22.09.08 – Rohan Williams
A second-half fadeout
saw Sydney University fall short at the last hurdle in the Reserve Grade Grand
Final of the Sydney AFL Premier Division at Henson Park on Saturday.
After a competitive
first two quarters, Sydney University scored only two behinds in the last two
quarters to see the East Coast Eagles run away with the match to win 12.15.87
to 2.5.17.
It was always going to
be a tough ask against the minor premiers East Coast Eagles, who lost only two
games throughout the season, but Uni had played well to reach the final and
were hopeful of another upset.
The Eagles came out
strongly, going up by 14 after the first quarter, but Sydney University rallied
to be within three points after a tight first half in which only four goals
were kicked. The halftime score was East Coast Eagles 2.6.18 to Sydney
University 2.3.15.
East Coast managed to
keep Sydney University scoreless in the third quarter, while scoring five goals
to blow the game open. Sydney University could not manage a goal in the fourth
quarter either, and watched as the Eagles scored another five goals to run away
70-point winners.
Eagles player Corey
Durie was named Best on the Ground. Chris Walsh and Angus Wilson scored goals
for Sydney University, and Nathan Bibby was named their best. Paul Yoonan and
Nick Costello also had strong games.
