AFL Sydney Men’s and Women’s Premier Division – Finals Preview

Written by Michael Shillito

 

The business end of the season is upon us. And after missing out on crowning the champions last year, it’s so great to be back to finals footy.

In the Men’s Premier Division, just five teams remain. The cream of the 2022 crop. And over the next four weeks we’ll lose one team every week until only the champion is the last team standing. UNSW-ES have this week off, their reward for finishing top; and by the time the sun goes down on Sunday we’ll be saying farewell to either the Dragons or the Magpies.

While we’re down to just three remaining teams in the Womens Premier Division. Manly are already through to the competition’s showcase game. And either East Coast or Sydney Uni will be joining them, while the loser of this Sunday’s game will be lamenting having got so close.

You won’t want to miss any of the action; so get online at Sydney, Australia Afl Sydney Events | Eventbrite and snap up your tickets for a big weekend of footy.

 

MENS PREMIER DIVISION

 

Qualifying Final

North Shore Bombers v Sydney University

Henson Park, Saturday 1:20pm

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Will this be the year that North Shore finally get it done in finals? Or will recent history repeat? Although Saturday’s Qualifying Final is not a sudden death encounter, there’s a lot riding on this game. It’s a game between two determined rivals that’s sure to have plenty of feeling and passion; and for anyone who can’t get to Henson on Saturday, it will be compulsory viewing on Kayo Sports and the AFL Sydney Facebook page.

Of course there were no finals last year, but in the last four years in a row before that, North Shore’s season has finished with back to back finals losses. It’s a recurring nightmare for the Bombers; and a monkey they’ll be determined to get off their back this week. And it won’t be easy against a team that broke their winning streak just last week. There was only a kick in it at three quarter time, but Sydney Uni finished the stronger to record a 29-point win. Young gun Nick Brewer and defender Jack Woodman were in the thick of the action for the Bombers, but it wasn’t enough to take the points last week.

Sydney Uni, with that win, will go into this game with plenty of confidence. They did it last week, and will fancy their chances of doing it again. With the experience of Jack Dimery and rising youngster Riley Fitzroy in impressive form last week, the Students have the firepower to trouble the Bombers. The Students had their battles during the season, but did enough to get through to the double-chance; and now they’ll be looking to make it count.

Last week’s win by Sydney Uni was their second win over the Bombers in 2022, after the Students got up by nine points at Gore Hill in round three. There doesn’t look to be much separating these two talented lineups; and it comes down to who shows up on the day ready to perform. Recent history favours the Students, but the Bombers have plenty of impressive players on their list and they’ll come into this with every chance to make it third time lucky.

 

Elimination Final

St George Dragons v Inner West Magpies

Henson Park, Sunday 1:10pm

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There’s no tomorrow for the Dragons and the Magpies as they face off at Henson Park on Sunday. The winner will live to fight next week against the loser of Saturday’s game; while the loser’s season will come to an abrupt end. With so much on the line, a thrilling encounter is to be expected; and for those who can’t get to Henson Park on Sunday afternoon, you can catch all the action live on Kayo Sports and the AFL Sydney Facebook page.

In a tight battle for the finals, St George’s playoff hopes came down to a clash against Pennant Hills at Mike Kenny last week. And on the day, the Dragons turned up and got the job done in style, extending their lead in every quarter to run out 31-point winners. Connor Flanagan and Ben Hodgson in particular stood up and were counted when it mattered; and that’s the sort of performance that the Dragons will again be relying on them to produce in this clash.

For the Magpies, this is their first finals appearance since 2014; and the vocal black and white faithful are sure to be at this game in numbers to celebrate the return to finals action. They’ll be seeing a Magpie lineup that goes into this game refreshed after last week’s bye, and in form after a 68-point win over UTS in their last start. It was a win spearheaded by the form of Lachlan Tiziani and Kel Evans; who have both played prominent roles in the Magpie revival of 2022.

The two sides have split their meetings so far this year. In round nine at Wagener Oval, the Magpies pulled off a 13-point win. But the tables were turned at Olds Park in round 14, with the Dragons getting up by 27 points. This time we’re on neutral territory; and having achieved so much already this year, neither side is ready to finish yet. Expect to see plenty of desperation between two sides who still have plenty to offer in 2022. This one should be close.

 

 

WOMENS PREMIER DIVISION

 

Preliminary Final

East Coast Eagles v Sydney University

Henson Park, Sunday 11:10am

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Last week Manly were first to qualify for next week’s Grand Final. While they rest and recuperate, they’ll be watching on with interest to see whether it is the Eagles or the Students who will join them in Sydney footy’s showpiece game.

There’s plenty on the line on Preliminary Final day. The best place to be to follow the action is at Henson Park. The next best place to be is watching the live stream on Kayo Sports or the AFL Sydney Facebook page.

For much of the year, East Coast were the front-runners; dominating the league as they romped to the minor premiership. But now they look shaky. Back to back losses in the last two rounds of the regular season; and in last week’s Major Semi-Final the losing streak stretched to three games when they went down to Manly by 20 points. Chloe Arndt and Madeleine Ferguson battled gamely all afternoon, but too many Eagles were well short of the form we know they can produce. But, as minor premiers, they get another shot at a Grand Final berth. But now they have to get it right. There’s no more chances.

Sydney Uni returned to form in last Sunday’s Minor Semi-Final. It was a low-scoring scrap, but one goal each quarter was enough to get the Students a 27-point win over North Shore and keep their season alive. Bella Gray and Jennifer Lew were outstanding, making the key plays when they mattered to keep Sydney Uni on top. There’s plenty of form and confidence in the Sydney Uni camp after that result, and they’re not willing to end their season just yet.

The two teams have met twice already this season. In round nine at Kanebridge, the Eagles prevailed by 11 points. But the Students reversed that result in round 16 with a 16-point win. Now the stakes couldn’t be higher. A season that has delivered so much, but at the moment is one win short of being a part of the big dance.

Both clubs have done so much in 2022. But they haven’t come this far to only come this far. There’s another big step to make; a big step that only one club will take. There’s no margin for error. This is going to be tight and tough.