Round 1, 2025 – Men’s & Women’s Premier Division Review
Written by David Redden
WOMEN’S PREMIER DIVISION:
UTS started the season in grand style with a thumping 118-point victory over Parramatta at Gipps Rd Oval. Final scores were UTS 18.10.118 to Parramatta 0.0.0.
The Bats kicked three goals in the first quarter and then kicked on in a very convincing performance to start their 2025 campaign. They then kicked five in the second quarter, five in the third quarter and five in the fourth quarter in a consistent performance that will greatly please their coaches.
Jessica Quade kicked four goals for the bats, and she was well supported by Sophia Gaukroger, who kicked 3 majors.
Best players for UTS were Aiofe Berry, Gaukroger, Tallulah Kirk, Kaitlyn McCaffrey, Elly Rudd (making her debut for the Bats) and Tahlia Fraser. The Goannas, a vastly different side from last year with no Caitlin Fletcher, Amanda Farrugia, Sophie Kavanagh and former Mostyn Medallist Sera Kaukiono, were best served by Brea Trevitt, key back Ashley Gray, Imogen Gow, Teigan Saunders, Skyla Seal and Marley Rhodes, in a tough day at home.
North Shore, who recruited heavily in the off-season, kicked off a season full of hope with a 134- point demolition of Pennant Hills at a wet Gore Hill Oval. Final scores were North Shore 18.26.134 to Pennant Hills 0.0.0
North Shore rovers Charlotte Tidemann and Lucy Yates consistently broke the lines, with their excellent foot speed proving too much for the Demons in a comprehensive 4-quarter performance by this talented Bombers outfit. Really, the about the only thing you could complain with was their inaccuracy in front of goal, only managing 18 majors from 44 effective shots on goal.
The Bombers forwards had a field day. Key forward Adrienne Keeffe kicked 5, including 3 quite ridiculous check side goals. Heide de Saxe kicked 4 goals in a great return for the small forward, and recruit Georgie Fowler showed her high level of fitness kicking 2 goals in the last quarter to manage 3 for the game.
Best players for the dominant Bombers were Tidemann, Yates, Sophie Kavanagh, de Saxe, Keeffe and Fowler. The Demons were e served by Sheridan Baker, Caitlin Gurney, Amelia Bennett, Scarlett Sheridan, Bela Nash and Louise Fisher.
In the Sunday game at a windswept Henson Park, the University of NSW-Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs ground out an impressive 54-point win over a game St George Dragons. Final scores were UNSW-ES 9 dot 11.65 to St George 1.5.11.
The Bulldogs kept working hard all day against an improved St. George outfit. The Bulldogs will be very happy with their defensive efforts, keeping St George to us to just four behinds after quarter time.
The wraps on Aimee Whelan appear to be completely justified. The former Sydney Swans player was dominant on ball, with St George having simply no answer to her running an excellent disposal. Utility Rani Sossai also had a day out for the Dogs, whose clear aim is to make the Final Five this season.
Captain Emily Conlan was very impressive kicking 4 goals at full forward, and she was aided and abetted by Francesca Ryan who finished with 2 majors. Impressive key forward Annabelle McHale kick St George’s only goal.
Best players for the dogs where Sossai, Zali Deep, agile ruck Amaia Wayne, the outstanding Whelan, Kiana Finau and Ryan. Best players for St George were Hannah Phillips (a late replacement), Caydelan Mitchell-Bruce, Kaitlyn Eisenhuth, Delaney Gwynn, ruck Grace Parsons and Bianca Rudzis.
The much-anticipated fixture between Manly Warringah and East Coast Eagles was cancelled due to Weldon Oval being unfit for play, after an enormous amount of rain on the Northern Beaches.
WOMEN’S DIVISION 1:
In Women’s Division One action, Sydney University ground out a 2-goal victory over North Shore at Gore Hill, and Randwick City commenced their season with a thumping 70-point win over Newtown at Mahoney Park. The fixtures between SW Sydney and UTS, and Manly Warringah versus Camden were cancelled due to the wet weather.
WOMEN’S UNDER 20s:
In Women’s Under 20s action, in the only game played on Saturday, North Shore produced a very convincing 53-point win over Parramatta at Gipps Rd, winning 9.7.61 to 1.2.8. Manly Warringah and UTS, and UNSW-ES versus Sydney Uni were both cancelled and will be replayed later in the season.
MEN’S PREMIER DIVISION:
Southwest Sydney Blues started this season in emphatic fashion defeating the UTS Bats by seven straight goals at Monarch Oval. Final scores were Southwest Sydney 12.9.81 to UTS 5.9.39.
The two sides fought grimly over the first three quarters, with the Blues leading by one point at half time and then by five points three-quarter time, which set up a fascinating final quarter. The Southwest Sydney faithful will be very happy with their six-goal to zero final quarter, finishing off the Bats and gaining valuable percentage at the start of the season
Blues forward Josh Croft produced an excellent performance, kicking 4 vital goals in a perfect start for the Blues. Blake Jarvis and James Kennedy added 2 goals each for the Southwest Sydney outfit. Lewis McCormack kicked 2 goals for the Bats, who’ll be slightly disappointed in falling away in the last quarter after an excellent three-quarter effort
Best players for the Blues with Jacob Croft, representative ruckman Finbar Delbridge, Callum Burns, Max Lower, Lachlan Maples and Eddie Keogh. The Bats were best served by Hamish Latchford, George Boyd, Henry Gosse, Oscar Doland, Louis Pribula and Ed Palmer.
In an engrossing broadcast fixture on Saturday at a damn Gore Hill Oval, Pennant Hills gave North Shore a real run for their money before the Bombers ran out victors 7 12.54 to 6.8.44. The Demons, with seven debutantes, tackled and hustled North Shore for four full quarters, and the Bombers will be relieved to have secured four points on the day they unfurled their premiership flags in front of the faithful at Gore Hill.
Small forward Matt Buskariol kicked 2 majors, with limited opportunities, for North Shore. The Prince Theo Moraitis kicked 2 majors for Pennant Hills as the Demons fell just short of producing an enormous upset. Burly Demons half-forward Nick Hey submitted an early candidate for goal of the season with a ridiculous mid-air effort from the boundary line, setting Social Media alight.
Best players for North Shore were key back Mitchell Rogers, James Tidemann, small forward Finn Chalmers, Will Giacometti, ruckman Thomas Drum and Max Toohey. The Demons’ best players were skipper Mitchell Blow, Hey, Nick Eynaud, Josh Everett, Lachlan Willey and key back Luka Jordaan.
In the in the Sunday fixture at Henson Park, the University of NSW-Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs showed they are on track for a finals berth with a resounding 55-point win over a resolute St George Dragons. Final scores were UNSW-E S 14.11.95 to St George 6.4.40.
The match was played in a strong southerly breeze, and Bulldogs captain Will Spencer had no hesitation in running with the breeze in the first quarter. The Bulldogs jumped out to a 27-point lead at quarter-time and went on with the job in an excellent start to their season. The Dragons kicked four goals in the final quarter, kicking down breeze, and as always, did not stop fighting until the final siren sounded.
New recruits Hugo Birks kicked 4 goals for the Bulldogs and returning veteran Kieran Emery kicked 3. The Bulldogs faithful will want to see these two playing in tandem throughout the season, as they caused enormous headaches for the Dragons key backs. Indeed, if Birks had had his kicking boots on, he may have kicked 7 or 8 goals. Mac Winchester kicked 2 goals for the Dragons in the final quarter.
Best players for the Bulldogs were Thomas Baxter, Oscar Peter, Birks, Toby Alker, sublime halfback Cooper Kilpatrick and Louis Kitto. The Dragons were best served by Alex Box, Jack Druery, Eddie Marning, ruckman Nelson Carey, Finn Richie and small forward Cave McKnight.
The remaining 2 fixtures, between Manly Warringah and East Coast, and Inner West versus Sydney University were cancelled due to inclement weather and will be replayed later in the season
MEN’S DIVISION ONE:
In Men’s Division One action, a clinical and ruthless North Shore defeated Pennant Hills by 117 points at a Gore Hill Oval, whilst Camden and Parramatta produced an absolute thriller at Gipps Rd, with the Cats hanging on for a crucial 2-point win over the Goannas. The other two scheduled games what cancelled due to the wet weather and will be replayed later in the season. Southern Power had the bye.
