NEAFL Preview: Round 11
By Matt Rossleigh
Sydney University vs Labrador – Drummoyne Oval 12pm Saturday June 1
Sydney University was unable to win its third match on the trot as it succumbed to a 28-point loss against Eastlake in Canberra. A win would have seen the club move above Eastlake and into 6th position but instead they stay in second last spot above Tuggeranong on percentages. Labrador come into the match on the back of a heavy home defeat to Aspley where they only kicked four goals in the match. Their sole win for the season came in Round 4 against Mt Gravatt but five losses on the trot leaves them second last in the Northern Conference, only above the winless Mt Gravatt.
Sydney Swans vs Belconnen – SCG 1pm Saturday June 1
The Swans reserves play Belconnen in a curtain raiser to the AFL match against Essendon on Saturday afternoon. The reserves come into the match on the back of a 74-point win at Ainslie last weekend while Belconnen had a 36-point victory over Broadbeach. With their win the Swans remain on top of the conference while Belconnen moved into second position which sets the match up as a top of the table affair. Matthew Lokan starred for the Magpies last weekend kicking 12 goals, his best effort by far for the club this season as his next best was three. For the Swans their best against Ainslie was Tommy Walsh who returned to the reserves to kick seven goals while Jesse White continued his good form by kicking four.
Tuggeranong vs Ainslie – Greenway Oval 2pm Saturday June 1
Tuggeranong suffered an 8-point loss against Hills Eagles last weekend which leaves the club with two wins for the season. In his first game for the season Michael Fowkes was the best for the Hawks kicking three goals. Tuggeranong currently lie on the bottom of the table and it will be a tough test this weekend against an Ainslie team who despite losing by 74 points to the Swans last week still lie in fourth position. With two losses on the trot against Sydney University and the Swans, Ainslie will be looking to turn its form around with the bye next weekend. They will hope to have Josh Bennett return after he missed last week’s clash against the Swans, and so far this season has kicked 36 goals in seven matches.
Hills Eagles vs UWS GIANTS – Bruce Purser Reserve 4.40pm Saturday June 1
The Eagles grabbed a much-needed 8-point victory over Tuggeranong last weekend which has taken them a win clear from the bottom of the conference. The win snapped a 2-game losing run for the club but it won’t get any easier now for Hills who play AFL opposition this weekend. UWS GIANTS were competitive in the 29-point loss to Gold Coast on the weekend, and this weekend will be the first time the club won’t play AFL opponents in three weeks after successive losses against the Swans, Lions and Suns. Sam Reid kicked four goals for the club which was his best effort so far this season, and after staying with the Suns for the majority of the match if the GIANTS put the same effort and intensity in they’ll return to form against the Eagles.
Eastlake vs Queanbeyan – Star Track Oval 2pm Sunday June 2
It will be third against fifth when Queanbeyan travels to Star Track Oval on Sunday, with both teams trying to keep track of the Swans who remain on top of the conference. Queanbeyan come into the match on the back of the bye but before that suffered three straight losses after defeats to the Swans, Ainslie and Belconnen. These two clubs did meet in Round 3 where Queanbeyan ran out heavy victors, after a 93-point win for the Tigers. Eastlake had a 28-point victory over Sydney University last weekend which was their second win on the trot. Dean Roulstone was the best for Eastlake last weekend, kicking five goals, which took his tally for the season to 17. With Belconnen playing the Swans this weekend Queanbeyan could move into second spot with a win but they’d have to improve their percentages.