Thunder’s harsh lesson Students prove far too good as wooden spoon looms for NT team

SYDNEY University were the headmasters at TIO Stadium last night when they beat a game but outclassed Thunder side by 88 points.

The Students booted 21.14 (140) to 7.10 (52) in a performance that lifted them two games clear of top-six rivals Canberra and Gold Coast with two games to play.

The visitors were too smart when in possession and too efficient up forward for Thunder. The home side’s players were continually drawn to the football while their opponents were left unattended.

That suited Uni players like Jake Bartholomeau and Bailey Stewart to a tee as they roamed the wide open spaces of the Marrara ground like the ever elusive Brahman cattle.

Thunder had their good players, Ben Rioli in the last line of defence never gave up and skipper Abe Ankers’ 26 possessions had to be earned the hard way.

They booted two of the first three goals of the match through Kieran Delahunty and Southern Districts premiership player Ed Barlow.

Delahunty provided the match highlight with his big mark over the Students’ giant ruckman Sam Tagliabue.

Teammate Phillip Wills weighted the football perfectly for Delahunty to jump at and he didn’t let him down with a skyscraping jump over the big man.

But Thunder could not cope with the height of the Students’ ruckman Sam Tagliabue, who picked out his midfielders almost at will with a series of clever taps.

That created a wave of bumblebee jumpers running down the ground and plenty of problems for the under-siege Thunder defence.

Harry Morrison booted five goals from some smart running and Monty Krochmal four as they made maximum use of the team’s dominance..

Thunder’s win-loss record took another hit with the big loss to the Students.

Two wins from 16 matches has them competing for the wooden spoon with Redland.

There were some positives that emerged from the wreckage of the loss.

Draft hopefuls Joel Jeffrey showed the poise and skill AFL recruiting staff want to see..