Season in Review 2018

The season has ended for the Adelaide Uni Blacks reserves side. The reserves side ended up finishing the season in mid table after having a mixed season. The reserves began the season with seven straight wins and climbing the table fast. The streak ended with a 5-3 away loss to Hahndorf in a game where the team showed determination in stealing some goals back after being 4-0 down at the half time break. This loss signalled the beginning of a decline for the reserves. Following the Hahndorf game, the team played top of the table Prince Alfred College (PAC), who had not conceded and averaged an impressive goal tally. This game was crucial to the success of the Blacks reserves’ title defence. Sadly, the PAC game ended 3-0 and the reserves lost their determination which had seen them win the title last year. It was at this point in the season where the reserves could have turned it around, that several players had to temporarily leave the team for various reasons. Both strikers went on holiday and it was exam time for university students. This left gaping holes in an otherwise solid team. The reserves went on to lose just as many games in a row as they had been victorious in the winning start to the season. Players eventually returned and in came the arrival of exchange students from Denmark. Luckily, these Danish imports were good enough to slot straight into the first team, which meant that some first team players were dropped to the reserves for a period. The team improved and ended up winning a few of their last games.

The season gone by represents a time of change for the AUSC Blacks with new coaches for the first and reserves teams. Every change requires a break in period and this season seems to have been that. The reserves team fought through struggles and in the end they could have done worse. I think new coach Lucas Barsby cannot be too displeased with the overall performance of his team in the past season. Next season it can be assured that Barsby will be looking to ascend right back to the heights of their recent championship winning campaign. Come out in 2019 and support AUSC Blacks!