AFL Sydney Men’s and Women’s Premier Division- Finals Preview
Written by Michael Shillito
For our Women’s Premier Division, Grand Final Day has arrived! On Sunday, the 2022 premiership is on the line. For the Wolves and the Eagles, the moment of destiny is here. The chance to write their name in the history book. To hold aloft the cup, wearing the premiership medal around their necks; this is the moment that all players aspire to, but so many will never achieve.
It’s all part of a Super Sunday at Henson Park. We also have both Men’s Premier Division Semi-Finals. The Bulldogs and the Bombers will be playing off for a spot in the Grand Final, while the Students and the Dragons are locked in sudden-death combat.
Henson Park is the place to be on Sunday. But if you can’t get there, never fear. All the action will be streamed live on Kayo Sports and the AFL Sydney Facebook page; so wherever in the world you are, you don’t have to miss a moment as history is created.
Don’t forget, you’ll need a ticket to get in to this – so don’t delay. Jump online now and ensure you’ll be a part of a massive day of football action.
WOMENS PREMIER DIVISION
GRAND FINAL
Manly-Warringah Wolves v East Coast Eagles
Henson Park, Sunday 1:50pm
It’s remarkable to think that as recently as 2018, neither of these clubs were in Premier Division. But there’s no doubt that they have made an immediate impact since they’ve been a part of this division. In 2019, in their first season, East Coast made the Grand Final and only missed out on the ultimate prize by a kick. Then in Manly’s debut season in 2020, they went one better and took out the premiership.
Both clubs assembled an impressive array of talent, and have put their resources into developing plenty more. And even though their Giants and Swans listed players won’t be playing in this Grand Final, there’s no shortage of impressive players who will.
Through the 2022 season, these clubs have been the standouts. The Eagles raced to the competition lead and were the front-runners throughout the season, winning 13 out of 16 games in the regular season. It took the Wolves a bit longer to breakaway from the pack of chasing teams, but they finished second after the regular season with 12 wins.
Finishing second, Manly had to get through the Qualifying Final, but this was achieved with a minimum of fuss as they held Sydney Uni goal-less to take out a 33-point win. The Wolves were on a roll, and they continued that impressive form in the Major Semi-Final as they defeated the Eagles by 20 points. Jacqueline Green and Andrea Roditis were particularly impressive for the Wolves, as they made their way first to the Grand Final; showing the form they’ll need to replicate if the Wolves are to achieve the ultimate glory.
To get a winning score on the board, the Wolves will be looking for Isabella Rudolph and Kaitlyn Manning to add to the 29 and 26 goals respectively they have landed this season to date; and a big contribution from Caitlin Johnson, who had featured among their top players 10 times already this season.
That Major Semi-Final was the Eagles’ third loss in a row, and meant they had to face off against Sydney Uni in last week’s Preliminary Final. But, under pressure, the Eagles hit back in the only way that counts, lifting their workrate and working their way to a 15-point win over Sydney Uni to ensure they would be a part of this match. Renee Tomkins and Emily Hurley stood up and were counted for the Eagles as they snapped their losing streak and returned to the form they had shown earlier in the year.
If the Eagles are to prevail here, they’ll be looking to Rylee McGartland, the competition’s leading goal-kicker, to add to her 45 majors to date. Also keep an eye on Bryany Parker and Chloe Arndt, who have been consistent performers throughout the season, appearing on the Eagles’ best player list nine and eight times respectively.
This will be the fourth meeting between the two clubs in 2022. The season opener at Gore Hill resulted in a 30-point win to the Eagles. But the Wolves reversed that result with a 37-point win at Weldon Oval in round 15; and repeated the dose with a 33-point win in the Major Semi-Final.
Now it comes down to this one game. Dreams will come true, and hearts will be broken. Will the Manly women repeat what their men achieved in 2013-14 and win the first two premierships on offer in Premier Division? Or will the Eagles break through for their first premiership at this level? You can’t help thinking this is going to be extremely close, and will be in the balance until the final moments.
MENS PREMIER DIVISION
Major Semi-Final
UNSW-ES Bulldogs v North Shore Bombers
Henson Park, Sunday 11:20am
A spot in this year’s Grand Final is on the line in an early start at Henson Park on Sunday, as minor premiers UNSW-ES take on North Shore. With the quality of footy both clubs have put on so far this season, this should be a hotly-anticipated clash; and with a spot in the Grand Final up for grabs, the stakes are high.
The Bulldogs have been the runaway leader throughout the home and away season, and the minor premiership was theirs with weeks to spare. But there was no let-up from the relentless football they played to get to that imposing position. The Bulldogs have enjoyed a week off as a reward for finishing top. In the last round of the regular season they showed their class with a comprehensive demolition job on East Coast, holding the Eagles to a single goal to win by a whopping 162 points. Brandon Jack and Mitch Conn were the standouts; but there were many Bulldogs who stepped up and ensured the club would power their way to a runaway win, maintaining their form as they moved into the finals.
North Shore have also enjoyed a successful season, finishing second after the regular season. And in last Saturday’s Qualifying Final, the Bombers dispelled any fears of getting the job done in finals when they reversed their round-18 result and blew Sydney Uni away as they powered their way to a 75-point win. Christian Loone and Jordan Law were in peak form for the Bombers, and they’ll be looking to replicate that form in this critical clash.
The teams have split their meetings so far this year. In round six at Henson Park, the Bulldogs ran away in the last quarter to complete a 57-point win. But the Bombers turned the tables in round 17 at Gore Hill, getting over the line by a point. Now a spot in the Grand Final is on the line. Both clubs have winning form on the board and are ready to rumble. This game has all the ingredients of a cracker; and it all comes down to who turns on their best football in those critical moments when the game is there to be won.
Minor Semi-Final
Sydney University Students v St George Dragons
Henson Park, Sunday 4:05pm
A twilight encounter on Sunday at Henson Park puts the Students up against the Dragons in the Minor Semi-Final. It’s a sudden-death battle, and only one of these teams will remain alive in the quest for the 2022 premiership while the loser will move to Mad Monday.
It’s not where Sydney Uni wanted to be as they took to the field last Saturday in the Qualifying Final against North Shore. But the Students were unable to produce their best football on the day, and were never in the contest against a red-hot North Shore side, going down by 75 points. Peter Spurling and Sam Gilfedder kept working hard; but the Students found themselves under pressure. But, finishing in the top three, they get another chance. Another opportunity to put things right, and to make their way to the Preliminary Final.
St George got here with a 33-point win over Inner West Magpies in last Sunday’s Elimination Final. It took till the second quarter for the Dragons to get on top, but once they had asserted themselves, a dominant third quarter put the game out of the Magpies’ reach. Matt Saunders and Connor Flanagan were in impressive form for the Dragons, and if they can turn that form on this week, the Dragons will be well on their way.
Both clubs have tasted victory against their opponent this season. In round two, the Students got up by 39 points at Gore Hill Oval. But in the return game at Olds Park in round 17, the Dragons got on top of the Students to take out an 18-point win. We’re playing with a yellow ball; and as the sun sets behind the King George V Memorial Grandstand, it will only rise on Monday morning for one team. There is no tomorrow. You can expect to see plenty of desperation and some tight defending in this clash.
