Round 15 – Men’s & Women’s Premier Division Preview
Written by Michael Shillito
July has finished and we move into August, and the finals are in sight. Just four weeks remain of the regular season and the battle for positions within the finals is on.
In Mens Premier Division, all 10 of our teams are in action. The teams that will make the final five are clear – it may be mathematically possible for South-West Sydney to make it, but the permutation of results needed is so unlikely that it’s not going to happen. Barring some major calamity, North Shore have the minor premiership wrapped up and Manly will be second. But the race is on for third and the double-chance; with just percentage separating Pennant Hills and Sydney Uni, with Inner West two games behind.
It’s not so clear-cut in Womens Premier Division. East Coast should finish top, they are two games clear of Manly although the Wolves have a game in hand. Parramatta, Sydney Uni and North Shore are a game behind them, fighting it out for the double-chance; but with UTS only one game behind, none of them are guaranteed a finals spot yet.
St George have the bye this week. It’s been a difficult season for the Dragons, and they are not in finals contention. But after this break, they’ll be wanting to regroup and find a positive note to finish the season on.
It’s another big week of footy, and we’ve got some crunch games that could go a long way towards deciding how the finals take shape.
MENS PREMIER DIVISION
North Shore Bombers v Sydney University
Gore Hill Oval, Saturday 1:30pm
North Shore – 1st. Played 14, Won 14, Lost 0, 231.63%. Streak – W14
Sydney Uni – 4th. Played 14, Won 10, Lost 4, 132.67%. Streak – W4
It’s a big game at Gore Hill, with the Bombers celebrating their Back to Bears Day; and their visitors will be a Sydney Uni side who will be desperate to stop the Bomber juggernaut and keep themselves within reach of the finals double-chance. There’s plenty at stake in this clash, and it’s sure to be a massive occasion. Gore Hill is the place to be; but if you can’t get there, the next best thing is to see all the action as it unfolds on Streamer. [link – https://streamer.com.au/match/3855 ]
14 games, 14 wins. It doesn’t get any better than that, and North Shore have maintained their perfect record so far in 2024. Last week they travelled west to Picken Oval, where the Magpies gave them a run for their money to lead by a point at the long break; but in the end the Bombers’ class prevailed and they would record a 29-point win. Matt Buskariol landed five goals in a best-on-ground performance, while James Tidemann and Nick Brewer stood tall around the ground to make key contributions. Every week the Bombers have got the job done, and they find themselves well placed; but they won’t want to take any risks with their form and will be keen to keep doing what they’ve been doing thus far.
Sydney Uni also come into this game with some winning form under their belt, having won their last four. Last week a flying start saw them land seven goals in the first quarter against UNSW-ES; and with the game safely won by quarter time, they were in cruise control for the rest of the day to win by 35 points. Nathan Tang, Max Kozlik and Spencer Krochmal were influential for the Students on a day where they did the hard work early and got the job done. But this is the true test, their second clash against North Shore at Gore Hill this season; and the Students will have to lift another gear and put in a full four quarters this time round.
The Bombers are well clear on top, and can’t finish any lower than second; but can go a long way towards wrapping up the minor premiership if they can get the job done here. And with the North Shore legends of yesteryear looking on, they’ll be keen to put on a show. But the Students have every reason to take the fight up to them. If they can do what no team has done before this season and knock the Bombers off, they are absolutely in the race for the double-chance when they play Pennant Hills next week. The stakes are high, there’s a sense of occasion; this is a game to watch.
Inner West Magpies v UNSW-ES Bulldogs
Picken Oval, Saturday 2:00pm
Inner West – 5th. Played 14, Won 8, Lost 6, 112.06%. Streak – L2
UNSW-ES – 9th. Played 14, Won 2, Lost 12, 66.30%. L4
Inner West Magpies have lifted this season, and find themselves in fifth place. And if they can get up against UNSW-ES at Picken Oval, and Magpies will have ensured themselves a spot in this year’s finals.
It was a solid fighting effort by the Magpies last week, when they took the lead late in the second term against the undefeated North Shore to lead by a point at the long break. They weren’t able to maintain that lead in the second half and went down by 29 points; but the Magpies showed plenty of fight and desperation which will serve them well in clashes to come. Coach Ben Klemke led by example, well supported by Jesse Manton and Michael Tuttle. Against the Bulldogs this week, another demonstration of that fighting spirit should go a long way towards getting them over the line.
It’s been a tough season for the defending champions, and the Bulldogs found themselves up against it early last week when they were jumped at the start by Sydney Uni. They played better after quarter time, but there was too much ground to make up and the Bulldogs went down by 35 points, despite the tireless efforts of Max Rider, Jack Hill and Ned Hawkins. But if the Bulldogs are to get anything to show for their efforts in this latter part of the season, they will need to start better than they did against Sydney Uni and hit the ground running.
When these sides met at Henson Park in round 6, the Magpies’ 30-point win showed that they were going to be genuine finals contenders in 2024. And if the Magpies can repeat the dose this time round, they can book themselves in for some September action. And while the Bulldogs, for the first time in many years, won’t be having any September action this season, they can throw a spanner or two into the finals works if they can pull off an upset or two before the season is out. And there’s still enough quality in the Bulldogs’ lineup to do that.
Manly-Warringah Wolves v UTS Bats
Weldon Oval, Saturday 2:00pm
Manly – 2nd. Played 14, Won 12, Lost 2, 192.87%. Streak – W2
UTS – 8th. Played 14, Won 3, Lost 11, 65.56%. Streak – L3
Two games behind first, two games ahead of third. Unless something out of the ordinary happens, Manly appear destined for second spot on the ladder after the home and away season; a comfortable position to be in at this stage of the season. But the Wolves won’t want to jeopardise their winning form, and that form is what’s on the line as they host the Bats at Weldon on Saturday afternoon.
Last week the Wolves travelled to Kanebridge to take on East Coast, and faced few difficulties as they won every quarter to record a 63-point win; ably assisted along the way by big contributions from Tom Sheldrick, Sam McMeekan and Nick Marsh. The Wolves have answered nearly every challenge that’s been thrown their way this season; and with the finals now in sight, they’ll be keen to continue their momentum and get some more results on the board.
Meanwhile UTS had another day they’d prefer to forget last Saturday, when they were unable to keep up with South-West Sydney and went down by 56 points at Waverley Oval. Damian Ryan, Lewis McCormack and Joe Hamilton toiled hard against the odds, but it was an all too familiar tale for the Bats this season as they found themselves on the back foot early and were unable to catch up. It leaves the Bats in eighth spot, another year in which the dream of finals was not to be fulfilled. But with four weeks to go, they will need to find something more so they can get something out of this season.
The first meeting between these sides was in round 8 at Waverley, with the Wolves on that occasion being 48 points too good. And to add to that, this time the Wolves have the home ground advantage. The odds are heavily in Manly’s favour, with a strong and in-form lineup. But for the Bats, time is running out to salvage something from this season. They won’t be playing finals, but they’d love to at least claim one big scalp before the season is done and dusted. And here is their opportunity, if they are good enough to take it.
South-West Sydney Blues v St George Dragons
Rosedale Oval, Saturday 2:10pm
South-West Sydney – 6th. Played 14, Won 5, Lost 9, 80.58%. Streak – W1
St George – 7th. Played 14, Won 4, Lost 10, 69.64%. Streak – L1
Down in the south-west, the footballing action moves to the glorious Rosedale Oval, and the clash between South-West Sydney and St George. Neither of these teams is in realistic finals contention, but the chance for a win and to sing the team song beckons.
South West Sydney’s debut season in Premier Division won’t lead to the finals, but there’s been plenty of encouraging signs for the competition’s newest club. Last Saturday they went east to Waverley, and found the ocean-side setting to their liking as they dominated UTS from start to finish to record a 56-point win. Caleb May scored six goals in a best-on-ground performance, while Bailey Stewart and Finbar Delbridge were ball magnets around the ground. Five wins in their first season at Premier Division level is a solid return; but the Blues aren’t finished yet and would love to add a couple more before the season is out.
St George’s difficult season had another blow last Saturday when Olds Park was closed at the last minute and their game against Pennant Hills moved to Mike Kenny. And it got worse for the Dragons when they were jumped in the opening quarter and were never able to get back into the contest, going down by 60 points. Lachlan Cabor, Kirian Ayres and Josh Nicholls kept working hard, but it wasn’t enough to give the Dragons a sniff. Wins have been hard to come by, but the Dragons will be looking at this game as an opportunity to get another one on the board; and will have to play their best footy to get it done in this clash.
The Blues and the Dragons have already met once this season, back at Olds Park in round 5. It was to be a historic occasion as the Blues tasted the spoils of victory for the first time. They’ve won another four since, and proved themselves to be worthy at this level. They’d love to add a few more, and this is an opportunity. But it won’t be easy against a St George team that has been rebuilding in 2024; and are looking to have something positive to show for their efforts before the season is out.
Pennant Hills Demons v East Coast Eagles
Mike Kenny Oval, Saturday 2:50pm
Pennant Hills – 3rd. Played 14, Won 10, Lost 4, 163.45%. Streak – W3
East Coast – 10th. Played 14, Won 2, Lost 12, 49.26%. Streak – L2
The Hills derby always throws up plenty of interest and passion, and over the years has produced some upset results. This year the Demons are on a roll while the Eagles are on the bottom of the ladder; but although the Demons will be the strongest of favourites, this is one game the Eagles will want to take the fight to their opposition and give them some pressure to absorb.
The Demons come into this game in third place, and will need a win to keep themselves in pole position for the double-chance in the finals. With a late switch of last week’s game to Mike Kenny, the Demons capitalised on their advantage with eight goals in the first quarter to put the game out of St George’s reach. Harrison Pitt spearheaded the Demon charge with five goals, while Tom Larby, Michael Carroll and Tom Edmonds were prolific ball-winners around the ground. But every week is a new challenge, and the Demons will need to once again rise to the occasion; and even a struggling opponent can lift themselves and cause grief to a highly-ranked side.
With just two wins so far this season, the Eagles are looking down the barrel of their third straight wooden spoon. Last week at Kanebridge they were never in the hunt against Manly and went down by 63 points, despite the hard work of Nick Johns, Harry Elbourne and Marshall Poynter. Now they have another strong opponent, one that has given them grief in seasons gone by. They will be looking to put up a fight here, scrap for every possession and make life difficult for the Demons; and a non-stop effort will be needed from everyone in their lineup.
These teams met at Kanebridge in round 5, and the Demons were too good on that occasion, winning by 39 points. On reputation and on form, the Demons would be expected to win this one comfortably. But the Eagles need a win to get off the bottom, and need to scrap and contest every touch and be relentless with the pressure. If they can do that, maybe they can make the Demons crack and put them under the pump. If they can’t, it will be a long, tough afternoon for the Eagles.
WOMENS PREMIER DIVISION
Parramatta Goannas v UNSW-ES Bulldogs
Gipps Road Oval, Saturday 12:30pm
Parramatta – 3rd. Played 12, Won 8, Lost 4, 217.19%. Streak – L1
UNSW-ES – 7th. Played 13, Won 3, Lost 10, 71.07%. Streak – L1
The Goannas are at home this week, taking on UNSW-ES. With the two teams immediately behind them playing each other, they will need a win to remain in third place; otherwise they find themselves at risk of being forced into sudden death finals. They’re up against a UNSW-ES side that hasn’t had a lot of success this season, but will be keen to make a statement before the year is out.
Suddenly the Goannas find themselves under the pump after they were out-pressured and kept out of the contest by North Shore last week. They were unable to score in the first three quarters and went down to the Bombers by 16 points in a low-scoring contest; despite the determined efforts of Stephanie Wilkins, Amanda Farrugia and Caitlin Fletcher. It’s only their strong percentage that is keeping them in third place; and against a team not in finals contention, the Goannas will want to use this game to further boost that advantage.
Meanwhile UNSW-ES went down last week to Sydney Uni by 45 points in the university derby. Ella Willey, Georgia Voura and Emily-Summer Hawes battled hard, but the Bulldogs didn’t have the firepower to match it with Sydney Uni. They won’t be playing finals this year; but will be looking to finish the season strongly and lay the foundations for future success. A strong performance here, taking the game up to one of the competition’s top teams, will give the Bulldogs some reassurance that they are on their way to improving their fortunes in seasons to come.
These teams played at Henson Park in round 6, and on that occasion the Goannas had little trouble in completing a 19-point win. But now the pressure is on. The Goannas need a win, and will want a percentage-boosting big win; otherwise they drop out of third spot. And although the Bulldogs aren’t finals contenders this season, they’d love nothing more than to claim a scalp of a likely finals team. They won’t be making it easy for their highly-fancied opposition.
Pennant Hills Demons v East Coast Eagles
Mike Kenny Oval, Saturday 1:10pm
Pennant Hills – 8th. Played 12, Won 2, Lost 10, 33.68%. Streak – W1
East Coast – 1st. Played 13, Won 11, Lost 2, 255.06%. Streak – W1
The Hills derby at Mike Kenny Oval puts the Demons up against the Eagles. The Demons have won just twice this season while the Eagles are on top; but both returned to the winning list last week after missing out the week before, and are looking for the opportunity to turn last week’s result into a winning streak.
Pennant Hills’ result came at the expense of the winless St George, when the Demons burst out of the blocks and went on top record a 34-point result. Sheridan Baker, Kaitlin Quinlan and Eliza Harvey figured prominently for the Demons as they recorded a morale-boosting win. Now the confidence returns and the spirit is rising in the Demons’ camp, with the positivity that only a win can provide. But this will be a tougher test, coming up against the competition leaders. And the Demons will need to lift another gear.
East Coast also go into this game having won their last start, getting it done against Manly at Kanebridge last week. With too spot on the line, the Eagles rose to the challenge and shut the Wolves down, holding them to a single goal and recording a 19-point win. Bryany Parker, Caitlin Reid and Renee Tomkins were ball magnets for the Eagles as they held the opposition out of the contest and refused to compromise their grip on top spot on the ladder. When they shut an opposition down as they did last week, they’re a hard team to stop and the Demons will have work to do to keep the star-studded Eagles lineup quiet.
The Demons’ two wins this season have been against St George, and they are yet to beat anyone else. And they face an enormous challenge this time against the ladder leaders, looking for the three-peat. It would be a monumental boilover if the Demons could knock off the ladder leaders, but that has to be their aim from this match. But the Eagles are back in winning form and ready to roll, and now is the time they’ll be looking to build themselves up into the form to carry them through the finals.
North Shore Bombers v Sydney University Students
Gore Hill Oval, Saturday 3:50pm
North Shore – 5th. Played 13, Won 8, Lost 5, 131.41%. Streak – W2
Sydney Uni – 4th. Played 12, Won 8, Lost 4, 150.17%. Streak – W1
It’s a critical game on the Gore Hill synthetic as North Shore play host to Sydney Uni. These teams are fourth and fifth, out of the top three on percentage. The winner stays within striking distance of the double-chance, while the loser will find themselves depending on other results to stay in top three contention and are no certainty to stay in the five. It’s an important clash in the context of the ladder as it currently stands; and for those who can’t get to Gore Hill, you can catch all the action live online on Streamer. [link – https://streamer.com.au/match/3856 ]
North Shore, after standing at the crossroads a few weeks ago, have found their best form of the season in the last couple of rounds to re-enter the top five and give themselves a shot at third. Last week they travelled to Gipps Road and the pressure and tackling they laid on was relentless as they shut the Parramatta running game down. Holding the Goannas scoreless for three quarters, the Bombers worked hard for their 16-point win in a low-scoring contest. If they can replicate that intensity this week, they’ll give themselves every chance of keeping the winning streak going.
Sydney Uni also go into this game with winning form on the board, returning to the winners list last week with a comfortable 45-point win over UNSW-ES. It was a win built around the solid efforts of Jasmine Smith, Sarah Tutt and Frances Walsh; and one that leaves the Students well placed. If they can get up in this one, their grasp on a finals berth will be tightened and they’ll be in the hunt for the double-chance.
The Bombers and the Students met in round 9, and on that occasion the Students got on top in the last quarter to win by 10 points. Now the stakes are high, and the pressure and intensity in this contest will be extreme. There won’t be much separating these two sides, and it’s a contest that will go down to the wire; and it’s the team that can stand and deliver when the game is there to be won that will emerge with the spoils.
Manly-Warringah Wolves v UTS Bats
Weldon Oval, Saturday 4:20pm
Manly – 2nd. Played 12, Won 9, Lost 3, 214.01%. Streak – L1
UTS – 6th. Played 12, Won 7, Lost 5, 170.69%. Streak – W2
It was an opportunity lost for Manly to challenge for the minor premiership last week when they were unable to get over East Coast. The Wolves will be looking to bounce back here and tighten their grip on second spot. But it won’t be easy against a UTS team looking to regain their place in the top five.
Manly had a chance to draw level on games with the Eagles when they met at Kanebridge last week. But the Wolves were unable to get past the Eagles defence and were held to a single goal, going down by 19 points. Ash Carter, Holly Wickham and Jessica Layton battled tirelessly, but it was one of those days when little was going right. But the Wolves can’t afford to dwell on that, and they won’t. Only one game plus percentage clear of the chasing pack of three teams, their hold on the double-chance would be shaky indeed if they drop this one. They can’t let that happen.
UTS are coming off the bye, and last week’s break gave them the opportunity to recover from any little niggles they may have had. Their last start was a thriller, when they got up by six points against Sydney Uni. Jessica Quade was unstoppable up forward, kicking five of the Bat’s six goals and, along with Hannah Cerezo and Tallulah Kirk was among their best. But while they were resting last week, they lost their spot in the five. They’ll be keen for a win this time round to get it back.
With North Shore and Sydney Uni playing each other, the Bats have an opportunity to draw level on games with fifth place. If the Bats don’t get the win here, they’ll risk falling behind the pace of the finals contenders. But Manly at Weldon is a tough challenge and no-one has knocked off the Wolves at their home ground so far this season. The Wolves at home will fancy their chances of getting it done; but if they don’t, the race for all positions from second to sixth will be very tight and it’s anyone’s guess from there who goes through.
