AFL SYDNEY – ROUND 7 REVIEW (25 MAY 2024)
Written by David Redden
WOMENS PREMIER DIVISION:
East Coast Eagles are flying at present, and they produced another dominant performance, this time at University No.1 Oval, as they dispatched Sydney University by fifty-six points. Final scores were East Coast 9.8.62 to Sydney University 1.0.6
The return of full-forward Rylee McGartland has coincided with the Eagles ominous recent form. McGartland kicked five of East Coast’s nine goals as the Eagles reminded the entire competition that they will take some beating in September at Blacktown International Sportspark.
Representative stars Michelle Foscarini, Tegan Germech and Caitlin Reid were amongst East Coast’s best, alongside Amelie Prosser-Shaw. The Students were best served by Ella Van Den Borne, Rose Stuart, Ashley Dribbus and Molly Cameron.
The Parramatta Goannas produced their best four quarters of the season with a comprehensive thirty-six-point win over Manly Warringah at Gipps Road Oval. The Goannas kept the Wolves goalless in winning 6.5.41 to 0.5.5, showing they are tracking well toward the finals in three months’ time. The Goannas sit on 4-2 in third place in a crowded top six and have a pivotal clash with North Shore at Gore Hill this Saturday before the Bye on the June Long Weekend.
Lauren O’Sullivan was the only multiple goal kicker in the match, managing two majors.
Parramatta’s best players were O’Sullivan, Sophie Kavanagh, Chloe Davis and Caitlin Fletcher. Manly were best served by the reliable Zara Hamilton, Hannah Woolf, Elise Wallace and Jessica Layton.
UNSW-ES secured their first victory in season 2024 with a solid eighteen-point victory over Pennant Hills at Mike Kenny Oval. Final scores were UNSW-ES 5.3.33 to Pennant Hills 2.3.15.
The Bulldogs led at every change, and despite being kept scoreless in the final quarter, their resolute and experienced defensive unit ensure they were never seriously threatened by a young and developing Demons outfit.
Senna Gulden has been in excellent form for the Bulldogs, and she was the Bulldogs best player, aided and abetted by Chloe Anderson, Shelby Koh and Emma Haley. Pennant Hills were best served by representative fullback Kaitlin Quinlan, the consistent Natalie Pajor, Elly Rudd and Mia Hartley.
In the Match of the Round broadcast by Streamer on the AFL Sydney Facebook Page, UTS secured vital percentage with a ninety-eight-point victory over hosts St George at Olds Park. Final scores were UTS 15.9.99 to St George 0.1.1.
UTS produced a consistent four-quarter effort, kicking four, five, three and three goals respectively as they wore the young Dragons outfit down in a game played in ideal conditions on the wide expanses of Olds Park.
The Bats will be pleased that their goals were well shared, with Alyssa Wedd, small forward Catriona O’Brien and Chaye Hartwell all managing three majors apiece.
UTS’ best players were the fleet-footed O’Brien, Hannah Cerezo across half-back, Aoife Berry in the centre and ruck Georgia Knight. Caydelan Mitchell-Bruce was outstanding for the Dragons, supported by Sienna Smith, Rachel Simpson and Sophie Matheson, whose overhead marking was a highlight on a tough day for St George.
WOMEN’S DIVISION ONE:
In Women’ Division One results, Sydney University kicked 2.11 but somehow snuck home a tight three-point win over East Coast Eagles, North Shore defeated SW Sydney Blues by thirteen points, Randwick City accounted for Newtown by thirteen points and Manly Warringah were clinical in defeating Parramatta by thirty-nine points at Gipps Road.
MENS PREMIER DIVISION:
The Mens Premier Division Ladder has an unusual look to after just six rounds.
Manly and North Shore, both undefeated, sit twenty points and huge percentage above five teams with one win: UNSW-ES, UTS, SW Sydney, St George and East Coast.
Manly and North Shore will already be preparing for their blockbuster June Long Weekend clash at Gore Hill, part of the completely rescheduled Round 1 fixtures on the seventh and eighth of June.
Manly Warringah produced a huge second half after being down to Inner West by thirty points at the main break. The Wolves kicked twelve goals to the Magpies two in the second half to run out victors 13.15.93 to 8.10.58 at Picken Oval.
The Magpies shot out of the gates in the first quarter, leading by twenty-three points at quarter-time. After a one-goal second quarter, the Wolves came out flying in the so-called “Premiership Quarter,” and actually led by nine points at the final break. Manly Warringah continued with the job in the last quarter, pouring on six goals to the Magpies two as they confirmed their Top Three credentials over a game Magpie outfit.
Representative forward Zac Youlten continued his good form this season with another three majors for the Wolve. League full-forward Ben Zoppo kicked another three goals for the Magpies as he rolls on with an excellent start to the season.
Manly Warringah’s best players were Sam McMeeken, Kyle Martin, Alex Jacobs and Barry O’Connor. Inner West’s were best served by Jye Doyle, Ben Klemke, Dan Hillam and Michael Lemme.
St George defeated UTS by forty-eight points in high-scoring Match of the Round at Olds Park, registering their first win of the season. Final Scores were St George 20.8.128 to the Bats’ 12.8.80 in a game that ebbed and flowed with significant momentum swings in each quarter.
St George were up and about in the first quarter, dominating the clearances and leading by twenty-five points at first break. UTS gradually pegged them back over the next two quarters and the game was beautifully poised at three-quarter time, with the Dragons holding onto a slender one-goal lead.
However, the Dragons piled on eight goals in a thunderous final quarter in front of the faithful at Penshurst, as UTS struggled in the absence of the influential Xavier Barry-Murphy (head injury) for much of the game.
Tye Gander was outstanding for the Dragons in his return from VFL duties, kicking six goals as he rotated between the goal square and a high half-forward position. Key forwards Hugo Birks (four) and Ash Backlund (three) were a constant presence in front of goals of the Bats.
St George’s best players were Jeromos Mills-Vasas, Gander, Lachlan Cabor and Jon Pearson. UTS were best served by fullback Lewis McCormack, Josh Lee, Louis Pribula and Birks.
Sydney University and East Coast Eagles met at University No.1 Oval. The Students will be pleased with a thumping 109-point thrashing of the Eagles, eventually running out victors 23.15.153 to 6.8.44.
The Students led by sixty-eight points at the main break and piled eleven more goals in the second half as they gained valuable percentage as they battle with Pennant Hills for the crucial third place on the ladder.
Nik Dale, in vintage form up forward, kicked six goals for the Students. He was well-supported by League captain Jack Dimery and small forward William Gibbs, who both chipped with three majors. Marshall Poynter managed two goals on a tough day for the Kanebridge Oval outfit.
The Students were best served by Nathan Tang, Dimery, Nick Lees and Dale. The Eagles’ best players were Jacob Jones, Zac Johns, Nick Johns and Harry Elbourne.
North Shore produced a solid displayat Monarch Oval and accounted for the SW Sydney Blues by forty-six points. The Bombers ran out victors 14.5.89 to 6.7.43, helped by accuracy in front of goals.
Wayd Blackburne was outstanding for the Bombers up forward, kicking six goals. He was well-supported by Fraser Thurlow, who chipped in with three majors.
Angus Rankin, James Tidemann, Blackburne and Alex Kourakis were amongst North Shore’s best players, whilst the Blues had solid contributions from Jayden Flanagan, Kerwin Stuart, Bailey Stewart and Baily McParland.
Pennant Hills produced another solid defensive performance in their sixty-six-point victory over UNSW-ES at Mike Kenny Oval. Pennant Hills ran out victors 15.9.99 to UNSW-ES 4.9.33, with the return of Connor Matthews adding to a very impressive performance by the Demons’ back six.
Pennant Hills blew the Bulldogs away in the second quarter, kicking six goals to none in leading by forty-seven points at the main break.
Harrison Pitt, who was well-held last week at a freezing Manuka Oval, returned to his best form with five goals for the Demons, with skipper Mitchell Blow and half-forward Nick Hey chipping in with two majors each.
Pennant Hills’ best players were Michael Carroll, James Carroll, Nick Eynaud and Pitt. UNSW-ES were best served by Toby Alker, Thomas Unger, Jarrod Wachman and Max Rider.
MEN’S DIVISION ONE:
In Men’s Division One results, Pennant Hills accounted for UNSW-ES by twenty-eight points despite kicking 7.13, Inner West prevailed in a tough sixteen-point win over Parramatta, Camden shot to the top of the ladder with an excellent ten-point victory over Sydney University at University No.1 Oval, and St George ground out an eleven-point victory over Balmain in the twilight fixture at Olds Park in Penshurst.
