AFL SYDNEY – ROUND 15 REVIEW (3 August 2024)
Written by David Redden
WOMEN’S PREMIER DIVISION:
Parramatta re-discovered their attacking prowess with a sixty-two-point victory over UNSW-ES at Gipps Rd Oval. Final scores were Parramatta 11.10.76 to UNSW-ES 2.2.14, as the Goannas found themselves sitting in second place in a congested Top Five.
The Goannas kicked six goals to none in a dominant second quarter to set up their, as it turned out (given a huge upset across town at Weldon Oval), crucial victory.
Representative star Caitlin Fletcher kicked three goals for Parramatta, with Amanda Farrugia and Megan Mifsud chipping in with two goals each. Key Bulldogs forward Emily Conlan kicked both of UNSW-ES’ goals.
Parramatta was best served by Kiera Yerbury, Fletcher, Mifsud and Olympia Plummer. Best players for the Bulldogs were skipper Lauren Whiting, Emily-Summer Hawes, Zali Deep and Amelia Martin.
East Coast Eagles took care of business with a dominant ninety-seven-point victory over Pennant Hills at Mike Kenny Oval. Final scores were East Coast Eagles 14.13.97 to Pennant Hills 0.0.0.
Emily Hurley was superb up forward for the Eagles, kicking seven goals in a masterly display. Amelia Prosser-Shaw chipped in with two majors for East Coast, who look set for top spot and a Saturday off in Week 1 of the Finals Series.
East Coast was best served by Caitlin Reid, Hurley, Prosser-Shaw and the consistent Summer Hall. Pennant Hills’ best players were Hayley Lowe, Eliza Harvey, Sheridan Baker and Kaitlyn Noble.
North Shore, in a run of seriously good form, sent a message to the remainder of Womens Premier Division with a comprehensive fifty-eight-point demolition of Sydney University on Back to Bears day at Gore Hill Oval. Final scores were North Shore 9.6.60 to Sydney University 0.2.2.
After an inaccurate first quarter in which the Bombers kicked 1.6.12, North Shore kicked three goals straight to lead by twenty-nine points at the main break. Such was North Shore consistency that they exactly doubled their score in the second half, kicking five goals straight whilst keeping the Students to a solitary behind.
North Shore’s chain handball and blazing footspeed were a feature of the match. Sydney University fought hard but at times had no answer to this confident, clinical Bombers outfit.
Georgina Maher, Nadja Squires and best-on-ground Lucy Yates kicked two goals each for North Shore.
North Shore was best served by the outstanding Yates, Sophie de Montemas, Emily Cleghorn and Olivia Edwards. Sydney Uni’s best players were Rose Stuart, Emma Gelsomino, Ella Van Den Borne and Molly Cameron.
Under enormous pressure to return to the finals after being Grand Finallists in 2023, UTS produced a huge upset win over Manly Warringah, at Weldon Oval no less, to charge back into the Top Five. Final scores were UTS 4.4.28 to Manly Warringah 2.6.18.
The Wolves led by two points after a low-scoring first half. UTS kicked three goals to one after half-time to secure a most important victory. Manly will rue kicking two goals from eight effective shots on goal on a day where scoring was difficult.
Chaye Hartwell kicked two crucial goals for the Bats.
UTS was best served by Madeleine Quinn, Aleshea Houlahan, Anja Samardzic and Serina Baukes. Manly Warringah’s best players were consistent skipper Ashleigh Carter, Elise Wallace, Kenya Fahey and Zara Hamilton.
WOMEN’S DIVISION ONE:
In Womens Division One action, UTS kept South West Sydney Blues to a solitary behind in winning by ten goals at Rosedale Oval. Newtown accounted for East Coast Eagles by sixty-two points at Mahoney Park, Randwick City ground out a tense, seven-point win over a determined Parramatta at Gipps Rd and in the late game at Gore Hill, Sydney University defeated North Shore by eight points, despite kicking three goals from eleven effective shots on goal.
WOMEN’S UNDER 20’s:
In Womens Under 20’s action, UNSW-ES produce a great defensive performance in defeating Sydney University by six points at Sydney Uni No.1 Oval. Manly Warringah defeated UTS by seven goals in a high-scoring fixture at Mike Pawley Oval, and Parramatta consolidated top place on the ladder with atight, eight-point win over North Shore at Gipps Rd.
MENS PREMIER DIVISION:
A day of high drama in the AFL Sydney Mens Premier Division leaves Inner West Magpies and South West Sydney Blues in a fascinating battle for a spot in the Elimination Final on 1 September.
North Shore and Sydney University provided one of the best Home & Away fixtures of the season in front a good crowd on Back to Bears Day at Gore Hill Oval. Final scores were North Shore 11.6.72 to Sydney University 10.9.69, with a late Angus Loebel pack mark and goal sealing a tense win for the Bombers, who maintained their undefeated record in season 2024.
North Shore led by twenty-four points at quarter-time and then seventeen points at half time. The Students, missing Jack Dimery and Nathan Tang (shoulder injuries), Spencer Krochmal (concussion protocols) and giant ruckman Montague Velthuis (illness), mounted a huge comeback in the second half, winning the battle of the midfield and shutting down North Shore’s forward line.
The Students, who were six points down at three-quarter-time, took the lead with a late Brayden Pilot goal, then Loebel’s goal saw North Shore lead by five points in the 28th minute. However, the drama was nowhere near done.
Tom Hitchens marked inside the 50m arc and then proceeded to hit the post, then Nik Dale received an off the ball free-kick inside 50 again, but his shot at goal barely did enough to register a behind. The siren finally went in the 31st minute, providing much relief for the Bombers and the Students left to rue inaccurate kicking in the final quarter.
Sydney Uni had solid contributions up forward from Jack Field and Nik Dale, both of whom kicked three goals. Burly full-forward Ned Clear managed three majors for the Bats.
North Shore was best served was Loebel, Ned Campbell, James Tidemann (possibly the most improved footballer in Sydney) and Sam Barkley. Sydney University’s best players were Tim Barton, Harrison Podmore-Taylor, Lucas Newman and Gus Lee.
Reigning premiers UNSW-ES produced a stirring second-half fightback to upset Inner West Magpies by eighteen points at Picken Oval. Final scores were UNSW-ES 11.17.83 to Inner West 10.5.65, with the Bulldogs kicking six goals to one after half-time.
The Magpies kicked eight goals to two in an entertaining second quarter, to lead by nineteen points at the main break. From then on, the Bulldogs shut the Magpies down, with their upset win suddenly creating a fascinating run home for both Inner West and bitter rivals South West Sydney Blues.
Inner West has a tricky run home, facing Manly at Curl Curl this week, then Sydney Uni at Picken Oval before a last round game at Waverley Oval against UTS.
Anthony Halikas and Ned Clear kicked two goals each for the Bulldogs. Ben Zoppo, in career-best form, kicked another five goals for the Magpies.
UNSW-ES was best served was Toby Alker, Clear, Pat Horan and William Foster. Inner West’s best players were player-coach Zoppo, Jye Doyle, Leroy Veerhuis and Nicholas McCormack.
Manly Warringah comfortably defeated UTS by sixty-seven points at Weldon Oval. The Wolves ran out convincing victors 20.9.129 to UTS 9.8.62.
The Wolves kicked twelve goals to three in a dominant first half, and then took of business in the last quarter to gain valuable percentage leading into the finals.
Zac Youlten was at his best for the Wolves, kicking six goals in a match-defining performance for Manly Warringah. Hugo Birks, returning from injury, and stalwart Josh Ralph kicked two goals each for UTS.
Manly Warringah was best served by Cameron Manuel, Youlten, Lachlan Behagg and James Lugsdin. UTS’ best players were Hamish Latchford, Ash Backlund, Oliver Henderson and Liam Gordon.
Pennant Hills defeated East Coast Eagles by fifty-seven points in front of the faithful at Mike Kenny Oval, consolidating third place on the Premier Division ladder. Final scores were Pennant Hills 14.14.98 to East Coast Eagles 6.5.41.
The Demons kicked eight goals to one in the second quarter and then went into cruise control in the second half. Pennant Hills has season-defining matches in their next two games, facing Sydney University (at Uni No.1 Oval) and then Manly Warringah (at MKO) as they prepare for September finals action.
Key forward Harrison Pitt kicked four goals for the Demons. Ben Currie (four) and Cam Edwards (two) kicked all of East Coast’s six goals.
Pennant Hills was best served by Brandon Clark, Pitt, Ben Matthews and Lachlan Willey. The Eagles’ best players were Angus Edwards, Currie, Corey Dowle and Harry Elbourne.
South West Sydney Blues kept their slim finals chances alive with a solid twenty-seven-point win overan inaccurate St George at Rosedale Oval. The Blues ran out winners 11.10.76 to St George 6.13.49.
St George were only eleven points down at the final break, but the Blues kicked two goals to one behind in the fourth quarter to secure a vital win as they battle with Inner West for a spot in the Top Five.
Speaking of the Top Five, South West Sydney has winnable games against East Coast (home) then UNSW-ES (away) before a potentially huge last round clash away to North Shore at Gore Hill Oval.
Caleb May had a huge day out for the Blues, kicking seven goals in a match-winning performance.
The Blues were best served by Kain Flynn-Duncombe, Bailey Stewart, Kerwin Stuart and Caleb May. St George’s best players were Patrick Tegg, Lachlan Querzoli, Liam Taylor and Nathaniel McKenzie-Hicks.
MEN’S DIVISION ONE:
In Men’s Division One action, ladder leaders Camden defeated Pennant Hills by thirty-two points at Mike Kenny Oval, with the Cats accurate kicking (11.3) a feature in a professional, accomplished performance.
Second-placed North Shore showed that the top two in Mens Division One are clear favourites to make the Grand Final as they thrashed third-placed Sydney University by eighty points at a sun-drenched Gore Hill Oval.
Inner West Magpies defeated UNSW-ES by eleven goals at Picken Oval, and Parramatta thumped Balmain by seventeen goals at Gipps Rd Oval.
