FINALS PREVIEW – Women’s Premier Division
SEMI-FINAL TWO
In a game that many are calling the 2017 XBlades AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division Grand Final Preview, the two top sides of the home and away season will do battle at Blacktown ISP, to book their place in the Grand Final.
DETAILS
WHO – Sydney University Bombers vs. UNSW Eastern Suburbs Stingrays
WHEN – Saturday, 26 August 2017 at 10.35am
WHERE – Blacktown International Sportspark
HEAD TO HEAD IN 2017
Round 4
Sydney University Bombers 0.3 0.3 2.7 4.8 (32)
UNSW ES Stingrays 3.0 3.5 3.5 4.5 (29)
Round 13
UNSW ES Stingrays 2.1 6.2 8.3 8.5 (53)
Sydney University Bombers 0.0 2.1 3.1 4.1 (25)
WHAT TO EXPECT
Expect a thriller! These two sides will be desperate to book a place in the big dance, and you can be sure they will both throw everything they have at this game.
Both teams are likely to be at full strength with each hosting some big names in their line-up.
For the Bombers, reigning Mostyn Medalist, Nicola Barr has been a standout despite missing patches of football throughout the year due to AFL Women’s commitments and travel. Barr and fellow midfielder, Kristy Sutcliffe are a critical part of Sydney University’s midfield engine, which is fed by the young tap-down specialist and AFL Women’s All Australian player, Erin McKinnon.
If the midfield gets going, clean forward-50s will result in Rachael Stack getting involved in the game. Rachel Stack won the AFL Sydney Women’s goal kicking medal in 2017, kicking 39 goals. Stack is a potent ingredient to the Sydney University forward line, and if she gets going, the Bombers will be hard to catch.
If the ball becomes loose up forward, expect the speedy Stephanie Walker to get on the end of a few goals. Her lighting pace, and relentless, fearless attack on the ball will be hard for defenders to stop.
The Stingrays too, have plenty of fire power to boast in their line-up. Phoebe Monahan has been outstanding in season 2017, highlighting that she can hold her own against some of the best players in the competition. Monahan’s midfield run complements the tough as nails, Maddy Collier who can break lines and win possession for her team.
When the Stingrays attack, they will be looking to deliver the ball to their key forwards, Rebecca Beeson and Sera Kaukiono. These two are the strongest forward partnership in the league, with Beeson bagging 35 goals and Kaukiono slotting 36 this season. The two forwards will prove hard to match up, with the Bombers backs needing to be on top of their game to overcome their talent.
PREDICTION
Get yourself to Blacktown ISP this Saturday – this game will be one to remember. Sydney University Bombers by 3 points.
SEMI-FINAL ONE
It is a do-or-die semi-final as these two great competitors do battle for a spot in the Preliminary Final. There is a lot on the line with one team progressing and the other left wondering what might have been in 2017.
DETAILS
WHO – Macquarie University vs. Auburn-Penrith Giants
WHEN – Sunday, 27 August 2017 at 11.10am
WHERE – Blacktown International Sportspark
HEAD TO HEAD IN 2017
Round 8
Auburn-Penrith Giants 2.0 4.0 4.0 5.2 (32)
Macquarie University 1.5 2.6 3.7 3.10 (28)
Round 12
Macquarie University 1.4 1.7 4.10 4.12 (36)
Auburn-Penrith Giants 0.1 2.3 2.5 3.6 (24)
WHAT TO EXPECT
This one will be a fight for survival. Both teams will be desperate to continue their finals dream and will put everything on the line to ensure they play next weekend.
Macquarie University boast some star power in their midfield with an AFL Women’s Captain leading the way. Amanda Farrugia has dominated this season on the back of her first season in the AFLW. Farrugia’s experience and guidance have been invaluable this year at the Warriors.
Gabrielle Ferreira has also had a great season in the middle of the ground, working with Farrugia to connect with talented ruck, Amy Hessell.
Up forward, Aislinn Albury is the main target with most of the delivery being fed directly to her. She has a knack for finding goal and will again prove dangerous this weekend. Jessie Wong and Farrugia will also be sneaking forward to crumb the loose ball and snare important points.
The Auburn-Penrith Giants will feature in their first ever XBlades AFL Women’s Premier Division Finals series, an achievement the club should be proud of. Now they have made it, they will be looking to do some damage and progress as far as they possibly can.
Nikki Perrett has been a standout in the Auburn-Penrith midfield this season and will look to play a pivotal role this weekend.
When the Giants push forward, they are fortunate to have a strong forward line capable of kicking winning scores with Melissa Brydon and Jacqueline Gay leading the charge. These two will be hard to stop and the Macquarie University defenders will certainly have their hands full.
PREDICTION
Giants to go down swinging. Macquarie University by 11 points
