Traditional rivals, the Sydney University Lions and the Bondi Raiders, kicked off season 2006 in a re-match of last year's Championship Game. The Lions had won their last four season openers and were quick to dispel any suggestion that they weren’t ready to rumble in 2006 with an emphatic 42-0 win.

The Lions defence set a strong base for the team’s win. Standout players included outside linebacker Greg Wernecke, who made keys plays in the Raiders backfield when required, and lead the team with 11 tackles.  Mike Wziontek played strongly with an interception, a pass break-up and 3 tackles, with one for a loss. At middle linebacker, Joe Lim made 9 tackles, with 3 for a loss, and Horatio O’Shea capped a fine game as captain with 4 tackles and 2 pass break-ups. Highlighted in this performance was a defensive stand where the Lions D turned away a Raiders offence that had 16 plays inside the red zone at the beginning of the fourth quarter. A shutout.

On the other side of the ball, news of departing QBs in 2005 led Coach Dunne to go ‘old school’: when you’re looking for a new quarterback, grab your best defensive safety and put him in the offensive backfield. Anthony Sinton delivered with the re-tooled offense – starting with a 30 yard run on the first play - and following it up with good option football, including a 45 yard TD run and another off tackle run into the end zone for short yardage. Kiernan Dorney then went under centre and passed for two scores to Freeman and Croasdaile. Chris Snagg chewed up key yards from fullback and Matt Croasdaile rumbled for over 100 yards on the ground and in the air. The reshaped offensive line established a strong basis for offensive dominance. Good to see Tim Snape back at Centre and fully recovered!

Special Teams were strong, with a kick-off recovered by Chris Michaelidis and 6 of 6 extra points by Liam ‘Automatic’ Erby.

Half time score: 21-0

Full time score: 42-0

1Q Snagg 1 yard TD run. Erby conversion. 7:0

2Q Sinton 45 yard TD run. Erby conversion. 14:0

2Q Dorney to Freeman 47 yd TD pass. Erby conversion. 21:0

3Q Dorney to Croasdaile 10 yd TD pass. Erby conversion 28:0

3Q Snagg 25 yard TD run. Erby conversion. 35:0

4Q Sinton 1 yard TD run. Erby conversion. 42:0