AFL SYDNEY ROUND 17 REVIEW – 17 August 2024

Written by David Redden

WOMEN’S PREMIER DIVISION:

Sydney University provided one of the upsets of the season in going to Gipps Road and defeating Parramatta, throwing the top five of the Women’s Premier Division into a fascinating final round next week. Final scores with Sydney University 7.3.45 to 6.3.39 in an absorbing and thrilling clash.

After being down by two goals at half time, Sydney University kicked three goals in the third quarter to lead by 7 points at the final change. The Students hung on in up epic final quarter, with both sides kicking two goals. This is clearly Sydney University’s best performance of season 2024, and somewhat unexpectedly catapulted them into the top five with one round to go in the Home & Away season.

Lucy Gilfedder provided a match-defining performance for the students kicking three goals in a welcome return to the Sydney Uni forward line. Lauren O’Sullivan kicked two goals for Parramatta, who surprisingly had Sera Kaukiono return after suffering a serious shoulder injury six weeks ago.

Sydney University were best served by Emma (The Energiser Bunny) Gelsomino, Saskia Johnson, Daisy George and Kendra Blattman. Best players for the for Parramatta with Keira Yerbury, Caitlin Fletcher, the reliable Amanda Farrugia and O’Sullivan.

In yet another thrilling clash, North Shore hung on to defeat UTS by two points despite the Bombers being kept scoreless in the last quarter, in a game transferred from a waterlogged Waverley Oval at St Lukes Park in Concord,. Final scores were North Shore 5.3 .33 to UTS 4.7.31.

North Shore’s superb end of season run has guaranteed them a place in the finals. Extraordinarily, North Shore can finish anywhere from 2nd to 4th depending on the results next week’s fixtures, noting that North Shore has the bye in Round 18.

The only multiple goal kicker in the game was Chaye Hartwell from UTS, who managed two goals.

North Shore were best served by Charlotte Tidemann, Georgina Maher, Zoe Milligan and backline general Shannon Smit. UTS’ best players were Georgia Knight, Hannah Cerezo, Emelye Blades and Madison Aitkin.

Manly Warringah returned to form with a dominant 112-point thumping of Pennant Hills at Mike Kenny Oval. Final scores were Manly Warringah 17.11.113 to Pennant Hills 0.1.1.

After a form slump in recent weeks, the Wolves have basically guaranteed themselves a double chance with this victory over a struggling Demons outfit.

Peggy Stanbury kicked five goals for the Wolves, well supported by Isabella Rudolph who kicked four goals and Holly Wickham, who kicked three majors as well.

Manly Warringah were best served by Stanbury, the talented Zara Hamilton, Lauren Bourgeois and Jayme Saggers. Pennant Hills’ best players were Sheridan Baker, Tara Coopman, Sally Faehrmann and Jesse Smith.

In the twilight fixture at a balmy Kanebridge Oval, East Coast Eagles secured the minor premiership with a twenty-goal victory over the St George Dragons. Final scores were East Coast Eagles 18.18.126 to St George 1.0.6.

St George never gave up over the four quarters but were overwhelmed by a very accomplished and professional East Coast Eagles outfit. The Eagles have one more game remaining at home to Sydney University this coming Saturday and then will have the first week of the finals off before playing in the Second Semifinal on Saturday the 7th of September. That fixture against Sydney University now has an enormous amount riding on it with the Students needing to win to secure 5th place and a berth in the minor semi-final.

Gun full forward Riley McGartland kicked six goals for East Coast, with Emily Prosser-Shaw chipping in with a very handy four goals as well.

East Coast were best served by Bryany Parker, Prosser-Shaw, Nellie McMillan and Summer Hall. Saint George’s best players were Rhiannon Burns, Caydelan Mitchell-Bruce, the resolute Kaitlyn Eisenhuth at fullback and Jorji Simpson.

WOMEN’S DIVISION 1:

In Women’s Division One action, Parramatta defeated Sydney University by 22 points, Randwick City thrashed SW Sydney by 71 points, Newtown accounted for Manly Warringah by 23 points and UTS won an absolute thriller under lights at Kanebridge Oval against East Coast Eagles, eventually securing a three-point victory.

WOMEN’S UNDER 20s:

In Women’s Under 20’s action, Manly Warringah won on a forfeit against UNSW-ES, Parramatta defeated Sydney University by 33 points, and UTS upset North Shore by 17 points, and in doing so, rocketed themselves into the top four with one Round to go.

MEN’S PREMIER DIVISION:

Despite inaccurate kicking, Sydney University comfortably defeated Inner West Magpies by 31 points at Picken Oval. Final scores were Sydney University 7.19. 61 to Inner West 4.6.30.

Sydney University lead by 27 points at the main break and were never seriously threatened in the second half.

Jake Bartholomaeus and Harry Morrison each kicked two goals for the students. Ben Zoppo managed two goals up front for the Magpies.

Sydney University were best served by Bartholomaeus, Lucas Newman, Morrison and Declan Fitzpatrick. Inner West’ best players were Patrick Wilmot, William Deller, player-Coach Ben Klemke and Michael Tuttle.

In their most important game of the season, South West Sydney Blues fell one goal short of defeating UNSW-ES at Henson Park. Final scores were UNSW-ES 8.10.58 to South West Sydney 6.16.52, with the Blues’ inaccurate keep kicking costing them dearly, as four points were compulsory for them to maintain pressure on fifth-placed Inner West.

After Bulldogs and Blues were deadlocked at half time, the Bulldogs kicked three goals to one in the pivotal third quarter, with both teams kicking two goals in the last quarter In a frenetic finish.

Max Rider was a match-winner for the Bulldogs, kicking four goals, and he was aided and abetted by Jackson Tikkeros and Will Foster, both of whom managed two majors. Will Edwards kicked two goals for the Blues, who now need a miracle to qualify for the finals in their first year in Premier Division.

The Bulldogs were best served by Tom Longmire, Foster, Ned Hawkins and Rider. The Blues’ best players were Edwards, Bailey Stewart, Khy Gibbs and Kerwin Stuart.

In a scrappy affair played in a fluctuating breeze at Kanebridge Oval, St George defeated East Coast Eagles by 20 points despite both teams losing key forwards in the first half. Final scores were St George 9.7.61 to East Coast 6.5.41.

Marshall Poynter hurt his right arm at the end of the first quarter for the Eagles and did not return, and the Dragons’ Tye (The Milkman) Gander appeared to strain a hamstring at the end of the first half, with Gander not returning in the second half.

St George led by 17 points at the main break and did enough to hold on for a solid win despite a huge effort from the young Eagles outfit.

Luke Arendse kicked three goals for St George, with Jack Druery kicking two majors as well. Poynter kicked two goals early on for the Eagles, who sorely missed the key forward over the final three quarters.

St George what best served by Colby Hill, Arendse, Druery and Samuel Scandurra. The Eagles best players were Harry Elbourne, Angus Edwards (who had a field day in the midfield), Cam Edwards and speedy wingman Karl Khouiss.

Minor premiers North Shore simply ran amok against UTS at St Lukes Park in Concord, winning by a whopping124 points. Final scores were North Shore 23.19.157 to UTS 5.3.33.

Wayd Blackburne kicked seven goals in an impressive display for the Bombers, well supported by Matt Buskariol and occasional forward Harry Walker, who both managed four goals each. Key forward Hugo Birks kicked 3 majors for the well-beaten Bats.

North Shore were best served by Nick Brewer, Ned Campbell, Blackburne and Tom Meacham. UTS’ best players were consistent fullback Lewis McCormick, Liam Gordon, Luke Moloney, and Josh Lee.

In a dress rehearsal for the qualifying final on the 31st of August, Pennant Hills and Manly Warringah played out a thrilling draw at Mike Kenny Oval. Final scores were Manly Warringah 8.3.51 to Pennant Hills 6.15.51, with the Demons rueing their inaccurate kicking, managing only six majors from twenty-one effective shots on goal.

Pennant Hills actually led by three goals at the final break and, no doubt, the Wolves will be happy that they came back with a three goal to zero goal last quarter to draw the game in an amazing finish at Cherrybrook.

Harrison Pitt and Nick Hey kicked two goals each for Pennant Hills, with Cameron Manuel kicking 3 majors for the Wolves, supported by Zac Youlten who managed two goals from a half-forward flank.

Pennant Hills were best served by Lucas de Vries, Cooper Lee, Ethan Hyams and Luke Skrivanic. Manly Warringah’s best players were Athony Forato, Taine Wright, Sam McMeeken and Tom McCaffrey.

MEN’S DIVISION ONE:

In Men’s Division One action, Parramatta defeated Pennant Hills by eight goals, Camden continued their race to the minor premiership with a 78-point thrashing of St George, Inner West squeaked home by seven points over Sydney University, and North Shore thrashed Balmain by 86 points at Henson Park.