Round 2 Men’s and Women’s Premier Division Preview
Written by Michael Shillitto
Second attempt, let’s get this season going.
Unfortunately our opening round last weekend was destined not to happen, and we’ve had to wait another week on the sidelines. These things are sent to test our patience. But now, finally, we can get on the field and get the season under way.
There’s been a few changes around the league this season. Premier Reserves and the Platinum divisions are gone, and mens’ footy goes to a divisionalised structure. Under 19s becomes under 19.5s, giving our younger players a bit more time to develop. And in Men’s Premier Division, we welcome South-West Sydney Blues as the tenth club, giving our league a presence in the rapidly-growing south-west region and eliminating the bye.
For our Women, a new Under 20s competition provides a much-needed link between junior and senior footy. And in Women’s Premier Division, St George Dragons enter the competition; replacing Southern Power who have moved into divisional footy after being unable to win a game in Premier Division last year. Also the former joint venture between the Goannas and Warriors is no more; with Parramatta Goannas now having a stand-alone Premier Division team.
So we have a nine-team Womens Premier Division competition again this season. Manly has the bye this week, so the Wolves will have to wait another week before finally getting their 2024 campaign under way.
A big season awaits, where some dreams will come true while others will be shattered. The time for waiting is over; now it’s time to rip in and enjoy the footy action.
MENS PREMIER DIVISION
Inner West Magpies v St George Dragons
Picken Oval, Friday 7:20pm
Our Mens Premier Division season kicks off under Friday night lights at Picken Oval as the Magpies take on the Dragons. After being part of the 2022 finals, both teams missed out on the playoff action last year. And for both clubs, the quest for redemption begins here. There’s plenty of interest in this clash; and for the far-flung supporters of both clubs who can’t get down to Croydon Park, the next best thing will be to catch the action FREE (no sign up required), LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on Streamer – https://streamer.com.au/league/aflsydney/match/2847
The Magpies had a disappointing year in 2023, unable to replicate their finals appearance from the year before. But now they’re looking to hit back this season. Fine-tuning their preparations with solid performances against Canberra teams to make the final of the Invitational Series, the Magpies have picked up some momentum that they’ll be looking to bring into their Premier Division campaign. With the home club advantage, and no doubt a vocal crowd looking on; this is their opportunity to get 2024 off to a flying start and send a message that they intend to do some damage.
After a third-placed finish in 2022, the Dragons were unable to maintain that form last season and missed out on the finals. Now it’s time to hit back, for the younger players who had a taste of senior footy last year to take the next step and establish themselves as Premier Division material. There’s plenty to like about Dragons’ prospects this season; and four valuable points on the road would give them some serious momentum moving forward.
It’s a fresh start for both clubs, the disappointment from last year is behind them and it’s time to move forward. Expect two clubs to fight hard for early success. Whoever gets the points here will have taken a big step towards setting themselves up for the season. There’s some tough games to come for both clubs; and the battle for finals spots will be tight. Neither team can afford to give an inch here; so expect a tight contest to open our Premier Division season.
UTS Bats v Sydney University
Waverley Oval, Saturday 12:50pm
It’s a lunchtime start at Waverley Oval for our first university derby of the season, as the UTS Bats play host to Sydney Uni. Will this be the year the Bats make their way up the ladder? They have a tough first-up assignment against the Students, who will be keen to re-enter the top three in 2024.
The Bats have plenty of new faces in their lineup; but after a 2023 season that didn’t live up to their expectations, they’ve bolstered the team and worked hard through the pre-season to prepare for a rise up the ladder. The Bats’ women last year showed what is possible, as they came from nowhere in 2022 to make the Grand Final last year; and now it’s time for the men to step up and follow their example. Some competitive performances against Canberra opponents in the Invitational Cup have given the Bats plenty of hope for 2024; but now is the time to stand and deliver.
For the Students, finishing fourth last year was marginally below their lofty expectations; but there’s no reason to believe the blue and yellow hoops won’t be a major contender in 2024. After a boilover thriller win in last year’s Under 19s Grand Final, the Students will be giving some of that young talent a lot more Seniors game time in 2024. And there’s still plenty of strong talent that will be looking to hit back hard this season; and here’s where it starts.
Sydney Uni are a regular fixture in the finals, and will go into this game as strong favourites. But the Bats are not a team to be taken lightly. They’ve shown over the years that on their day, they are capable of pulling off some upsets; and they’ll be pumped and ready to perform in front of their home audience. The Students can’t afford to not be on their game here.
North Shore Bombers v Pennant Hills Demons
Gore Hill Oval, Saturday 1:40pm
It’s always a keenly-contested affair when North Shore and Pennant Hills lock horns. And on the Gore Hill synthetic on Saturday afternoon, another chapter in the rivalry will be played out. It’s a much-anticipated clash that will have plenty of interest for how the season unfolds. And if you can’t get to Gore Hill for this one, never fear; you can catch all the action FREE (no sign up required), LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on Streamer – https://streamer.com.au/league/aflsydney/match/2846
Will this be the year when North Shore finally achieve that elusive premiership? They’ve been in the top three after the regular season in every season since 2016, but the premiership cup continues to elude them; and their hearts were broken again in last year’s Grand Final when they were unable to hold onto their half-time lead. But once again the Bombers have bolstered their line-up and bring a very strong team onto the field, with plenty of star power that has the potential to challenge for the title; and a steely resolve that this will be the year when they make it count.
After a rare lapse from appearing in finals in 2022, the Demons hit back in 2023 to make their way into the finals double-chance and went on to finish third for the season. Finishing the home and away season strongly, the Demons completed the season with a spring in their step and a feeling of optimism as to their prospects for 2024. As they usually do, they’ve kept most of their squad intact and come into this season with some strong form under their belt after a big finish to the Invitational Series against Canberra clubs in the pre-season and a big win over UTS in the third-place playoff.
The Demons were the only team to beat North Shore during the regular season last year. But that was at Mike Kenny Oval. This time it’s on the Gore Hill surface that the Bombers have made their own over the last several years. A footy season is a marathon, not a sprint; but both teams will be keen for a strong start. And to get an early edge against a potential finals rival is something that could hold the winner in good stead later in the season. There’s no reason to believe this won’t be a hotly-contested affair between two very strong teams that are keen to make an early impression.
Manly-Warringah Wolves v South-West Sydney Blues
Weldon Oval, Saturday 2:30pm
It will be a keenly-awaited tussle on the Northern Beaches on Saturday afternoon as Manly host South-West Sydney. Unfortunately last week’s rain prevented the Blues from entering Premier Division at home; and instead they have the longest road trip in this division. With every kilometre they travel, the excitement will build at a new chapter in their club’s history. But there’s a strong side in maroon and white waiting for them when they arrive.
The Wolves are a club on the rise, and last year returned to finals action. Once again they’ve strengthened their line-up, and will be promoting plenty of youngsters from their very strong Under 19s squad. After getting into the top five last year, this year they’ll be looking to take the next step and challenge the competition heavyweights. But first they have to get the job done on their home deck against a team they haven’t faced before; and there’s work to be done.
This is only the third year since the old Campbelltown and Magpies clubs came together to form the South-West Sydney Blues; but already they have taken steps to become a powerhouse club, taking out back to back Platinum premierships and will be fielding seven teams in 2024. It’s a step up for the Blues into Premier Division, a massive challenge for the new club; but a challenge they’ll be embracing and looking forward to the hard work to come. For most of their lineup, this will be their Premier Division debut; but there’s some who have experienced this division before and will be providing plenty of guidance to a young Blues side who are ready to make a quick impact.
Manly will fancy their chances here. They’ve done all this before, they have plenty of Premier Division experience in their lineup, they’re at home, they know what to expect. But there’s always a sense of the unknown with a new team and how they will adapt to Premier Division level. When Manly were promoted a little over a decade ago, they took to Premier Division like a fish to water and immediately made a big impression. It would be a big ask to expect the Blues to do the same, but they won’t be easybeats and the Wolves can’t afford to take them lightly. Anything can happen.
UNSW-ES Bulldogs v East Coast Eagles
Henson Park, Saturday 5:50pm
The final Mens Premier Division match for this round is a sundown rundown at Henson Park, a twilight encounter that will see the Bulldogs unfurl their premiership flag before taking on the Eagles.
It must be said that the Bulldogs are in a golden era. They’ve played in the last five Grand Finals, winning four of them. And in the competition decider last year, when the game was there to be won, it was the Bulldogs who stood and delivered. But although they’ll continue to enjoy the fruits of their premiership success; this is a whole new season and once the ball is bounced, they’re on equal terms to everyone else. There’ll always be a few retirements and players moving on to test themselves elsewhere; but the Bulldogs have kept most of their squad intact, and the new players in their squad will have been left in no doubt of the high expectations on them.
It’s been a long rebuild for the Eagles, who were only able to salute once last year. But in the lead-up to the new season, there’s a spring in the step in the Eagles camp and a feeling that this season is when the team’s fortunes begin to turn around. A few handy recruits, some youngsters with another pre-season under their belt, and a new resolve to take the next step. You can expect an improved showing from the Eagles over the course of the season; but this is a tough first-up clash and the Eagles will have to produce something extraordinary to get away with this one.
Last year’s premiers against the wooden spooners, with the premiers unfurling their flag. On paper, the Bulldogs will be the hottest of favourites. But footy games aren’t won on paper, and the Eagles have to come into this game with the self-belief that they can take it up to a team that are sure to be one of the competition heavyweights this year. That won’t be easy, but it’s what they must do. For the Bulldogs, the quest for the premiership three-peat starts here. But there are many tough tests to come.
WOMENS PREMIER DIVISION
North Shore Bombers v Pennant Hills Demons
Gore Hill Oval, Saturday 12:00pm
High stakes at high noon, as the Bombers and the Demons launch their Premier Division seasons on the Gore Hill synthetic. After both sides missed out on finals action last season, the quest for an improved showing and a part in this year’s playoffs starts here. This is a match not to be missed; and for the North Shore and Pennant Hills supporters from further afield who can’t get to Gore Hill, you can catch the action FREE (no sign up required), LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on Streamer – https://streamer.com.au/league/aflsydney/match/2850
The Bombers will be looking to hit back in 2024 after failing to make the finals last year. With new coaches, plenty of new and returning players, and a new resolve around the squad; the Bombers look set to hit the ground running. A strong performance here is the first step towards being finals contenders for 2024, but they can’t risk a mis-step in this clash on their home turf.
In a year of twists and turns, the Demons were disappointed to miss out on last year’s finals. But now is a fresh start and a new beginning; and the Demons will be looking to make it count. First up is an important away trip, and the Demons have an opportunity to make a statement that they mean business in 2024. They’ve brought in some handy young talent to bolster the lineup and cover for some players who have moved on; and they’re ready to make an impression this season.
North Shore won both matches between these teams last season, but this is a new year and a new beginning. For both clubs, they’ve been in Premier Division long enough and have enough depth through their club that they have genuine aspirations to be regular finalists. But they have to get the job done over a long season. And for both clubs, this is an opportunity to hit the ground running and build some momentum for this new season. This should be a closely-fought and tightly competitive affair.
Parramatta Goannas v St George Dragons
Gipps Road Oval, Saturday 2:15pm
It wasn’t planned to be this way, but in a twist of fate we have two clubs making their Premier Division debut facing off against each other. Which guarantees that unless there’s a draw, one of our new clubs in this division will have the perfect opening to their standalone Premier Division existence.
The Goannas did have a half-presence in Premier Division last year, when they were in a joint venture with Macquarie Uni. And the addition of the Goannas players into the lineup made a difference, as the joint venture club raced up the ladder into the finals. Now they’ll be wearing the Parramatta colours every week, the third team in blue and gold in this division. Some Macquarie Uni players have gone over, plus some new faces have joined the team; and this is a Parramatta team primed for action and immediate impact at Premier Division level. And this is their big opportunity.
St George as a club didn’t take the plunge into womens’ footy until 2019; but quickly embraced the challenge and worked their way up through the divisions. Last year they took out the Division One premiership in a low-scoring nail-biter Grand Final; and it wasn’t a surprise to anyone when they were promoted to Premier Division for this season. It’s a big step up to this division, but the Dragons are ready for this challenge and they’ll give it their best shot in Premier Division.
It’s a new era for Womens Premier Division at Gipps Road on Saturday afternoon. Two clubs that haven’t played a stand-alone role in this division before, launching their new teams. For both clubs, this is the beginning of an exciting journey; a step into the unknown but a challenge that they’re champing at the bit to get stuck into. And for one of these clubs, the excitement of a first-up win; singing the song with the knowledge that they’re on the right track.
UTS Bats v Sydney University
Waverley Oval, Saturday 3:15pm
University pride will be on the line at Waverley Oval on Saturday evening as the Bats host the Students. For the Bats, this is a chance to consolidate the gains the club made in their Womens program in 2023; while the Students are looking to maintain their run of finals appearances.
UTS had a near-perfect season in Premier Division last year. Hitting the ground running and making an impact early, the Bats made their way to the minor premiership and through to the Grand Final. Unfortunately for the Bats, on the day they were unable to get over the Eagles; but to have got that far showed the extent of the dramatic improvement the Bats were able to show in 2023. But that rise can’t be a one-off. It’s a new season, the slate is wiped clean, and there’s a lot of work to do.
For Sydney Uni, a strong finish to the regular season last year got them into the finals; and they’ll be looking to carry that momentum into 2024. It’s a relatively stable lineup for the Students this year, and they’ve kept most of their squad from last year together. But now the challenge is to take the next step; to not just make finals but do some damage when the playoffs come around. But they have to make the finals first, and that campaign starts here.
There’s always a new sense of excitement as a new season gets under way; and both sides will be well prepared for this encounter and keen to make an early impact on the competition. The Bats can’t afford to rest on their laurels from last year; and there’s plenty of work to be done to get over a Sydney Uni side that won’t be making it easy for them. This is a game that could tell us plenty about the fortunes of both clubs in 2024.
UNSW-ES Bulldogs v East Coast Eagles
Henson Park, Saturday 3:35pm
Unfortunately East Coast’s unfurling of their premiership flag last week was postponed; and instead their title defence sees them hit the road to Henson Park for a first-up clash against a Bulldogs side that will be looking for signs of an improved showing in 2024.
Since moving into Premier Division in 2019, East Coast have established themselves as a powerhouse club in womens’ footy; and last year was no exception. Although they missed out on the minor premiership, on Grand Final day there was no doubting their dominance as they controlled proceedings from start to finish to take out their second straight premiership. They again have what looks like a strong lineup in the quest for the three-peat; and that quest starts here. But, having raised the standard in recent seasons, they know they must raise the bar again to stay on top.
UNSW-ES have a long association with womens’ footy and have enjoyed plenty of success along the way; but last year wasn’t one of their better seasons and they were only able to win two games for the year. The Bulldogs can again expect to be rebuilding their list in 2024, and have bolstered their lineup for this new season. This is the first step in a long road ahead for the Bulldogs, and it’s one they’ll be looking to put in a competitive effort.
It would be something remarkable for the Bulldogs to get up here. The Eagles will go into this game as hot favourites, as they search for their third straight premiership against a rebuilding side that was well down the ladder last season. But if the Bulldogs can put up a competitive effort and take the fight up to the Eagles, it will give them plenty of hope that they have turned the corner and 2024 will be a better year. But it won’t be easy against a very strong Eagles side that is intent on continuing its dominance of Womens footy.
