2008 AUGs - Day 5

Parties are a big feature of AUGs

As the skies darkened and winds blew in, the crowd watched undefeated Sydney Uni take on Flinders Uni in the Uni Games final. In their previous match up on Wednesday, Sydney Uni had comfortably won 12-5.

In fact, Sydney Uni's for-and-against of +96 was far ahead of Flinders' +45. Only 1 team had come within 6 points of Sydney. Sydney were the clear favourites.

Flinders lead 2-1 early, to immediately get the crowd interested. Sydney were going with their well-used pommy zone, and Flinders were doing likewise. Having a strong zone O and D are critical components to competing at Uni Games.

Sydney Uni used Lu-Wee, Ali B and Brett Latham on the mark in their zone. Joel Pillar simply threw over or around them, seeking out the unmarkable Alec Deslandes as a regular target. Meanwhile Sean Lace was Flinders' chaser, and he was unbelievably energetic for the 5th day of this tournament. An early handblock fired him up even more. With big Joel in the middle of the wall, Sydney had to dump and swing numerous times before usually going forward through Carol Seeto's popping. The handlers of Sydney, Max, Tara, Izy and Mike, were very reliable but were being asked to make too many passes.

Flinders pulled away by 2 then 3 then 4 points, to take half 8-4. An upset was in the offing.

Those looking for change in the second half were disappointed. Flinders kept applying the pressure, and even when Sydney went to man defence, Alec could roam over the field catching anything from Joel, while Alison Clarke and Erin Wallis repeatedly provided open under cuts. The hunger was evident in Alec when he got a spectacular goal saving block despite a being up by 6 or more points.

Flinders closed it out 15-6 in an unexpected triumph. Shades of the recent Hawthorn Hawks victory for you AFL fans.

"It was pretty amazing. This has been building for years," said Joel Pillar afterwards. "Alec Deslandes is a superstar and should be on a Worlds teams in 4 years time. Erin and Alison were great. Sean Lace has been a rock for us."

The growth in South Australian ultimate from small beginnings to a thriving scene of teams and tournaments today was also evident with Adelaide Uni prevailing in a one-point nailbiter over Melbourne Uni to take bronze.

In other placing games, Macquarie comfortably claimed 5th over UWA. Monash decided that having an 8-1 lead over Newcastle was no good reason not to have their 5th golden point decision (yes 5th!) of the tournament, and won the do-or-die last point with an Andy Moroney layout handblock.

The rookies from Wollongong avoided the wooden spoon by beating QUT 8-5.

LaTrobe Uni were deserving winners of Spirit of the Game for the tournament.

Final standings were:

1. Flinders
2. Sydney
3. Adelaide
4. Melbourne
5. Macquarie
6. UWA
7. Monash
8. Newcastle
9. LaTrobe
10. Deakin
11. Murdoch
12. Edith Cowan
13. RMIT
14. UTS
15. ANU
16. Ballarat
17. Griffith
18. Wollongong
19. QUT

Stayed tuned for more information on the individual awards from AUGs 2008.