Premier Division Preliminary Finals and Grand Final Previews
Written by Sam Zikman (AFL Sydney)
We have arrived at the penultimate weekend of AFL Sydney football for season 2024 with the commencement of Grand Finals for Men’s Division Five, Under 19.5 Division Two and Under 20 Division One, along with Preliminary Finals for Premier Division and remaining grades. It will be a massive Saturday and Sunday across AFL Sydney so please make sure you get down to Blacktown International Sports Park (Saturday and Sunday) and Kanebridge Oval (Saturday).
For those who can’t make it see below for Streamer links.
Alright let’s get into the Previews
MEN’S PREMIER DIVISION
Preliminary Final – Pennant Hills Demons vs. Manly Warringah Wolves
Kanebridge Oval, Saturday 3:20pm
Last time they met: Qualifying Final – Pennant Hills 8.5 (53) def Manly 5.15 (45).
Live on Streamer – Click Here
Last weekend the Pennant Hills Demons ran into the juggernaut that is the North Shore Bombers in season 2024 (19-0). Although the Bombers had the aid of a wind advantage in the first quarter the game was on their terms early and they led by 29 points at quarter time. Despite the Demons holding the Bombers relatively in check for the rest of the game, the Bombers picked up the win and move into their third straight Grand Final.
Manly Warringah Wolves came into their Elimination Final vs. Sydney University sore and a little banged up following the week 1 loss to Pennant Hills, however, off the back of dominance in the midfield and some alternate options up forward prevailed comfortably and booked a rematch with the Demons.
So, who gets the chance to play North Shore in the big dance? Manly Warringah finished the home and away season two wins clear of the Demons and have clearly elevated themselves in Season 2024. While the mid-season departures of Barry O’Connor and Byron Laws have not helped, the Wolves have some serious depth and have largely been able to cover these losses. The acquisition of Chandler Medalist (Premier Division Best and Fairest – EFNL) Cameron Manuel has been a revelation and could well have kicked 7 goals last weekend (kicked 4). In addition, Aiden Adams rebooted his season after a few lean weeks to be named best on ground vs. Sydney University.
A big watch at Weldon this week has been the fitness of Zach Youlten, the classy forward hits the scoreboard with regularity and the Wolves can little afford another week with him on the sidelines. The expectation is he plays, and that will be a sigh of relief for Coach Gareth Newman. Unsung heroes of the Wolves Taine Wright and Ky McGrath will be super important as the game rests largely on the midfield battle, while the twin towers of Nick and Jono Marsh will need to work hard to give first use and limit the influence of Mitchell Blow.
The Demons have class on every line with team of the year backline superstar Mikey Carroll at the top of the list. Carroll and North Shore’s Christian Loone have both assumed equal billing as the league best defenders, both players can intercept opposition attacks and shut down forward depending on what they are asked to do. Head Coach Ben Roberts will be seeking to find the Demons pressure and intensity which won them the match vs. Manly two weeks ago. The Demons turned up the pressure gages in the 4th quarter, with Lachlan Willey, Cameron Mitchell, and Nicholas Eynaud the keys. The injury watch wasn’t limited to Weldon this week, with the Demons sweating on the fitness of Phelan Medalist Stephen ‘Stinga’ Wray, however, reports are the leagues calmed defender will grace the Kanebridge turf come 3:20pm tomorrow.
This one will come down to the final quarter, with Lukas de Vries elite pressure and Nick Hey’s class up forward to prove the difference – Prediction: Demons by 2 points.
WOMEN’S PREMIER DIVISION
Preliminary Final – East Coast Eagles vs. Sydney University
Kanebridge Oval, Saturday 1:10pm
Last time they met: Round 18, 2024 – East Coast Eagles 8.12 (60) def Sydney University 6.1 (37)
Live on Streamer – Click Here
Not many expected the East Coast Eagles to be playing on Preliminary Final Day, with the Eagles hotly tipped to advance direct to next week’s Grand Final and enjoy a week off this weekend. The issue is no one told the Manly Warrinagh Wolves that, and they duly upset the fancies Eagles in the Major Semi and booked their place in the season decider. The Wolves are young, talented but have the benefit of exceptional leadership, led by Ashleigh Carter.
So here we are, the Eagles at home in front of the Kanebridge faithful vs. Sydney University who have threatened for years to break through and win an elusive flag. Sydney University came from nowhere last week to bring heartache to the Goannas via a last second showstopper from Jasmine Smith who banged in the match winning goal from the boundary with a little under 10 seconds on the clock. Sydney University will again look to Smith, along with 2023 Phelan Medalist Maryanne Harley to lead the team on Saturday, and hopefully for them by 3:10pm have booked a place in the Grand Final. Kendra Blattman and Saskia Johnson will also be super important, both players have exceptional seasons to date, with Johnson dominating both AFL Sydney and Representative formats. Another Sydney University player to watch is Emma Juneja who’s class, composure and skill level will be crucial to a Uni win vs an Eagles side full of elite talent.
Where do uou start with the Eagles, they are powerful in the midfield, have elite backline players in Renee Tomkins and Abbey Martin and also have two of the best forwards in the league with Riley McGartland and Caitlin Davidson. Another player who has hit the scoreboard consistently and set herself up as one of the best players in the league is Michelle Foscarini. In addition, the speed of Brooke Bailey and pressure Shiarna Tarasenko will be important to limit the student who will seek to run and carry at every opportunity.
Two things are certain on Saturday at Kanebridge – the faithful will be full voice, and the Eagle burgers will be flying off the grill.
The experience of Byrany Parker and the quality of Summer Hall (plus the home ground advantage) will be too much for Sydney University to overcome. Prediction: Eagles by 23 points.
UNDER 19.5 DIVISION TWO
Grand Final – Camden Cats vs. Sydney University
Blacktown International Sports Park, Saturday 9:00am
Last time they met: Round 18, 2024 – Camden Cats 10.8 (68) def Sydney University 7.7 (49)
Live on Streamer – Click Here
These two teams have had some solid contests this season, and it’s fitting that the two will face off once again on Grand Final Day. The Camden Cats have been the class team all season and strolled into the Grand Final with a win via North Shore in the major Semi. Sydney University on the other hand had to do it the hard way, knocking out both Manly Warrinagh and North Shore on their path to the big stage this Saturday.
For me, the Cats are primed and solid performances from Jack Shannon and Cruz Martin will be too strong. Prediction – Camden by 19 points.
UNDER 20 DIVISION ONE
Grand Final – Parramatta Goannas vs. North Shore Bombers
Blacktown International Sports Park, Saturday 11:10am
Last time they met: Round 15, 2024 – Parramatta Goannas 4.5 (29) def North Shore Bombers 3.3 (21)
Live on Streamer – Click Here
Who can stop the Parramatta Goannas in the Under 20s?? Well, it’s down to North Shore Bombers and despite twice pushing the Goannas to less than 10 points it is hard to see the inaugural Under 20 Premiership not headed back to Gipps Road. The Goannas are well led by Coach Ian Wilkins who has a talent list including Caitlin Connaughton and Brea Trevitt. But the Bombers are in it to win it, and have a strong list with plenty of players who have played Premier Division including Imogen Hungerford.
Parramatta are ready to go and are keen for Premiership success. Prediction – Parramatta by 11 points
MEN’S DIVISION FIVE
Grand Final – Randwick City Saints vs. East Coast Eagles
Blacktown International Sports Park, Saturday 1:20pm
Last time they met: Finals Week 1 – Randwick City Saints 5.5 (35) def East Coast Eagles 4.3 (27)
Live on Streamer – Click Here
The last Grand Final of the weekend is Men’s Division Five, and Randwick City Saints who won through in style off the back of a 13-2 season face the East Coast Eagles who to their credit re-entered a 3rd grade men’s team this season and they have not been disappointed duly saluting and making a GF. The battle between big forwards will be key on Saturday with Aaron Tees from Randwick and Nathan Peters from East Coast to go head to head.
Randwick City Saints to cap off the season with a Premiership, just. Prediction – Randwick by 1 point.
