Round 7 Men’s and Women’s Premier Division Match Preview

(Photo courtesy of Merrillie Redden Photography)

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Written by Michael Shillito

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The days are getting shorter and colder, but the footy action is heating up. Another weekend is upon us, with another big round of footy. Some crunch games to look forward to as our teams are looking to build their stockpiles of premiership points.

This week it’s North Shore in the Mens and Sydney Uni in the Womens who take the week off. The Bomber men head into the bye undefeated on top of the ladder, while the Uni women had finally broken through for their first win of the season. A week off to get over their little niggles before getting back into it and looking to maintain that winning feeling.

In their absence, we have four mens games and four womens games, each of them with plenty of importance for how our season is taking shape.

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MENS PREMIER DIVISION

East Coast Eagles v UTS Bats

Kanebridge Oval, Saturday 12:50pm

The first match to get under way will see two teams desperately in need of a win facing off. One of them will experience relief, a boost to morale and a lift in form. The other will find themselves continuing to struggle.

It hasn’t been a great season for the Eagles, who are yet to experience a win so far this year. Last week was another tough day at the office, as they travelled to Picken Oval and found themselves on the wrong end of a 118-point margin against Inner West. Harry Elbourne, Baylee Jones and Nathan Coxall kept trying hard, but the Eagles again struggled to stay competitive and it was another heavy loss. Now they return home against another struggling team, looking for the circuit-breaker. They need to find something here, the competitive edge and the killer instinct.

UTS’s position isn’t quite as desperate, they do have one win this season and a game in hand. But a 1-4 record isn’t the start to the season they wanted, and the Bats will be looking at this game as one they need to win to stay in the finals race. They’ve been competitive in recent weeks, and last week at Trumper they led Pennant Hills at half time but ultimately went down by 23 points. Ash Backlund scored four goals for the Bats, while Jarrod Vos and Louis Pribula also got plenty of the ball. In the last couple of weeks the Bats have competed well against top sides; but need to go the next step in this contest and get the four points.

We’re not even half way through the season yet. All is not lost. But the loser of this contest will find themselves in a difficult position in the context of the 2023 season. Both teams will need to dig deep this week, and try to find the spark that they’ve been missing so far this year. One win can kick-start the momentum to make a move up the ladder, and see form and confidence return. But only one of these teams will get that win here.

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Manly-Warringah Wolves v St George Dragons

Weldon Oval, Saturday 2:00pm

Our broadcast game this week comes from Weldon Oval, and features the Wolves and the Dragons. In a tight battle for the finals, there’s a good chance that only one of these teams will feature in the playoffs; and games like this one could decide who it is. At the moment both clubs have two wins; the Wolves have a much better percentage but the Dragons have a game in hand.

If you can’t get over the Spit Bridge for this match, never fear. You can catch all the action live as it happens on Kayo Sports and the AFL Sydney Facebook page.

Manly didn’t get the win last week when they travelled to Gore Hill and played North Shore; but their fighting effort couldn’t be doubted. There was only a kick in it at the long break, but the Wolves were only able to score two goals in the second half to go down by 35 points. Lachlan Cameron, Kieran Le Jeune and Tom Sheldrick battled tirelessly for the Wolves. It was a fighting effort, but not enough to get the win. After two wins to start the season, the Wolves have lost four in a row and need to regain their early-season form to stop the slide and maintain their position in the top five.

St George’s form has been the opposite of Manly’s, with their two wins being in the last two weeks after a winless streak at the start of the year. The Dragons claimed the scalp of Sydney Uni in an unusual game at Olds Park last week. After being well behind at quarter time, a 10-goal run in the second quarter took the Dragons to a 20-point lead before the weather intervened and the game was cut short. Finnegan Ritchie kicked four goals in a best-on-ground performance, while Nelson Carey and the ever-consistent Tim Coenen also played key roles for the Dragons. It wasn’t conventional, but it’s two wins in a row for the Dragons, building some form that they’ll be looking to capitalise on this time.

There’s still a long way to go this season, and a lot of footy to be played. But already a two-game break has opened up between fourth and fifth, and both these sides are below that break. Unless one of those four top teams falls away, there’s only one more spot in the finals; making clashes between these two teams even more important. With plenty at stake, you can expect a tightly-contested battle in this match.

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Pennant Hills Demons v UNSW-ES Bulldogs

Mike Kenny Oval, Saturday 2:45pm

This is a match that will have the purists looking with excitement, as the Demons take on the Bulldogs. Both teams go into this with a 4-1 record, and hopeful of a top-three placing. And it’s big games like this one that play a role in getting to those lofty heights of the ladder.

The Demons go into this game on the back of a three-game winning streak. Confidence is high, the form is good, and the Demons will enjoy the home ground advantage here. Last week they were made to earn the win against UTS at Trumper Park, but a four goals to one third quarter was enough to establish a match-winning lead and take a 23-point win. Theo Moraitis again was a handy target up forward to finish with four goals, while Luke Skrivanic, Nick Richards and Stephen Wray were in the thick of the action around the ground. The Demons are on a roll, but this is a game that will test them.

The Bulldogs return to action this weekend after a week off with the bye last week. Their last start at Henson Park was a triumph for them, easily accounting for Manly by 69 points, spearheaded by a six goal haul from Kieran Emery while Hamish Morrison, Thomas Unger and Sam Thorne were getting plenty of the ball around the ground. The Bulldogs have only dropped one game so far this season; but it’s games like this one that will determine the fate of their premiership defence.

In the context of this season, this is an eight-point game. Not just the four points that the winner gets, but the points that the loser doesn’t. In what could be a tight battle for finals positions, games like this one decide who gets the prime finals spots. And not just the win, but the margin if the battle for percentage turns out to be tight. Both teams are in good form and playing some good footy; and with so much at stake, this could be a contest to remember.

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Sydney University v Inner West Magpies

Sydney Uni No 1 Oval, Saturday 2:50pm

The Inner West derby between the Students and the Magpies has thrown up plenty of upsets and close results in recent years; and there’s every chance of another exciting clash at Sydney Uni No 1 this time.

Sydney Uni suffered their first loss of the season in unusual circumstances at Olds Park this week, falling 20 points behind after St George kicked ten goals in the second quarter before the weather resulted in the game being cut short. Luke Gallen, Angus McNamara and Oscar Davis featured prominently for the Students; but the intervention from the weather deprived the Students the opportunity of a comeback win. The undefeated status is no more, but the Students are still well placed as they move into this contest.

The Magpies hadn’t enjoyed a great start to the season, but finally clicked into gear at Picken Oval last week as they raced away to a 118-point win over East Coast. Finally we saw the Magpies turn on the form that they are capable of. Nathan Penna and Ben Zoppo spearheaded the charge with five goals apiece; while Kel Evans, Ben Klemke and Nick McCormack featured prominently around the ground. It was a welcome return to form for the Magpies, but there’s more work to be done here. Last week was a morale-booster, but they’re not out of the woods yet.

Sydney Uni would have to go into this game as favourites on paper, but the game isn’t played on paper. And the Magpies have matched up well against the Students in recent seasons and pulled off some thrilling wins. If Inner West are to truly get their season back on track, they need a major scalp, and this is their opportunity. But the Students won’t be making it easy. They were stung by last week’s result, and they’ll be looking to hit back hard.

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WOMENS PREMIER DIVISION

Pennant Hills Demons v UNSW-ES Bulldogs

Mike Kenny Oval (Lower oval), Saturday 12:40pm

It’s a lunchtime start on the lower oval at Mike Kenny for this clash between the Demons and the Bulldogs, two teams that are looking to stop the slide and looking for a pick-me-up to revive their fortunes.

The Demons have dropped their last three matches to fall out of the top five. Last week at Trumper Park was a difficult afternoon for them, as they were unable to score a goal and went down by 67 points. Elly Rudd, Kaitlin Quinlan and Hayley Lowe tried hard, but the Demons didn’t have the form or firepower to match it against a red-hot UTS side. A season that started with such promise, with wins in the first two rounds, threatens to unravel unless the Demons can find their mojo; and with the home ground advantage against another team short of their best form, this is their opportunity.

It hasn’t been easy for the Bulldogs either in recent weeks, and they’ve lost their last four in a row. Last week was a low-scoring contest at Henson Park, but they were unable to score a goal and went down by 23 points. Hayley Stanford, Chloe Anderson and Shelby Koh never gave up; but the Bulldogs never really got going against Macquarie Uni and were unable to come up with the scoring shots that mattered. This week they not only have to defend resolutely, but find the attacking firepower to put a winning score on the board.

There’s nothing like getting a win to see the form and confidence return; and for one of these teams, the breakthrough result will come. And with it, the self-belief that they can turn their fortunes around and become genuine contenders. A winning streak starts with a single win, and here is the opportunity for the team that can reach out and take it. But it’s another tough week ahead for the team that doesn’t. Both teams will have to be desperate and fight this one out all the way.

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East Coast Eagles v UTS Bats

Kanebridge Oval, Saturday 3:10pm

While the Men’s match between these two clubs is a battle of two sides struggling for their best results, the same can’t be said about this Womens blockbuster. It’s fitting that this match takes the marquee timeslot at Kanebridge, as the competition’s last two remaining undefeated teams go head to head.

The Eagles go into this contest refreshed after last week’s bye, and in good form with some impressive results this season; none more so than their last start against Southern Power at Waratah. It’s been a long time, maybe a first ever, since a Womens Prems team has scored over 200; and the 225-0 scoreline was a reflection of the dominant footy they’ve been playing. Caitlin Davidson finished with 10 goals and Brooke Bailey nine; while Teagan Germech and Summer Hall also featured prominently. But the Eagles, as they do so often, had winners everywhere. They look like they’ve raised the bar even further for Women’s footy this season. But this game will be tougher.

Six wins in a row to start the season is a dream come true for the Bats, who find themselves as true contenders for this season. Last week at Trumper Park they did it easily against Pennant Hills, running away to a 67-point win. The win was spearheaded by four goals from Jessica Quade, while Gillian Behan, Georgina McDonnell and Taylah Canobie were prolific in general play. So far everything has gone to plan for the Bats. But this is their true test, and the Eagles away is as tough a challenge as you can get.

Kanebridge is a fortress for the Eagles, and with their unbeaten status and impressive percentage of over 900, they are once again setting the benchmark for the other teams to catch. But the Bats will be up for this challenge. They’re fit, they’re firing, they’re ready. This is going to be a seriously good game of footy between two teams in great form; and whoever emerges with the four points is going to have to work hard to earn it. There’s plenty to be excited about with this clash.

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Manly-Warringah Wolves v Southern Power

Weldon Oval, Saturday 4:40pm

This week’s broadcast match comes from Weldon Oval, a twilight encounter between Manly and Southern Power. The Wolves have hit some form in recent weeks, while the Power come into this game still looking for their first win for 2023. You can catch all the action live as it happens on Kayo Sports and the AFL Sydney Facebook page.

After dropping their first two games, the Wolves have won three on the trot to move into the top five; and are working their way into some impressive form. Last week at Gore Hill was probably their best performance so far this season, as they held North Shore to a single goal to take out a 31-point win. Holly Cooper, Andrea Roditis and Lauren Bourgeois were prominent performers for Manly; who are building their performance with every week and ready for whatever challenge is thrown their way.

Southern Power are still yet to enjoy the spoils of victory in 2023, and have copped some heavy defeats. But last Saturday against Sydney Uni at Waratah was a far cry from those capitulations, as two early goals gave them something to hope for. They weren’t able to score again, but a 38-point margin is a big improvement Amelia Martin, Grace Crittenden and Gabrielle Eaton were best for the Power, in a display that would have raised some hope and morale after what has been a difficult season to date. But they need to follow up that effort with another credible effort this time round.

Manly have built some impressive form in recent weeks, and will go into this one as hot favourites. But the Power have a point to prove. Last week was a vastly improved effort, and it’s something they can build on. This time they’re playing a quality opponent, but they need to compete. They can’t let Manly dominate this one without putting up a fight.

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Macquarie University Goannas v North Shore Bombers

Macquarie Uni Oval, Saturday 5:20pm

The Macquarie Uni Goannas joint venture takes to the grassy banks of the Macquarie Uni campus for the first time on Saturday evening for a clash against North Shore; a clash between two teams currently in the top five and looking to strengthen their position on the ladder.

Last week the Goannas made it four from five this season as they held UNSW-ES to a single point at Henson Park to run out 23-point winners in a low-scoring, defensive encounter. Caitlin Fletcher, Jacqui Brown and the ever-impressive Amanda Farrugia featured prominently for the Goannas as they continued on their winning ways. The last few years haven’t been kind to Macquarie Uni at this level, but there is genuine cause for optimism about this season. But still plenty of work to be done, and this game is no certainty.

North Shore go into this game with a 2-3 record, remaining in the five on percentage and at risk of falling out if they drop this game. Last week they weren’t able to get on top of Manly and went down by 31 points at Gore Hill, despite the persistent efforts of Nadja Squires, Liv O’Donnell and Maddy Anderson. The Bombers need to claim a scalp of a top team to cement their place in the five; and this is a good opportunity. But they need to work hard and make every post a winner to get on top of the Goannas.

Macquarie Uni have placed themselves well in the top five. North Shore will need a win here to be sure of staying in the five. There’s a long way to go in 2023, and plenty of footy still to be played. But when ladder positions are sorted out, it’s games like this that determine who the genuine contenders are. And there’s every chance these clubs could meet again at the business end of the season, so a key psychological blow could be struck in this contest.

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