2024 AFL Finals Series – Divisional Grand Finals
Written by Sam Zikman
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
MEN’S DIVISION THREE
Grand Final – Pennant Hills Demons vs. UNSW-ES Bulldogs
Blacktown International Sports Park, Saturday 8:30am
Last time they met: Round 18 UNSW-ES Bulldogs 7.14 (56) vs. Pennant Hills Demons 5.5 (35)
Live on Streamer – Click Here
Grand Final Day kicks off with a marquee fixture between two powerhouse teams of the Men’s Division Three competition. The Demons finished the home and away season on top, however, fell to these very Bulldogs in Round 18 at Henson Park. The Dogs, after a loss in Finals Week One to Camden, dealt with the Bombers in Week 2 and then advanced to the Grand Final by getting their revenge on the Cats in last week’s Preliminary Final at Kanebridge Oval. The battle of the forward line will be telling in this one – a game worth getting up early for!!
UNDER 19.5 DIVISION ONE
Grand Final – North Shore Bombers vs. Sydney University
Blacktown International Sports Park, Saturday 10:50am
Last time they met: Round 15 – North Shore 7.15 (57) vs. Sydney University 4.5 (29)
Live on Streamer – Click Here
A perfect season on the line for North Shore, as it was for Sydney University this time last year in the Under 19.5 Division One competition. The Students finished last year in style beating the fast-finishing UNSW-ES Bulldogs. Can the Bombers do the same this season vs Sydney University, and cap off the season with a flag. The dual forward threats of Cooper Clarke and Max Yeoland will be crucial in this one, while Sydney Uni will rely heavily on Arlo Mereweather and Harrison Podmore Taylor to cause the upset.
Prediction: Bombers by 21 points
MEN’S DIVISION ONE
Grand Final – Sydney University vs. North Shore Bombers
Blacktown International Sports Park, Saturday 6:00pm
Last time they met: Qualifying Final – Sydney University 9.5 (59) vs. North Shore Bombers 7.7 (49)
Live on Streamer – Click Here
Grand Final Rematch time – and for Sydney University it will be hoping third time is a charm (having been defeated in the last game of the season in overtime in 2022 (vs. St. George) and last year vs. North Shore). The Students and Bombers have been the benchmark in this competition for many years with the Bombers coming out winners 12 months ago (Premier Division Reserves) in a dramatic Grand Final which went down to the wire. Sydney University have been in great form and defeated the Bombers and Camden Cats on the way to a winning direct entry into the Grand Final and earning a much-needed week off. Braydon Pilot was on crutches on Monday night at Phelan-Mostyn Medal when collecting his Division One best and fairest medal and would be a key out if he cannot play. Matt Powys and Kyle Underwood deserve a Premiership, but it will take their best efforts to get over the Bombers. Nick Hill and Ben Cunningham are always dangerous up forward and will need to be contained for the students to have any chance.
Prediction: Bombers by 3 points.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
WOMEN’S DIVISION THREE
Grand Final – South West Sydney Blues vs. North Shore Bombers
Blacktown International Sports Park, Sunday 8:30am
Last time they met: Round 10 – South West Sydney 7.2 (44) vs. North Shore Bombers 2.1 (13)
Live on Streamer – Click Here
South West Sydney have taken all before them this season, claiming the minor premiership and then proving too strong for the Eliza Hockey (three time league best and fairest) led Wollondilly Knights progressing straight to the Grand Final. North Shore made the Grand Final the hard way after losing in week one of the finals the Bombers have proved tough to beat and progress into this week’s match full of confidence. Sharon Freeman and Laura Corbett have been a force up forward for the Blues this season and will require close attention for the Bombers defenders on Sunday. If the Bombers are to prevail it will need to be with work rate and dominate displays from Brianna Gorman and Annabel Cole.
Prediction: Blues by 24 points
WOMEN’S DIVISION TWO
Grand Final – Camden Cats vs. Inner West Magpies
Blacktown International Sports Park, Sunday 10:40am
Last time they met: Qualifying Final – Camden 3.2 (20) vs. Inner West Magpies 1.3 (9)
Live on Streamer – Click Here
Camden have been simply too strong this season for their competition in Women’s Division Two, however, the Magpies will draw confidence from pushing the minor premiers all the way in the qualifying final two weeks ago. Camden finished the home and away season 16-0 and with a percentage of 1257.97%, which is a credit to the Cats and the program they are building. Jasmine McAllister has been strong all season, along with Gemma Bartolillo while for Inner West they will be calling in big games from Cassandra Radford and Emily McGregor the latter being a key avenue to goal for the Magpies. Can Camden finish the perfect season??
Prediction: Cats by 21 points
WOMEN’S DIVISION ONE
Grand Final – Randwick City Saints vs. UTS AFC Bats
Blacktown International Sports Park, Sunday 12:50pm
Last time they met: Qualifying Final – Randwick City Saints 2.8 (20) vs. UTS AFC Bats 2.2 (14)
Live on Streamer – Click Here
The match we just had to have – Randwick City Saints and UTS AFC Bats have been the class of this competition all season and now get to settle it on Grand Final Day for all the marbles. The Saints rise has been meteoric, Premiers in Women’s Division Two last season and now a minor premiership and into a Grand Final in Women’s Division One. Both sides recorded near perfect records during the home and away season, with the only blemish on each of their records coming against the other. The Saints got one up on the Bats in the qualifying finals two weeks ago before the Bats proved too strong for a gallant Parramatta last week in the Preliminary Final. Sarah Jane Cody and Grainne Archbold will be important for Randwick and will act as a key avenues to goal, while the Bats will lean on Siena Visentini and Alyssa Wedd. Can the Saints go back-to-back, or will the Bats go one better than last season heartbreaker (in overtime) to St. George?
Prediction: Saints by 1 point
MEN’S DIVISION TWO
Grand Final – North Shore Bombers vs. Southern Power
Blacktown International Sports Park, Sunday 3:00pm
Last time they met: Qualifying Final – North Shore Bombers 7.7 (49) vs. Southern Power 7.3 (45)
Live on Streamer – Click Here
Following a dominant season the Bombers booked their place in the big dance with a hard fought 4-point win over the Power two weeks ago at Kanebridge. There was moment in the fourth quarter when it appears the team from the shire would take the win, and advance to the Grand Final directly after finishing the season in 3rd place. It was not to be, with the Bombers settling and closing out the win. Southern Power have class across all lines led by goal kicking machine Hayden Wallis and got the job done in the Preliminary Final versus a much-improved Penrith Rams outfit (watch out for the Rams in 2025) to set up a mouth-watering rematch with the Bombers on Sunday afternoon. The Bombers have depth, and with the likes of Nick Robinson and Harry Lawson running around will prove a stern test.
Prediction: Power by 8 points
MEN’S DIVISION FOUR
Grand Final – St. George Dragons vs. Hawkesbury Saints
Blacktown International Sports Park, Sunday 5:30pm
Last time they met: Qualifying Final – St. George Dragons 7.13 (55) vs. Hawkesbury Jets 7.4 (46)
Live on Streamer – Click Here
And just like that we have reached the final match of the 2024 AFL Sydney Season, and what a way to end it all – the Dragons and the Jets. The Dragons are classy and have plenty of experience with well known names such as Declan Donohue and Stephen Wilsen along with consistent performer Matthew Knight. The Jets have been the Cinderella story of the 2024 season, having faced an enormous set of challenges in recent times, most namely the floods which have decimated the Hawkesbury region on a far too regular basis. Peter ‘Pekay’ Kyle has prepared his team all season for this opportunity, a shot at a flag and wouldn’t the crew out at Benson’s celebrate long and hard if they can salute on Sunday evening. The Jets will look to league best and fairest Jack Burns to lead the team, ably assisted by Stewart Potts. What a cracker to finish the season, do not miss this one. Dragons or Jets, who wins the final flag of the season?
Predictions: Jets by 6 points
