AFL Sydney Premier Division Men’s & Women’s- Round 11 Preview
Written by Michael Shillito
The sun shines on Sydney footy as another weekend of red-hot action unfolds before us. In both the Men’s and Women’s competitions, it’s a very tight battle to make the five, and for positions within the five.
In the Men’s comp, there’s eight rounds to go; but only North Shore will be playing in all the remaining rounds. While ladder leaders UNSW-ES have the bye this week, there’ll be some fierce lobbying for positions beneath them.
There’s six rounds remaining in the Women’s comp, and for the finals contenders, there’s no room for a slip-up. This finals race is going to go down to the wire.
MENS PREMIER DIVISION
Sydney University v Inner West Magpies
Sydney Uni No 1 Oval, Saturday 2:00pm
It’ll be an Inner West derby full of passion and determination as the Students play host to the Magpies. Both go into this game with winning form on the board on the back of four-game winning streaks, and with both teams well and truly in finals contention, the four points are extremely valuable this week.
The Students’ four-game winning streak was capped off in style last week, as they dominated from start to finish against UTS. Holding the Bats goal-less, it was one-way traffic at the No 1 Oval as the Students scored at will to record an easy 108-point win. Izaac Hughes spearheaded the charge with a five-goal haul, while Jack Dimery was in imposing form around the ground. The Students have been in dominant form in the last few weeks, and it’ll take something special to stop them.
Inner West Magpies have also propelled their way to a four-game winning streak, moving up the ladder to third place; one win plus plenty of percentage behind the Students. Last week at Mike Kenny Oval, they had to hang on for dear life in the final stages, as their 28-point three quarter time lead was cut to just six points when the final siren sounded. But the Magpies, well led by Daniel O’Connell and Luke Jamieson, were able to hold the Demons out to extend their winning run. It was another impressive scalp for the Magpies, and this week is a challenge they’ll relish getting stuck into.
The two sides faced off at Picken Oval in round four, with the game ending in a thrilling draw. It’s the latest episode of quite a few close games between these sides in recent weeks. With so much on the line this time round, expect to see another tightly-contested tussle with no quarter asked or given. The Students can open up a gap between second and third should they get up here, and send the Magpies into the chasing pack. But a Magpie victory would see them draw level with the Students in equal second.
St George Dragons v East Coast Eagles
Olds Park, Saturday 2:10pm
They’ve fought out some tight battles in the past, and there’s plenty on the line at Olds Park on Saturday afternoon as the Dragons take on the Eagles.
The Dragons go into this game with winning form on the board, recording a 49-point win over Manly at Weldon last week. Tye Gander will be a player to watch this week after a best-on-ground effort last time, while Tim Coenen has done the job for the Dragons consistently this season. The Dragons sit in fifth spot, and just need to keep the wins coming to keep themselves in position for the finals.
It’s been a tough season for the Eagles, who are yet to salute in 2022. Last week against UNSW-ES, they found themselves jumped at the start and never able to get into the contest, going down by 107 points. Baylee Jones and Scott Brown kept putting the efforts in, but the Eagles didn’t have the firepower to match it with the competition leaders. This time they hit the road to Olds Park, looking for the tonic that will turn their season around.
The previous meeting between the two clubs was in round five, and saw the Dragons record a convincing 111-point win over the Eagles at Kanebridge. With the home ground advantage against a winless opponent, the Dragons will be looking for a percentage booster in this match. But first they must win, and the Eagles will be desperate to ensure that doesn’t happen. If the Eagles drop this game, their mathematical finals chances are probably over.
UTS Bats v Pennant Hills Demons
Trumper Park, Saturday 2:30pm
It’ll be a battle for the ages at Trumper Park on Saturday afternoon, with two teams desperate to hit back facing off as UTS take on Pennant Hills. For those who can’t get to Trumper for this one, the next best thing will be to switch on to Kayo Sports or the AFL Sydney Facebook page, where you can catch all the action live.
The Bats will be desperate to hit back after a disappointing result at Sydney Uni No 1 last week, when they were unable to score a goal and went down by 108 points. Jack Calabro and Josh Lee kept putting in the effort for the Bats, but it wasn’t their day. It was a performance that fell short of their expectations, and they’ll have worked hard at training this week in an endeavour to put things right this week.
Pennant Hills are also looking to bounce back after falling short against Inner West Magpies at Mike Kenny last week. The Demons came storming home in the last quarter, cutting the margin from 28 points at the last change to just six at the final siren, but in the end it was too much ground to make up. Nick Eynaud and Connor Matthews starred for the Demons, and they’ll be looking to continue that form in another crunch game this week.
When the two teams met in round four, the Demons controlled proceedings to record a 23-point win. But this time the Bats are at home, and will be keen to take full advantage. They have to. With St George and North Shore playing the bottom two teams, and the Bats having a poor percentage, the Bats risk finding themselves two games plus plenty of percentage outside the five; and although it wouldn’t be impossible, it would be tough to make the finals from there. But the Demons, also working to regain their best touch, won’t be making it easy.
North Shore Bombers v Manly-Warringah Wolves
Gore Hill Oval, Saturday 2:50pm
The Battle of the Spit Bridge is always one to look forward to, and this will be an important clash at Gore Hill on Saturday afternoon.
North Shore return to action after a long haitus, with the long weekend and then the bye giving an extended break to get over any little niggles. Their last start was in round nine against UTS, when spearheaded by strong performances around the ground from Nick Brewer and a five-goal haul from Max Thomas, the Bombers easily accounted for UTS by 59 points. But now there’s a long run of games, a game in hand against their rivals on the ladder; and it’s time to build momentum to push their way towards the finals.
Last week Manly travelled to Olds Park and returned without the points after a 49-point defeat. Eight losses in a row for the Wolves sees them stuck in ninth place, and time is running out if they are to make a run for the finals. Nick Marsh and James Brain worked tirelessly for them last week, but it wasn’t enough to match it with the Dragons. There’s plenty of work for the Wolves to get done in this match-up.
The two sides met at Weldon in round two, and on that occasion the Bombers cruised to a comfortable 33-point win. But there’s no time for cruising for the Bombers in this clash. Although they have a game in hand, the Bombers are currently outside the five and need to get some wins on the board to be part of the finals action. And not just a win, but against an opponent that has only saluted once this season, a percentage boost is the aim here for the Bombers. But the Wolves have upset the Bombers before, and they’d love nothing more than to frustrate their local rivals. You can be sure the Wolves are primed for a big effort here.
WOMENS PREMIER DIVISION
UNSW-ES Bulldogs v Macquarie Uni Warriors
David Phillips South Oval, Saturday 12:20pm
A University derby kicks off the round at David Phillips, with the Bulldogs playing host to the Warriors. It’s desperation stakes, and there’s no second chances.
The Bulldogs had a tough game last start, travelling to Kanebridge to take on the ladder-leading East Coast. A 47-point loss leaves them precariously-placed in sixth, a win plus plenty of percentage behind fifth; and they’ll need to get the points here to stay in touch. Shelby Koh and Emily Conlan were outstanding fighters against the odds last week, and the Bulldogs will again be looking to them for strong contributions in this clash.
Macquarie Uni are even more precariously placed. A loss will officially end all mathematical finals chances. Last week they hosted North Shore, but were unable to match it with the Bombers and went down by 42 points. The Warriors received solid service from Hannah Cerezo and Abbie Lewis, but it wasn’t enough to put the Bombers under threat. The Warriors have shown some improvement this year and claimed a couple of scalps, but weren’t able to claim another one last week.
There wasn’t much in it when the two sides met in round five at Macquarie Uni, with the Bulldogs falling over the line by just seven points. The Warriors have shown some improvement as the season has progressed, and this will be a test for them. But the stakes are high for the Bulldogs. A loss here would be problematic for their finals hopes; it wouldn’t mathematically end their chances, but with a poor percentage it would leave them depending on other results to stay in touch with the likely finallists.
UTS Bats v Pennant Hills Demons
Trumper Park, Saturday 12:50pm
It’s the Last Chance Saloon shootout at Trumper Park when the Bats take on the Demons. Both have plenty of work to do to get into finals calculations. If you can’t get out to Trumper for this clash, you can catch the action online through Kayo Sports and the AFL Sydney Facebook page.
It was heartbreak for the Bats last week, as they went so close to upsetting Sydney Uni away, but went down by just three points. Ruby Harrison and Julia Georos were tireless for the Bats, as they created opportunities to pull off the boilover result but in the end fell just short. The result keeps the Bats in seventh place, two wins plus percentage out of the five; and there’s no second chances from here. They have to keep winning from here if they are to be part of the playoff action.
Pennant Hills are a long shot to get through to the playoffs, but kept themselves in contention at Mike Kenny Oval last week with their best performance of the year to date; snapping their losing streak in style with a 30-point win over Inner West. It was a win based around the outstanding efforts of Brianna-Lee Wade and Kaitlin Noble; and once the Demons got a sniff, they weren’t letting go. Now there will be confidence, a spring in their step; and the Demons will fancy their chances of pulling another four points in this clash.
It’s the second meeting between the two sides in 2022. In round four at Mike Kenny Oval, the Bats got up in a close one by seven points. With both clubs’ seasons on the line, there’s plenty to play for; and both sides will be showing plenty of determination and desperation. Expect to see a closely-contested battle of attrition in this one.
North Shore Bombers v Manly-Warringah Wolves
Gore Hill Oval, Saturday 1:10pm
Northern bragging rights are on the line at Gore Hill in a much-anticipated clash as the Bombers take on the Wolves. Both sides are on a roll and are in the top five, but won’t be wanting to jeopardise their winning momentum against their local rival.
The Bombers go into this game on the back of a four-game winning streak, sitting in fifth place, a win behind Manly, Inner West and Sydney Uni but with a better percentage than the Magpies and the Students, who play each other this week. A win for the Bombers and they will advance a position up the ladder. Last week they were 42 points too strong for Macquarie Uni, spearheaded by strong efforts around the ground from Lucy Krimmer and Elle Carroll; and will be looking for them to back up their efforts this week.
Manly worked their way into second place last week, with the Wolves proving 56 points too good for the winless Southern Power. Kaitlin Manning spearheaded the charge on the forward line to finish with four goals, while Emily Goodsir put in her best performance since becoming a mum, picking up plenty of the ball around the ground. It was an impressive performance against a winless opponent; but the Wolves will be all too aware that this will be a tougher test for them.
North Shore have never beaten Manly at Premier Division level, but went so close in round two at Weldon as they led Manly for most of the afternoon before the Wolves pipped them at the post. If the Bombers can get up here, only percentage will separate these two clubs on the ladder. But a Manly win would set up a handy buffer and enhance the Wolves’ prospects of landing the double-chance in the finals. With so much on the line, expect a hard-fought and close battle in this game.
Southern Power v East Coast Eagles
Waratah Oval, Saturday 3:00pm
Last week’s loss ended any mathematical hopes of Southern Power taking part in this year’s finals. But with six rounds to go, the Power will be looking to make an impact on the season, and the opportunity is there as they host the ladder-leading East Coast at Waratah Oval on Saturday.
It’s been a tough season for the Power, and they were unable to match it against a red-hot Manly side last week, going down by 56 points. Jessica Whelan and Emily Eaves kept trying hard; but it’s been a season of struggle for the Power, and they were never in the hunt last week. This week they have another strong opponent, and there’s plenty of work to be done for the Power. Perseverance and contested every possession will need to be a theme this week.
The Eagles continued on their winning ways last week when they were 47 points too good for UNSW-ES at Kanebridge. An outstanding team going through their paces, the Eagles have lifted the bar this season, and showed no signs of slowing down as they dominated proceedings. Emma Scriven and Jade Swabey were the standouts; but as always, there were plenty of strong contributors around the ground.
The previous meeting between these two sides was in round five at Kanebridge, which saw the Eagles get up by 103 points. A clash of last v first, it’s hard to see the Eagles not being the strongest of favourites. But the Power can make a statement here with a competitive performance. In a tough season, they can’t let this one go without putting up a fight.
Sydney University v Inner West Magpies
Sydney Uni No 1 Oval, Saturday 5:00pm
There’s plenty on the line as the Students host the Magpies at Sydney Uni No 1 on Saturday evening. Both clubs have played some impressive footy this year, but this will be a true test for both as to where they are at against a potential finals rival.
Sydney Uni were given a scare last week against UTS, in a game of fluctuating fortunes. In the end, the Students got up by just three points. Bella Gray and Emma Gelsomino featured prominently for the Students. It wasn’t a totally convincing performance, but when the game was on the line they were able to get the job done. You’re not going to dominate every week, but the strong sides will find a way to win the close ones, and the Students were able to do that.
The Magpies hang on to third place, but it’s only their percentage that keeps them there after they were stunned by Pennant Hills at Mike Kenny last week. The Demons shocked the Magpies by 30 points, another loss in a game they would have expected to win. Madeline Convery and Jasmine Smith kept putting the effort in; but it was one of those days for the Magpies when they were unable to maintain the impressive standards they set for themselves.
The two clubs met in round four at Picken Oval, and on that occasion the Magpies got up by 49 points. But a lot has changed since then, and Sydney Uni have developed into a genuine contender for this season. In this match, for both clubs, the equation is simple. The winner will move a game ahead, and be in pole position for the double-chance in the finals. The loser will not.
