7 May 2007 By Aaron Hawkins
The Sydney Uni Australian Rules Football Club celebrated its Family Day on Saturday 5th May with a big day of football at Sydney Uni Oval No. 1. A big crowd full of parents, siblings and supporters was on hand to see a high quality and close game of football against the East Coast Eagles in the Sydney AFL Premier Division.
Family Day kicked off with a showdown between the two Sydney Uni Second Division teams, with the Blues getting on top of the Reds in a 60 point win. The Reserve grade fixture saw the previously undefeated Sydney Uni side go down to a professional East Coast team by 55 points. The break between the Reserve and Senior games was taken up by kids Auskick games between the Newtown Swans Juniors, Baulkham Hills Juniors and Glenmore Rd Primary School.
The Premier Division Senior game between Sydney Uni and the East Coast Eagles began well for the Students with a few early goals from Daniel Archer and Andrew Wild giving them a 12 point lead going into quarter time. The Students maintained their intensity and skill level in the second quarter with Michael Higgins, Michael Healy and Chris McLachlan all playing well, leading their more fancied rivals by 1 goal at half time.
The Students came out strong after half time and extended their lead to 25 points with a 5 goals to 3 quarter. With good support for both teams in the stands, the game was set for a blockbuster finish in the final quarter. The Eagles started stronger with a few quick goals, putting the students on the back foot. The Students then settled through some hard work off the half back line from Roland Wood and Luke Taylor.
The lead changed a number of times in the final stages of the quarter, with the Eagles finishing in front by 6 points at the final siren. Although the result was a big disappointment for the Students, the skill-level and intensity at which they played is seen as a very positive step forward.
Sydney Uni’s next match is against last year’s reigning premiers, the Pennant Hills Demons, at Ern Holmes Oval on Saturday 12th May at 2.30pm.