AFL Sydney Premier Division Men’s and Women’s – Round 1 Preview
Written by Michael Shillito
Finally the new season is upon us. A new season that is keenly anticipated after last year was cut short. At long last, the unfinished business can be taken care of; the business of striving for premiership glory.
In Men’s Premier Division, we’re down to nine teams. Camden, after being unable to win a game in last year’s shortened season, go to Platinum this year. Maybe in a future season they will go back up; who knows what the future holds. With an odd number of teams, North Shore’s season opener will have to wait an extra week.
Once again we have ten teams in Women’s Premier Division. And with the Swans about to enter the AFLW competition, they are looking for players; so they’ll be plenty of players keen to make an impression. The opportunity is there for those who can step up and take it.
Men’s Premier Division
UNSW-ES Bulldogs v Sydney Uni
Tune in LIVE via the AFL Sydney Facebook Page or Kayo Sports from 6:45pm this Friday night for AFL Sydney Men’s Premier Division ‘Match of the Round’ from Henson Park, Marrickville
Henson Park, Friday 7:10pm
We kick off the season with a blockbuster University derby, as UNSW-ES take on Sydney Uni under Friday night lights at Henson Park. And for those who can’t get out to Marrickville, you can still catch all the action live, with this match streamed live on Kayo Sports and on the AFL Sydney Facebook page.
Sadly there was no Grand Final last year, but the last three Grand Finals that were played have featured these two clubs; with the Bulldogs getting up in 2018 and 2019 before the Students turned the tables in 2020.
Last year the Bulldogs were second and the Students were third when the season was cut short; both clubs with high hopes of a shot at another title. The two sides met twice last year. On Anzac Day the Bulldogs took control with a 53-point win at Henson Park; a result repeated on the last day before lockdown when the Bulldogs got up by 43 points.
There’s plenty of firepower in the lineups of both sides. Both lineups will look similar to what we’ve seen in recent seasons, when they’ve managed to be there at the business end of the year. There’s a real sense of optimism coming from both clubs, and this game offers not only four premiership points but a chance to inflict a psychological blow on a key opponent. This promises to be a mouth-watering clash to start the 2022 season in style.
UTS Bats v Inner West Magpies
Waverley Oval, Saturday 12:50pm
There’ll be no love lost, and a tight and tough contest is anticipated, as the Bats host the Magpies at what could well be a heavy track at Waverley Oval on Saturday afternoon.
Both sides showed plenty of signs of improvement and were building momentum when the lockdown hit; outside the top five but with hopes of squeezing into the playoffs. Over the off-season, the Bats have worked to bolster their lineup for 2022; while the Magpies have no shortage of talented players ready to make the next step in their careers.
The two sides met once last season, and it was a thriller at Picken Oval that saw the Bats get up by just four points.
It’s going to be a tight battle for finals places, and it’s hard to see that both of these clubs will get there. Although it’s only round one, it’s games like this that could be the difference between being a part of the playoff action and missing out. Four points gained here is four points a rival misses out on. You can expect both teams to scrap for every possession in what will be a no-holds-barred contest.
St George Dragons v Pennant Hills Demons
Olds Park, Saturday 2:30pm
A game that will give a big indication of how the season will take shape will be fought out at Olds Park on Saturday afternoon, when St George host Pennant Hills.
Both sides were poised to take part in finals action last year when lockdown struck. The Dragons were in fourth place and the Demons fifth. The Demons are well known for being thereabouts at the business end of the season, while the Dragons had been continuing a run of lifting momentum that had seen them return to the finals in 2020. Both had high hopes, but sadly we’ll never know if they could have built a finals run.
The two sides met twice last season. In round two at Olds Park, the Demons prevailed by 25 points. Then in the last weekend before the competition was shut down, the Dragons turned the tables with a comprehensive 71-point result at Mike Kenny Oval.
In what could be a tight battle for finals spots, a good start is important. With only 16 games to make an impression this season, neither team will want to risk falling behind the pace early in the year. This should be a keenly-fought battle, and the winner will be keen for the four points to kick-start some momentum into the 2022 campaign.
Manly Wolves v East Coast Eagles
Tune in LIVE via the AFL Sydney Facebook Page or Kayo Sports from 2:25pm this Saturday for AFL Sydney Men’s Premier Division ‘Match of the Round’ from Weldon Oval, Curl Curl.
Weldon Oval, Saturday 2:30pm
A tightly-contested scrap is expected at Weldon Oval on Saturday afternoon as the Wolves host the Eagles. This match will be streamed live on Kayo Sports and on the AFL Sydney Facebook page, and there’ll be plenty of interest in this clash and its implications for the season to come.
With new coaches and some new players in both lineups, there’s plenty of cause for optimism; and both sides will be looking to build some winning form and turn 2022 into a better season than they experienced last year, when they were both well off the pace set by the top teams.
Manly won the only clash between the two sides last year, taking out a 42-point result at Kanebridge in round two. But after both teams won just two games before last season was cut short, here is a golden opportunity to get the new season off to a flying start and send a message that they are a team on the rise.
After weeks of rain, it could be a heavy track at Weldon Oval; and it will take a determined effort in tricky conditions to prevail here. You can expect to see a desperate fight for every possession, no quarter asked or given. The momentum of the new season depends on the four points.
Women’s Premier Division
Southern Power v Pennant Hills Demons
Waratah Oval, Saturday 11:50am
The Womens Premier Division season opens in the Shire, as Southern Power play host to Pennant Hills in a lunchtime clash at Waratah Oval.
Southern Power were quiet achievers in last year’s competition, finding themselves in fourth place and well positioned to be playing finals when the season was cut short. They’ll be looking to build on some promising foundations laid last season and take part in another finals series. The Demons will go into their third season at this level with plenty more experience under their belt and have high hopes of being a part of the business end of the season for the first time.
The two sides met twice last year. In round two, the Power were 36 points too good for the Demons at Waratah Oval. Then in the last round before lockdown kicked in, the Demons turned the tables with a 14-point win at Mike Kenny Oval.
There’s four points up for grabs; but just as important is the chance to create some momentum, getting the season off to a flying start. Expect a closely-fought contest between two sides who go into this season with plenty of cause for optimism.
Manly Wolves v East Coast Eagles
Tune in LIVE via the AFL Sydney Facebook Page or Kayo Sports from 12:25pm this Saturday for AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division ‘Match of the Round’ from Weldon Oval, Curl Curl.
Weldon Oval, Saturday 12:30pm
Two of Sydney footy’s womens’ powerhouse teams come up against each other in a not-to-be-missed blockbuster at Weldon Oval. The match will be streamed live on Kayo Sports and the AFL Sydney Facebook page, so wherever in the world you are, you can catch the action.
In 2020, the Wolves entered Premier Division and took out the premiership in their first season; and last year were sitting in second place when the competition was cut short. The Eagles have only one season more of experience at this level, but had a Grand Final appearance in 2019 and were undefeated last year when lockdown kicked in.
The Eagles won the only clash between the two sides last year, getting up by 41 points in round two at Kanebridge. This time, the Wolves have the home ground advantage.
Even though it’s unlikely that there’ll be many AFLW-listed players taking part this time, there’s still plenty of firepower in both teams. Both clubs, in their short time at this level, have shown themselves to be powerful forces; and there’s plenty to be excited about in this clash. For the winner, not only is there four points, but a significant psychological edge against a key competitor.
North Shore Bombers v Macquarie Uni Warriors
Gore Hill Oval, Saturday 1:10pm
The Bombers and the Warriors face off at Gore Hill Oval on Saturday in a clash that will tell us plenty about how this season will unfold.
North Shore last year in their second season in Premier Division were looking well placed for a finals appearance, sitting in fifth place when the season was cut short. The Bombers have bolstered their lineup for this season and have plenty of reason to be optimistic about their prospects for the new season. They’re taking on Macquarie Uni, traditionally a powerhouse club in this division. The Warriors were unable to win a game last season, but not for a lack of effort; as they unluckily fell just short on many occasions.
The only meeting between the two clubs last season was an example of the luck not running the Warriors’ way, as they led the Bombers at three quarter time at Macquarie Uni Oval in round nine before the Bombers fell over the line by three points.
North Shore have high hopes of a finals appearance in 2022, while the Warriors are looking to work their way back up the ladder this season. The value of a good start is critical, but only one club can emerge with the spoils this time.
UNSW-ES Bulldogs v Sydney Uni
Henson Park, Saturday 2:20pm
A university derby at Henson Park is a game that will attract plenty of interest, and will give a good insight into the potential of both clubs in this season.
Last year both clubs won four games and were sitting outside the top five when the lockdown hit and the season was cut short. There’s plenty of star power in both sides’ lineups, but the key question for both clubs is who will step up, improve their game and play a bigger role in their club’s fortunes in 2022.
The only meeting between the two clubs last year was at Henson Park on Anzac Day, when the Bulldogs took control with a 26-point win.
This looks like an intriguing meeting between two sides that on paper don’t look to have much separating them. A close contest is likely, and four points for the winner will land a key blow against a potential finals rival. There’s plenty to play for, and both sides are fired up and ready to go.
UTS Bats v Inner West Magpies
Waverley Oval, Saturday 3:15pm
Headlining the program at Waverley Oval is a massive clash as UTS Bats play host to Inner West Magpies in a keenly-anticipated matchup.
Last year the Bats were well outside the finals pace, but were starting to build some promising momentum as they claimed their last two games before the lockdown. The Bats are feeling positive about their prospects for 2022, and here is a great opportunity to kick-start their season. But it won’t be easy against a Magpies lineup that were sitting comfortably in third place when lockdown hit last year; and which still has plenty of quality in its lineup for this season.
The Magpies won the only clash between the two sides last year, getting up by 42 points at Picken Oval. This time round the Bats have the home advantage, and they’ll be looking to make it count.
If the Bats can take the points here, they’ll send a message to the Sydney footy world that they’re a team on the way up. But the Magpies will also be looking to make a statement, and this is a game that will give an indication as to both clubs’ prospects in 2022.
