Campbelltown Blues were edged out in a thriller at Monarch Oval on Saturday Afternoon. Taking on the 2012 Sydney AFL Premiers - University of New South Wales/Eastern Suburbs (UNSW/ES), the Blues were gallant in their efforts to pull off what would unquestionably have been the upset of the round. In what proved to be an enthralling encounter, the Campbelltown faithful were kept glued to their seats, while both teams desperately played close contested football in an effort to wear each other down. In the end the experienced squad of UNSW/ES were able to take the points but the Campbelltown Blues earned plenty of respect for the quality of football they played.
It was a glorious afternoon in Macquarie Fields and Campbelltown started with a brilliant first quarter holding the reigning premiers goalless to go into the first break 2 goals up. UNSW/ES came out firing in the 2nd and kicked 4 goals to take the lead going into the big break. The feeling in the Campbelltown camp was positive and they remained optimistic they could win this game and send a clear message to the rest of the competition that Campbelltown were not to be underestimated in 2013.
The 3rd quarter was a real tussle and momentum went back and forth between both teams. Campbelltown drew back to within a goal only for UNSW/ES to kick away again to go into the last quarter 14 points up. Campbelltown came out firing in the last and managed to bring back the margin to 3 points thanks to goals from Captains Matthew Edwins and Cameron Desmond. In an effort to push hard for one last goal which would give Campbelltown the lead in the dieing minutes, the Blues press unfortunately backfired which allowed UNSW to steal the final two goals of the match and end up winners 10.12-72 to 9.3-57. Best on ground was Full-Forward Matthew Withers and former Gold Coast Suns player Amua Pirika.
Coach Neil Brunton had nothing but positives to say after the game “We (Campbelltown) are a young developing side and it was great to see such a pleasing performance from all 22 players who took the field."
In Reserve Grade, Campbelltown put in a 4 quarter performance but fell short against Macquarie University to go down 12.14-86 to 5.8-38 in a game where the final scorecard didn't reflect how close the game was played. Best on ground was Luke Mcilwain and Gus Gibbons with Shane Johnson kicking 3 goals.
Next week, Reserve Grade take on Gosford at Monarch Oval at 10:30am, Followed by the Macarthur Giants under 18’s at 12:30pm, then Premier Division take on North Shore at 2:10pm
Last Modified on 17/04/2013 10:43