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2004 Results by Round | |||||
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'Blues down the Saints in Round 1' Monday 31 August, 2004
The Uni Blues have started their defence of the AAFL Premiership title in 2004 with a solid win over Mt Roskill Saints on Sunday. The Blues didn't have it all their own way however, with only a three goal lead going into the final term, but had enough gas in the tank to kick away and win by 5 goals. A best on ground performance by David Toussaint at centre half back held the defense up and kept the ball going forward. The Blues know there is plenty of work to do before the next round and will come up against a young Takapuna side.
University 7.9 (51) def. Mt Roskill 3.3 (21) | |||||
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'Blues young guns step up against Eagles' Monday 6 September, 2004
The Uni Blues have keep their 25 match unbeaten record going after downing a young Takapuna side by 10 goals on Sunday. It was the young brigade of Campbell, Toussaint, Wiltenberg and Curren-Walker who lifted to a new level and produced the kind of football coach Taverna has been asking of them. The Blues only took a 3 goal lead into the break but had the legs late in the game to get over the line. The midfield was dominated by Duggan and Calleju, backline of Taverna and Wyatt stood tall and up front Froggatt and Power provided good leads. Basselli and Kumurich continue to improve in just their second game and Hudson was once again on the money. Froggatt ended a good with the boot bagging 7 for the Blues. A tough task next week against table leaders Waitakere will really test the Blues in what will be the match of the round.
University 13.11 (89) def. Takapuna 4.7 (31) | |||||
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'Blues tested but still go top' Monday 13 September, 2004
The Uni Blues were tested for the first time this season as they overcame a strong Waitakere side in a top of the table clash. The Blues made hard work of it in the first half after finding themselves down at the first break. Kicking with the wind in second term Blues finally took the lead and went into the sheds at halftime with a slender 3 goal lead. The second half was all Uni though after coach Taverna charged up the troops and asked all Blues players to step up a notch. The Blues kept the goals coming at one end and only let in one in the second half. The young guns of Campbell (best on ground), Toussaint and Wiltenberg, and first season players Kumurich, Basselli and Paddy all went to a new level, while veterans Duggan, Calleju, Hudson & Taverna all played solid games.
University 12.15 (87) def. Waitakere 5.6 (36) | |||||
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University 11.7 (72) def. Nth Shore 8.10 (58)
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'Blues back to top form' Monday 4 October, 2004
The Uni Blues have hit good form leading into the second half of the season by beating Manurewa by 16 goals. The Blues were at their beloved home ground of Colin Maiden Park for the first time this season and made full use it with straight kicking in front of goal and good general play. The Blues lead of every break and never looked like slowing up. Best on Ground Chris “Stormy” Blyth was in great nick all over the park and Steve Froggatt once again on the mark bagging 7 goals for the Blues.
University 16.7 (103) def. Manurewa 1.0 (6) | |||||
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'Flying Pidge keeps Saints quiet ' Monday 11 October, 2004
The Uni Blues did it tough on the weekend in wet and windy conditions and managed to remain unbeaten with a solid 5 goal victory. The Blues welcomed back star wing Murray Williams to the side who kept the ball going forward all day. John Calleju was solid in the guts winning all the ball and gaining BOG honors. Hudson and Blyth were again the mix and Tangavaku rucked well all day. The backline stood tall with Taverna and Jarvis but it was the flying Pidgeon who stole the show. Pidgeon showed why he was Uni’s B&F last season and dived into everything putting his body on the line for his entire team. The smallest man on the paddock but the biggest ticker when it counted. The Blues remain one game clear at the top and will encounter a much improved Takapuna team next week at home at 2pm. Reserves will kick off at 1pm.
University 8.12 (60) def. Mt Roskill 4.7
'Blues struggle at home but the juggernaut rolls on
...' Monday 18 October, 2004 The Uni Blues turned on the weather and a carnival
atmosphere with Ladies Day, but couldn’t produce the kind of footy that
has taken them to back-to-back premierships. In top conditions at Colin
Maiden Park the Blues struggled to a 7 goal victory over Takapuna but
still remain top of the AAFL ladder. After a slow start to the game by
both sides the Blues bagged 6 straight in the second quarter, which
ultimately finished any hope for an Eagles victory. Thomas the Tongan Tank
was the star for the Blues, rucking out of his skin and bagging five for
the day and picking up best-on-ground honors. Young gun Toussaint stood up
at Centre Half Back and took everything that came his way. Brons, coming
back from injury played his best footy of the season and skipper Duggan
was all over the park taking great marks. The Blues look forward to a week
off and then get down to the business end of the season. The Blues would
like to thank everyone who helped out with Ladies Day. University 10.11 (71) def. Takapuna 4.1 (25)
'Brilliant Blues back to Best'
Monday 1 November, 2004
The Uni Blues finally
turned it up on the weekend and tuned up the engine room for finals
footy. In a top running display of footy the Blues romped home by 15
goals over a young Magpies outfit. The Blues were always in control of
the game never giving an inch, leading at every break and making the
most of top conditions. Pidgeon again proved why he won last years B&F
with another BOG performance and was well supported by Hunter, Blyth
Hudson and Froggatt. Toussaint and Wiltenberg again stepped up to the
mark and Brons rich vein of form continues as he bagged 3 majors for the
Blues. Froggatt again controlled the forward line and bagged another 7
goals for the match. Coach Taverna who had the weekend off in Melbourne
will no doubt be encouraged by the result and knows that while still in
second gear can produce the goods. The Blues now face the 2nd place
North Shore Tigers in Round 9, which most are touting as a preview to
this years Grand Final. The match will be played at University Grounds,
Colin Maiden Park, Merton Road, Glen Innes.
University 17.12 (114)
def.
Waitakere 3.5 (23)
'Blues grab Minor Premiership with
last quarter blitz'
Monday 8 November, 2004
The mighty Uni Blues
continue their great form leading into the finals with a solid all round
win against old foe North Shore Tigers. In perfect conditions at Colin
Maiden Park the Blues were tested early on but stood up to the challenge
to win the game by 6 goals. There was nothing in it until the last term
where the Blues kicked 3 quick goals in the space of 5 minutes to fend
of a brave Tigers challenge and take out the Minor Premiership for 2004.
Froggatt again dominated up front and in a best on ground performance
bagged 5 for the blues. He was well assisted by coach Taverna who bagged
3. Forsyth was switched from forward to back during the game and
dominated the back line. Williams was again in great touch and used his
pace to feed off to his forwards. Pidgeon through himself into
everything as usual and Duggan rucked tirelessly all day which gave the
blues midfield first use of the pill. It was a game that could have gone
either way with the Blues only 2 goals up at the main break, but the
last quarter fitness level shone through and the Uni Boys came home with
a wet sail.
University 10.6 (66) def.
North Shore 4.6 (30)
'Blues on fire leading into semi
finals'
Monday 15 November, 2004
After winning the Minor
Premiership last week most would have thought the Uni Blues would have
taken the foot off the pedal against the Raiders... Everything the Blues
did turned to gold as they prepared themselves for the finals with a
massive 21 goal win at Mountford Park. The Blues went into the game
wanting to have a good hit before next week semis and did it tough in
the first quarter with only a two goal lead. The 2nd quarter saw the
Blues bang on 7 quick goals to blow the game apart. The Blues had young
Jason Campbell stand up and be counted and was well supported by Chris
Blyth, Steve Power and Richard Pidgeon. Steve Froggatt was again the big
target up forward and finished off with 7 goals for the match. Jared
Brons also stepped up and bagged 4 for the Blues. The Blues will now
face North Shore next week in a match not to be missed.
University 23.10 (148)
def.
Manurewa 2.5 (17)
'Blues eye up 3-peat after tough
semi final victory'
Monday 22 November, 2004
The Uni Blues have made it
to yet another AAFL Grand Final after over coming a strong and physical
North Shore Tigers outfit by a mere two goals on Sunday. This will be
the Blues 8th Grand Final appearance in the past 9 seasons and they will
look to go for the 3-peat, something the club hasn’t done since 1987-89.
The semi final could have gone either way and scores were locked
together for the first 3 quarters. The Tigers started the game more
hungry for the ball and were quickly on the score card. Playing into a
stiff breeze the ball didn’t even venture into the Blues forward line
and they into the first break without a point on the board. The 2nd
quarter saw the Blues into action with Calleju in the guts providing the
forwards with plenty of ball and Pidgeon at the back snuffing everything
out. Froggatt finally got the Blues side of the score board rolling as
he kicked a major, backed up by a smart goal to Brons. The Blues went to
the main break with a slender 2 point lead. The 3rd quarter was another
even battle with both sides keen to run the ball at all costs. The
turning point in the game was when two North Shore players stood there
looking at the ball and Pidgeon came flying through midair and punched
the ball clear, ball to Williams, into the forward line and another goal
to Froggatt which blew the game wide open as North Shore were set to
score down the other end. Two minutes later it was Williams kicking a
major for the Blues this time to cut down the Tigers lead. Both sides
were locked on 35 points going into the final term. Once again it could
have gone either way but experienced campaigners Duggan & Power in the
ruck, Drake, Forsyth and Taverna at the back and Froggatt and Blyth up
forward all stood up when it mattered. Coach Taverna snuck up forward
and bagged his first major for the day and Froggatt chipped in with
another 2 goals to seal a hard earned victory and earn the right to
defend their Premiership flag. The story of the day was once again the
smallest bloke with the biggest ticker changing the face of the game in
one single play. Pidgeon continues his dominate form this season and
with the big one just around the corner with no doubt be looking to
another Best on Ground performance.
University 8.6 (54) def.
North Shore 6.6 (42) |