Even a Tom Faul masterclass couldn't stop the Canberra Demons' frustrating slide down the ladder that has left them facing a sudden death showdown on the road come finals time.
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The Demons slumped to a third-straight defeat after falling by 47 points to Sydney University in the NEAFL at Blacktown International Sportspark on Saturday.
The 17.19 (121) to 11.8 (74) loss means Canberra has slid from first to fifth in three weeks with another finals-bound opponent on the horizon before the Demons start their maiden finals campaign.
University have now leapfrogged Canberra on the ladder while the Aspley Hornets' win over the lowly Redland Bombers pushes the Demons deep into sudden death territory, and it could force them into an away game in the first week of the finals.
A week after conceding six goals to none in the final term, Canberra gave up five majors and posted just one of their own in the fourth quarter to fall to a hefty defeat.
Canberra's clash with the Students wasn't without some positives - Faul booted five goals with four coming in the second half, and each one of them wouldn't look out of place on a highlights reel.
Returning duo Nick Collins and Reed Stevens put in impressive showings but that wasn't enough to stop a rampant University outfit delivering another blow to Canberra in the run to the finals.
The Demons will need to pick up the pieces quickly as they prepare to meet Aspley in the final round of the regular season at Phillip Oval next Saturday.
AT A GLANCE
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY 4.4 7.8 12.13 17.19 (121)
CANBERRA DEMONS 2.1 4.4 10.5 11.8 (74)
GOALS: University: N/A. Canberra: T. Faul 5, J. Powell 2, N. Oakes, H. Carr, R. Stevens, A. Bruce
BEST: University: N/A. Canberra: T. Faul, M. Maguire, A. Bruce, A. Paech, A. Baker, S. Martyn
