AFL Sydney Premier Division Men’s & Women’s- Round 9 Preview
Written by Michael Shillito
May has turned into June, winter is here; and this weekend brings the home and away season to the half-way mark. And there’s some pivotal games to be played this weekend, with the battle to get into the top five, and for positions within the top five, heats up.
MENS PREMIER DIVISION
East Coast Eagles v Sydney University
Kanebridge Oval, Saturday 2:00pm
It’s a blue and gold derby of former NEAFL participants at Kanebridge Oval as the Eagles play host to the Students in a must-win game for both clubs.
The Eagles are yet to sing the song in 2022, but got off to a flyer against UTS last week and for much of the afternoon were within striking distance. But in the end the Eagles were unable to match it with the Bats for four quarters, going down by 39 points. But the Eagles did show some positive signs; particularly the form of Daniel Gauci who worked his way to a Rising Star nomination, and Jacob Jones. The Eagles will be looking for more hard work from them this week. In a season where little has gone right, the task will be to find the green shoots of life and turn them into positives. If they do that, the breakthrough win is not far away.
Sydney Uni moved up to third last week, coming from 17 points down at the long break to record a 12-point win over UNSW-ES in a cracking contest at Sydney Uni No 1. Look for Nick Lees and Louis Wilson as they look to carry on with the impressive form they showed in the Students’ comeback last week. A few weeks ago the Students were looking a bit shaky, but they’ve hit some form and are once again showing they will be premiership contenders this season.
The Students will go into this game as the hottest of favourites; and need this win to maintain third place going into the mid-season break. But the Eagles won’t be making it easy. If they can contest every possession and frustrate the Students’ top game, they can make this one closer than a lot of people are expecting.
Inner West Magpies v St George Dragons
W H Wagener Oval, Saturday 2:10pm
It’s a trip back to the past as the Magpies return to their old home ground at Wagener Oval for a clash against St George; in a game that could prove crucial to how the final five shapes up. It’s a crunch game, and will be streamed live on Kayo Sports and AFL Sydney’s Facebook page; so the Magpie and Dragon faithful around the globe don’t have to miss a moment of the action.
Inner West Magpies go into this game rested and refreshed after last week’s bye, and are ready to make an impact. Their last start was against East Coast in round seven, which resulted in a comprehensive 86-point win. Brandon Lagana and Brendan Myers were standouts for the Magpies that day; and play key roles in a team that is building nicely into a finals contender.
St George also go into this game on a high after getting up in a thriller against North Shore at Olds Park last week. After the Bomber hit the front just before half time, the Dragons kicked away in the third and held on for dear life in the closing stages as the Bombers came storming home. But the Dragons were able to hold them out, moving ahead of the Bombers on the ladder and gaining an edge against a key rival for a finals berth. The Dragons were well served by the efforts of Kye Pfrengle and Nelson Carey, and will be looking for another big effort from them this week.
The Dragons are on a high after claiming the scalp of North Shore to move up to fourth on the ladder. But it’s a very congested field behind them, and the Dragons can’t afford a slip-up here. But the Magpies are rested and waiting for this challenge; and although in seventh place are only half a game behind the three teams ahead of them and with a better percentage than North Shore and UTS, who play each other this round. If the Magpies get up here, they will move into the top five at the half-way point.
North Shore Bombers v UTS Bats
Gore Hill Oval, Saturday 3:20pm
The stakes are high on the synthetic at Gore Hill on Saturday afternoon as the Bombers take on the Bats. Both teams are sitting mid-table, but could potentially go higher.
North Shore fell to their third loss of the season last week at Olds Park, when they went down in a thriller to St George by seven points. Despite finishing strongly, the Dragons had built up too much of a buffer for the Bombers to run them down. Jack Campbell and Josh Rayner were prominent performers for the Bombers, keeping them in the contest; but in the end it wasn’t enough to get the points. The Bombers hang on in the top five, but are far from the imposing presence we’ve seen in recent seasons.
UTS are level on games with the Bombers, only outside the top five on percentage. They got there last week when they overcame a slow start to get over East Coast by 39 points. Zach Galit and Michael Hart were the standout performers for the Bats, but when the game was in the balance they were able to find a way to get it done. The Bats have had up-and-down form this season, but are keeping themselves in finals calculations; and if they can claim the scalp of the Bombers on the road, they’ll be well and truly in contention.
The bottom line for this clash is simple. The winner will be in the top five as we go into the mid-season break. The loser will not. For both teams, they’ve been able to get some wins but have dropped games they wouldn’t have expected to. But, when looking at the talent on the lists, you can’t help thinking both teams still have some tricks up their sleeve. Now is the time they’ll be looking to play them.
UNSW-ES Bulldogs v Pennant Hills Demons
Henson Park, Sunday 3:45pm
A Sunday afternoon clash completes the round, and it’s one that promises plenty as our top two teams face off; a mouth-watering clash between the Bulldogs and the Demons. And if you can’t get out to Henson, never fear; the match will be streamed live on Kayo Sports and AFL Sydney’s Facebook page, so you can still catch the action as it unfolds.
UNSW-ES remain the top side on the ladder, but last week they tasted defeat for the first time this season when they let a 17-point half time lead slip to go down to Sydney Uni by 12 points. Max Ries and Jasper Hardy worked hard all day, but it wasn’t enough to get the Bulldogs over the line. After the shock of defeat, the test is how well they can hit back; and it will be a test, as again the Bulldogs are up against a quality opponent.
Only one spot behind the Bulldogs is Pennant Hills. The Demons bounced back in style last week, dominating from start to finish to record an easy 93-point win over Manly at Mike Kenny Oval. Spearheaded by a five-goal haul from Matt “King” Carey, ably assisted by Harry Elbourne, the Demons had winners all over the ground. They’re a hard team to beat when they hit their best form, and you can be sure they’ll give the Bulldogs a run for their money in this clash.
It’s rare for a team to complete a season undefeated, and last week ensured it won’t happen this season. But the Bulldogs have to hit back this week. They’ll be determined and fired up; but they’re up against a Pennant Hills side that showed some great form last week. The Demons would need to win by about three goals to overtake the Bulldogs’ percentage and take top spot; and if the Demons get on a roll, live percentage calculations will become relevant.
WOMENS PREMIER DIVISION
East Coast Eagles v Sydney University
Kanebridge Oval, Saturday 12:20pm
The round kicks off with a mouth-watering clash between first and third as East Coast host Sydney Uni at Kanebridge.
Last week the Eagles bounced back to the winning list, leading from start to finish to complete a 29-point win over UTS. The Eagles were well-led by Bailee Hourigan and Jade Swabey; but it was a solid team effort that got the Eagles’ mojo back as they returned to winning form and maintained top spot on the ladder. They have a challenging opponent this week, who will take it up to them; but the Eagles will be relishing this challenge.
Sydney Uni have hit some impressive form in recent weeks, and extended their winning streak to four on the trot at Sydney Uni No 1 last week when they held UNSW-ES to a single goal to run out 49-point winners. Lucy Gilfedder and Maryanne Harley were in the thick of the action, as the Students’ juggernaut rolled on. They’ve worked up an impressive run of form in recent weeks; but this is the true test.
The top team on their home ground is always an imposing prospect; but the Students, on the back of a four-game winning streak, are ready to take this on. Both teams are ready for this, and this game has all the ingredients to be a cracker. For the winner is four points, and also a key psychological edge should the two sides meet again at the business end of the season. This is one that the Eagles and Students faithful won’t want to miss.
Inner West Magpies v Southern Power
W H Wagener Oval, Saturday 5:00pm
Wagener Oval lights up on Saturday for a clash between two teams that have a point to prove as the Magpies take on the Power. You can catch all the action live on Kayo Sports and on AFL Sydney’s Facebook page.
It was back to Earth with a thud for the Magpies last week. After the high of their win over East Coast, the Magpies were handed a reality check when they were held to a single point and went down to Macquarie Uni by 50 points. It was a shock for the Magpies, who struggled to get going against a determined opponent who had come to play. But they’re a better side than they showed last week, and will be looking for some double-barrelled shots from the likes of Berry Fox-Quinn and Amelia Causley-Todd, who kept working hard last week when so much wasn’t going the Magpies’ way.
Southern Power have yet to sing the song in 2022, and had another week to forget last week, when they were held scoreless by North Shore to go down by 73 points. Laura Kent and Tiana Marie kept putting in the effort, but it was one of those days for the Power when nothing was going right; and they were unable to work their way back into the contest. But there’s too much in this lineup to get that badly beaten again; and with some hard work and preparation of the game plan, they have the potential to be far more competitive.
The Magpies are looking to bounce back from a shocker, while the Power also have a point to prove after their heavy loss last week. Only one can emerge with the points, but neither can afford to get that badly beaten again this week. Expect to see plenty of scrapping and desperation. There’s hard work to be done.
North Shore Bombers v UTS Bats
Gore Hill Oval, Saturday 5:40pm
A big clash under lights is promised when the Bombers and the Bats face off. Similar to the Mens, only percentage separates these two teams; and the winner will be in the top five at the half-way point of the season, while the loser will now.
North Shore re-entered the top five last week, doing it in style at Blacktown when their defence was impenetrable, holding Southern Power scoreless to run out 73-point winners. Lucy Forrest picked up myriad possessions around the ground, while Tilly Eder spearheaded the charge with a six-goal haul. When the Bombers can get their game going like they did last Saturday, they’re a hard side to get on top of; and they’ll be keen to continue the momentum they built up in that clash and put that form against a potential finals rival.
The Bats will be looking to bounce back, after being unlucky to cop East Coast on the rebound last week. The Bats kept working hard, but went down by 29 points; despite the tireless efforts of Edwina Ross and Taylah Canobie. But the Bats still have a 4-4 record, and have proved themselves capable of matching it with stronger sides.
On paper, not much separates these teams. Both have the same win-loss record, both on their day have upset higher-ranked teams. This one could well go down to the wire, and could potentially be decisive in determining who this year’s finallists are.
Macquarie Uni Warriors v Manly-Warringah Wolves
Macquarie Uni Oval, Saturday 5:40pm
Are the Warriors back? Last week they claimed their biggest scalp for a few years; but to re-establish themselves as a force, the crucial test is whether they can back up a strong performance with another one. Under lights at Macquarie Uni Oval, this is a game of much importance for the Warriors.
Last week they travelled to Wagener to take on the Magpies. Despite going into the game with just one win, against an opponent who had just one loss, it was one-way traffic, with the Warriors in complete control of the game from start to finish to win by 50 points; holding the Magpies to just one point. Caitlin Fletcher’s efforts were noticed and rewarded with a Rising Star nomination, while Abbie Lewis was also a prominent performer. It was the best performance the Warriors have put in for a couple of years, one that cheered the hearts of the long-suffering Warriors faithful.
Manly also go into this match with winning form under their belt, as they returned to their best form last week with a convincing 78-point win over Pennant Hills at Mike Kenny Oval. Isabella Rudolph led the way up forward with four goals, while Ash Carter featured prominently around the ground. The Wolves haven’t produced their best form every week, but when they’re on fire like they were last week, they’re hard to beat; and that’s the sort of momentum they’ll be looking to maintain in this clash.
The Warriors have pulled off a stunning upset, but to re-establish themselves as a contender they need to back that up with a credible performance in this match. Manly are a strong opponent and they’ll be hard to beat; but the Warriors will need to replicate the form they showed to upset the Magpies. If they can do that, another boilover can’t be ruled out.
UNSW-ES Bulldogs v Pennant Hills Demons
Henson Park, Sunday 2:10pm
It will be a quest for redemption at Henson Park on Sunday afternoon as the Bulldogs and the Demons face off; both needing a win to get their campaign back on track. You can catch this match live on Kayo Sports and AFL Sydney’s Facebook page, so even if you can’t get to Henson you won’t miss a thing.
UNSW-ES fell out of the top five last week when they were never in the hunt against a well-drilled Sydney Uni team and went down by 49 points. The Bulldogs received unrelenting service from Hayley Stanford and Lara Taggart; but in the end were only able to manage one goal. The loss saw the Bulldogs fall out of the top five, and they’ll be needing a win here to get back into the top half of the ladder by the half-way break.
Pennant Hills will also have a sense of urgency to hit back. Last week they lost their sixth game in a row, after being well beaten by Manly at Mike Kenny Oval. Kaitlin Noble and Eleanor Rugg worked hard, but it wasn’t enough to snap the losing streak. A season that promised much after two rounds hasn’t produced the results since then; and the Demons know they need to lift their work-rate to turn their fortunes around.
Both teams are looking to bounce back here. The Bulldogs need a win to re-enter the five. While the Demons’ plight needs to be quickly turned around after a run of performances below what they would be looking for. One of these teams will go into the half-way break confident they are getting their season back on track. But the other will know they have plenty more work to do in the second half of the season.
