Men’s Premier Division Minor Semi Final Review – Sydney University v St George Dragons

Written by Lucas Holmes

Previous meetings

The two sides split their regular season matchups. In round 2 Sydney University defeated the St George Dragons by 39 points. In Round 17 with their season on the line, the Dragons ground out an 18-point win.

First quarter

Sydney University had their hands on the football early.

Peter Spurling was involved in the chain handballs on the far side of Henson Park, which opened the forward 50.

From a stoppage in the forward pocket, Malcolm Picken won a free kick for a ruck infringement. His set shot on the angle clattered into the right goal post.

Then Dragon’s defender Jonathon Pearson got a vital touch to prevent the afternoon’s first goal. 

Both sides traded intercept marks, Kyle McKellar for St George, and Spurling for Sydney University (sitting a kick behind the play as he does so often).

With limited opportunities, the Dragons opened their account after five minutes of elapsed time.

After he won a free kick in the corridor, Dominic Soffe speared a low ball to Timothy Coenen. The key defender seemed unfazed by the distance as he launched the set shot from outside the arc.

Patrick Tegg made it two goals in quick succession after he got a quick kick away at a stoppage.

A perfect kick from Jack Hiscox set up the first goal for Sydney University.

Hiscox wheeled away on the half-forward flank. He kicked to the space and the football was met by a leading Montgomery Krochmal.

From 20 metres out, on a slight angle, Krochmal converted the set shot.

The students hit the post twice before Daniel Widders made them play at the other end.

Nathaniel McKenzie-Hicks delivered inside the forward 50 to the advantage of Widders. From just outside the goal square Widders made no mistake.

It was an end-to-end conclusion to the term. 

Steven Nabaki and a high-flying Kye Pfrengle kicked goals for the Dragons. For Sydney University, Matthew Vicic and Izaac Hughes kicked late goals.  

Quarter time Sydney University 3.5.23 St George Dragons 5.3.33.

Second quarter

The Dragons employed chain handballs to break the pressure of Sydney University early in the second term.

Hughes made it three consecutive goals for the students as he snapped across his body from the boundary.

Sydney University continued to press but only managed minor scores.

Luke Gallen hit the scoreboard after 11 minutes of elapsed time.

Gallen roved the contest at the hotspot and kicked across his body off a step. The students were in front.

The middle part of the term was played between the arcs. Both defensive units came away with numerous intercept marks.

Vicic kicked his second from a set shot 40 metres out. Sydney University’s lead was outside a goal.

Both sides traded behinds late as Sydney University kept St George goalless in the second term.

Half time Sydney University 6.8.44 St George Dragons 5.5.35.

Third quarter

Widders had an early opportunity to add his second goal. The set shot on a 45-degree angle grazed the right goal post.

Repeated entries inside the forward 50 for Sydney University led to the first goal of the quarter.

A sweeping handball from Louis Wilson enabled Montgomery Krochmal to deliver a  short pass. Sam Gilfedder kicked deeper and found Vicic alone in the goal square.

Vicic kicked his third. Sydney University’s lead was extended to 14 points.

Vicic’s fourth came from a 50-metre free kick. The Dragons were still goalless since the first term.

It didn’t last much longer.

Soffe executed the perfect front and centre and snapped across his body from 20 metres out.

Gallen kicked his second in identical fashion as the students restored their 21-point lead.

Another crucial spoil on the goal line kept the Dragons in touching distance.

Widders’ second came deep in time on as the Dragons reduced the margin to 15 points at the last change.

Three quarter time Sydney University 9.11.65 St George Dragons 7.8.50.

Fourth quarter

The Dragons wasted no time in the final term.

Matt Saunders tapped the football on, which gave Soffe time and space. Soffe stepped inside one defender and kicked on the run from 45 metres out.

Saunders was the provider once again as he unselfishly squared the ball to Alexander Wynn. From 30 metres out, Wynn nursed it home. The margin was back to three points.

Saunders kicked a goal on this occasion as he got over the back after a deep entry. The Dragons kicked three goals in the opening seven minutes.

Widders added his third after a strong contested mark. St George led by nine points.

After St George kept the football in their forward half, Sydney University didn’t waste a rare opportunity in the fourth term.

Austin Lucy was taken high in a ruck contest and kicked from 20 metres out, directly in front. St George led by only two points.

A rushed behind was scored. The margin was a solitary point.

With 26 minutes elapsed in the last term, Timothy Tegg showcased his blinding speed for the first time. He found his brother in a one-on-one contest who kept his feet and ran into an open goal.

In one of the matches of the Premier Division men’s season, St George came back from 15 points down at three-quarter time to win by seven points.

Full time Sydney University 10.14.74 St George Dragons 12.8.80.

Peter Spurling impressed in the ruck for Sydney University. Nick Tsindos kept Timothy Tegg quiet for the majority of the afternoon. Whilst Matthew Vicic was damaging inside the forward 50.

Ben Jones was the best player on the ground as he racked up possessions in contested situations. Steven Nabaki bought the ball to the ground in the forward half, whilst he kept Spurling accountable when rucking. Timothy Coenen continued to impress in defence.

St George face North Shore in the Preliminary Final on Saturday 1:10 PM at Henson Park. The UNSW-ES Bulldogs await the winner in the Grand Final.