Round Sixteen Men’s and Women’s Premier Division Preview
Written by Michael Shilllito
Time flies when you’re having fun, and already we’re on the home stretch of our home & away season. Just three weeks to go before the finals, and we’ve got some tight battles for those all-important finals.
In Mens Premier Division, North Shore have wrapped up the minor premiership; but there’s still a tight race for the double-chance and another tight race for fifth. UNSW-ES’s loss last week dropped them to fourth, behind Pennant Hills and Sydney Uni; but the Demons and the Students still have to play North Shore again. St George have the chance to leap-frog Manly into fifth this week, but they have to get up against UNSW-ES to do that; and the battle for fifth will likely come down to when the Wolves and Dragons play each other in a week’s time.
In Womens Premier Division, UTS have the chance to stretch their lead at the top of the ladder. Manly and Macquarie Uni play each other this week, a critical game in the race for the double-chance. Sydney Uni have a tough game against UTS; and if they drop that it creates an opening for Pennant Hills to draw level in fifth, but the Demons will have to get past North Shore to get there. It’s going to go down to the wire.
This week Manly in the Mens and East Coast in the Womens have the bye. For the Wolves, it’s a last chance to reset before a surge to the finish line in what is going to be a tight battle for fifth. For the Eagles, they’ll be hoping UTS fall over this week to keep the minor premiership within reach.
There’s some critical games this week, and plenty of teams that will be keeping an eye on the results from other venues. A few upsets could make things very interesting in the last couple of weeks.
MENS PREMIER DIVISION
UNSW-ES Bulldogs v St George Dragons
Henson Park, Saturday 2:20pm
UNSW-ES (4th) – Played 13, Won 9, Lost 4, 167.01%
St George (6th) – Played 13, Won 6, Lost 7, 86.17%
Our broadcast game this week comes from Henson Park, where the Bulldogs are taking on the Dragons in a game that could well prove pivotal to the finals match-ups. The Bulldogs’ title defence is looking a bit rocky; and now they find themselves up against a St George side that is playing for their spot in the finals. There’s plenty at stake in this match.
The Bulldogs suffered their second straight loss last week, when they went down to ladder leaders North Shore by 17 points at Gore Hill Oval. The Bulldogs took the lead late in the third term, but were unable to keep up with the Bombers in the last quarter; despite the valiant efforts of Cooper Kilpatrick, Oscar Peter and Will Spencer. Two losses in a row has seen the Bulldogs drop out of the top three; and they will need to quickly regain their spark if they are to avoid sudden death in the finals. A loss here would make it difficult for them.
St George’s winning streak came to an end last week when they went down to Sydney Uni by 30 points. There wasn’t much in it for most of the afternoon; but despite the efforts of Tim Coenen, Lachlan Cabor and Ty Gander, the Dragons were unable to get the win. The result sees the Dragons outside the five on percentage; but with Manly having the bye this week, this is the Dragons’ opportunity to move up.
When these sides faced off at Olds Park in round 2, the Bulldogs dominated from start to finish to win by 107 points. But a lot has changed since then. The Bulldogs have lost two in a row since their bye, and suddenly are looking vulnerable. While the Dragons now are playing for their finals life; and can enter the top five if they get up here. It’ll be a lot closer this time.
East Coast Eagles v Inner West Magpies
Kanebridge Oval, Saturday 2:30pm
East Coast (9th) – Played 14, Won 1, Lost 13, 38.69%
Inner West (8th) – Played 13, Won 2, Lost 11, 77.14%
The match between East Coast and Inner West at Kanebridge on Saturday has no bearing on the upcoming finals. Neither of these teams will be taking part in this year’s playoffs. But there’s plenty to play for – not just pride, but the preparation for next season has already started. Both teams will be eyeing off this game as one to win; and you can eye off the game as well by tuning in to Kayo Sports and the AFL Sydney Facebook page.
The Eagles had another challenging day last week at Mike Kenny when they went down to Pennant Hills by 81 points. Zac Johns, Tim Organ and Nathan Coxall kept putting the effort in; but the Eagles didn’t have the firepower to keep up with a strong finals aspirant. This season has had its challenges for the Eagles, and they have only sung the song once. But with the home advantage against another struggling team, they will have identified this game as being winnable; and it’s time to pull out all the stops and let it rip.
Inner West Magpies return to the field after having the bye last week. Before their bye, encouraging performances against UNSW-ES and Sydney Uni were followed up by a slow start against St George, when the Magpies were jumped in the opening term and went down by 53 points. Kyle Veerhuis, Callum McEvoy-Gray and Kel Evans worked hard all day for the Magpies; but it was one of those days when little was going right. Now after their rest, there are just three more weeks to salvage something from this season; and this game is an opportunity to return to the winning list.
The Magpies won the previous clash between these teams, back in round 6 at Picken Oval, by a whopping 118 points. It was a rare highlight for the Magpies in a difficult season. This time the Eagles are at home and will be looking to make their advantage count. For one of these teams, this will be a moment to savour; and the taste of victory will be so sweet after everything they’ve been through. Both sides will give some young talent a run in this game, looking to see who’s ready to make the step up and become regular Prems players. And the Eagles have another reason to win; if they don’t, they are guaranteed the unwanted wooden spoon.
UTS Bats v Sydney University
Waverley Oval, Saturday 2:30pm
UTS (7th) – Played 13, Won 3, Lost 10, 51.21%
Sydney Uni (3rd) – Played 13, Won 10, Lost 3, 120.41%
A big game for the visitors when UTS play Sydney Uni at Waverley Oval on Saturday. The Bats won’t be playing finals, but will be looking to finish 2023 on a positive note; while the Students are looking to consolidate their hold on the double-chance for the finals.
UTS’s season hasn’t lived up to their hopes for the year, and they have saluted just three times. Last week at Weldon they were never in the contest and went down to Manly by 73 points. Jack Calabro, Jarrod Vos and Harrie Lahy never stopped putting the effort in, but the Bats couldn’t match it around the ground with the Wolves; an all too familiar tale. The Bats won’t be playing finals this year, but they can finish strongly as they look to build up to their 2024 campaign; looking to see who within their ranks is ready to take a step up next year.
Sydney Uni moved up to third last week when they overcame St George by 30 points at Sydney Uni No 1. For most of the afternoon the game was tightly contested, but the Students pulled away at the end to extend their winning margin. Max Kozlik, Monty Velthuis and Jack Dimery were influential for the Students in getting them over the line. The Students’ poor percentage could hold them back in their quest for the best ladder position; and to bridge that gap, they need not just a win but a big win. With tough games against North Shore and UNSW-ES to come, this is the week that Sydney Uni need to make their move.
When the two teams met in round 5, the Students recorded a comfortable 37-point win. With a percentage gap to bridge, they need to win by more this time. In a very tight battle for the double-chance in the finals; every score is important. But UTS, after a challenging season, will come out fighting. The preparation for 2024 starts here, and the Bats are looking to work their way up.
Pennant Hills Demons v North Shore Bombers
Mike Kenny Oval, Saturday 2:40pm
Pennant Hills (2nd) – Played 14, Won 10, Lost 4, 132.94%
North Shore (1st) – Played 13, Won 13, Lost 0, 259.11%
Pennant Hills have worked their way up to second, and have given themselves every chance to get the finals double-chance. But the toughest test in the regular season has come, as the Demons will host ladder leaders North Shore at Mike Kenny Oval; in a game that has plenty at stake for the Demons. A top two clash deserves a bumper audience; and for the Demon and Bomber faithful around the globe, you can catch all the action live on Kayo Sports and the AFL Sydney Facebook page.
The Demons come into this game with winning form on the board; having won their last three games. Last week they were 81 points too good for East Coast. Harry Maguire helped himself to five goals; while Tim Wales, Mitch Blow and Jackson Potter were in the thick of the action around the ground. The Demons have worked their way up to second, thanks to having a better percentage than Sydney Uni. But with the bye next week, the Demons only have two games to consolidate their hold on the double chance. This will be a tough challenge for the Demons, but they’ll be ready for it; and will fancy the chance of pulling off the upset. Their hopes of avoiding sudden death in the finals will be greatly enhanced if they can be the first team to knock off North Shore.
Meanwhile North Shore come into this game undefeated, and will finish the regular season on top of the ladder. The Bombers didn’t have everything their own way against UNSW-ES at Gore Hill last week, and trailed at the last change. But when the game was there to be won, the Bombers put their hand up and got the job done by 17 points. Jack Woodman, Christian Loone and Ned Campbell were influential for the Bombers; as when placed under pressure, the found a way to win. Their toughest tests are yet to come, and the Bombers will need to lift another gear when finals come around. But, by finishing top, they have the easiest path through the finals and have given themselves their best chance of breaking their long premiership drought.
For the Demons, a win is essential. They have a bye next week, which gives Sydney Uni and UNSW-ES a chance to catch them. If they drop this game, it’ll be hard to finish in the top three and they’ll be depending on other results. But getting that win is a challenging task against a North Shore side that has barely put a foot wrong all season. The Bombers won the previous meeting between these teams by 84 points, back in round 11 at Gore Hill. But even with the minor premiership assured, the Bombers won’t be willing to risk losing their winning momentum; and the Demons are going to have to be at their best to break the Bombers in this clash.
WOMENS PREMIER DIVISION
Pennant Hills Demons v North Shore Bombers
Mike Kenny Oval (lower oval), Saturday 12:40pm
Pennant Hills (6th) – Played 13, Won 5, Lost 8, 83.79%
North Shore (7th) – Played 14, Won 4, Lost 9, Abandoned 1, 93.27%
In the battle for that last spot in the finals, the clash between the Demons and the Bombers will play a key role in deciding who gets there. Pennant Hills are a game behind Sydney Uni, and if the Students lose to top side UTS, the Demons can draw level. But they’ll have to get past a North Shore side who still have the slimmest mathematical chance of making it. This game has plenty of potential, and if you can’t get up to Cherrybrook, never fear. You can catch all the action live wherever you are by tuning in to Kayo Sports or the AFL Sydney Facebook page.
The Demons’ finals chances copped a hit last week when they went down to East Coast by 41 points at Mike Kenny last week. Eleanor Rugg, Hayley Lowe and Elly Rudd worked hard, but it wasn’t enough to get the Demons over the line. They’re back at home this week and need to make their advantage count. With tough games against Macquarie Uni and Manly to come, the Demons have to get the win here. If they don’t, not only will they not make up ground on Sydney Uni, but will fall behind North Shore into seventh; albeit with a game in hand compared to the Bombers. And their finals hopes will be in severe jeopardy.
North Shore come into this game with winning form on the board, after they kept their mathematical finals hopes alive with a comfortable 49-point win over UNSW-ES at Gore Hill last week. Lucy Yates, Imogen Hungerford and Tilly Eder were in the thick of the action for the Bombers in a return to form after what has been a challenging season. They’ll go into this game with some winning confidence, and although finals seem unlikely, all they can do from here is win their games and hope for the best.
It was only a few weeks ago, in round 11, when these teams last met. On that occasion, at Gore Hill, North Shore got up in a thriller by three points. If the Bombers can get up again this time, they’ll move ahead of the Demons and possibly be within half a game of Sydney Uni who they play next week; and can still mathematically make the finals, although they’d be depending on other results in the last round when they have the bye. But the Demons can’t afford another slip-up against the Bombers, and with the home ground advantage, they need to get it done this week. Whoever loses this one will be in big trouble; and if the Demons get up, North Shore’s finals hopes are definitely over.
UTS Bats v Sydney University
Waverley Oval, Saturday 12:45pm
UTS (1st) – Played 14, Won 13, Lost 1, 283.78%
Sydney Uni (5th) – Played 13, Won 6, Lost 7, 109.47%
It’s a high-stakes university derby at Waverley Oval on Saturday as UTS take on Sydney Uni. The Bats are playing to stay on top, the Students to stay in the top five. One of these teams will take a significant step towards their goal position for the finals, while the other will have some work to do in the remaining rounds.
The Bats, having worked their way to top spot, kept themselves there last week when they were 27 points too good for Manly at Weldon. It was another strong team effort from UTS; and as has been the case many times this season, Danika Spamer, Georgina McDonnell and Gillian Behan were prominent performers around the ground for the Bats. This week, with East Coast having the bye, the Bats have the opportunity to open up a sizeable gap at the top of the ladder; something they will need, as the Bats themselves have the bye next week and if they lose in this game, they risk being knocked off their perch.
In the battle for fifth, Sydney Uni took the upper hand last week when they held Southern Power scoreless to record a 135-point win. Jasmine Smith assumed complete control on the forward line to finish with ten goals in a best-on-ground performance, while Daisy George and Saskia Johnson picked up numerous possessions around the ground. The Students don’t need to rely on other results as long as they can keep winning; but that will be a challenge this week against an in-form ladder-leading UTS side.
When these teams faced off at Sydney Uni No 1 in round 5, the Bats dominated proceedings to record a comfortable 64-point win. But that was long before the Students hit their stride and worked their way up the ladder. Another big loss this time for the Students would open up the opportunity for Pennant Hills to overtake them into the finals. It’s not a risk Sydney Uni can afford to take. The Students will be desperate and can’t let the Bats take control here. But the Bats, as they’ve shown so often this season, are a hard side to stop.
Macquarie University Goannas v Manly-Warringah Wolves
Gipps Road Oval, Saturday 2:00pm
Macquarie Uni (4th) – Played 13, Won 8, Lost 4, Drawn 1, 252.88%
Manly (3rd) – Played 13, Won 9, Lost 4, 148.63%
Just half a game separates these two sides in what will be a crucial game in the battle for the double-chance in the finals. This game is of mass importance, not just for the four points that the winner gets but the four points the loser doesn’t. Which will likely be the difference when the final ladder positions are determined.
Macquarie Uni had the bye last week, a chance to rest and get over any little niggles before a surge to the finish line. Their last start was against North Shore at Gore Hill. They suffered a scare early as the Bombers scored the first three goals of the game; but from then on the Goannas took control to win by 34 points; ably helped along the way by the efforts of Caitlin Fletcher, Paige Pirotta and Sophie Kavanagh. There’s three tough games to finish the regular season; but a win here will give the Goannas the edge over Manly for the double-chance. They’re rested and ready to rumble.
Meanwhile Manly were left only slightly ahead of the Goannas when the Wolves went down to top side UTS by 27 points at Weldon last week. There was only a point in it at the last change, but when UTS stepped up in the last quarter, the Wolves were unable to go with them; despite the determined efforts of Lauren Bull, Holly Wickham and Andrea Roditis. The Wolves remain third, half a game clear; but another loss here would leave them vulnerable to facing sudden death in the finals.
It was a thriller when these two sides met at Weldon Oval in round 7, with the Wolves getting up by seven points. With so much on the line, you can expect plenty of desperation and another close result this time. The fate of the season could well ride on this game; and there’ll be no quarter asked or given in what looks set to be a tense battle between two closely-matched adversaries.
UNSW-ES Bulldogs v Southern Power
Henson Park, Saturday 4:40pm
UNSW-ES (8th) – Played 13, Won 1, Lost 12, 36.10%
Southern Power (9th) – Played 13, Won 0, Lost 12, Abandoned 1, 3.70%
The clash between UNSW-ES and Southern Power won’t have any bearing on the finals. Both teams fell out of finals contention weeks ago. But there’s still plenty of pride to play for; and the hope of avoiding the dreaded wooden spoon will likely be determined on this game.
The Bulldogs haven’t had the season they would have wanted, and have dropped their last 12 games in a row. Last week at Gore Hill they were never in the contest against North Shore and went down by 49 points. Tina Shilg, Emelye Blades and Marla Falvey never gave up; but the Bulldogs found themselves in the all too familiar position of falling behind early and never looking like making up that ground. They have just three weeks to salvage something from 2023, and a win here would be an important morale booster for this playing group after a season where little has gone right.
Southern Power have also had a season that would test the morale of any club. They are yet to sing the song this year, and with a percentage of less than 4, have copped some heavy defeats. They were on the wrong end of a 135-0 scoreline last week against Sydney Uni, despite the tireless efforts of Brianna Harvey, Jessica Cox and Amy Kowski. But for everything that has gone wrong, all is not yet lost. If they can turn their form around for this week, they get off the bottom of the ladder. One game, and they may yet, against all the odds, avoid the spoon.
These teams played in round 2 at Waratah Oval, and on that occasion the Bulldogs got up by 94 points; their first game of the season. Neither team has won since. Now, as we move towards the close of the season, finally someone will end their losing streak. For that team, the celebrations as the team song is sung will be something to behold; as finally the monkey is off their back. But for the loser, the probability is strong that they will be left with the unwanted wooden spoon. Plenty to play for in this clash.
