26.05.2008 – Nick Bailey
Despite leading for the majority of the match, Sydney University faded late to go down by 21 points to the UNSW/Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs in the top of the table clash at the Village Green on Sunday.
The final score in the Round 7 Sydney AFL Premier Division encounter saw Eastern Suburbs 15.22-112 prove too strong for Sydney University 13.13-91.
Uni now sit at the crossroads of their second season in the top flight, falling to their third straight loss this week after exploding out of the blocks with four straight wins to start their 2008 season.
Having led the competition for the first four weeks, Uni have fallen to fifth place on the ladder, and could drop out of the finals placings with a loss this week against an in form St. George side.
Uni looked on track early to buck their losing trend, starting strong against the Bulldogs as they took a 20-16 lead into the quarter time interval. Inaccuracy prevented Eastern Suburbs taking the halftime lead, kicking 4.7 for the half to Sydney’s 4.3 to see the scores tied up at 47 apiece at the main break.
Uni continued to be the more accurate side in the third term, and it paid off as they took a one point lead into the final period, having kicked 5.2 to UNSW’s wasteful 4.7.
It was all UNSW/Easts in the final period however, as Sydney Uni kicked just one goal to Bulldogs’ five to fall by 21 points and send the UNSW side to the top of competition ladder.
For Uni Alex Lee booted five majors to take his season tally to 22 from six games, while Angus Wilson chimed in with three. Best afield for the Students were vice captain Joel Carr, Michael Healy and Jess McGuirk.
For Easts Brad Abbott kicked five goals, supported by two apiece from former Sydney Swan Troy Luff and Maximillian Collett. Collett was also one of the Bulldogs’ best on the day, alongside vice captain Benjamin Sutton and Luke Jarjoura.
Uni now face last year’s grand finalists St.George in a must win clash for the Students if they are hoping to snap their losing streak and keep pace with the competition leaders.
The centre bounce is at 2:30pm this Saturday at University Oval No.1.
