AFL Sydney Premier Division Men’s & Women’s- Round 13 Preview
Written by Michael Shillito
Sydney’s big wet played havoc with the footy last weekend. Last minute ground closures mean that both Premier Division ladders will be determined on match ratio. Two Men’s Premier Division matches and one Women’s Premier Division match were called off last week; and with the wet week we’ve just had, it remains to be seen if all grounds will be open on Saturday.
In Men’s Premier Division, UTS have the bye this week. It’ll be their second week off in a row after last week’s game was called off; and they’ll be watching and hoping the gap between them and the finals doesn’t blow out too much. While a full round is scheduled for Women’s Premier Division, as the finals race gets closer.
MENS PREMIER DIVISION
Sydney University v Manly-Warringah Wolves
Sydney Uni No 1 Oval, Saturday 12:05pm
After the bye last week, Sydney Uni return to the field to take on Manly. The ladder suggests it’s a game the Students should win, but the mudlark conditions are to the Wolves’ liking. The Wolves went so close to pulling off the upset of the season last week, and would love to claim a big scalp before the season is out.
The Students go into this match in third place, half a game behind North Shore. They remain ahead of the Magpies on percentage, despite the result in their last match when they went down to the Magpies by 15 points in round 11. Jack Dimery was outstanding around the ground and Matthew Vicic chipped in with four goals; but the Students were unable to grab the points in a high-scoring encounter. But to their advantage, they’ve had the week off; and the fresh legs will help them on what is likely to be a very heavy track at Sydney Uni No 1.
But Manly are not without a chance here. The Wolves took to Weldon like a duck to water when they hosted the ladder-leading UNSW-ES last week. It was a scrap in heavy conditions, and the Bulldogs were never able to shake off the persistent Wolves. And in the final quarter, the Wolves finished the stronger, throwing everything at the Bulldogs but falling an agonising seven points short. Kyle Martin and Hayden Washington were magnificent for the Wolves, as they threw everything at the Bulldogs in the final quarter and so nearly ran them down. It’ll be another heavy track this week, and another scrap; and that’s how the Wolves like it.
When the two sides met at Weldon Oval in round seven, the Students dominated proceedings to record a comfortable 68-point win. A look at the ladder suggests the Students are red-hot favourites this time round. But the Wolves, after troubling the ladder leaders last week, will come into this game fired up and ready to go. The Students can’t afford to take this game lightly.
UNSW-ES Bulldogs v St George Dragons
Henson Park, Saturday 2:00pm
Tune in LIVE and FREE on Kayo Sports CLICK HERE or via the AFL Sydney Facebook Page from 1:55pm this Saturday for the AFL Sydney Men’s Premier Division ‘Match of the Round’
UNSW-ES and St George face off at Henson Park in what will be a critical game for how the finals take shape. The Bulldogs can guarantee their place in this year’s finals, while the Dragons can enhance their playoff prospects if they can pull off the upset here. It’s an important match, and you can catch every kick live on Kayo Sports and the AFL Sydney Facebook page.
The Bulldogs travelled to Weldon to take on Manly in heavy conditions last week. Although they led at every change, they were given a scare in the final quarter as the Wolves lifted their intensity in the mud and went so close to running the Bulldogs down. Mitchell Conn and Tom Banuelos featured prominently for the Bulldogs as they hung on through a desperate final quarter. But when the game is in the balance, and things aren’t going their way; the quality sides find a way to win. And that’s what the Bulldogs did.
St George’s luck deserted them last week when the rains came down at Olds Park and the ground was closed. A game against UTS, although not without risk, is one they would have expected to win if they are genuine finals contenders. The Dragons remain in fifth place, but risk falling out of the five if they drop this one.
It was close when the two sides last met, with the Bulldogs falling over the line by just nine points at Gipps Road Oval. Expect another close tussle in this clash, on what won’t be the easiest surface to play on. The Dragons are fighting for their finals life, and will need to take the fight up to the Bulldogs. While the Bulldogs, if they win this one, can mathematically guarantee their finals participation.
Inner West Magpies v North Shore Bombers
Picken Oval, Saturday 2:10pm
Fourth plays second in a crucially important game at Picken Oval on Saturday afternoon as Inner West hosts North Shore in what will be a massive test for both sides.
While the Magpies missed out on their game last Saturday due to the inclement weather, they were leap-frogged on the ladder by North Shore. The Magpies have been the competition’s big improvers this year, with this weekends match critical for their march towards finals action.
North Shore rose to second last week, but they had to dig deep to get the win against Pennant Hills at Mike Kenny last week. The Bombers didn’t take the lead until the final minute of the third quarter, but managed to get the win by 14 points. Will Edwards and Jack Woodman were instrumental to the Bombers’ success. It wasn’t always pretty, but in tough conditions the Bombers found what it took to get the job done.
There wasn’t much in it when the two sides last met, back in round five; when North Shore got up by 11 points at Gore Hill. But this time they’re away from the all-weather synthetic and onto what will likely be a heavy surface at Picken Oval. This is the Magpies’ territory and their conditions, and they’ll be working hard to make it tough for the Bombers. If the Magpies can get the points this time round, they’ll go back ahead of North Shore and sit in pole position for the double-chance in the finals.
East Coast Eagles v Pennant Hills Demons
Kanebridge Oval, Saturday 2:30pm
It’ll be desperation stakes in a Hills derby to remember at Kanebridge Oval on Saturday afternoon as East Coast take on Pennant Hills; with both sides determined to turn their fortunes around in this clash.
East Coast’s game against the Magpies at Picken Oval last week was called off, keeping the Eagles winless. It’s been a tough season for the Eagles, and they won’t be playing finals. But they won’t want to go through the season without singing the song; and will be desperate to push through and claim a scalp before the year is out. And the scalp of one of their traditional rivals would be sweet indeed. But they’re going to have to dig deep to earn it.
Meanwhile Pennant Hills slumped to a four-game losing streak last Saturday at Mike Kenny Oval. Despite leading for most of the first three quarters, the Demons were run down by North Shore and went down by 14 points. Like Skrivanic and Will Mudge were determined warriors for the Demons, but it wasn’t enough to get the Demons over the line. Four losses on the trot sees the Demons fall out of the top five; and this game is the opportunity they need to take to turn their fortunes around and get the season back on track.
The two teams met at Mike Kenny in round six, and on that occasion the Demons saluted by a whopping 153 points. But that was when the Demons were flying high and contending for the competition leadership. Now it’s a struggle for the Demons, and they’ve fallen out of the top five. But it can often take one win to bring the form and confidence back. And this game is the opportunity to get the circuit-breaking result that can get the season back on track. This will be a desperate encounter on a heavy track, and the win is there to be taken by the team that will dig deep and fight hard for it.
WOMENS PREMIER DIVISION
Inner West Magpies v North Shore Bombers
Picken Oval, Saturday 10:20am
The round starts with a morning fixture at Picken Oval, a high-stakes clash between the Magpies and the Bombers. It’s fourth v fifth, and the loser will find themselves in a spot of bother so far as finals qualification is concerned.
The Magpies sit in fourth place, a game clear of the Bombers. But last week wasn’t a result that went their way, as they were never in the contest against East Coast and went down by 34.points. Things weren’t going their way, but Eleri Morris and Madeline Convery kept working hard all day, putting in the effort the Magpies will want to see more of this week.
North Shore are hanging on to a spot in the top five, and they will also be looking to hit back this week. Last week at Mike Kenny the Bombers were jumped at the start and were unable to come from behind, going down to Pennant Hills by 35 points. Dom Carruthers and Olivia Edwards battled tirelessly for the Bombers in tricky conditions; but the Bombers were unable to pull back the enormous quarter-time deficit. They’ll have to be switched on from the start this week.
The two sides met at Gore Hill in round seven, and it was no contest; as the Magpies dominated all evening to win by 56 points. But this has been a tough season, and both sides are on the brink. With the sixth-placed Bulldogs playing the bottom team, whoever loses this game will likely crash out of the five and the finals appearance that had looked likely for much of the season will be in doubt.
UNSW-ES Bulldogs v Southern Power
Henson Park, Saturday 12:20pm
Tune in LIVE and FREE on Kayo Sports CLICK HERE or via the AFL Sydney Facebook Page from 12:15pm this Saturday for the AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division ‘Match of the Round’
UNSW-ES have been given an opportunity to hit back, and to make a run for the finals. But to take advantage of what has come their way, they will need to get past a Southern Power side that will be desperate to salvage something from the season. The match will be streamed live on Kayo Sports and the AFL Sydney Facebook page, so even if you can’t get to Henson, you don’t have to miss a moment of the action.
Last week was a shocker for the Bulldogs, as they travelled to Weldon Oval to take on Manly and were unable to trouble the scorers as they went down by 44 points. Gabrielle Anthony and Matilda Friend battled gamely, but it wasn’t the Bulldogs’ day. But other results last weekend went their way; and with the Magpies and the Bombers playing each other, the Bulldogs have the opportunity to enter the top five this week if they can get past Southern Power.
Torrential rain in the Shire last week saw Waratah Oval closed at the last minute, and the Power didn’t get to play their game against UTS. It was unfortunate for the Power, who remain winless in 2022. This season has been a challenge for the Power; but in these closing stages of the season, they’ll be looking to develop the Shire’s outstanding talent and lay the foundations for future success.
The two sides last met in round seven at Blacktown, and the Bulldogs on that occasion took out a 27-point win. This time they have something big to play for, and they’ll be going all-out to capitalise on the opportunity that has come their way. But the Power also have plenty to play for. They won’t want to finish this season empty-handed, and this is a clash where they’ll be looking to rise to the occasion.
UTS Bats v Macquarie Uni Warriors
Blacktown International Sports Park- Oval 2, Saturday 2:20pm
Time is running out for the Bats if they are to take part in this year’s finals; and there’s no room for anything but a big win when they host Macquarie Uni at Waverley Oval on Saturday afternoon.
The Bats copped an unlucky break last week when Waratah Oval was closed and they missed out on their clash against the winless Southern Power. It’s a game the Bats would have pencilled in as a likely percentage-boosting win; and had they been able to play and win, they would have drawn level with North Shore and UNSW-ES on the ladder and well and truly in the finals mix. It was an opportunity taken from them, but the Bats will need to put that behind them and keep pushing every week. They’re not out of the finals race yet.
The Warriors won’t be playing finals this season, but they’ll be keen to finish on a strong note. Last week at Blacktown they were unable to get past Sydney Uni and went down by 31 points. Kristy Sutcliffe and Katie Fogarty kept putting the effort in, but it wasn’t enough to get the Warriors up against one of this season’s top teams. The Warriors have shown steady improvement as the season has progressed, setting themselves up for success in future seasons. But they’d love to claim another scalp before this season is out.
The two sides faced off in round seven at Rosedale; and the Bats got up by 11 points in a low-scoring slog. On what is likely to be a heavy track, this will likely be another tight game where goals will be hard to get. But the Bats will need to find enough of them to get past the Warriors. If they don’t, their finals hopes will be on the ropes.
Sydney University v Manly-Warringah Wolves
Sydney Uni No 1 Oval, Saturday 2:40pm
It’s a high-stakes clash at Sydney Uni No 1 when the Students take on the Wolves. Second place will be on the line, and the winner will mathematically guarantee their finals spot and will be in pole position to take the double-chance in the playoffs.
The Wolves are on a roll. Last week they took on UNSW-ES at Weldon Oval and dominated all the way, holding the Bulldogs scoreless to take out a 44-point win. The result, spearheaded by dominant performances around the ground from Kaitlyn Manning and Caitlin Johnson, keeps the Wolves in second place, a five-game winning streak under their belt and flying high.
It’s been a great season for Sydney Uni, and the Students continued their impressive run of form last week when they held Macquarie Uni to a single goal on their way to a 31-point win. Maryanne Harley and Rayanne Kenny led the way for the Students, but it was a solid team effort that got the job done. The Students sit in third place, behind the Wolves only on percentage; and have the opportunity to move ahead of the Wolves if they can get it done in this clash.
In round seven at Weldon Oval, when these two sides last played off, Sydney Uni got up by four points in a thriller. You can expect another close encounter this time; with the winner to gain a key psychological edge on a potential finals rival, as well as the probability of avoiding sudden death in the first week of finals. There’s so much to play for, so neither team will want to give their opponent a sniff.
East Coast Eagles v Pennant Hills Demons
Kanebridge Oval, Saturday 5:00pm
The Hills will be alive with the sound of football as East Coast host Pennant Hills under lights at Kanebridge. The Eagles have carried all before them, but this week they’ll be taking on an opponent on the way up.
The Eagles have barely put a foot wrong all season. Their only loss was against Inner West, but in the return clash last week at Picken Oval it was one-way traffic as the Eagles took out a comfortable 34-point win. Jade Swabey and Maddi Finch were the best of them, but the Eagles had match-winners all round the ground. Two games plus percentage clear on top of the ladder, only a spectacular calamity would cost them the minor premiership from here.
Pennant Hills go into this game on a high, after their best game of the season last week. At Mike Kenny Oval against North Shore, the Demons raced out of the blocks to lead by 27 points at the first change; and went on with the job to complete a 35-point win. Four goals from Brianna-Lee Wade and a stellar performance from Ella Morris paved the way for the Demons; as they put their losing streak behind them and finally showed the form they had worked to build throughout this season.
It will be a slog on a heavy track on Saturday evening. This won’t be a game for the faint-hearted. The Demons can still mathematically make the finals, but they’ll need to pull off the upset; and you can expect they’ll throw everything at this. The Eagles will go into this contest as favourites, but they can’t afford to drop their guard here.
