AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division – Week 2 Finals Preview

Written by Michael Shillitto

 

Finals are in the air as we move into another big weekend of footy.

For our Women, just four teams remain; and a Sunday double header at Henson Park. East Coast and Manly will be playing off for a Grand Final spot this weekend, while Sydney Uni and North Shore face off in a contest which only one team will survive.

 

WOMENS PREMIER DIVISION

 

Major Semi-Final

East Coast Eagles v Manly-Warringah Wolves

Henson Park, Sunday 12:30pm

Minor premiers East Coast Eagles enter the finals series for the first time as they take on an in-form Manly side in the first game of the Henson Park double-header. The winner will go straight into the Grand Final, while the loser will get another shot next week. If you can’t get to Henson Park for this, you can catch all the action live on Kayo Sports and the AFL Sydney Facebook page.

East Coast had last week off, their reward for finishing top of the ladder after the regular season. The Eagles only dropped three games during the home and away season, but worryingly for them two of those defeats were in the last two rounds. Their last start, back in round 16, saw them go down to Sydney Uni by 16 points. Maddi Finch and Abbey Martin worked hard for the Eagles; but their form suffered a hiccup on the eve of the finals with the two-game losing streak. But the break has given them a week to rest, to regroup and get their form back on track.

Meanwhile, Manly go into this game high on form and confidence. Winning their last three games of the regular season ensured the double-chance. And in last Saturday’s Qualifying Final, they got off to a flyer against Sydney Uni and were never threatened. Four unanswered goals in the opening term put the game out of Sydney Uni’s reach, and the defence took over to hold the Students goal-less for the day. Kahli Gilchrist and Hannah Woolf were unstoppable for Manly; and if they can replicate that form this week, the Wolves will be well on their way.

The two clubs met twice during the regular season. In round one at Gore Hill, the Eagles started their season strongly with a 30-point win. But the tables were turned in round 17, with the Wolves getting the job done by 37 points at Weldon Oval. Now we’re into the business end, with a spot in Sydney footy’s biggest game on the line. Both teams have plenty of star power, and are capable of putting up a stirring contest. With a Grand Final appearance in sight, there’s everything to play for here. Expect a tightly-contested battle as the cream of the competition looks to rise to the top.

 

Minor Semi-Final

Sydney University v North Shore Bombers

Henson Park, Sunday 2:30pm

The second game of our double-header at Henson Park puts the Students up against the Bombers. Only one club will remain after this clash, while the loser’s season will come to an end. The stakes are high, and the contest will be fierce.

Sydney Uni had made a great run through the regular season to get to third place, but were jumped at the start by Manly in last week’s Qualifying Final and were unable to score a goal. Mikayla Sheahan and Saskia Johnson tried hard, but the Students were never able to work their way back into the contest. But the advantage of getting the double-chance is that their season was not over. They get another opportunity, a chance to put things right and get themselves into the Preliminary Final. But they need to regroup, and get back to the form they know they have in them.

North Shore got themselves here in style last week, when they blew Inner West away at the start of the Elimination Final. The game was won by half time before the Bombers were able to conserve their energy and still win by 21 points. Kate Reynolds and Kim Batley were simply outstanding for the Bombers. The Bombers’ season has had its ups and downs, but they’ve hit some good form in recent weeks, and after last week’s comfortable win they’ll go into this game with the confidence and form to do some damage and are ready to press through to the Preliminary Final.

The only clash between these two sides during the home and away season was in round three at Gore Hill, and saw North Shore get up by 35 points. That was before Sydney Uni began their run of form that propelled them to the double-chance. But now they meet again on neutral territory on level terms. Both clubs have worked hard to get this far. But neither has come this far to only come this far. There’s a playoff for a Grand Final spot up for grabs; but it’s a prize that only one of these teams can play for. For the loser, the year is over.