Edwards bit off a short kick which opened the centre corridor. Sydney University Captain Spencer Krochmal took an intercept mark from the attempted entry inside the forward 50.
From a repeat entry inside 50, the Bombers got their first.
Max Thomas was taken high after a marking contest. His set shot from 20 metres out was driven low and straight.
Sydney University replied straight away, but the Bombers’ defence didn’t make it easy.
Isaac Hughes’ delivery got over the back of the North Shore defence and landed in the goal square. The Bombers’ defence scrambled. Jack Woodman smothered the football twice before Louis Wilson snapped home from close range.
North Shore racked up inside 50s. Both Charlie Morfesse and Montgomery Krochmal took intercept marks.
After 9 minutes of elapsed time, Jamie Vlatko kicked the second North Shore goal.
Vlatko skillfully protected the drop of the ball in the marking contest, then converted the set shot from 25 metres out.
The Bombers continued to showcase their ball movement as they settled into this Qualifying Final.
Quarter time North Shore Bombers 2.3.15 Sydney University 1.4.10.
Second quarter
North Shore went forward early in the second quarter.
After a stoppage inside the forward 50, Thomas Van Dongen took an intercept mark deep in defence.
An intercept from Edwards sparked a Bombers counterattack.
A looped handball opened up the corridor. Nicholas Brewer got a shepherd, which enabled him to run and carry. His long kick was marked by Josh Rayner, whose set shot just snuck in.
Again Sydney University hit straight back.
The centre clearance created a contest on the half-forward flank.
Luke Gallen collected the ball in stride and centred from the forward pocket. Sam Gilfedder played from slightly behind his defender. As a result, Gilfedder got over the back.
The middle of the second term belonged to North Shore.
Goals were kicked by Felix Rogers, Vlatko, Thomas, Kyle Devlin and Ned Campbell. Whilst Luke Gallen added a major for the students.
Half time North Shore Bombers 8.4.52 Sydney University 3.4.22.
Third quarter
North Shore piled on the pressure early in the third term.
Sam Barkey showed his courage as he stood under a high ball, but it was Rayner who lined up for his second.
From 25 metres out, on a 45-degree angle, Rayner pushed his set shot to the right. Both teams have struggled with set shot accuracy at this point.
Jake Veale was unlucky as the football bounced at a right angle, which denied him a goal.
Both teams traded minor scores as Sydney University attempted to slow the North Shore onslaught.
A risky kick out of defence created another Bombers goal.
Attempting to change the angle, a higher kick allowed Devlin to intercept.
Devlin unselfishly went over the top to Liam Puncher and handballed inside to Thomas on the goal line.
The Bombers continued to turn the scoreboard over as their lead was 40 points, 15 minutes into the third term.
Fitzroy showed his skill as he reduced the margin.
In the right forward pocket, Fitzroy ran towards the boundary. He dropped the ball onto his right foot and dribbled the ball home.
Puncher replied straight away as the Bombers kicked four goals in the third.
Hughes had a long set shot after the three-quarter time siren, which he pulled to the left.
Three quarter time North Shore Bombers 12.9.81 Sydney University 4.6.30.
Fourth quarter
Ned Campbell kicked his second goal within 30 seconds of the fourth term.
Veale won the centre clearance. His high entry came down at centre half forward. Campbell was front and centre to the contest, took a step and kicked from 35 metres out.
Thomas and Liam Puncher added minor scores as the Bombers continued to press.
Sydney elected to use the short kick, which opened up the middle of Henson Park. Brewer broke up the chain with a strong tackle.
Thomas was gifted his fourth after an infraction away from the football.
The students had some time inside the forward 50 themselves. Gilfedder laid a strong tackle as the forwards looked to capitalise. On this occasion, Woodman was up to the task.
Gallen almost kicked his second after he roved Tim Cordner. His kick was pulled for a minor score.
North Shore capped off an impressive display as Rogers kicked his third. A dominant 75-point win.
Full time North Shore Bombers 15.16.106 Sydney University 4.7.31.
Jake Veale was superb around stoppages for North Shore. Jack Woodman kept the Sydney University tall forwards quiet, whilst Christian Loone impacted around the ground.
Riley Fitzroy was a livewire inside the forward 50 for Sydney University. Peter Spurling played his role a kick behind the play, and Spencer Krochmal was dependable in defence.
North Shore Bombers 15.16.106
Goal kickers: M. Thomas 4, F. Rogers 3, J. Vlatko 3, N. Campbell 2, K. Devlin, L. Puncher, J. Rayner
Best: C. Loone, J. Law, S. Barkley, F. Rogers, J. Veale, N. Brewer
Sydney University 4.7.31
Goal kickers: R. Fitzroy, L. Gallen, S. Gilfedder, L. Wilson
Best: P. Spurling, S. Gilfedder, S. Krochmal, C. Morfesse, R. Fitzroy, L. Stevenson
The Bombers progress through to Semi Final 2 against UNSW-ES Bulldogs next Sunday 11:10 AM at Henson Park. Whilst Sydney University take on St George in Semi Final 1 later in the afternoon at 4:05 PM.
