Blues prove to be the Lion tamers

Sunday afternoon footy at Melbourne Uni Oval will be a weekend to remember for the fans of University Blues.

For the second straight outing Guy Martyn’s men have toppled a side from the top two. Last week Old Brighton, this week Collegians.

The Lions went into the match-up unchanged after last weeks 114 point victory against Old Melburnians. The Blues went into the contest weary of the speed the Lions can put on the ball, and the way they’ve used handball to their advantage.

Proceedings started exactly how Jared Rivers would have liked, speed on the footy, players in space and three goals in the first 10 minutes with Uni Blues only able to go inside 50 once in that time.

Credit to the defensive unit of the Blues, they held their structures and didn’t panic. Marty Gleeson, Cam O’Shea and Jack Stephens were pivotal late in the first term, and Mitch Taylor, in his best performance for the club had a hand in the Blues kicking two much needed goals before quarter time to wrestle back the momentum from the Lions.

Will Mayhood fought valiantly against Ayce Cordy. While Ed Ziebath and Kenny Ong exchanged clearances from stoppages. Charlie Furphy held his own on the wing, while Kobi George continued to try will himself and his team forward at every opportunity.

Nine goals in a row from the Blues gave them an insurmountable lead. The Lions went nearly two full quarters before they found their fourth and fifth majors of the contest just before three quarter time.

A small sniff at three quarter time was snuffed out early in the final term as the home side finished with four last quarter goals to record a 56-point win. James Paterson adding the final blow on the siren with his fourth goal for the day.

Perhaps the move of the fortnight has been Tom Young playing in the Blues forward line, in the opening round he was in his ‘natural habitat’ in defence, but another two goals suggests maybe the forward line while Sam Grimley is out is his modus operandi.

The club now sits with Collegians with four wins and two losses, just outside the top four. With Caulfield Grammarians awaiting them in six days time.

After a fortnight with everything going right for the Lions, they came back to earth with a thud. Tamed by the University Blues.

Significant injuries to Dave Mirra (groin), and Brayden Fleming (hamstring) means the depth will be called upon for their big round seven clash against St Kevin’s next Saturday.

Photo: Bruce Tobin, Collegians FC