AFL Sydney previews the 2023 Premier Division and Platinum Division Fixtures
Written by Sam Zikman (AFL Sydney)
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Men’s Premier Division
Here we go – less than a month and we are back at it!
All the hard work on the preseason training track is done, the ‘yo-yo test’ can be replaced with the gentle warm up run and the strength and conditioning coaches take a back seat to the line coaches. It just feels right to ditch the runners and put the boots back on!
The competition will consist of nine teams (unchanged from 2022) with Sydney University (10-5-1 in season 2022) having the extra two weeks to prepare for their season due to the Bye in Round 1, followed by the Easter weekend. No doubt the coaching staff at Uni will be asking the players to limit their chocolate intake over the Easter long weekend as they prepare to launch their season against the Pennant Hills Demons (8-8) at Mike Kenny Oval on Saturday, 15 April. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves and focus in on a cracking first round of action in the Men’s Premier Division.
In Round 1 (Saturday, 1 April) the match-ups don’t get much bigger than the ‘not so local rivals’ Pennant Hills Demon hosting the St George Dragons. The Dragons are fresh off an impressive 2022 finals campaign which saw the Dragons’ Premier Division team knock out the Inner West Magpies (8-6-1) and Sydney University prior to falling short against the North Shore Bombers (12-4) on Preliminary Final day. The Dragons have lost a few big names with Phelan Medalist Noah Casalini and Kye Pfrengle both heading to North Adelaide (SANFL), however, the side will be buoyed by a strong group of Reserves players (Premiers 2022) looking to cement a place in the Premier Division team this season. The Demons on the other hand come into 2023 set on redemption, and by all reports are burning up the pristine turf at Mike Kenny Oval in Cherrybrook – watch out for a fit and well drilled demon’s outfit led by second year head coach Ben Roberts. In a massive boost for the Demons, Phelan Medalist Stephen ‘Stringa’ Wray has been spotted at training and will once again pull on the jumper in 2023. Despite some excellent performances last season (defeating Sydney University twice) the Demons dropped the crucial Round 18 match to these same Dragons which ended their season in very unfamiliar circumstances – outside the top 5.
In other Round 1 matches East Coast commence their season with a home game at the Nest (Kanebridge Oval), against the Manly Warringah Wolves (3-13) who will be making the trip to the Hills hoping to kick start their 2023 season with a win (as they did in season 2022). Albeit, last year’s win came on the friendly confines of Weldon Oval in front of the Northern Beaches faithful, this season’s opener shapes as a great contest with the Eagles backing in their youth while the Wolves’ experience – which has been building for a few seasons – may be ready to launch in season 2023. This will be the AFL Sydney Match of the Round coverage led by the ‘Voice of AFL Sydney’ David Redden will be on hand at Kanebridge to call this match live on Kayo Sports (agreement renewed for season 2023 – more details to follow).
The Inner West Magpies, fresh off a much-deserved final appearance led by inspirational coach Ben Klemke, start the season with a massive challenge coming up against the back-to-back Premiers UNSW-ES Bulldogs (14-2) who themselves are led by master coach Darren Pfeiffer. The Magpies and Bulldogs will have plenty of new faces in 2023, with the Bulldogs continuing to boast one of the more impressive ‘footy factories’, no doubt several young guns will be showcased in season 2023 – keep an eye out for Colm Culligan who as an Under 19’s player impressed up forward in the Premier Division team last season. The Bulldogs will likely see less of Phelan Medalist Mitchell Conn who will apply his trade at VFL level in season 2023. The Magpies always swoop under the radar, and will no doubt have some handy recruits on show.
To close out the first round of AFL Sydney Men’s Premier Division action, the North Shore Bombers who themselves have lost some top end talent with Will Edwards being drafted by the Swans and Liam Puncher and Luke Giacometti moving over the Adelaide to join Sturt (SANFL) take on the UTS AFC Bats (5-10). Despite these movements the Bats won’t be taking the Bombers lightly when they clash at Gore Hill Oval. Nor should they as like UNSW-ES the Bombers have plenty of impressive younger players looking to move into the Premier Division squad both from the Reserves team and also the Willoughby and Mosman Junior clubs. The Bats have also had an impressive offseason with Kevin Dyson (ex-AFL player with Melbourne and Sydney, former UNSW-ES Under 19’s Coach and Swans Academy Coach) appointed as head coach. Dyson will have his team motivated and ready to push for finals in 2023.
Bring on Round 1 and the 2023 AFL Sydney Men’s Premier Division Season!!
Click here to view full fixture
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Women’s Premier Division
Next up we have the Women’s Premier Division Fixture release, and if Round 1 is anything to go by we have a fantastic season of footy ahead of us.
Before we get into the action, the Women’s Premier Division competition will look a little different in 2023 – The Inner West Magpies in consultation with the league have determined the club will not compete at Women’s Premier Division level in season 2023. The Magpies have reduced their women’s team nominations to one team, with Women’s Division One determined as the most appropriate competition for this team. The Inner West Magpies have a proud and successful history in Women’s Premier Division and are committed to rebuilding their women’s program during the 2023 season, with a return to the Premier Division Women’s competition in future seasons the clear aim of the club. As a result, the 2023 Women’s Premier Division competition will consist of nine teams, with all teams playing all other teams twice (home and away), along with having two byes.
In a historic first, the offseason alliance between the Parramatta Goannas (back-to-back Women’s Division One Premiers) and the Macquarie University Warriors (2-14 in season 2022) has been a new entity formed and a formidable one at that – Welcome the Macquarie University Goannas. The Goannas will field five women’s teams in season 2023, one team in each women’s competition across AFL Sydney making the new alliance the largest Women’s program in AFL Sydney, if not the country. The Mac Uni Goannas open their season at home against Sydney University (11-5), Uni was without doubt the biggest improver in season 2022 after moving into finals contention early and progressing through to a preliminary final before coming up short to eventual Premiers the East Coast Eagles (13-3). This match-up will set the tone for the competition, and provide a great line of sight for each team’s chances in season 2023.
Next up is the Grand Final rematch at Kanebridge between the reigning Premiers, East Coast Eagles, and the Manly Warringah Wolves (12-4), who will be out to ruin the Eagles’ flag unfurling. The Wolves have plenty of experience and have been hard at work preparing for season 2023 since before Christmas. However, it will be a tough challenge for anyone who faces the Eagles this season, especially with Ash Moeller rejoining as Head Coach, having spent the 2022 season on the GWS GIANTS AFLW coaching staff. Renee Tomkins led the Eagles to the flag last season and will be a perfect onfield leader for Moeller as they chase back to back premierships. As teased earlier, AFL Sydney Match of the Round coverage led by the ‘Voice of AFL Sydney’ David Redden will be on hand at Kanebridge to call this match live on Kayo Sports (agreement renewed for season 2023 – more details to follow).
The North Shore Bombers (9-7) and the UTS AFC Bats (9-7) kick off their seasons in a matchup of two teams who will be eyeing deep finals run. The Bombers proved too strong for the Inner West Magpies in the elimination final last season, before falling to Sydney University in the second week. The Bats on the other hand missed the finals on percentage, with Miguel Limson’s team forced to watch the finals as spectators. No doubt both those experiences will have these teams fired up to kick start their seasons with a win when they face off at Gore Hill Oval on the beautiful North Shore of Sydney – where else would you rather be on a Sunny Saturday in April!
In the final match up of Round 1, the Pennant Hills Demons (7-9) welcome Southern Power (1-15) to Mike Kenny Oval in Cherrybrook. The Demons were arguably one of the form teams in the second half of season 2022, they stormed home and proved they will be a finals contender this season. Southern Power on the other hand had a tough year off the back of several impressive seasons prior. The team from the Shire have plenty of talented local players and will be looking to rebuild via their youth. The Power of four points in Round 1 is massive for belief in playing groups, and this contest will be super important for both programs’ seasons.
Less than a month to go and season 2023 will be upon us, bring it on.
Click here to view full fixture
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Platinum Division
A big shake up is afoot in Platinum Division with the competition expanding to 10 teams in season 2023, up from eight teams in 2022. In key movements the Randwick City Saints have opted to rebuild their men’s program in divisional football, taking their place in Men’s Division One and Men’s Division Three. Excitingly North Shore, Sydney University and UNSW-ES have agreed to the promotion of their third grade (Men’s Division One promoted to Platinum) and 4th grade (Men’s Division Two promoted to Platinum Reserves) teams into the platinum structure to create the 10-team competition.
Alright let’s get into it, with plenty of change, it will be very interesting to see how the Platinum competition shakes out in season 2023.
Round 1 is as follows:
Camden (10-5 in season 2022) renew acquaintances with an old Premier Division foe when they welcome the UNSW-ES Bulldogs to a newly upgraded Fairfax Oval. The Cats had a successful first season in Platinum last year making it through to the Preliminary Final in Reserves, and the Grand Final in Platinum ultimately falling short on the big day. The Cats will be looking to start the season well however, the Bulldogs will look to put a stamp on this competition early.
Macquarie University (5-9) a foundation Platinum club will be out to show the new kids on the block how its done when they welcome the local rivals from the North Shore to Macquarie University Oval. The warriors by their own high standards had a poor season, failing to make finals. Can they bounce back, or will the Bombers start their Platinum campaign in style?
In what could be an early finals showcase, the Parramatta Goannas (10-5) host the minor premiers from 2022 Southern Power (14-1) at the magnificent Gipps Road Oval. The Goannas have been out and about recruiting some top end talent ahead of season 2022, with a steady chain of transfers rolling in since Feb 1. They will be poised to strike, and no doubt will be better for the run following their final appearance last season. The Power took all before them last home and away season, before stumbling two weeks in row and exiting the finals in straight sets – never nice. The playing group will go one of two ways from that disappointment, this match up will be a good indication which way that will be.
The Penrith Rams (6-8) are fresh off a season in which they played as the away team nearly every week due to ground closures at both their spiritual home Greygums Oval and their 2022 home Cadden Oval. Everyone is hoping for a dryer season, no one more than the Rams. In a return to Greygums fresh of extensive turf and drainage works the Penrith Rams welcome the Balmain Tigers (1-14) who themselves have faced challenges in recent seasons. The Tigers are upbeat about their future, and with one eye on a new ground to call their own, why wouldn’t they be.
In what can only be described as match of the round, the all-conquering South West Sydney Blues (12-3) fresh off last year’s Premiership welcome Sydney University to Monarch Oval (Bob Prenter Reserve). The Blues have been big in the transfer market in the offseason, with several familiar names (Aaron Drinkwater – East Coast Eagles and Kyle Devlin – North Shore) moving across to join the Blues since the transfer window opened on Feb 1. Sydney University are eager to kick off their campaign after several dominant seasons (along with North Shore) in Men’s Division One. They will get their wish in Round 1, as challenges go, they don’t get much harder than the Blues at Monarch Oval.
Bring on a massive season!
