AFL Sydney Premier Division Men’s and Women’s – Round 5 Preview

Written by Michael Shillito

 

After four weeks of sunshine, the skies have closed in this week; and for all players this week it’ll be a round played on heavier tracks. There’s plenty of high-stakes contests as our ladders begin to take shape.

 

Mens Premier Division

UTS Bats v Inner West Magpies (Picken Oval, Saturday 2:30pm)

Tune in LIVE and FREE on Kayo Sports CLICK HERE or via the AFL Sydney Facebook Page from 2:25pm this Saturday for the AFL Sydney Men’s Premier Division ‘Match of the Round’

The Bats take on the Magpies in this week’s match of the round. Both teams are currently in the top five, but only one can stay there this week. And in a major coup for AFL Sydney, not only will this game be streamed live on AFL Sydney’s Facebook page, but also on Kayo Sports; giving our league a new audience around the country.

The Bats, after two weeks on the road, return home to Trumper Park with a 2-2 record. Last week they led a highly-fancied Sydney Uni team at half time, but fell away in the second half to go down by 27 points. In their quest to return to the winning list this time around, they’ll be again looking for strong contributions from Josh Lee and rising star nomination Bodey Lambert; who stepped up last week with solid efforts around the ground to keep their side in the contest.

The Magpies have winning form behind them, after hitting the ground running against East Coast at Picken Oval last week. Eight goals to one in the first half laid the platform for a comfortable 52-point win, the second time the Magpies have sung the song in 2021. Ben Zoppo was a handy target up forward with four goals, while Patrick O’Connell also did some good work in attack; and they will be called into action again in the Magpies’ quest for a winning score.

Both clubs are currently in the top five, but the loser will likely be displaced by the winner of the St George v Sydney Uni clash. In what could be a closely-contested battle for final positions this season, the four points on offer could well be crucial. Expect a tight and tough contest between two sides desperate for a win.

 

Camden Cats v Pennant Hills Demons (Fairfax Reserve, Saturday 2:00pm)

It’s another high-stakes contest in the south-west as the Cats take on the Demons at Fairfax Reserve on Saturday afternoon.

The Cats had another disappointing afternoon at Olds Park last week. Jumped at the start when St George ran away with nine goals to two in the opening quarter, the Cats didn’t have the firepower to stay in the contest and went down by 116 points. Nick Woolley’s sheer efforts on the forward line were rewarded with three goals from limited opportunities, while Kel Evans kept working hard all day in difficult circumstances for the Cats.

The Demons go into this game on the back of a three-game winning streak. Last week at Mike Kenny Oval they were 53 points too good for Manly, leading all day and denying the Wolves any change to get into the contest. Watch out for long-serving Demons Harry Angel and Tim Wales, who were prolific ball-winners last week and will again be looking to gather the ball at will and create opportunities for the Demons.

This game is important to both clubs for different reasons. For the Cats, a competitive performance and taking the fight up to their opposition is all-important. They need to show plenty of fight for every contest. While for the Demons, a chance to consolidate their position in the top five and potentially boost their percentage will put them in good stead for the season.

 

St George Dragons v Sydney Uni Students (Olds Park, Saturday 2:30pm)

St George and Sydney Uni both go into this clash with winning form behind them. A chance to move into the top five and develop some momentum is on offer in what should be a fascinating clash at Olds Park.

The Dragons had a dominant performance last week, getting off to a flying start and running away with a 116-point win over Camden. Noah Casalini was unstoppable up forward last week, finishing with 12 goals; while the experienced Blake Guthrie again showed his touch with a prolific effort around the ground; and both players will be keen to capitalise on the momentum they built last week and carry that onwards against challenging opposition.

Sydney Uni broke through for their first win of the season last week, but had to work hard for it after being pushed for three quarters by a determined UTS side. But a four goals to one final quarter was enough to wrap up a 27-point win. Cameron Williams and Sam Gilfedder were in strong form, picking up plenty of possession around the ground; and the Students will again be looking to them to guide them to victory.

It’s still early in the season, and a loss isn’t terminal for either team’s finals hopes. But the four points on offer could well make the difference when the business end of the season draws closer; not only the four points the winner gets but the four points that the loser doesn’t. There shouldn’t be much in this one.

 

North Shore Bombers v Manly Wolves (Gore Hill Oval, Saturday 2:50pm)

The Battle of the Spit Bridge is always a keenly-fought contest, and the two northern rivals will face off on the synthetic at Gore Hill as the Bombers are at home to the Wolves.

North Shore moved to outright top of the ladder last Sunday at Henson Park when they finished strongly against UNSW-ES, hitting the front for the first time in time-on in the last quarter for a nine-point win. When the game was there to be won, it was Luke Robertson and Felix Rogers who stood and delivered. The Bombers will again look for them to deliver the key passages of play to get them into a winning position.

It wasn’t the result the Wolves were looking for when they went down by 53 points to Pennant Hills at Mike Kenny last week. Jumped at the start as the Demons ran through six unanswered goals in the first term, the Wolves were unable to work their way into the contest.

The Bombers are top of the table, while the Wolves have only sung the song once this season. But contests between these two sides have often been hard-fought; and the Wolves have risen to the occasion to stun the Bombers before. The Bombers will go into this contest as favourites, but can’t afford to take their opposition lightly.

 

East Coast Eagles v UNSW-ES Bulldogs (Kanebridge Oval, Saturday 5:40pm)

Two teams who will be keen to bounce back to winning form will battle out an evening fixture at Kanebridge Oval as the Eagles play host to the Bulldogs.

Last week wasn’t the result the Eagles were hoping for at Picken Oval. Jumped at the start by a rampant Inner West Magpies team, the Eagles were left to chase the game and went down by 52 points. It wasn’t all bad news for the Eagles, with Andrew Mitchell and Corey Dowle cementing their claims as Premier Division players as they worked hard against the odds. But there are many who will need to step up and play a bigger role this time round.

The Bulldogs suffered their first loss of the season last week at Henson Park, pipped at the post by North Shore to go down by nine points. In a hard-fought contest, Jordan Endemann and Mitch Conn kept putting the effort in; and their work-rate will again be called into action this time round if the Bulldogs are to get themselves back into winning form.

With just one win from their first four games, the Eagles risk losing touch with the top five if they drop another home game. But it won’t be easy against a Bulldogs team with a point to prove after last week’s result. Expect to see plenty of desperation here.

 

 

Womens Premier Division

UTS Bats v Inner West Magpies (Picken Oval, Saturday 2:30pm)

Tune in LIVE and FREE on Kayo Sports CLICK HERE or via the AFL Sydney Facebook Page from 12:35pm this Saturday for the AFL Sydney Men’s Premier Division ‘Match of the Round’

A significant step forward in the coverage of our league begins as the Womens and Mens matches of the round will, moving forward, be streamed live not only on AFL Sydney’s Facebook page, but also on Kayo Sports. The first Kayo match to be shown will be live from Trumper Park as UTS Bats play host to Inner West Magpies.

The Bats have saluted once so far this season, but were unlucky not to record their second win last Saturday, as they were held out in a thriller to go down by just two points against Sydney Uni. Tayliya Kennedy and Grace Hill were magnificent for the Bats last week, as they went so close to pulling off the win. But despite the result, there was plenty to be encouraged about from a UTS persepective, and they have developed some decent momentum to bring into this contest.

The Magpies go into this match with a 2-2 record. Last week at Picken Oval they were unable to match it against a red-hot East Coast side and went down by 31 points. Emily Pease and Madeline Convery battled tirelessly against the odds; and the Magpies will be looking to their never-say-die attitude to carry them through the tough moments in this contest.

Both teams will be looking to bounce back, but only one will be successful. For the winner, the chance to build some momentum moving forward. No-one wants to fall into a losing streak, so there’s plenty to play for in this contest.

 

North Shore Bombers v Manly Wolves (Gore Hill Oval, Saturday 1:10pm)

Gore Hill Oval will be the venue for a hard-fought northern derby as North Shore play host to Manly in a clash that promises much. Both clubs go into this clash with a 3-1 record and looking to consolidate their place in the upper reaches of the ladder.

North Shore have winning form behind them after last Sunday night’s clash at Henson Park, as they held the previously unbeaten UNSW-ES to a single goal to record a 25-point win.  Watch out for Dom Carruthers to continue her outstanding form, while Rising Star nominee Olivia Edwards will be looking to keep her outstanding development going.

Manly were in impressive form in defeating Pennant Hills by 48 points at Mike Kenny Oval last week.  The Wolves found Jessica Doyle a handy target up forward as she contributed four goals, while Kaitlyn Manning was impressive around the ground. They are two players the Bombers will need to keep quiet if they are to have hopes of claiming the scalp of the defending champions.

Last year the teams faced off in the opening round, in what was the Premier Division debut for both clubs. Manly won comfortably, on the way to a first-up premiership. The Bombers hit their straps as that season continued, and have carried that form over into 2021. Expect a closer contest this time.

 

Southern Power v Sydney Uni Bombers (Waratah Oval, Saturday 1:10pm)

Two of last week’s winners face off in a momentum-building clash at Waratah Oval, as Southern Power play host to Sydney Uni.

Southern Power have been in solid form this season, and continued on their winning ways last week with a comfortable 50-point result against Macquarie Uni last week. Ashlee McClure looked in dangerous touch up forward to finish with four goals, while Emily Eaves also featured prominently around the ground while contributing two goals of her own. There’s plenty of attacking flair in the Power lineup, and the Sydney Uni defence have plenty of work to do.

After dropping their first three matches of the season, Sydney Uni broke through last week for their first win when they held on in a thriller against UTS at Sydney Uni No 1. Sydney Uni can thank the efforts of Amber Laven and Brianna Murphy, who stood tall when the game was in the balance and ensured their side had enough possession to deprive the Bats of enough chances to win the match.

Sydney Uni’s win last week gives them an opportunity to move up towards the top five. But it won’t be easy against a Southern Power team in good form and with the home ground advantage.

 

Macquarie Uni Warriors v Pennant Hills Demons (Mike Kenny Oval, Saturday 1:30pm)

It’s a local derby in the north-west as Macquarie Uni are at home to Pennant Hills in a clash that both teams will be desperate to win to kick-start their 2021 campaign.

Pennant Hills were unable to keep up with a red-hot Manly side last week, going down by 48 points at Mike Kenny Oval. Tayla Duguid and Madison Hare kept putting in the effort all day for the Demons, and their work against the odds will be a factor this time around when the game is there to be won.

It wasn’t a great day for the Warriors at Waratah Oval last week, as they were never in the contest against a well-drilled Southern Power team and went down by 50 points. Abbie Lewis and Ellie Hicks tried hard all afternoon, but it wasn’t enough to keep the Warriors in the contest as they struggled to match it against the Power’s firepower.

Neither team has got to sing the song yet this season, but one of these teams will break the drought. For the winner, this could be the confidence and momentum builder they need to get their 2021 campaign back on track. For the loser, it’s a long road back to finals contention. This is a must-win clash, and you can expect to see nothing left in the tank as four vital competition points are on the line.

 

East Coast Eagles v UNSW-ES Bulldogs (Kanebridge Oval, Saturday 4:00pm)

The last match to be played this round is a game with plenty to excite, as East Coast Eagles host UNSW-ES in a twilight contest at Kanebridge Oval.

East Coast are the only undefeated team so far this season, and continued their impressive form at Picken Oval last week when they were 31 points too good for the Magpies. Georgia Garnett continued her impressive 2021, a year that saw her break into the GWS AFLW team; while the experienced Chloe Arndt also featured prominently. The Eagles’ star power will again be a feature this time round.

The Bulldogs suffered their first loss of the season last Sunday night at Henson Park, scoring the first goal against North Shore but were unable to add another to go down by 25 points. Maddie Hendrie and Rebecca Mount worked tirelessly for the Bulldogs all night, and their work ethic will be called on again this time round if the Bulldogs are to get back onto the winning list.

Will the Eagles continue on their winning ways, or will the Bulldogs hit back? Either way, this game has the potential to be an intriguing contest between two teams with hopes of being there at the business end of the season.

 

Please note: Venues and times correct at the time of publishing, due to adverse weather changes may occur.