Men’s and Women’s Premier Division – Round Three Preview
Written by Michael Shillito
A full round of matches last week threw up some interesting results. A few upsets, some big wins; and now we go around again.
For those who took the points in the opening round, it’s a welcome confidence boost. But the job’s not done yet. The season is a marathon, not a sprint; and a one-off win isn’t enough. It’s all about backing up week after week, getting the job done every time. And for those who weren’t able to get the win in the opening round, there’s still plenty of time to start accumulating the wins and move up the ladder.
We have five games to play in Mens Premier Division this week; with all ten teams taking the field. In the Womens, Manly enter the competition this week after having the bye last week; while Pennant Hills have the week off this week. They’ll be using the time to regroup after their opening round loss and preparing their game plan ready to hit back hard when their competition resume.
It’s sure to be another big round of footy; with some matches that will tell us plenty about where our teams are at and who will be contenders in 2024.
MENS PREMIER DIVISION
Pennant Hills Demons v South-West Sydney Blues
Mike Kenny Oval (upper oval), Saturday 12:50pm
It’s a lunchtime start at Mike Kenny Oval as the Demons play host to South-West Sydney. After both clubs copped heavy defeats in the opening round, the quest for redemption starts here.
The Demons had a tough fixture to start the season, taking on North Shore at Gore Hill. And it wasn’t the start to the season they wanted, as they were never in the contest against a red-hot Bombers outfit; with the Bombers taking control from the start to record a 64-point win. Mitchell Zywietz, Michael Carroll and Lachlan Willey kept trying hard all day; but the Demons weren’t able to find the formula to get on top of the Bombers. But now they return to their own turf, looking to hit back on their familiar settings in front of the Demon faithful.
Meanwhile the Blues had a tough opening to their Premier Division existence, a long road trip to Weldon Oval where they were jumped at the start by Manly and held scoreless in the opening quarter before going down by 130 points. With the majority of the team making their Premier Division debut, it was a sharp learning curve for the Blues against a strong Manly side. Baily Mcparland, Kain Flynn-Duncombe and Finbar Delbridge never stopped putting the effort in; but there’s a lot for this young and inexperienced Blues side to learn about playing at this level.
Dropping the opening game of the season hurts, but isn’t fatal. There’s plenty of time to get back on track. But a second loss would make things difficult; and that’s the fate that one team here will face. Especially with both teams having lost by substantial margins in the opening round. If this game is one-sided, the team on the losing end will have to make up not just two games but a lot of percentage. Already at this early stage of the competition, there’s plenty at stake in this encounter. The Demons will enjoy the home ground advantage, but the Blues will need to learn quickly. They can’t afford another big loss here.
St George Dragons v North Shore Bombers
Olds Park, Saturday 12:50pm
The Dragons and the Bombers have had plenty of keenly-fought contests over the years. And they meet again at Olds Park for an early game on Saturday. After these clubs had contrasting fortunes in last week’s matches, this result could either close the gap between the two sides or already open up a big break.
St George played in the blockbuster opening night of the season against Inner West at Picken Oval, but it wasn’t a great night for the Dragons. There wasn’t much in it at quarter time, but the Dragons were unable to keep up with the Magpies for the rest of the night and went down by 42 points. Matt Saunders, Lachlan Querzoli and Josh Nicholls kept putting the effort in; but the Dragons were never able to get their best game going and were never really in the contest. Now they’re back on their home deck, but with a massive task in front of them; and they’ll need to lift several gears to stay in contact with a well-drilled North Shore side this week.
North Shore on the other hand, enjoyed a successful start to the season with a 64-point win over Pennant Hills at Gore Hill. Taking control from the start, the result of the game was never in doubt at the Bombers asserted their superiority and found plenty of the ball throughout the afternoon. Nick Hill led the way up forward with four goals; while Christian Loone, Ethan Grace and James Tidemann picked up plenty of possessions. It was an impressive display from a team with genuine premiership aspirations this season; and the Dragons are going to have to find a way to stop them in their tracks this week.
After last Friday night, the Dragons stand at the crossroads. If they drop this game, especially by a big margin, they’re in trouble. But if they can find a way to use their home ground advantage and get on top of the Bombers, there is not just four points to get the season under way but a massive psychological boost. But it won’t be easy against a North Shore side that hit the ground running last week and look well prepared to be there again at the business end of 2024.
Sydney University v Manly-Warringah Wolves
Sydney Uni No 1 Oval, Saturday 1:00pm
Two sides that enjoyed first-up success last weekend face off at Sydney Uni No 1 in a clash that will propel the winner towards the upper reaches of the ladder. It’s a match between two sides that have every reason to feel confident about their prospects for 2024; and for those who aren’t able to get to the Campus to take in the action, you can catch it LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE on Streamer – https://streamer.com.au/league/aflsydney/match/2848
Sydney Uni got themselves off to a flying start when they were 50 points too good for UTS at Waverley last Saturday. After the Bats led at quarter time, the Students took over the contest with nine goals in the second quarter to put the game out of UTS’s reach, and it was an easy win from there. Harry Morrison led the way in the second quarter charge to finish with six goals for the day, and along with Jay and Nathan Tang was in the Students’ best. Sydney Uni have high hopes for this season, and this was a solid start. But there are harder contests to come.
Manly are top of the table and on the crest of a wave after the Wolves gave the newly-promoted South-West Sydney a welcome to Premier Division off the field but a football lesson on it; taking control from the start to race to a 130-point win. Tom McCaffrey and Byron Laws spearheaded the charge with four goals apiece; while James Lugsdin, Alex Jacobs and Ryan Stubbs were in the thick of the action around the ground. It was a great start to the season for Manly, but there are tough opponents they need to beat to establish themselves as contenders; and this week is one of them.
To be 2-0 is a great springboard to start the season; and that’s what one of these teams will have. The other will find themselves closer to the middle of the table than the top; not fatal at this early stage, but getting the wins accumulated early is definitely helpful in the context of a long season that at some stage will throw up some challenges. Both clubs would like to build on the momentum they built last week; and whoever wins this one will find themselves with a spring in their step and the feeling that they are well placed to take on the 2024 season.
Inner West Magpies v East Coast Eagles
Picken Oval, Saturday 2:00pm
Two teams with winning form under their belt meet up at Picken Oval on Saturday afternoon as the Magpies host the Eagles. Last year was a struggle for both clubs, but first-up wins this season have lifted the mood considerably and this is a clash of two sides who suddenly fancy their chances.
Inner West Magpies opened the season with a Friday night clash against St George, and it was a night when everything went to plan. There wasn’t much in it for the first quarter, but five goals in the second term opened up a lead that the Magpies were never going to give up; and they would go on to record a 42-point win. Ben Zoppo led all scorers with a seven goal haul; and along with Luke Jamieson and Pat Wilmot was among the Magpies’ best. Back at home, the Magpies know what they need to do to keep their run going; replicate last Friday’s effort should get it done.
And when it comes to getting it done, what a remarkable result by East Coast at Henson Park last week. Last year’s wooden spooners against the defending champions; but the Eagles took the lead early and were able to come up with the answering goal whenever the Bulldogs asked questions of them. Jacob Jones, Angus Edwards and Zac Johns were magnificent under pressure. That was a result that will re-enforce the self-belief in the Eagles camp that the worst times are behind them and they’re on the way up. But this week is a new challenge.
Both clubs will be happy with their opening to the season. But one swallow does not a summer make. To be true contenders, a first-up win isn’t enough. There’s no time for anti-climax this week; they have to back up and get the job done again and again, every week. The club that can do that will find themselves well placed to be the big improver of the 2024 season. The club that can’t will drop back to the pack.
UTS Bats v UNSW-ES Bulldogs
Waverley Oval, Saturday 2:30pm
There’s no love lost in an Eastern Suburbs derby, and the Bats and Bulldogs will re-ignite their local rivalry at Waverley on Saturday. But there’s more up for grabs than just local bragging rights; after both sides tasted defeat in the opening round of the season, they’ll both be looking to hit back hard this week and kick-start their 2024 campaign.
UTS went down to Sydney Uni at Waverley last week by 50 points, but they should have been a lot closer. A wasteful 1.9 in the opening term last week saw them only lead by three points at the first change; and then when the Students made better use of their opportunities in the second quarter, the game had been put to bed at half time. Lewis McCormack, Josh Ralph and Ash Backlund worked hard for the Bats all day; but they would regret their failure to build a bigger lead in the first quarter and know all too well that, against the defending premiers, they will need to make every post a winner this week.
Defending champions UNSW-ES were given a shock at Henson Park last Saturday, their flag unfurling celebration being spoiled with a shock nine-point loss to East Coast. Sam Thorne, Jordan Endemann and Louis Kitto put plenty of effort in; but the Bulldogs were unable to replicate their impressive form of recent seasons and once they fell behind on the scoreboard were unable to regain the lead. After all they have achieved in recent years, wins won’t just happen; they still have to go out and get the job done. But it would be premature to write the Bulldogs off after one loss, and there’s still plenty of premiership quality players in their lineup.
The stakes are high. For the winner, there’s four points and a momentum boost, something they can build on to kick-start a run into the 2024 season. But the loser will be 0-2, and already finding themselves chasing the pack for this season. This is a must-win clash, and you can expect plenty of desperation from two sides who know they can’t afford another slip-up this week.
WOMENS PREMIER DIVISION
Parramatta Goannas v East Coast Eagles
Gipps Road Oval, Saturday 12:30pm
A blue and gold derby kicks off proceedings for Womens Premier Division this week; as the Goannas play host to the Eagles at Gipps Road. There’ll be plenty of interest in this clash, and if you can’t get to this contest live, the next best thing will be to see all the action LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE on Streamer –https://streamer.com.au/league/aflsydney/match/285
Last week the Goannas took the field for the first time as a stand-alone Premier Division club, and it was a total triumph. Taking control from the start, the Goannas kept St George scoreless to record an easy 64-point win. Brianna-Lee Wade, wearing the Goannas colours for the first time, spearheaded the charge with four goals; while Cassie Brown, Amelia Costa da Silva and Amanda Farrugia were in the thick of the action around the ground. Early days, but the Goannas look like they’re going to be a hard team to beat this year; and now they’re taking on the reigning premiers in what has the ingredients to be a cracking clash.
East Coast also looked good in the first game of their season last week. Under the setting sun at Henson Park, the Eagles pulled away from UNSW-ES early; and kept the Bulldogs goal-less until the third quarter as they cruised to a comfortable 28-point win. The Eagles had winners all over the ground, with Jess Whelan, Michelle Foscarini and Tamaryn McGregor the pick of them. It was an impressive start from a team going through its paces, a first step in the long road to a premiership three-peat and successfully taken care of their first challenge. But this is a match that will test them.
As a joint venture club last year, the Goannas raced up the ladder into the finals; and now with the stand-alone team, the girls from Gipps Road look like they’ve assembled a team that is ready to contest for the title. But this is the true test, against an East Coast side that’s done it all before and still looks very impressive. This is a game that will tell us plenty about who the title contenders are, two teams with plenty of star power. One of them will make a statement on Saturday that they’re ready to climb to the top.
UTS Bats v UNSW-ES Bulldogs
Waverley Oval, Saturday 12:40pm
The Eastern Suburbs derby is always a clash to look forward to; and for the Bats and the Bulldogs, the lunchtime start at Waverley Oval on Saturday will be no exception as these old rivals lock horns once again.
For UTS, the expectation for this season is to show that their rapid rise last year was no fluke; and they did everything right in the opening game to get over Sydney Uni by 39 points. The Bats look to have uncovered another exciting young prospect with Sophia Gaukrodger achieving a Rising Star nomination; while Ruby Reid and Kirsten Walsh also featured prominently for the Bats. So far so good for the Bats, but they have to keep performing every week. And that starts here.
UNSW-ES didn’t quite have the start to the season they wanted at Henson Park last Saturday, when they went down to East Coast by 28 points. The Bulldogs were unable to score a goal in the first half, and by half time they were too far behind to launch a serious challenge to the Eagles. Ahlani Eddy, Lauren Whiting and Rani Sossai tried hard, but the Bulldogs weren’t able to find the personnel to match it with a very strong Eagles side. And their tough draw continues this week as they play the other of last year’s Grand Finallists; and they’ll need to find something special to get on the winning list this week.
The Bats were big improvers last season as they came from outside the finals to finish as minor premiers and make their way into the Grand Final. And a first-up win this season will see the Bats go into this game as favourites against a Bulldogs side that wasn’t able to match it with the Eagles last week. But it’s all about getting it done on the day; and when local rivals meet and bragging rights are up for grabs, anything is possible.
St George Dragons v North Shore Bombers
Olds Park, Saturday 3:10pm
St George’s keenly-awaited arrival into Premier Division didn’t go to plan last week. But now they return to their home base, knowing they have to lift and hit back hard. Standing in their way is a North Shore side fresh off a first-up win and ready to launch themselves forward.
The Dragons’ first match in Premier Division turned into a nightmare at Gipps Road last Saturday, as they were unable to score and went down by 64 points. Kaitlyn Eisenhuth, Rachel Simpson and Sophie Matheson kept putting the effort in, but it wasn’t enough to give the Dragons any chance of holding the Goannas back. It’s a step up to go into Premier Division, but the Dragons must learn from that experience and lift their work-rate this week. Back on their home turf in front of the Dragons faithful is where they must make it happen.
North Shore go into this game with winning form under their belt, thanks to a 23-point win over Pennant Hills at Gore Hill last week. The first half was close, but three unanswered goals in the premiership quarter turned their half-time deficit into a comfortable lead and the Bombers had their season off to the start they were looking for. Georgina Maher, Serena Lienert and Adrienne Keeffe were in the thick of the action for the Bombers and will be looking to feature prominently again this week.
The vast majority of the St George team last week were making their Premier Division debut, and it’s a tough learning curve to step up to this level. But there are lessons to be learnt, and the Dragons will have trained hard during the week to take the next step. But North Shore are waiting, and they won’t make it easy. The Bombers have hopes of returning to finals action after missing out last year; and they can’t afford to let games like this slip away from them. There’ll be plenty of desperation and fight in this contest.
Sydney University v Manly-Warringah Wolves
Sydney Uni No 1 Oval, Saturday 3:25pm
Under the setting sun at the Uni campus, the Students and the Wolves will face off. For Sydney Uni, this is where they will be looking to hit back after an opening loss; while the Wolves will be playing their first game for 2024 after having the bye last week. Both these teams have ambitions of being in action at the business end of the season, and this is a big test. If you can’t get out to Sydney Uni No 1 for this game, don’t miss the action LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE on Streamer – https://streamer.com.au/league/aflsydney/match/2852
It was a tough draw to open the season for the Students, playing UTS at Waverley away. In the first half, they were making good progress in their challenge, and led by a point at the long break. But it all came unstuck for the Students in the third quarter, with the Bats adding five unanswered goals; and the Students would go down by 39 points. Lucy Gilfedder, Molly Cameron and Lily Race persevered all afternoon; but it wasn’t enough to stop the Bats momentum. But this time they’re on their home deck; and need to make the familiar conditions work in their favour against another very strong opponent.
For Manly, this is a new beginning. Since going into Premier Division in 2020, the Wolves have established themselves as a force in this competition; and throughout their Premier Division existence have never missed out on the finals. There’s plenty of star power in their lineup again this year, and they’re ready to make an impact. Finally the time for waiting is over, and the Wolves are champing at the bit to get stuck in to 2024.
These teams both played finals last year, and have high hopes of being in the playoffs again this time round. That makes games like this of critical importance, and victory here will give one of these clubs an edge against a potential finals rival. The Students won’t want to be 0-2, and have the home ground advantage. But the Wolves, after a lockout and a bye, are finally on the field and ready to hit the ground running. There shouldn’t be much separating these teams.
