Round 6, 2025 – Men’s & Women’s Premier Division Review
Written by David Redden
WOMEN’S PREMIER DIVISION:
League leaders Sydney University continued on their merry way with a 117-point thumping of Parramatta at Gipps Rd Oval. Final scores were Sydney University 17.15.117 to Parramatta 0.0.0.
University jumped out of the blocks kicking six goals in the first quarter then five in the second quarter to lead by 73 points at halftime. University kicked unanswered eight goals in the second half as they consolidated first place in the ladder.
Key forwards Lucy Gilfedder (5) and Emma Walsh (3) kicked 8 goals between them as the Uni forwards had a day out.
Uni’s best players were Cassie Brown, 2023 Mostyn Medallist Maryanne Harley, Rose Stuart, Yasmine Sayers, Arabella Hendricks and evergreen veteran Amanda Farrugia. Parramatta’s best players were not available at the time of writing.
UTS gained valuable percentage in a 111-point thrashing of Pennant Hills at Mike Kenny Oval. UTS ran winners 16.15.111 to Pennant Hills 0.0.0.
UTS kicked five goals in the first half but really turned on in the second half, kicking 11 unanswered goals as they overwhelmed a cane but inexperienced Pennant Hills outfit.
Briana-Lee Wade kicked five goals for UTS, while Mia Hartley chipped in with four majors.
UTS best players word Zoe Bush, Wade, Tilley Edwards-Hill, Tallulah Kirk, Kaitlyn McCaffrey and Aleshea Houlahan. Pennant Hills were best served by consistent Sheridan Baker, Sally Faehrmann, Annabelle Rickerby, Bela Nash, Sienna Lindsay and Louise Fisher.
A dominant performance by the Manly Warringah midfield, plus an extraordinary 11 goals from small forward Isabella Rudolph, led the Wolves to a 135-point victory over the Sorge Dragons. Final scores were Manly Warringah 22 .10.142 to St George 1.1.7.
Midfielders Zara Hamilton, Hannah Woolf and Kenya Fahey ail got superb service from ruck Jayme Saggers as the Manly midfield simply overwhelmed the inexperienced Dragons outfit. After Woolf ran amok in the first quarter, Hamilton simply took over the game in a wonderful display of midfield artistry. Rudolph benefited from this dominance in the midfield, with her ability to read the play and snap wondrous right foot goals leading to a magnificent 11-goal haul.
Apart from the Rudolph performance, key forward Peggy Stanbury kicked three goals before she was carried off with a rolled right ankle, with skipper Ash Carter, pushed forward after Stanbury left the field, nabbing 3 majors of her own. Dragons forward Maggie Ritchie kick their only goal after a sublime one-handed contested mark that simply took the breath away.
Manly’s best players were Hamilton, Rudolph, Woolf, Saggers, Lauren Bourgeois and Chloe Davis. St George were best served by Annabelle McHale, Sarah Attard, Jasmine Baily, Zoe Maher, Sophie Matheson and Eloise Carey.
East Coast Eagles bounced back to form with a superb defensive performance against UNSW-ES at Bruce Purser Reserve. Final scores were East Coast 7.4.46 to UNSW-ES 0.4.4.
This was, in many ways, an old school East Coast performance. In their three successive premierships, their defence has been an absolute highlight, and they showed the up-and-coming Bulldogs outfit what it takes to win top level games in Premier Division. The Eagles kicked three goals in the first half and four in the second half as they completely shut down the Bulldogs midfield and forward line. East Coast plays Manly Warringah twice in seven days in a couple of weeks, and this defensive performance will please them greatly as they prepare for a season defining doubleheader against the Wolves.
Marley Kozak kicked three goals for the Eagles, with key forward Caitlin Davidson chipping in with two majors.
East Coast best players were the experienced Bryany Parker, key back Bailey Hourigan, Taylah Canobie, Kaitlyn Noble and Kozak. The Bulldogs best players were not available at the time of writing.
WOMEN’S DIVISION 1:
In women’s Division One action, Sydney University kicked 23 unanswered goals in defeating Southwest Sydney by 151 points at Rosedale Oval. Manly Warringah defeated North Shore by 16 points in a tough clash at Gore Hill Oval. Randwick City defeated Newtown by 40 points at Mahoney Park, whilst the UTS versus Camden game was cancelled due to a wet ground.
WOMEN’S UNDER 20s:
In Women’s Under 20 action, UTS defeated UNSW-ES by 28 points at Mahoney Park. Manly Warringah belted Parramatta by 80 points at Gipps Rd Oval, whilst the Sydney University versus North Shore game was cancelled due to wet weather at Sydney University No.1 Oval.
MEN’S PREMIER DIVISION:
Key forwards Hugo Birks and Kieran Emery combined for amazing 16 goals as UNSW-ES thrashed East Coast Eagles by 123 points at Bruce Purser Reserve. Final scores were UNSW-ES
26. 13.169 to East Coast 7.4.46.
The Bulldogs lead by 63 points at half time, kicking 12 goals to two. They kicked 9 goals in the third quarter, then kicked 5 goals to 3 in the final stanza as East Coast tried to rally.
Birks is on an unstoppable tear at the moment. He has 45 goals after 6 games and needs 55 goals in its final 12 matches to attain the rare feat 100 goals in a season. Birks kicked 11 goals on Saturday, with the veteran Emery chipping in with 5 as the Eagles had simply no answer to a magnificent performance by the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs best players were not listed at the time of writing. East Coast’s best players when Nathan Penna, Corey Dowle, Jacob Jones, Harry Elbourne, Baylee Jones and Jesse Eldred.
In a great tussle at Mike Kenny Oval, Pennant Hills hung on for a 7-point win over a desperate UTS in an outstanding game of football. Final scores were Pennant Hills 12.10.82 to UTS
11. 9.75.
After Pennant Hills lead by five points at the main break, they won the game in the third quarter kicking 5 goals to 3 to lead by 20 points going into the fourth quarter. UTS came home like a steam train in the final stanza, kicking goals to three, but the Demons crucially kept pace with Southwest Sydney in prevailing by 7 points.
Rockman forward Charles Allison kicked three goals for Pennant hills, whilst Nick Hey chipped in with two majors for the Demons. George Boyd and Blake Tabe both kicked three goals for the Bats, for whom victory must just be around the corner.
Pennant Hills’ best players were Allison, rugged utility Maine Vidler, Nick Eynaud, Luke Skrivanic, Mitchell Trenaman and veteran Matt Carey. UTS were best served by Tom Larby, representative midfielder Hamish Latchford, Henry Gosse, Lachlan McNamara, Boyd and Tabe.
In the first major upset of season 2025, Southwest Sydney proved they are valid top five contender with an excellent 31-point victory over Sydney University in front of a joyous home crowd at Rosedale Oval. In a result that changes the Premier Division ladder, Southwest Sydney won 12.9.81 to Uni’s 7.8.50.
The Blues set up this victory by kicking 5 goals to 1 in the first half, leading by 24 points at the main break. University kicked 4 goals to 3 in an entertaining third quarter, before the Blues kicked 4 goals to 2 in the final stanza, for a famous victory.
The Blues goal kickers were evenly shared, whilst Nik Dale kicked 3 majors for University.
The Blues best players were Eddie Keogh, Finbar Delbridge, Ethan Matthews, Bailey Stewart, Perry Lewis-Smith and Max Lower. University was best served by Lucas Newman, Michael Nettheim, Rohan Watson, Oscar Bosnjakovic, Dale and Leo Hawkins
Manly Warringah comprehensively defeated the St George Dragons by 98 points at Weldon Oval, with this game transferred from a waterlogged Olds Park. Final scores were Manly Warringah 22.15.147 to St George 7.7.49.
The Wolves jumped out of the blocks leading by 25 points at halftime, then by 55 points at the main break. The Wolves ran riot in the third quarter kicking 8 goals to 1 and took the foot off the pedal in the last quarter, with both sides kicking 2 goals.
Representative forward Zach Youlten kicked 4 goals for the Wolves. Gun midfielder Travis Schiller and key forward Jesse Wadeisha both chipped in with 3 majors for a dominant Manly outfit. Callum Nash 2 goals for St George, with one of his goals surely a contender for goal of the season after a sweeping move from the back pocket was finished off sublimely by Nash.
Schiller must be firming as a Phelan Medal favourite after another best on ground performance. He was well supported by Wolves teammates Aiden Adams, Lachlan Behagg, Youlten, Kale Gabila and ruck Antony Forato. St George were best served by the consistent Lachlan Cabor, wing Cave McKnight, Jack Martin, Jack Druery, veteran Matt Saunders and Tom Ingram.
North Shore produced a very consistent four-quarter performance in thrashing Inner West Magpies by 114 points at Gore Hill Oval. Final scores were North Shore 22.15.147 to Inner Magpies 5.3.33.
The reigning premiers were in no mood to muck around at home, leading by 67 points at the main break. They kicked 11 goals to 4 in a dominant second half as they piled on the misery for the winless Magpies.
Forward-ruckman Thomas Drum kicked 5 goals for North Shore, with key recruit Nick Pavlou and dual Phelan Medallist Ned Campbell chipping with 4 majors for the Bombers. Magpie stalwart Ben Zoppo ed two goals for Inner West.
North Shore’s best players were Pavlou, skipper Jake Veale, Campbell, Cooper Donald, Will Giacometti and lively small forward Felix Rogers. Inner West was best served by Keegan Litchfield, Leroy Veerhuis, Will Deller, Lachlan Tiziani, Kevin Clark and Kyle Veerhuis
MEN’S DIVISION ONE:
In Men’s Division One action, Camden overwhelmed Pennant Hills by an even 100 points at Mike Kenny Oval. North Shore annihilated Inner West by 186 points at Gore Hill, whilst Sydney University defeated Parramatta by 37 points, Parramatta’s inaccuracy costing them dearly (5 goals from 15 effective shots on goal) at Gipps Rd. In the final fixture, UNSW-ES comfortably accounted for Southern Power by 75 points at Waratah Oval.
