Round 3, 2025 – Men’s & Women’s Premier Division Review
Written by David Redden
WOMEN’S PREMIER DIVISION:
UNSW-ES Bulldogs thrashed Pennant Hills by 102 points at Henson Park. Final scores were UNSW-ES Bulldogs 16.13.109 to Pennant Hills 1.1.7.
The Bulldogs ran rampant in the second quarter, kicking 6 unanswered goals, and went on with the job in the second half in a very professional performance from a vastly improved football side.
Skipper and full-forward Emily Conlan led the way with six goals for the Dogs, whilst Mostyn Medallist Sera Kaukiono kicked 3 majors in an outstanding display. Kara Richards was Pennant Hills’ only goal kicker.
Best players for UNSW-ES were Kaukiono, Emma Haley, Ella Willey, Shelby Koh, Gabby Eaton and Conlan. Pennant Hills were best served by Bela Nash, Sheridan Baker, Addison Hickey, Remy Ally, Katherine O’Hara and Scarlett Sheridan.
In the match of the round at Waverley Oval, Manly Warringah came from behind at three-quarter time to produce an excellent 14-point victory over hosts the UTS Bats. Final scores were Manly Warringah 8.6.54 to UTS 6.4.40.
The Wolves lead by 16 points at half-time but the Bats roared to life in the third quarter, turning around the deficit to lead by 4 points at the final change. In an entertaining last quarter, the Wolves kicked five goals to two to show that they have clear designs on a top three finish at the end of the home the way season.
Peggy Stanbury, Lauren Bourgeois and Kaitlyn Manning all kicked two goals for the Wolves. Experienced forwards Brianna-Lee Wade and Jessica both kicked two goals for the Bats.
Best place for the Wolves were 2024 Mostyn Medallist Hannah Woolf, Kenya Fahey, skipper Ashleigh Carter, Holly Wickham, Zali Currie and Kristie Leonard. ETS were best served by Tilly Edwards- hill, Gabriella Stanwix, Tallulah Kirk, Charlotte Irwin, Alexandra Wade and Aleshea Houlahan.
North Shore simply demolished Parramatta by 172 points in the twilight game at Gore Hill Oval. Final scores for North Shore 26.16.172 to Parramatta 0.0.0.
Key forward Adrienne Keeffe continued her excellent form, booting 7 majors for the Bombers. Marley Barnett-Hepples chimed in with four majors as the Bombers simply ran riot, giving their percentage of huge boost. Best plays for the bombers were Sophie Kavanagh, Keeffe, Heidi de Saxe, Charlotte White, centre halfback Zoe Hurrell and skipper Matilda Eder. Parramatta’s best players were not available at the time of writing.
Sydney University produced a professional performance in thumping St. George by 69 points at Olds Park in the twilight game. Final scores were Sydney University 10.11.71 to St George 0.2.2.
The Students kicked four goals to none in the second quarter to lead by 40 points at the main break. Despite St. George‘s best efforts, the Students piled on another four goals in the second half in a solid second round display.
Vice-captain Lucy Gilfedder starred for the students, kicking five goals. Emma Walsh chimed in with two majors.
Best players for Sydney University were Saskia Johnson, Mostyn Medallist Maryanne Harley, Daisy George, Gilfedder, Arabella Price and Yasmin Sayer. Best players for St George were Montana Doubell, Shona O’Connell- Shea, Caydelan Mitchell- Bruce, Delaney Gwynn, Isabella Katzakis and Annabelle McHale.
WOMEN’S DIVISION 1:
In Women’s Division One action, Manly Warringah thrashed South West Sydney Blues by 105 points at Rosedale Oval, North Shore defeated UTS by 14 points at Gore Hill, Randwick City defeated Camden by 52 points at Pioneers Park and high flying Sydney University kept Newtown scoreless in their 76-point thumping at Bat and Ball Oval
WOMEN’S UNDER 20s:
In Women’s Under 20’s action, UTS edged out UNSW-ES by a mere put two points at David Phillips Oval, Manly Warringah thumped North Shore by 76 points at Weldon Oval and Sydney University thrashed Parramatta by ten goals at Bat and Ball Oval.
MEN’S PREMIER DIVISION:
East Coast Eagles thrilled the faithful at Bruce Purser Reserve with a gutsy 12-point over Inner West Magpies. Final scores were East Coast 10.9. 69 to Inner West 8.9.57.
The Eagles won the game in in the second quarter, kicking five goals to two to lead by 24 points at the main break. Despite a big last quarter comeback from the Magpies, the Eagles hung on for a valuable victory at home as they set about making the final five for the first time in many years.
Key forward Ben Currie kicked four goals for the eagles, with Marshall Poynter nabbing 2 majors for the home team. Kevin Clark was the Magpies only multiple goal kicker, kicking two goals for Inner West.
Best players for East Coast when Nathan Penna, the consistent Angus Edwards, Nick Fischer, Currie, Corey Dowle and Jacob Jones. Inner West were best served by the in-form Will Deller, Kyle Veerhuis, Leroy Veerhuis, Jye Doyle, Jonathan Bowyer and Thye Hamilton.
North Shore bounced back after their first defeat in 18 months last Saturday, annihilating South West Sydney Blues by 113 points at Gore Hill Oval. Final scores were North Shore 23.8.146 to South West Sydney 5.3.33.
Remarkably, the Blues lead by one point at quarter time. Some stern words at quarter time led to North Shore kicking six goals in the second quarter, then they ruthlessly pulled on 14 goals after half-time to simply dismantle the Blues outfit. Of note was North Shore’s accurate goalkicking, managing 23 goals from 31 effective shots at goal.
Forward Ryan Hebron kicked six goals for North Shore, with small forward Patrick Bolger having a day out kicking 5 majors of his own. Half-forward Matt Buskariol chimed in with three majors. Consistent forward Nick Dunshea kicked two goals for the well-beaten Blues.
Best players for North Shore were Bolger, Jake Veale, Hebron, Pierce Roseby, Harry Walker and Cooper Donald. South West Sydney was best served by Matt Storey, Khy Gibbs, Josh Croft, Dunshea, Jack Baker and James Kennedy.
A revitalised UNSW-ES Bulldogs outclassed Pennant Hills at Henson Park, eventually running out 55-point winners. Final scores were UNSW-ES 14.10.94 to Pennant Hills 5.9.39.
Full forward Hugo Birks kicked three goals for the Bulldogs, with Thomas Longmire and Liam Ross both chiming with two majors for the victors. Pennant Hills goal kickers were Nicholas Hey with four majors and Liam Everett with the one.
The Bulldogs were best served by Jack Willis, Harrison Dyson, Oscar Peter, Owen Turner, Will Shaw and influential midfielder Sam Thorne. Pennant Hills were best served by Luka Jordaan, Cameron Mitchell, Nick Hey, Lachlan Willey, Jonathan Friend and Jordan La Lay.
Sydney University produced a dominant second half performance in outclassing St. George by 44 points at Olds Park. Final scores were Sydney University 15.9.99 to St George 7.13.55.
The Dragons lead by one point at halftime, despite kicking only three goals from 14 effective shots. The Students piled on 11 goals to four in the second half in a very convincing performance away from home. Half forward Thomas Hitchens kicked four goals for Sydney University, with Max Negri, Alex Witherden, Izaac Hughes and William Gibbs all kicking two goals for the Students. Matt Saunders and Mac Winchester kicked two goals each for the Dragons.
Best players for the Students where key defender Liam Shallies, Sam Barkley, Hitchens, Witherden, Lucas Newman and Jay Tang. St George was best served by Saunders, Dominic Michalak, Winchester, Liam Tyler, Dominic Maunder and ruck Nelson Carey.
Manly Warringah continued early season form with a 72-point drubbing of UTS at Waverley Oval. Final scores were Manly Warringah 17.12.114 to UTS 6. 6.42.
The Wolves jumped out of the blocks in the first quarter kicking five goals to 1 and went on with the job in the next two quarters, leading by 81 points at the final break. Manly were kept goalless in the final quarter. but the Bats only managed two goals themselves in the final 30 minutes.
Trent Dennis-Lane and James Lugsdin kicked three goals each for the Wolves, with Byron Laws and Tom McCaffrey charming with two goals each for the dominant maroon and whites. Thomas Charles was the lone highlight for the Bats on an otherwise difficult afternoon, kicking four majors.
Best players for Manly Warringah were Lugsdin, rugged utility Ky McGrath, Taine Wright, Barry O’Connor, Tom Sheldrick and Mackenzie Allen. The Bats were best served by Liam Gordon, Charles, Henry Gosse, Oscar Doland, Anthony Eussen and Matson Waring.
MEN’S DIVISION ONE:
In Men’s Division One action, Sydney University defeated St. George by 27 points at Olds Park, Inner West defeated an inaccurate Southern Power by 23 points at Waratah Oval, UNSW-ES Bulldogs comfortable comfortably defeated Pennant Hills by 67 points at Henson Park and North Shore edged out Parramatta by a mere nine points at Gore Hill Oval.
