Sydney University Students AFC
Encyclopedia
Sydney University Australian National Football Club (SUANFC) claims to have been founded in 1863 and to be the oldest Australian rules football
club in New South Wales
. However, this claim is based on the club being a spin-off from Sydney University Football Club
, Australia's oldest rugby union
club, which experimented which Australian rules in its early years. SUANFC did not play its first official game until 1887.
Sydney University currently fields six teams in the Sydney AFL
competition: Premier Division (Seniors), Division 1 (Reserves), Division 2 (Blues), Division 3 (Reds), Division 5 (Golds) and Under 18 Premier Division (Colts).
The next stint between 1962 and 1968 was scarcely any more auspicious, but the Students' involvement in the Sydney District Football Association (the word "District" was later dropped from the title) between 1971 and 1987 served to bring their simmering potential to the boil. In the competition's inaugural season, the side contested an "all student" grand final against the University of New South Wales
, but despite managing the same number of scoring shots as the opposition went under by 25 points. Another grand final appearance against the same adversaries in 1977 brought a similar result.
Sydney University's first SFA premiership arrived in 1981 after a 10.14 (74) to 9.12 (68) grand final defeat of St Ives, but the following year brought disappointment with a 42 point defeat at the hands of the same opponents.
After consecutive flags in 1986 (a 16 point defeat of Manly-Warringah) and 1987 (by 62 points over Bankstown Sports) the side was ready for a 3rd stab at the SFL, but initially at least its performances only produced a sense of déjà vu. After a wooden spoon in 1988, however, the Students began to make steady progress.
By 1992, under the expert guidance of former Sydney Swans
stalwart Rod Carter
, the Students were ready to take a serious tilt at the flag, and after finishing as minor premiers they qualified to meet reigning premiers North Shore
in the premiership decider. A close, hard fought match was expect, but someone forgot to tell the Students, who ultimately bolted in by 65 points. Final scores were Sydney University 18.16 (124) to North Shore 8.11 (59), but sadly for the Students their success would prove to be fleeting. After dropping to 5th in 1993, the side nose-dived to 8th position (out of 10) in 1994, before returning to the somewhat less intense – and, in premiership terms, significantly more lucrative – environment of the SFA. After taking a couple of season to find their feet, the Students contested every grand final bar one between 1997 and 2001, although the fact that they were only ultimately able to secure 2 premierships will have been a source of some disappointment.
In 2007, the Students were re-admitted to the top flight of the Sydney AFL after an absence of 12 years. Under coach Daniel Archer, the club finished with a respectable five wins to finish in eighth spot on the ladder. The club was to take bigger strides in 2008, just missing out on a finals berth on the last day of the season after a loss to North Shore.
The 2009 season saw a change of coach - Roger Moten who had coached local rival UTS to premiership success was installed, as was a new captain in Mark Egan. Again, the Students fell agonisingly short of a finals berth after a string of close losses throughout the season, however there was success at an individual level for two players with Tom Young winning the Sydney AFL Rising Star award and Brydon Coles taking home the coveted Phelan Medal for the Best & Fairest player in the Sydney AFL Premier Division.
2010 was the year that the Students showed they belonged amongst the elite clubs in the Sydney AFL, taking out the minor premiership following a 14 game winning streak to end the home and away rounds. The club qualified for its maiden Sydney AFL Premier Division Grand Final since re-entry into the top flight with a hard fought win against Western Suburbs. The club was experiencing its best season of the modern era, with its Division 1 and Colts sides also qualifying for the Grand Final, along with multiple individual award winners at the annual Sydney AFL awards night. Alex Lee took out the Phelan Medal, finishing 2nd in the vote tally but winning on default due to Damien Bowles from East Coast Eagles who accumulated more votes but was ruled inneligible due to a suspension through the year. This marked the first time in history an SUANFC player claimed the award two years in a row, whilst Tim Air collected the Snow Medal (awarded to Best and Fairest in Division 1) and Monty Krochmal was awarded the Kealy Medal (for U18 Premier Division B&F). Roger Moten was named Sydney AFL Coach of the Year for his achievements. Unfortunately the Students were defeated on Grand Final day in both Premier Division and Division 1 by East Coast and UTS respectively, however the Colts were able to hoist the trophy in the Under 18s with a thrilling victory over their East Coast counterparts.
2011 saw Uni consolidate on their performances of the previous year, with the Senior team falling one game short of qualifying for a second consecutive Grand Final. However, the season was a success across all grades with all six teams at the club qualifying for finals action. The best performed side were the Division 3 'Reds' who were valiant in a Grand Final defeat at the hands of UNSW. Another highlight for the year was former Uni star Tom Young being selected to make his debut for Collingwood, thereby becoming the first Sydney University player to reach the AFL. In August, SUANFC accepted an invitation to the NEAFL which will see the proud club being pitted against opponents from NSW, Queensland, ACT and the Northern Territory from 2012 onward.
Premierships: SFL – 1992 (1 total); SFA – 1981, 1986–87, 1997, 2003, 2005 (6 total)
Phelan Medallists: Geoff Davidson 1953; Michael Davis 1990; Brydon Coles 2009; Alex Lee 2010 (4 total)
Snow Medallists: Peter Sadler 1971; Peter Moggach 1979; Tim Driscoll 1987; Tim Air 2010 (4 total)
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
club in New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
. However, this claim is based on the club being a spin-off from Sydney University Football Club
Sydney University Football Club
Sydney University Football Club, founded in 1863 , is the oldest club now playing rugby union in Australia, and as such is nicknamed "The Birthplace of Australian Rugby" or simply "The Birthplace".The club are the current NSWRU Premiers.The club was a member of the inaugural Sydney club competition...
, Australia's oldest rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
club, which experimented which Australian rules in its early years. SUANFC did not play its first official game until 1887.
Sydney University currently fields six teams in the Sydney AFL
Sydney AFL
The "AFL Sydney" is an Australian rules football League, based in metropolitan Sydney, Australia.The AFL Sydney competition comprises 21 clubs playing across 5 senior divisions with 2 under 18 competitions.-History:...
competition: Premier Division (Seniors), Division 1 (Reserves), Division 2 (Blues), Division 3 (Reds), Division 5 (Golds) and Under 18 Premier Division (Colts).
History
All told, the Students have participated in Sydney football's elite competition for a total of 28 seasons, in four separate stints. In the 10 seasons from 1948 to 1957, the side managed the ignominious "achievement" of four "wooden spoons" and two second last finishes, with seventh place out of 10 clubs in 1954 its best return.The next stint between 1962 and 1968 was scarcely any more auspicious, but the Students' involvement in the Sydney District Football Association (the word "District" was later dropped from the title) between 1971 and 1987 served to bring their simmering potential to the boil. In the competition's inaugural season, the side contested an "all student" grand final against the University of New South Wales
University of New South Wales
The University of New South Wales , is a research-focused university based in Kensington, a suburb in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
, but despite managing the same number of scoring shots as the opposition went under by 25 points. Another grand final appearance against the same adversaries in 1977 brought a similar result.
Sydney University's first SFA premiership arrived in 1981 after a 10.14 (74) to 9.12 (68) grand final defeat of St Ives, but the following year brought disappointment with a 42 point defeat at the hands of the same opponents.
After consecutive flags in 1986 (a 16 point defeat of Manly-Warringah) and 1987 (by 62 points over Bankstown Sports) the side was ready for a 3rd stab at the SFL, but initially at least its performances only produced a sense of déjà vu. After a wooden spoon in 1988, however, the Students began to make steady progress.
By 1992, under the expert guidance of former Sydney Swans
Sydney Swans
The Sydney Swans Football Club is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Sydney, New South Wales. The club, founded in 1874, was known as the South Melbourne Football Club until it relocated to Sydney in 1982 to become the Sydney...
stalwart Rod Carter
Rod Carter
Rod Carter is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Fitzroy and the Sydney Swans in the VFL. By the end of his career he was just seven games short of joining the 300 club....
, the Students were ready to take a serious tilt at the flag, and after finishing as minor premiers they qualified to meet reigning premiers North Shore
North Shore Bombers
North Shore Football Club , known informally as the North Shore Bombers is an Australian rules football club competing in the Sydney AFL league and based out of the Sydney suburb of St Leonards, New South Wales. Formed in 1903 it remains one of only three foundation clubs still in existence and...
in the premiership decider. A close, hard fought match was expect, but someone forgot to tell the Students, who ultimately bolted in by 65 points. Final scores were Sydney University 18.16 (124) to North Shore 8.11 (59), but sadly for the Students their success would prove to be fleeting. After dropping to 5th in 1993, the side nose-dived to 8th position (out of 10) in 1994, before returning to the somewhat less intense – and, in premiership terms, significantly more lucrative – environment of the SFA. After taking a couple of season to find their feet, the Students contested every grand final bar one between 1997 and 2001, although the fact that they were only ultimately able to secure 2 premierships will have been a source of some disappointment.
In 2007, the Students were re-admitted to the top flight of the Sydney AFL after an absence of 12 years. Under coach Daniel Archer, the club finished with a respectable five wins to finish in eighth spot on the ladder. The club was to take bigger strides in 2008, just missing out on a finals berth on the last day of the season after a loss to North Shore.
The 2009 season saw a change of coach - Roger Moten who had coached local rival UTS to premiership success was installed, as was a new captain in Mark Egan. Again, the Students fell agonisingly short of a finals berth after a string of close losses throughout the season, however there was success at an individual level for two players with Tom Young winning the Sydney AFL Rising Star award and Brydon Coles taking home the coveted Phelan Medal for the Best & Fairest player in the Sydney AFL Premier Division.
2010 was the year that the Students showed they belonged amongst the elite clubs in the Sydney AFL, taking out the minor premiership following a 14 game winning streak to end the home and away rounds. The club qualified for its maiden Sydney AFL Premier Division Grand Final since re-entry into the top flight with a hard fought win against Western Suburbs. The club was experiencing its best season of the modern era, with its Division 1 and Colts sides also qualifying for the Grand Final, along with multiple individual award winners at the annual Sydney AFL awards night. Alex Lee took out the Phelan Medal, finishing 2nd in the vote tally but winning on default due to Damien Bowles from East Coast Eagles who accumulated more votes but was ruled inneligible due to a suspension through the year. This marked the first time in history an SUANFC player claimed the award two years in a row, whilst Tim Air collected the Snow Medal (awarded to Best and Fairest in Division 1) and Monty Krochmal was awarded the Kealy Medal (for U18 Premier Division B&F). Roger Moten was named Sydney AFL Coach of the Year for his achievements. Unfortunately the Students were defeated on Grand Final day in both Premier Division and Division 1 by East Coast and UTS respectively, however the Colts were able to hoist the trophy in the Under 18s with a thrilling victory over their East Coast counterparts.
2011 saw Uni consolidate on their performances of the previous year, with the Senior team falling one game short of qualifying for a second consecutive Grand Final. However, the season was a success across all grades with all six teams at the club qualifying for finals action. The best performed side were the Division 3 'Reds' who were valiant in a Grand Final defeat at the hands of UNSW. Another highlight for the year was former Uni star Tom Young being selected to make his debut for Collingwood, thereby becoming the first Sydney University player to reach the AFL. In August, SUANFC accepted an invitation to the NEAFL which will see the proud club being pitted against opponents from NSW, Queensland, ACT and the Northern Territory from 2012 onward.
Intervarsity
In addition to its SFA exploits, the club also participates in inter-varsity football at both regional and national level, managing top 6 finishes at each of the last 3 Australian University Games.League affiliations
Affiliated: NSWANFL 1948–57 & 1962–68; SFA 1971–87; SFL 1988–94; SFA 1995–2006; SFL 2007-presentPremierships: SFL – 1992 (1 total); SFA – 1981, 1986–87, 1997, 2003, 2005 (6 total)
Phelan Medallists: Geoff Davidson 1953; Michael Davis 1990; Brydon Coles 2009; Alex Lee 2010 (4 total)
Snow Medallists: Peter Sadler 1971; Peter Moggach 1979; Tim Driscoll 1987; Tim Air 2010 (4 total)
See also
- Sydney AFLSydney AFLThe "AFL Sydney" is an Australian rules football League, based in metropolitan Sydney, Australia.The AFL Sydney competition comprises 21 clubs playing across 5 senior divisions with 2 under 18 competitions.-History:...
- Melbourne University Football ClubMelbourne University Football ClubMelbourne University Football Club, often known simply as University is an Australian rules football club.The club achieved prominence by being a member of the game's most elite competition in the early 20th century, the Victorian Football League between 1908 and 1914.Although there are no records...
- Adelaide University Football ClubAdelaide University Football ClubThe Adelaide University Football Club is a South Australian based Australian rules football club. It is an affiliate of the Adelaide University Sports Association and plays in the South Australian Amateur Football League . The club promotes itself as the largest amateur football club in Australia...
- University of Queensland Australian Football ClubUniversity of Queensland Australian Football ClubThe University of Queensland Australian Football Club is an amateur Australian rules football club playing in Divisions 1 and 2 of the AFLQ State Association competition overseen by AFL Queensland. UQAFC home games are played at the University of Queensland's No...