AFL Sydney Premier Division Men’s and Women’s – Round 8 Preview

Written By Michael Shillito

As the season continues to roll along, the Premier Division ladders look like the cream is rising to the top. But it only takes a few upsets to throw all our assumptions about how this season is going out the window and throw some new finals contenders into the mix. Will we see the tables turned this weekend?

 

Mens Premier Division

Manly v St George (Weldon Oval, Saturday 2:30pm)

Tune in LIVE and FREE on Kayo Sports CLICK HERE or via the AFL Sydney Facebook Page from 2:10pm this Saturday for the AFL Sydney Men’s Premier Division ‘Match of the Round’

This week’s live streaming match features two teams who will be looking for a win to keep in touch with the top five when the Wolves host the Dragons at Weldon Oval. The match will be streamed live and free on AFL Sydney’s Facebook page and on Kayo Sports.

Manly come into this game with some winning form on the board, recording a 69-point win over Camden at Catherine Park last week. Mark Dignam spearheaded the charge with a five-goal haul; while Jacob De Angelis showed he has a promising future in front of him with a performance that earned him a Rising Star nomination. It was a return to form the Wolves will welcome, but there’s plenty more work to be done to get back on track after a slow start to the year.

St George also go into this clash with some winning form under their belts, after pulling away from UTS at Olds Park to record a comprehensive 95-point win. It was a day tagged for the Teggs, with Tim and Pat Tegg forming a lethal combination that the Bats had no answer to; and the Dragons will be keen to see that momentum maintained this time round.

The Dragons sit a game behind fifth-placed UTS but with a better percentage; and if they can get the win and other results go their way could enter the top five this week. But the Wolves can’t afford to make it easy for the Dragons. A game further behind and with a poor percentage, it’s time for the Wolves to lift.

 

Sydney Uni v Camden (Sydney Uni No 1 Oval, Saturday 12:30pm)

It’s a lunchtime start at Sydney Uni No 1, as the Students look to capitalise on their recent run of strong form against a Camden side who will be tested to show how much they have improved in the last couple of weeks.

The Students have hit their straps in the last few weeks, and last week they entered the top five for the first time this season as they dominated from start to finish against Pennant Hills to record a 98-point win. Sam Bennett and Aaron Day led the way, picking up myriad possessions and finding team-mates at every opportunity as the Students put in their best performance of the season to date to record a dominant effort against one of the competition’s stronger clubs.

Camden were at home against Manly last week; and although they were unable to record the win, the Cats’ effort was nothing like the heavy defeats they suffered early in the season. A slow start against a Manly side that couldn’t miss cost them any hope of a win, but they refused to capitulate and the 69-point margin was their narrowest defeat so far this season. Mitch Sapiatzer and Tim Georgiou put in solid fighting efforts all day; and the Cats will need plenty of that against a seasoned opponent in strong form.

The Students’ recent form sees them as the hottest of favourites; as they look to consolidate their spot in the top three this time round. But the true test this week is for Camden. The Cats have shown some promising signs in the last couple of weeks. But there’s plenty of work to be done to maintain that improvement and some dogged defence will be required against a red-hot Students side.

 

UNSW-ES v UTS (Henson Park, Saturday 2:10pm)

Eastern suburbs university pride will be on the line at Henson Park, on Saturday afternoon, as another chapter in the tale between the Bulldogs and the Bats will be played out.

UNSW-ES have dropped just one game so far this season, and last week they continued on their winning ways with a comprehensive 114-point win over Inner West Magpies at Picken Oval. The Bulldogs’ big name performers were dominant, with Keiran Emery contributing five goals while Tom Banuelos was a prolific ball-winner around the ground. The Bulldogs had winners all around the ground, and when they put in football of the quality they showed last week, there aren’t many teams in this league who have the ability to match it with them.

The Bats had an unhappy trip to Olds Park last week, and were never in the contest as St George dominated from start to finish to record a 95-point result. Tom Borrillo and Brodie Baeumler kept trying hard all day; but it was a struggle for the Bats on a day when they struggled to get their game plan going against a switched-on opponent. The Bats will be primed to put in a better performance this time round.

The Bulldogs remain on their winning ways, and are looking confident and in great form as they maintain second spot on the ladder. But it’s a different story for the Bats, who will need a win here to keep their spot in the top five. The Bats can’t afford to let their promising start to the season slip away, so they will need to lift their efforts this week.

 

Pennant Hills v East Coast (Mike Kenny Oval, Saturday 2:20pm)

There’s always plenty of feeling when the Hills rivals go head to head; and this Saturday afternoon at Mike Kenny Oval will be no exception as the Demons play host to the Eagles.

The Demons are in fourth place, but will be wanting to hit back hard after a disappointing performance against Sydney Uni at the Uni last week, where they were never in the contest and went down by 98 points. On a difficult day for the Demons, Luke Skrivanic and Wilson Mudge kept working hard. But too many of the Demons were unable to make any impact last week, and will be desperate to turn their form around and make a bigger contribution this time round.

Five losses on the trot for the Eagles, and they’ll be desperate to turn their form around. Last week against North Shore at Kanebridge they turned the game into a dour, defensive battle but didn’t have the firepower to match it with the Bombers and went down by 52 points. Corey Dowle and Bailey Stewart were tireless workers for the Eagles against the odds; and the Eagles will again be looking for them to put in the big efforts.

The two clubs have had some great battles over the years, and there’s been no shortage of boilover results. The stakes are high for the Eagles, who are three games away from the top five and will need a long winning streak to get back into finals contention. They need a scalp, and this is the opportunity they need to take. The Demons can’t take this one lightly.

 

North Shore v Inner West (Gore Hill Oval, Saturday 2:40pm)

The last game for the round will be on the synthetic at Gore Hill, as the undefeated North Shore do battle with Inner West Magpies.

North Shore continued on their winning ways last week, and although frustrated at times by some resolute defending and by their own inaccuracy, did enough to defeat the Eagles by 52 points. Last week it was the turn of Jake Veale and Ryan Kilpatrick to lead the way; but as they’ve been consistently able to do this season, the Bombers are able to find the match-winning performers in each situation to get the job done.

The Magpies fell out of the top five last week, when they were unable to match it with a red-hot Bulldogs side and went down by 114 points. Daniel O’Connell and Ben Klemke tried hard all afternoon, but it was one of those days when nothing was going right for the Magpies. It’s a tough draw for them to have to back up against the Bulldogs with a battle against North Shore; but the Magpies will be all too aware they have to work hard, defend grimly and make every opportunity count this week.

The Bombers are yet to drop a game this year, and with the home ground advantage this time round will go into this game as the hottest of favourites. But the Bombers can’t afford to drop their guard against a determined opponent who will be keen to pull off the upset and work their way back into the top five.

 

Womens Premier Division

Manly v Southern Power (Weldon Oval, Saturday 4:30pm)

Tune in LIVE and FREE on Kayo Sports CLICK HERE or via the AFL Sydney Facebook Page from 4:25pm this Saturday for the AFL Sydney Men’s Premier Division ‘Match of the Round’

The match of the round this weekend is a clear choice in the Womens Premier Division; where second and third play off at Weldon Oval. You can catch this match streamed live on AFL Sydney’s Facebook page and on Kayo Sports; so wherever in the world you are, you don’t have to miss a second of the action.

Manly’s premiership defence is looking good so far, with the Wolves having only dropped one game this season. Last week at Macquarie Uni they faced few hurdles as they comfortably knocked off the Warriors by 32 points. Ash Carter and Emily Goodsir were in strong form, two of the Manly players who are building momentum quite nicely as the Wolves keep clocking up the wins.

Southern Power have also only dropped the one game this season, and keep getting the job done every week. Last week at Waratah Oval they once again efficiently got it done, holding UTS goal-less for a 25-point win. Kiahna Davis-White and Sarah Heptinstall were the stars of the day, but the Power have match-winners around the ground who time and again deny their opponents any opportunity to work their way into the contest.

Both teams have been in great touch in recent weeks; and this match will be a test for both of them. Up for grabs is not only four points for the winning team, but it’s four points the losing team doesn’t get. And a key psychological edge against an opponent they are a good chance of meeting again when we get to the business end of the season.

 

UNSW-ES v UTS (Henson Park, Saturday 12:20pm)

A lunchtime clash at Henson Park sees the Bulldogs take on the Bats. Both sides will be looking to hit back after heavy losses last week.

The Bulldogs had a disappointing trip to Picken Oval last week, unable to score in the second half as they went down to the Magpies by 68 points. Teena Campbell and Mckenzie Ball kept putting the efforts in; but the Bulldogs struggled to match it against a strong Magpies line-up and were well beaten on the day.

The Bats travelled to Waratah Oval last week and were unable to get a goal in a low-scoring defensive contest, going down by 25 points. Elizabeth Donnelly and Gabriella Stanwix kept working hard all afternoon, but the Bats were unable to find any firepower up forward when they needed it; and more attacking flair will be needed this time to conjure up a winning score.

The Bulldogs are only one game out of the top five, but their poor percentage could count against them when finals positions are on the line. They need a big win here to give that percentage a boost; but it won’t be easy against a determined UTS side. With just one win so far this season, the Bats will need to string some results together to get into the finals mix.

 

Pennant Hills v East Coast (Mike Kenny Oval, Saturday 12:40pm)

The Battle of the Hills will be fought on the lower oval at Mike Kenny, as Pennant Hills host East Coast in the latest installment of a keen rivalry between the two clubs.

The Demons suffered heartbreak at Sydney Uni last week, pipped at the post by Sydney Uni to go down by just three points. There were plenty of positives for the Demons, with Eleanor Rugg and Tayla Duguid in particular playing some great footy to keep the Demons in the contest all day. But it wasn’t enough for the Demons to record their second win of the season.

The Eagles have carried all before them this season to date, and last week at Kanebridge they had a comfortable 34-point win. Rylee McGartland led the way up forward with a four goal haul while Annaleise Barton was prolific around the ground. Week after week the Eagles come up with the key match-winners to get the job done.

The undefeated Eagles will go into this contest as heavy favourites, but they shouldn’t have everything their own way. There’s always plenty of feeling in this contest, and there’s been upsets before. The Eagles can’t afford to take the Demons lightly.

 

North Shore v Inner West (Gore Hill Oval, Saturday 1:10pm)

It’s fourth v fifth on the synthetic at Gore Hill, in a keenly-anticipated clash between the Bombers and the Magpies that will tell us plenty about the finals credentials of both teams.

North Shore travelled to Kanebridge to take on top team East Coast last week, but were unable to match it with the ladder leaders and went down by 34 points. Pippy Clegg and Dom Carruthers were impressive for the Bombers and kept putting in the efforts all night; but the Bombers didn’t have the firepower to keep up with the Eagles.

The Magpies come into this game with some winning form, after being untroubled in recording a 68-point result against the Bulldogs at Picken Oval last week. Rebecca Privitelli spearheaded the charge with five goals, while Lael Kassem was a prolific ball-winner around the ground; and the Bombers will have some work to do to keep them quiet this week.

The two sides met in last year’s Elimination Final, and the Magpies ended North Shore’s season with a narrow six-point win. Both sides are in strong finals contention, and you can expect a tight contest this time round as both teams will be keen to show they are a genuine chance to feature at the business end of the season.

 

Sydney Uni v Macquarie Uni (Sydney Uni No 1 Oval, Saturday 6:30pm)

University pride is on the line in an evening match at Sydney Uni No 1, as Sydney Uni play host to Macquarie Uni in a contest that both teams will be desperate to win.

Sydney Uni broke through for their second win of the season last week, edging out Pennant Hills in a three-point thriller. Louise Stephenson was in magnificent form for the Students, while they look to have unearthed a good prospect in Rising Star nominee Kara Durante; and Sydney Uni will be looking for them to turn in more solid efforts this time.

Macquarie Uni are yet to salute this season, and it was a tough clash for them at home last week when they went down by 32 points to defending premiers Manly. Katie Johnston and Grace Thomas battled tirelessly against the odds; and the fighting spirit they showed will need to be replicated this time in a game that the Warriors will have to believe they can win.

Despite Sydney Uni’s win last week, they sit two games outside the top five with a poor percentage. They need a big win here to get back into finals calculations. For the Warriors, it’s even more urgent to get a win on the board. It’s been a long time between drinks; but this is a clash where they have to dig deep and give themselves a chance at the long-awaited breakthrough.

 

Photo by Merrillie Redden