THERE IS THE LESSON
Undermanned Thunder no match for highflying Sydney University in NEAFL
SYDNEY University showed exactly why it is leading the NEAFL competition, with a dominant 15.20 (110) to 6.6 (42) win over NT Thunder at TIO Stadium last night.
From the opening bounce, the visitors ran with too much vigour and continuously shut down any hint of space presented to the hosts, who had three straight wins before this game.
The Thunder greatly missed the services of captain Shannon Rioli, champion Cameron Ilett and former AFL player Richard Tambling in one of its worst home losses since entering the NEAFL.
An uncharacteristic Thunder performance saw them drop too much ball from early on in the Round 10 clash, while under immense tackling pressure from the Students.
The Thunder did not have its first goal until a Braedon McLean major 23 minutes into the first term, his team trailing by 19 points at that stage.
Damien Bonney’s goal for University early in the second quarter typified how easy his team was going about its business, spinning around in a stack of space inside the Thunder 50 to kick an uncontested goal.
NT defender Ben Rioli never stopped trying to create opportunities from the back of the park.
And Michael Coombes was up to the challenge, laying on some big hits in the absence of Ilett, who has led the way in the physical stakes for the Thunder this season.
Neil Vea Vea also never stopped trying at halfback.
But there weren’t enough contributors against quality opposition on this occasion.
There were, however, still some bursts of brilliance from a Thunder line-up which had its attack widely lauded before last night’s heavy defeat.
Nick Yarran showed his customary speed and evasiveness to duck under a high tackle and kick a sizzling goal early in the second quarter, for his team to trail by 25.
But the Students replied with an even better major, Lewis Stevenson and Lachlan Kilpatrick combining to cut through the midfield, before an excellent finish from Tim Barrett.
After trailing by 39 points at the main break, the Thunder mounted a mini comeback early in the third term with two consecutive goals to Michael Hagan.
His first was after a classy smother, before picking himself off the deck to score.
But the Students reasserted their ascendancy from that point on, while the hosts could manage just two more goals.
The visitors’ functioning back six kept freakish Thunder forward Adam Sambono and dangerous partner Darren Ewing to no goals.
Thunder has the bye next week.