AFL Sydney Premier Division Men’s and Women’s – Round 4 Preview
Written by Michael Shillito
We’re up to round four, the end of April; and it’s time to settle into a rhythm. From here on in we’re back into a run of home and away games, long days at home with multiple games back to back. And now’s the time to make a move and get up towards the top of the ladder. If you don’t, you’ll be playing catch-up footy for the rest of the season.
MENS PREMIER DIVISION
UNSW-ES Bulldogs v Manly-Warringah Wolves
Henson Park, Saturday 2:00pm
First game to get under way on Saturday will be at Henson Park, and it’s great timing for the Bulldogs, who well and truly got back to their best form last week.
Only three weeks in, and already the Bulldogs are the only undefeated team. In an ominous sign for the rest of the league, the Bulldogs hit their straps last Saturday and dominated from start to finish to record a 119-point win over UTS at Waverley. Kieran Emery was an unstoppable force, booting eight goals in a best-on-ground performance; while Max Geddes was also looking imposing for the Bulldogs. When they’re in that sort of form, they’re hard to stop; and it was an emphatic statement that was handed down at Waverley last week.
Their opponents will be Manly, who come to Henson Park with the aim of getting their season back on track after a disappointing 53-point loss to St George at Olds Park last week. There were encouraging signs for the Wolves, particularly the form of Ky McGrath and Taine Wright. But there’s plenty of work to be done for the men in maroon and white; and they’ll need to fight hard this time round against one of the competition heavyweights.
The Bulldogs will go into this one as hot favourites, and if they can show the form they displayed against the Bats last start they’ll be too much for the Wolves to stop. The Wolves are going to have to scrap and contest every possession; and make it uncomfortable for the Bulldogs. If they can stop the Bulldogs in their tracks, the upset result isn’t out of the question.
Inner West Magpies v Sydney University
Picken Oval, Saturday 2:10pm
The Magpies and the Students face off at Picken Oval in a derby that has plenty to recommend it. Both teams will go into this clash in form and confident after massive wins last week.
ANZAC Day at Picken Oval was a triumph in every way for the Magpies last Monday. A well-run and moving ANZAC ceremony was followed by a match that was a tightly-contest arm wrestle for three quarters before the Magpies took control in the last term to win by 30 points. Pat Wilmot led the way for the Magpies and youngster Austin Ball showed he belongs at this level as he worked his way to a Rising Star nomination, and their team-mates responded in a magnificent effort; scrapping for three quarters before stepping up and dominating proceedings in the last term. It was a welcome return to form for the Magpies, but they have a tough test in this encounter.
But the Students also go into this clash on a high, having claimed the scalp of North Shore at Gore Hill last start. The Bombers led for most of the day, but the Students finished full of running, kicking the last six goals of the game to win by nine points. Dylan Abdurahman and Sam Gilfedder featured prominently for the Students, and picked up plenty of the ball during their spirited late run.
The Magpies have troubled the Students in recent years, and they will fancy their chances of pulling off the upset. But the Students are flying high, and have a significant scalp under their belt. This game promises plenty. It’ll take a spirited performance for the Magpies to pull this one off, but that’s certainly not impossible. They’ve done it before.
East Coast Eagles v North Shore Bombers
Kanebridge Oval, Saturday 2:30pm
After an extended break over Easter and the bye last week, East Coast Eagles return to action this week with a home game at Kanebridge. But they’ll have a fight on their hands against a North Shore desperate for revenge. You’ll be able to see all the action live on Kayo Sports and the AFL Sydney Facebook page, so wherever you are you don’t have to miss any of the action.
The Eagles were last in action in round two, when they were jumped at the start by UTS and found themselves 40 points behind at quarter time. They played better after that, but were never going to bridge the first quarter deficit and went down by 49 points. Justin Harding and Andrew Browning kept working hard, putting in the effort that the Eagles will need to display on this occasion. The Eagles have waited a long time for this contest; and as the only team in this division yet to record a win in 2022, there’s no time to lose.
North Shore suffered their first loss in a home-and-away game since 2019 last week when they went down by nine points to Sydney Uni at Gore Hill Oval. The Bombers led for most of the day, but a disappointing ending to the game for them saw the Students score the last six goals. Ned Campbell and Christian Loone were again in the thick of the action, continuing their strong start to the season; and they’ll be hard to stop this time round. But for the Bombers, under pressure after last week’s result, this is the time to hit back hard.
There’s been some close contests between these two sides in recent years; and the thriller in the final round in 2018 when North Shore got up by a point but the Eagles got into the finals by a minute percentage break comes to mind. But there’s no win-win this time. The Eagles need to get their first win on the board, while the Bombers need to get back on track after last week’s shock. Both sides have plenty to play for, but only one will succeed.
Pennant Hills Demons v UTS Bats
Mike Kenny Oval, Saturday 2:40pm
Two teams that will be looking to hit back hard face off at Mike Kenny Oval as the Demons play the Bats. Both teams copped their first loss last week, but only one can put things right this time round.
The Demons were in a tight struggle for three quarters against the Magpies at Picken Oval last Monday, and there was only a point in it at the last change; but the last quarter didn’t go the Demons’ way and they would go down by 30 points. Nick Richards and Ben Matthews were tireless workers for the Demons, but it wasn’t enough to take the points last round. After no game for 23 days, they have only a five day turnaround time for this clash; but they’ll be keen to rip into this contest.
The Bats had an afternoon they’d want to forget at Waverley last week. Two first-up wins gave the Bats reason for hope, but they were handed a harsh lesson by the Bulldogs, never in the contest and going down by 119 points. Connor Lappin and Harry Hayward tried hard all day, but the Bats were unable to match it with the Bulldogs. They’ll have worked hard at training this week, and will be champing at the bit for this contest and the chance to get back on track.
Champion teams don’t always win; but when they don’t, they hit back hard next time. And that’s what both teams will be desperate to achieve. For the winner, they’re back on track. But even in these early days of the season, you don’t want back to back losses. But that will be one team’s fate.
WOMENS PREMIER DIVISION
Inner West Magpies v Sydney University
Picken Oval, Saturday 10:20am
It will be a derby to remember at Picken Oval on Saturday morning as Inner West play host to Sydney Uni in a clash between two sides with high hopes for 2022.
The Magpies have started the season in impressive form, and go into this clash with a 3-0 record. It’s only a short turnaround after their ANZAC Day clash, but the Magpies continued their strong momentum in that match as they dominated Pennant Hills to record a convincing 66-point result. Keep a look out for Eilish Sheerin and Erin Lorenzini, who will be looking to continue their impressive form and again lead the way.
Sydney Uni go into this clash 2-1, having suffered their first loss for the year last week when they were held to a single goal by North Shore and went down by 35 points. Nikki Seroukas and Georgia Mann kept putting in the effort for the Students, but it wasn’t enough for them to challenge for the four points. But after a strong start to the year, Sydney Uni won’t want to drop back to the pack; and they’ll need a win here to maintain their ladder position.
The Magpies haven’t put a foot wrong so far this season, but they’ll get a test from a Sydney Uni side that’ll be determined to bounce back from last week’s result. Expect a tightly-fought scrap in this encounter.
UNSW-ES Bulldogs v Manly-Warringah Wolves
Henson Park, Saturday 10:40am
The Bulldogs and the Wolves clash at Henson Park on Saturday morning. Both teams go into this game with winning form behind them.
UNSW-ES broke through for their first win of the season last week, coming from 19 points behind at half time to edge past UTS for a four-point win. Sophie Phillips and Emelye Blades kick-started the Bulldogs into action and led the way as they pulled off a win that looked unlikely for most of the day. But the Bulldogs managed to do enough to sing the song; and they’ll be keen to use the confidence they got out of that win to challenge one of the competition’s high-flyers.
They’ll be taking on a Manly side that hit their straps in style at Waratah Oval last week, holding the Power goal-less and took out a 73-point victory. The Wolves had winners all round the ground, with Holly Graham and Emily Bourgeois being standouts. When the Wolves hit their best form, as they showed last week, there’s not too many teams that can hold them back.
The Wolves are on a roll, and looked impressive last week. They’ll be hard to stop. But the Bulldogs aren’t a team to be taken lightly. If they can pull off the upset here, they’ll make plenty of rivals sit up and take notice. To be contenders, the Bulldogs will need a claim the scalp of a high-flyer. Here is their opportunity.
Pennant Hills Demons v UTS Bats
Mike Kenny Oval (Bottom Oval), Saturday 12:40pm
The Demons and the Bats face off at Mike Kenny Oval on Saturday in a clash where both teams have plenty to play for; and victory is a must.
After two wins before Easter, the Demons suffered a setback on Monday when they were well beaten by a red-hot Magpies lineup and went down by 66 points. Alex Wade and Eleanor Rugg worked hard all day, but the Demons weren’t able to match it with the Magpies. But this time, back on their home deck and a solid week on the training track behind them, the Demons will be looking to restore the momentum they had built in the first two rounds.
The Bats are yet to sing the song in 2022, but got so close last week. Leading UNSW-ES by 19 points at the long break, the day was to end in heartbreak as they were pipped at the post to go down by four points. Surely the first win is not far away; and if the likes of Angelique Stramotas and Aleshea Houlahan can replicate last week’s form, the Bats will have a solid foundation to build a winning performance on.
The Demons will be playing to restore their winning run after last week’s performance, and maintain their position in the top five. For the Bats, the stakes are extremely high. A loss here would see them slump to a 0-4 record, and they’ll be playing catch-up to stay in the finals race. The Bats just can not afford to drop this game, and they’ll throw everything at this contest.
Southern Power v Macquarie Uni Warriors
Waratah Oval, Saturday 12:40pm
It’s desperation stakes at Waratah Oval on Saturday, as Southern Power and Macquarie Uni face off; with both teams looking for their first win of 2022, a quest for which only one team will succeed.
Southern Power were never in the hunt last week against a red-hot Manly side; and were unable to score a goal as they went down by 73 points. Brodee Mowbray and Jemima Wrigley kept working hard, but it was one of those days for the Power and they weren’t able to match it with the Wolves. But another home game this week gives them the opportunity to put things right; and they’ll be throwing everything at turning their fortunes around this time round.
Macquarie Uni also were unable to find their first win last week, when they went down to the ladder-leading East Coast by 40 points. The Warriors found willing workers in Doireann Hogan and Lauren Hamilton-Smith; but lacked the firepower to challenge the Eagles. But this time, the hard workers will find reward for effort; and it’s time to put in the effort and get that breakthrough win on the board.
With both teams looking for their first win; it’s time to step up, stand and deliver. Both teams have had their struggles so far this season, but that first win can kick-start the season and deliver the momentum that can carry the team for the next few weeks. But for the loser, it’ll be an uphill battle to work their way back into finals contention. It’s now or never, and now is the time to make it happen.
East Coast Eagles v North Shore Bombers
Kanebridge Oval, Saturday 5:00pm
Two teams that have started the 2022 season in impressive form will face off in an evening clash at Kanebridge as East Coast Eagles play host to North Shore. You can catch all the action live on Kayo Sports and the AFL Sydney Facebook page.
The Eagles, in their quest for the premiership that was denied them when last year was cut short, have taken all before them so far this year. Last week was no exception, as they put in a dominant performance to get over Macquarie Uni by 40 points. The Eagles were finding winners all round the ground, with Rylee McGartland finding another four goals while young Erin Naden made an emphatic statement with a best-on-ground performance to earn herself a Rising Star nomination. With the form the Eagles have been in so far this season, it’s going to take something special to knock them off.
The Bombers are 2-1 this season, and go into this game with some positive form on the board after a comfortable 35-point win over Sydney Uni last week. Zoe Hurrell showed the form that’s seen her pick up a Swans contract with a best-on-ground performance, while Alannah Green also put in an impressive performance. The Bombers have plenty of confidence behind them, and they’re ready for this test.
The Eagles have been a dominant force in women’s footy since joining Premier Division; and haven’t put a foot wrong so far this year. But this will be a test for them, as a resurgent North Shore side are coming with high hopes of pulling off the upset. It’s a challenge for the Bombers, but they’re up for it.
