Sydney University Australian National Football Club

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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.^[1] 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 five teams in the Sydney AFL competition: firsts and reserves in the premier division and; three teams in division two Uni Reds, Uni Blues and the Uni Golds. The Students won the Sydney AFL division one premiership in 2005. In 2007, the firsts and reserves were promoted to the premier division in Sydney Football, and a fifth team was included, in division two.

[edit] History

All told, the Students have participated in Sydney football's elite competition for a total of 24 seasons, in three 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, 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 déja 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] League affiliations

Affiliated: NSWANFL 1948-57 & 1962-68; SFA 1971-87; SFL 1988-94; SFA 1995-present

Premierships: SFL - 1992 (1 total); SFA - 1981, 1986-87, 1997, 2003, 2005 (6 total)

Phelan Medallists: Geoff Davidson 1953; Michael Davis 1990 (2 total)

Snow Medallists: Peter Sadler 1971; Peter Moggach 1979; Tim Driscoll 1987 (3 total)

[edit] See also

• Sydney AFL
• Melbourne University Football Club
• Adelaide University Football Club
• University of Queensland Australian Football Club

[edit] External links

• Sydney University Students AFC Official Site

[edit] Footnotes

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