Round 9 Men’s Premier Division Match Review: Sydney University vs North Shore Bombers

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Written by Lachlan Scott

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First Quarter

Fans were salivating before the siren sounded to start affairs on the Sydney University No.1 Oval. With a single loss between them, the Bombers and the Students battled for the top of the ladder. North Shore currently ascendant and undefeated, Sydney Uni with the home ground advantage. A very colourful grandstand as a plethora of clubs came to watch the two powerhouses, hoping for a glimpse of the gaps in their armour.

North Shore look to start the shoot out early, maintain field control and shooting for goal from everywhere. Phenomenal defensive efforts by the Students back line and some wayward kicking holds them to 5 behinds before Meacham receives a 50m penalty to puts him well within striking distance. He takes his time with the run up, knowing this goal could set the tempo for the rest of the quarter, the goal umpire doesn’t move, and he has the Bomber’s first of the day.

Sydney Uni settle and return to what works for them, a pinpoint kick-mark transition up the field, keeping the ball out of North Shore’s hands and maintaining possession deftly. Lucy streams out of goal and away from his man to be the final recipient, marking with composure and holding the ball tight to his chest. He launches the Sherrin from 50m out, directly in front, and makes no mistake as the Students maintain parity and lock in their first.

The Students immediately break from the centre bounce and lock the ball forward with repeat stoppages as their forwards hover around the contest, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. And it comes! Fitzroy intercepts a wayward handball, swings across his body from deep in the pocket and it floats just over the defenders’ heads. In the blink of an eye Sydney Uni is up and North Shore is left scratching their heads at these two completely different avenues to goal.

Not the be outdone, North Shore strikes next in the shootout. The midfield presses up in support and create interference for their forwards, and it pays off. Brewer hangs back away from the chaos waiting for his time to shine, silently creating space between him and his opponent. As soon as the midfield takes possession he screams for the footy and gets it, 35m out at a slight angle. He takes his full measure with the run up and kicks truly, North Shore up again in a very even first quarter.

Quarter Time Sydney University 2.3.15 – North Shore Bombers 2.7.19

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Second Quarter

Sydney Uni fly forward from the centre bounce and press for repeat entries, The Bombers defensive line holding strong but under constant attack. The physicality continues to ramp up in the face of constant ball ups, both sides looking to grind the other down around the contest and create fast breaks. Both sides trading behinds for now, neither getting the game changing slew of goals they would have hoped for at quarter time. Dyster comes off with the blood rule clutching his hand and no one can question the dedication and grit being displayed on field.

North Shore take off down the near side, utilizing the width of the ground to its fullest potential as they launch long booming kicks with unnerving accuracy along the boundary. They slice inside 50 and Thomas finds Hill flying past at full speed towards goal. He flicks the handball behind him, Hill nabs it on the run and in a single step blasts it through, Bombers up by 8.

Dale stands tall for the Students on the last line of defence, intercepting countless certain goals and keeping them in the contest. The defensive efforts pay off, Whitaker intercepts a scrubby kick right down the spine of the ground, a sublime kick finding Gibbs 45m out at a sight angle. He knows there’s no time left so sends it soaring swiftly past the goal umpire’s head to put Sydney Uni within 3. And again the defensive efforts pay off! McLean gut runs to dive in-between a slow midfield kick, snatching it mid air and launching a booming torpedo from the centre square towards goal. It tumbles through and North Shore are left scratching their heads again as the Students keep capitalising on minute errors to not only keep themselves in the game but take the lead and end the first half.

Half Time Sydney University 4.7.31 – North Shore Bombers 3.10.28

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Third Quarter

Sydney Uni dive headfirst into attack from the centre bounce to kick off the second half, Dylan staving off a certain goal with a desperation dive on the goal line. On the rebound the Bombers slice across the midfield and transition with ease. The first shot on goal drifts wide right but ferocious pressure gets them another look in as Meecham finds Loone directly in front with a sizzling kick across the defence. Loone has done this countless times when his side needed him and kicks a captain’s goal to put North Shore back in front with another lead change.

Edmonds sends the Bombers back into attack again, kicking high to the top of the square looking for his tall timber. The mark spills down directly in front to Thomas, he snaps across his body and finds the big sticks without looking. Bombers score twice in as many minutes!

The Students power forward in response but their attacks on goal are rebuffed and they settle for trying to lock it in. Hughes takes a towering mark on the wing, swings and stabs the ball forward to Gibbs. Gibbs shimmies, shakes, and finally steps his opponent, kicks check side and lands a miracle goal. The Students are right in this, shot for shot! Tempers begin to flair around the contest as neither side can claim supremacy.

Brewer makes good use of his footy smarts, connecting with Thomas who runs a slew of leads to shake the defence. Thomas steps up when the Bombers need him, 30m out at a slight angle, the ball takes flight and sails seamlessly through the goals. After some wayward kicking early, North Shore have put their kicking boots on and are making use of them.

Another one-two punch from North Shore! Grace kicks long to the goal square from the wing, curling the ball to favour Rayner. He can’t take the grab so knocks it down to Thomas who can’t believe his luck, snaps instantly without a second thought and goals for the second time in as many minutes.

The Students aren’t going down without a fight, returning to the controlled kick-mark style that saw success early. Frustration builds as their forward forays are blunted time and again, the latest resulting in a ball in at the 50m arc. Davis takes matters into his own hands, snatches the ball out the back of the contest, loads up the 9-iron and swings. Netting and Hughes tangle on the goal line, so intertwined that neither can do anything but watch the ball soar overhead for a major. Students continue to scrap!

As we head into red time North Shore look to control the tempo and stop another quick series of goals from Sydney Uni as they’ve done at the end of quarters previously. To no avail however, Gibbs gets himself a 50m penalty at the top of the arc and strolls right up to the top of the goal square, walking like there’s no scoreboard pressure whatsoever. He makes light work of the kick and once again the Students have gotten themselves a couple at the death to leave the Bombers sweating under the collar heading into the last.

Three Quarter Time Sydney University 7.12.54 – North Shore Bombers 7.15.57

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Fourth Quarter

The Students launch a barrage straight off the bat to start the final term, but can’t find anything besides the goalposts. The Bombers carve a passage down the ground, Edmonds to send them inside 50. A pack forms at the fall of the ball and Loone taps it over the back to Brewer who might as well be standing on the moon for how much space he’s in. Check-side kick looks good from the moment it touches his boot and North shore extend their slim margin, finish line in sight.

And again Sydney Uni strikes back immediately! A long barrel from the defensive 50 gets a tap to help it on its way by Hughes, ends up in the hands of Gibbs. He takes a moment to assess as the forwards line up pleading for it. His flick out finds Krochmal who grabs and instantly snaps, wasting no time and getting the Students on the board in the last to bring the margin back to 4. North Shore still holding on, Sydney Uni refusing to give in.

Hill intercepts a dangerous switch kick across the Student’s defensive 50, Loone sprints into space in the confusion and puts himself in a fantastic position to mark, well clear of his opponent. His kick comes from 50m out directly in front and silences the home crowd as it covers the distance to goal easily and sails through for another major. North Shore putting their stamp on this final quarter as you would expect the ladder leaders to do.

They strike again lightning fast from the centre bounce, Tidemann finding Loone who uses impeccable forward craft to disentangle himself, pound out from goal and mark on the run. The tricky angle proves to be no challenge, he kicks truly and suddenly the lead is 15 points as Loone wills his team towards the win.

Goddard stops a certain goal with a bone crunching tackle in the goal square, Sydney Uni’s backline under siege but throwing everything they have into the contest. The man of the moment steps up again, Loone marking on the boundary line next to the behind posts. It looks to be an impossible kick until suddenly, 50m penalty for infringing! He walks to the top of the goal square and the Students will be wishing they had their time again there as they gift him his fourth goal.

Sydney Uni pepper their forward line with entries but can’t get any to stick as the North Shore defence knows the longer they can hold on, the firmer their grasp on victory. A controversial kick to the boundary prompts some back chat and suddenly the Bomber’s defensive work is all undone as Hughes takes a free kick for dissent. Well known for his long thumping bombs, he doesn’t disappoint the fans and catapults the Sherrin 60m all the way from the boundary line for a goal. The Students don’t complain and set up for the centre bounce, knowing the daunting magnitude of the task ahead of them. 21 points the margin.

Brewer is involved again from the centre bounce, having a career best day on ground. He finds Thomas 40m out at an extreme angle. The angle proves no issue as he neatly puts it through and in the blink of an eye North Shore regain the ascendancy.

And they put their stamp on this match and this competition, with a final hurrah from Law. He breaks from the tired defence into space, hugging the ball tightly to his chest and drains as much of the clock as he can. With a mesmerizing kicking motion, he kicks his first for the day, and the Bomber’s last.

North Shore nearly kicked themselves out of the contest, but did what premiership favourites do and gave 100% throughout all four quarters. Their midfield-forward connection was unparalleled, combining with stalwart team defence to restrict avenues to goal.

Sydney Uni’s pressure and ball skills were sublime for most of the match, but moments of weakness were capitalised on by an opponent you simply can’t make mistakes against. They’ll be pleased with their ability to find new avenues to goal and pegging back North Shore’s lead with goals late in quarters to keep themselves in it.

Look for these two to rematch again at the pointy end of the season.

Full Time Sydney University 9.15.69 – North Shore Bombers 13.17.95

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Final Scores:

Team Name: Sydney University 9.15.69

Goal Kickers: W. Gibbs 2, O. Davis, R. Fitzroy, I. Hughes, M. Kozlik, M. Krochmal, A. Lucy, C. McLean.

Best: Harry Whitaker, Oscar Davis, Dom Goddard, Jack Dimery, Nik Dale, William Gibbs

Team Name: North Shore Bombers 13.17.95

Goal Kickers: C. Loone 4, M. Thomas 4, N. Brewer 2, N. Hill, J. Law, T. Meacham.

Best: Nicholas Brewer, Luke Robertson, Christian Loone, Sean Netting, Ned Campbell, Jack Woodman

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