Round 6, 2025 – Men’s & Women’s Premier Division Preview
Written by Michael Shillito
Our Premier Division competitions took a week off last weekend for the Representative fixtures against AFL Canberra. It was a display of the strength of our league, with both the Men’s and Women’s teams taking out the wins in style.
And now we get back into club footy this week with a full round of Premier Division action. Five Mens matches and four Women’s matches to be played this weekend; which will take us one-third of the way through the season.
Sydney Uni and Manly are front-runners in the Men’s, the only undefeated teams to date. The Students have had a draw, while the Wolves have won four games and have a game in hand. If either team slip up this weekend, UNSW-ES and North Shore are waiting to join them at the top.
In the Women’s, Sydney Uni’s win over defending premiers East Coast leaves the Students as the only undefeated team. North Shore, UNSW-ES and Manly are chasing hard; although the Bombers have the bye this week.
And there’s still plenty of time for the teams outside the top five to work their way back into finals contention. And that work starts right here.
MEN’S PREMIER DIVISION
East Coast Eagles v UNSW-ES Bulldogs
Bruce Purser Reserve, Saturday 10:40am
Eagles – 6th. Played 4, Won 2, Lost 2, 60.18%. Streak – L2
Bulldogs – 3rd. Played 5, Won 4, Lost 1, 196.86%. Streak – W1
It’s a morning start for the clash between the Eagles and the Bulldogs at Bruce Purser. Both had encouraging starts to the season. While the Bulldogs sit in third place, the Eagles have dropped out of the top five and need a win to get their momentum back on track.
Wins in the Eagles’ first two games saw them undefeated at Easter. But since then they copped back to back heavy losses against North Shore and Sydney Uni, two of the stronger clubs in this division. Their last start, at home against the Students, saw them fall behind from the start and go down by 75 points. Jacob Jones, Zac Johns and Jesse Eldred kept working hard all game; and the Eagles will need another big performance from them if they are to return to the winning list this week.
UNSW-ES find themselves with a 4-1 record, returning to the winning list in style at their last start with a comprehensive 88-point win over UTS at Rosedale Oval. Hugo Birks has been a great addition to the Bulldogs’ lineup this season, adding 12 goals to his already impressive tally against his old club; while Toby Alker, Jack Willis and Sam Thorne were prolific ball-winners. After missing out on the finals last year, the Bulldogs have given themselves a solid foundation for 2025. But the toughest tests are yet to come.
Games like this can make or break a season. The Eagles have the home ground advantage; and if they can use the conditions to their advantage and snag the win, they stay within striking distance of the top five. But if the Bulldogs can take the points away, they stay up there with the competition leaders while the Eagles risk falling well behind the top five. The Eagles’ only two wins last year were against the Bulldogs; and if they can go three in a row, they will underline their status as the big improvers of 2025.
Pennant Hills Demons v UTS Bats
Mike Kenny Oval, Saturday 2:00pm
Demons – 7th. Played 5, Won 1, Lost 3, Drawn 1, 75.42%. Streak – L1
Bats – 10th. Played 5, Won 0, Lost 5, 49.09%. Streak – L5
Two teams desperate for a win face off at Mike Kenny when the Demons play host to the Bats. After playing in the Preliminary Final this year, 2025 hasn’t gone to plan so far and the Demons have just one win on the board to date and sit well outside the top five. While the Bats are in an even tougher position, yet to salute this year.
For Pennant Hills, the best is yet to come this season. Their last game was at home against Manly; which saw the Demons stay with the Wolves for a half but fell away after half time to go down by 49 points. Aidan Russell, Nick Eynaud and Michael Carroll kept putting the effort in; but it wasn’t the Demons’ day. The Demons had a tough draw to open the season, but one win and a draw from five starts is behind budget; and now is the time they will be looking to get the winning streak going.
0 from 5 for UTS, and now is the time they must stand and deliver. Last start was a disappointment for the Bats, as they were never in the contest against UNSW-ES at Rosedale and went down by 88 points. Tom Larby, Matson Waring and Hamish Latchford never stopped putting the effort in; but the Bats were struggling to get into the contest. We’re a third of the way through the season now, and the Bats need to find a way to get onto the winning list. If they can’t do that, this season will get away from them very quickly.
It’s now or never. The Demons are usually up there at the business end of the season; and if they can get the win here, they’ll be within sight of the top five. But if the Demons can’t get the win, they’re in trouble. While the Bats’ hopes for 2025 are hanging by a thread. Although it’s still early in the year, already the risk is that they’ll leave their run too late. For both clubs, now is the time to draw a line in the sand and lift their game. For the winner, it’s a potential circuit-breaker that gets the season back on track.
South-West Sydney Blues v Sydney University Students
Rosedale Oval, Saturday 2:30pm
Blues – 5th. Played 5, Won 3, Lost 2, 70.41%. Streak – W2
Students – 1st. Played 5, Won 4, Lost 0, Drawn 1, 174.32%. Streak – W4
We’re off and racing at Warwick Farm for a big clash between the Blues and the Students. Both teams have winning momentum behind them, with the Blues having entered the top five last week while the Students are playing to maintain top spot.
The Blues go into this match with a 3-2 record, bouncing back from two heavy losses to get back to back wins against St George and Inner West. Their last start was at Picken Oval against the Magpies; where the Blues led at every change but not by much before finishing strongly to record a 22-point win. Bailey Stewart, Luke Parkinson and Max Lower were pivotal to the Blues’ success. When a game is close and there to be won, the good sides can stand up and find a way to win; and the Blues will be well pleased that they have done that twice in a row. But this will be a tougher test.
Four in a row for Sydney Uni, following an opening game draw; and the Students find themselves top of the ladder. Their last start was at Bruce Purser against East Coast; and it was a one-sided affair as the Students got it done by 75 points. Michael Nettheim, Nathan Tang and Max Kozlik were in the thick of the action in another strong Sydney Uni performance. So far so good for Uni; but this momentum has to be maintained. There’s no room for a slip-up here.
For South-West Blues, their second season in the top flight has had its ups and downs. But they find themselves in the top five, and have been able to get the points when the game is tight. But this is a challenge. Sydney Uni haven’t really put a foot wrong so far in 2025, and the Blues are going to have to put up something special here. But on their home deck, if they can pile on the pressure and stop the Students in their tracks, their ability to close out the close games can lay the platform for one of their great victories.
St George Dragons v Manly-Warringah Wolves
Weldon Oval, Saturday 2:30pm
Dragons – 8th. Played 5, Won 1, Lost 4, 66.58%. Streak – L3
Wolves – 2nd. Played 4, Won 4, Lost 0, 202.42%. Streak – W4
The Dragons and the Wolves face off at Weldon Oval on Saturday, two teams with differing fortunes in the year to date but one common objective in this match. The four points are a must. The Dragons have dropped three in a row and need a spark to turn their season around, while the Wolves are flying with four wins on the trot to begin their campaign. If you’re not able to get to Weldon Oval, and for the St George and Manly faithful around the globe; don’t miss a moment of the action when it’s on your device on Streamer. Click here to watch!
St George’s last start was at Olds Park against defending premiers North Shore. There wasn’t much in it at quarter time, but the Bombers got on top in the second quarter and there was no way back into the contest for the Dragons as they went down by 57 points; despite fighting efforts by Lachlan Querzoll, Mac Winchester and Eddie Marning. With three losses in a row, it’s not great timing that they find themselves up against Manly. But the Dragons need to regroup and find a way. If they don’t, the top five looks a long way off.
So far so good for the Wolves, who have four wins from as many starts so far this season. Their most recent win came at Mike Kenny against Pennant Hills; where it was close for a half before the Wolves pulled away to record a 49-point win. Trent Dennis-Lane spearheaded the charge with six goals, while Byron Laws and Travis Schiller also played influential roles for the Wolves. They’ve built up some handy momentum so far in 2025; but will need to stay switched on to maintain that run here.
With four wins in a row to start the season, the Wolves have high hopes of again being title contenders this season. And when they’re in good form, they’ll have to rise to the occasion every week and keep the momentum going. Any drop-off and they’re vulnerable; especially on the road against an opposition who will want to scrap and spoil and make every possession a contest. Which is what the Dragons must do here. After three losses in a row, the top five is two games away; and they can’t afford to let that gap blow out any further. The time to aim for winning momentum is now.
North Shore Bombers v Inner West Magpies
Gore Hill Oval, Saturday 2:40pm
Bombers – 4th. Played 5, Won 4, Lost 1, 179.69%. Streak – W3
Magpies – 9th. Played 5, Won 0, Lost 5, 62.50%. Streak – L5
A late afternoon encounter on the Gore Hill synthetic pits North Shore Bombers up against Inner West Magpies. The Bombers have won their last three by big margins and are looking strong; while the Magpies will need to put up the fight of their lives after dropping their first five games.
The Bombers had an early loss in Round 2, but they’ve done everything right since then and their hopes of back-to-back titles remain very much alive. Last start they were at Olds Park against St George; and after a close first quarter, six unanswered goals in the second term set up a 57-point win, with Cooper Donald, Tom Drum and Pat Bolger being in the thick of the action. A valuable away win, and now they’re back on their home turf. But there’s a long way to go this season, and the Bombers can’t afford to drop their guard even against a struggling opponent.
Five losses in a row is not the way the Magpies wanted to start 2025. Their most recent performance was against South-West Sydney at Picken Oval; where the game see-sawed and was in the balance for three quarters, but when the game was there to be won, the Magpies were unable to come up with the winning plays. Lachie Tiziani, Jye Doyle and Leroy Veerhuis kept their work-rate up, but it wasn’t enough to come up with the points. And now the Magpies need to find a way to turn their fortunes around in this, the toughest away trip in this division.
We’re on North Shore’s home track, they are flying high into the top five; while the Magpies are winless and find themselves drawn to play at a ground where they haven’t won since the synthetic turf was installed. The odds are heavily in the Bombers’ favour here. But the Magpies can’t take this lying down. Their season is on the line, and if they are to be a part of the finals action again this year, they need to start to string some wins together. And that challenge starts here. If they can rise to the occasion, put the Bombers under pressure and click into gear; all things are possible. Self-belief must be the winning piece of the puzzle; and if the Magpies can’t find it, this could be a very one-sided affair.
WOMEN’S PREMIER DIVISION
Parramatta Goannas v Sydney University Students
Gipps Road Oval, Saturday 12:20pm
Goannas – 8th. Played 4, Won 0, Lost 4, 8.03%. Streak – L4
Students – 1st. Played 4, Won 4, Lost 0, 675.61%. Streak – W4
At Gipps Road, the Goannas play host to the Students. Both clubs wear the same blue and gold colours; but the fortunes of the two clubs so far in 2025 could not be more different. The Students sit undefeated on top of the ladder, while the Goannas are winless and have only scored in one game so far in 2025.
That game was against St George at their last start, back at the end of April. Ava Saad, Marley Rhodes and Hayley Zauch rose to the occasion with solid games; but although there was only a kick in it at half time, the Goannas couldn’t score in the third quarter, and despite a fightback in the final term, they went down by seven points. Thanks to a bye and the rep weekend they haven’t played since. Plenty of time to reset, and now is the time to test out what they’ve been working on; a new Goannas spirit and a new determination.
Sydney Uni come into this game full of confidence after knocking off defending premiers East Coast at Bruce Purser in their last start. In a low-scoring game in which only three goals were kicked, the Students landed two of them to take a four-point thriller; with Maryanne Harley, Lucy Gilfedder and Lucy Smith featuring prominently. So far so good for the Students with an unbeaten run, and knocking off the defending premiers does wonder for the morale. Against a struggling opponent this time, they’ll go in as the hottest of favourites.
On paper it looks like a one-sided affair. But footy games aren’t won on paper, they’re won on the field. And the Goannas will take the field with a fighting spirit and look to take the game up to the highly-credentialled Sydney Uni side. And even as the hottest of favourites, the Students still have to make the drive up the M4, turn up and get the job done. And the Goannas surely must do everything in their power to give the Students a run for their money and make them earn the points here.
Pennant Hills Demons v UTS Bats
Mike Kenny Oval, Saturday 12:20pm
Demons – 9th. Played 4, Won 0, Lost 4, 1.56%. Streak – L4
Bats – 6th. Played 5, Won 1, Lost 4, 95.87%. Streak – L4
It’s fair to say that both these clubs really need a win. Both have tasted defeat in all of their last four games; but here is an opportunity to get that much-needed circuit-breaker and taste the spoils of victory. Knowing that if they can do it once, it turns their fortunes around and the opportunity for more winning footy lies ahead in upcoming rounds.
The Demons haven’t had the easiest draw to start the season. The four games they’ve played have been against the top four teams on the ladder, and they’re yet to play a team outside the top five. Their last start saw them unable to trouble the scorers against Manly; despite the determined efforts of Amelia Bennett, Sheridan Baker and Bela Nash. It’s been a tough opening to the season for the Demons. But now, finally, they play an opponent outside the top four; and a more competitive scoreline is required here.
UTS started the season with a big win over the Goannas, but have dropped four in a row since then. The most recent being against UNSW-ES at Rosedale; when they fell behind early against the Bulldogs and were never able to make up ground, going down by 54 points. Hannah Cerezo, Tahlia Fraser and Chaye Hartwell kept working hard; but it wasn’t the Bats’ day. Four losses in a row, now it’s time to lift; or this season could get away from them very quickly.
After four losses on the trot, both these teams have some work to do to get themselves back into finals contention; and that work starts right here. For the winner, a welcome respite from the trials and tribulations of recent weeks and a chance to create some positive momentum for the weeks ahead. But for the loser, the finals already looks a long way off. For their hopes and dreams for 2025, it’s now or never.
St George Dragons v Manly-Warringah Wolves
Weldon Oval, Saturday 12:30pm
Dragons – 7th. Played 4, Won 1, Lost 3, 12.53%. Streak – L1
Wolves – 4th. Played 4, Won 3, Lost 1, 200.00%. Streak – W3
A lunchtime encounter at Weldon Oval puts St George up against Manly. The Dragons have one win this year but have plenty of work to do if they hope to get their second as they find themselves up against a team that has been a powerhouse in Women’s Premier Division in recent years. It’s a big test, and there’s plenty of interest to see how they’ll go. If you can’t get to Weldon Oval for this, make sure you catch all the action as it happens on Streamer. Click here to watch!
St George, after a winless 2024. Have saluted once this season. But they were unable to make it two in a row when they were held to a single behind by North Shore, going down by 138 points. Paige Bauer, Delaney Gwynn and Issy Katzarkis tried hard; but the Dragons weren’t able to match it with the Bombers. Now they face Manly, another strong opponent; and will need to step up another gear for this contest.
The Wolves, after dropping their first game of the season, have powered their way to three wins on the trot. The most recent coming at Mike Kenny, when they held Pennant Hills scoreless for a convincing 141-point win. Holly Wickham landed five goals in a best-on-ground performance; while Lauren Bourgeois scored four and Kenya Fahey and Zara Hamilton were prominent around the ground. The Wolves have hit some great form and won’t be wanting to slow their momentum, and an all-out effort is again required from the Wolves to ensure that happens.
This game won’t be easy for the Dragons. They’ve tasted victory once this season; but even with the home ground advantage, they’re up against an in-form opponent with plenty of highly-credentialled star players. But the Dragons, having sung the song once, will be relishing the thought of doing it again. It will take plenty of fight, plenty of scrap and an all-out effort. But a competitive effort here against one of the competition heavyweights will put them in good stead for the challenges to come.
East Coast Eagles v UNSW-ES Bulldogs
Bruce Purser Reserve, Saturday 1:00pm
Eagles – 5th. Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1, 148.91%. Streak – L1
Bulldogs – 3rd. Played 5, Won 4, Lost 1, 477.03%. Streak – W1
Defending premiers East Coast go into this game looking to bounce back after a shock loss at their last start. But it won’t be an easy task against a UNSW-ES side high on confidence after four wins already this season and who go into this game looking for the big scalp that will underline their credentials for this season.
The Eagles in the week before the Rep break were stunned at home when they went down to Sydney Uni. Goals were hard to get, and although the Eagles created chances and landed eight scoring shots, only one of them went between the big sticks and they suffered a four-point loss. Kaitlin Noble, Grace Tracey and Bailee Hourigan battled tirelessly for the Eagles; but in the end they fell so agonisingly short. But they’ve had two weeks to reset, and now they’re ready for action again. They’ve only played three games so far this season, so there’s a lot of footy ahead of them.
The Bulldogs’ last game saw them return to the winning list in style, with a comfortable 54-point win over UTS at Rosedale. It was the Emily Conlan show as she landed seven goals in a best-on-ground performance; while Amaia Wain and Emma Haley were prolific ball-winners. The Bulldogs have won four games, the early-season draw has been kind to them. But this clash, away to the defending premiers, will tell us a lot about how much the Bulldogs have improved and whether they are up there with the top title contenders.
The Eagles’ premiership defence so far hasn’t had much opportunity to build momentum. But starting this week, they’re in action every week for the next couple of months and now they get to click into gear. But the Bulldogs are standing in their way. They’ve already landed four wins, all against the teams outside the top five. But to show themselves as true contenders, claiming the scalp of one of the competition heavyweights would show they’re worthy of their high ladder position. And that’s the challenge before them here.
