AFL SYDNEY – ROUND 10 REVIEW (22 JUNE 2024)

Written by David Redden

WOMEN’S PREMIER DIVISION:

North Shore returned to the winners’ circle with a strong ninety-six-point victory over St George at Gore Hill Oval. Final scores were North Shore 14.12.96 to St George 0.0.0.

Emily Cleghorn, Adrienne Keeffe and Olivia Edwards all kicked three goals for the Bombers, who kept pace with UTS in the battle for fifth place and gained crucial percentage in their big win.

Cleghorn, Lucy Yates, Zoe Hurrell and Edwards were amongst North Shore’s best players. St George’s best players were not listed at the time of writing.

Manly Warringah kept guests Sydney University to just one goal in yet another superb defensive performance from the second-placed Wolves at an absolutely soaked Weldon Oval. Final scores were Manly Warringah 5.4.34 to Sydney University 1.4.10 as the Wolves showed that their outstanding defensive structures will take them deep into September once again.

Key forward Lauren Bull was the only multiple goalkicker in the fixture, with two goals for the Wolves as they came from behind at quarter-time in keeping the Students goalless for the final three quarters.

Manly’s best players were Hannah Woolf, gun midfielder Zara Hamilton, skipper Ashleigh Carter and ruck Jayme Saggers. Sydney University were best served by Saskia Johnson, Ashley Dribbus, Jasmine Smith and Emma Walsh.

East Coast Eagles continued with their recent excellent form in accounting for Parramatta by twenty-eight points at Kanebridge Oval. Final scores were East Coast 6.5.41 to Parramatta 1.7.13 as the Eagles maintained their four-point lead in first place over the talented Manly Warringah outfit.

East Coast had six individual goalkickers as Parramatta achieved the rare feat of keeping kept gun forward Caitlin Davidson goalless.

East Coast was best served by the Shiarna Tarasenko, Michelle Foscarini, Caitlin Reid and Summer Hall. Best players for the Goannas were Kiera Yerbury, Abbie Lewis, Stephanie Wilkins and Lauren Easton.

In the late game that was moved to Blacktown International Sportspark 2 (BISP 2), UTS produced a solid display to defeat UNSW-ES by sixteen points. Final scores were UTS 4.6.30 to UNSW-ES 2.2.14 as the Bats maintained fifth spot on the ladder, just ahead of the talented North Shore Bombers.

Goals were hard to come by at BISP 2, with six players each kicking one goal on yet another wet Sydney Saturday.

Emma Walsh kicked two goals for Sydney Uni, whilst key forward Adrienne Keeffe also managed two majors for the Bombers.

UTS’ best players were skipper Kaitlin McCaffery, Hannah Cerezo, Serina Baukes and Sophia Gaukrodger. UNSW-ES were best served by Ahlani Eddy, Chloe Anderson, Amelia Martin and Tina Schilg.

WOMEN’S DIVISION ONE:

In Womens Division One action, UTS comfortably accounted for North Shore by thirty-two points at Gore Hill, Manly Warringah defeated Sydney University in atrocious conditions at Weldon Oval, Parramatta thumped East Coast by sixty-nine points at Kanebridge Oval and Newtown continued their solid season with a convincing thirty-three-point victory over South West Sydney Blues at Mahoney Park.

WOMEN’S UNDER 20’s:

In Women’s Under 20’s action, UTS kept UNSW-ES scoreless at Henson Park in defeating the Bulldogs 2.4.16 to 0.0.0. The Sydney University-North Shore fixture and the Manly Warringah-Parramatta fixture were cancelled due to wet weather making Sydney University No.1 Oval and Mike Pawley Oval unplayable.

MENS PREMIER DIVISION:

North Shore continued their undefeated season with a convincing sixty-two-point victory over the St George Dragons at Gore Hill Oval. Final scores were North Shore 11.9.75 to St George 1.7.13.

Best players for North Shore were, Captain Ned Campbell, Christian Loone and Max Toohey. While St George’s best were Jonathon Pearson, Matt Saunders and Jordan Taylor.

Goalkickers for North Shore included Thomas Drum (3), Wayd Blackburn (2), and singles from Ethan Grace, Matt Buskariol, Ben Cunningham, Simon Homsany, Lloyd Peris and Fraser Thurlow. St George Goal kicker was Bradley Uglow (1)

In an absolute thriller at Henson Park, UNSW-ES kicked two goals to one in the last quarter to sneak home by four points over UTS. Final scores were UNSW-ES 6.14.40 to UTS 6.10.46.

After a lively first quarter in which UTS kicked four goals to two, the inclement conditions took hold, making scoring after quarter-time exceedingly difficult.

Hamish Morrison kicked three goals for the Bulldogs in a superb display from the representative utility. Key forwards Josh Ralph (three goals) and Hugo Birks (two goals) kicked five of UTS’s six goals.

UNSW-ES’ best players were the outstanding Morrison, the consistent William Foster, Thomas Under and rugged backman Jarrod Wachman. UTS was best served Lewis Ralph, Lewis McCormack, Cian Sheehan and midfielder Koby Grass.

Manly Warringah produced a withering five-goal final quarter to defeat Sydney University by thirty-four points in quite extraordinary conditions at Weldon Oval in Curl Curl. Final scores were Manly Warringah 7.15.57 to Sydney University 3.5.23.

Scores were even at the final break after a tough slog in the first three quarters. Forward Cameron Manuel had a huge last quarter and inspired his Wolves teammates to kick away from the Students and keep pace with ladder leaders North Shore, all played in front of a healthy and boisterous crowd at Weldon Oval.

Sydney Uni’s small forward William Gibbs was the only multiple goalkicker in the fixture, nabbing two majors. Zach Youlten’s amazing checkside goal in the left forward pocket will be one for the highlight reel on Phelan-Mostyn Medal Night.

Manly’s best players were Tom Sheldrick, Jonathan Marsh, Manuel and midfielder Kyle Martin. The Students had solid contributions from key backman Tim Barton, ruckman Montague Velthuis, Rohan Watson and Jay Tang.

In a superb game of football at Rosedale Oval, South West Sydney Blues can thank accurate kicking for a thrilling four-point victory over third-placed Pennant Hills. Final Scores were SW Sydney 10.5.65 to Pennant Hills 8.13.61.

SW Sydney kicked three goals to the Demons none in the second quarter to lead by fifteen points at the main break. Pennant Hills came back hard in the third quarter to lead by a solitary point at the final break. The Blues then kicked 3.2 to 2.3 in the final term to secure a vital four points ahead of their blockbuster clash with fierce rivals Inner West this Saturday.

Matt Storey kicked three goals for the Blues, aided and abetted by Caleb May and Coby Hilton, who both chipped in with two majors each. Key forward Harrison Pitt managed three majors for the Demons, ahead of their huge clash with North Shore at MKO this Saturday.

SW Sydney’s best players were May, Bailey Stewart, Brydon Coles and Josh Duncan. Pennant Hills were best served by Nick Eynaud, Phelan Medallist Stephen Wray, Thomas Edmonds and Nick Hey.

MEN’S DIVISION ONE:

In Men’s Division One action, Camden thrashed Inner West Magpies by 106 points in front of the faithful at Fairfax Reserve. North Shore comfortably took care of St George with a final score of 130 – 7.  The Sydney University-Parramatta and the UNSWES-Balmain fixtures were cancelled due to inclement weather making Sydney Uni No.1 Oval and Henson Park unplayable.