After leading at quarter-time, the Gold Coast SUNS reserves were outmatched in their NEAFL elimination final by a more experienced Sydney University line-up, going down by 77 points at Blacktown International Sportspark on Saturday.
In a knockout Elimination Final, the SUNS set a NEAFL record for the most Academy players in competition history, with 16 members from the SUNS development pathway lining up in the red and gold.
After a great opening term by the SUNS, the bigger bodies of Sydney University came to the fore with the Students kicking 15 goals to three after quarter-time to win 19.15 (129) to 7.10 (52).
Sydney University got on the board within the first 90 seconds after a SUNS turnover inside defensive 50, but Gold Coast hit straight back.
17-year-old ruckman Brayden Crossley, the dominant ruckman on the ground for the day, found a surging Jack Bowes at the next centre bounce who then hit Clay Cameron for a set shot conversion to open the visitors’ account.
The Students’ ball movement and spread was impressive with the lead changing hands on multiple occasions in the opening term before Shawn Watson gave the visitors the lead heading into quarter-time with a goal at the 29-minute mark.
Gold Coast led by the smallest of margins at quarter-time but it would be short lived with Sydney Uni putting their foot down in the second term, booting five goals while keeping the SUNS scoreless to open up a 33-point half time lead.
The Students kept on their merry way after half time with the first three goals of the third quarter before Sam Davidson broke the drought for the Gold Coast at the 13-minute mark of the term.
But with the margin at 55 points at three-quarter time, the SUNS’ 2016 season was as good as over.
Academy prospect Bowes was Gold Coast’s most prolific player with 31 disposals while listed players Cameron (25 disposals, 14 marks, one goal) and Tom Keough (25 disposals, nine marks) were also among the best.
Watson finished with three goals for the SUNS.
Gold Coast SUNS 4.5 4.5 5.9 7.10 (52)
Sydney University 4.4 9.8 14.10 19.15 (129)
GOALS: S. Watson 3, C. West, H. Simington, S. Davidson, C. Cameron
More to come.
