Round 7, 2025 – Men’s & Women’s Premier Division Review
Written by David Redden
WOMEN’S PREMIER DIVISION:
On Thursday night at Olds Park, UTS continued their winning form with a solid 44-point victory over St George. Final scores were UTS 7.10.52 to St George 1.2.8 on a chilly Thursday evening in Penshurst.
UTS rocketed out to a 37-point lead at the main break, but a better defensive effort from St George in the second half meant UTS only kicked 2 goals to 1 in the half as St George’s back 6 repeatedly shut down the Bats forwards.
Sophia Gaukrodger kicked 4 goals for the Bats, whilst full forward Brianna-Lee Wade chipped in with 2 majors for UTS. Angel Beeton kicked the Dragons ‘only goal.
Once again, dynamic Bats rover Aoife Berry dominated the midfield. Berry is in superb form and must be considered a serious chance of winning her first Mostyn Medal. Other plays to shine for the bats were Emelye Blades, Gaukrodger, Tilley Edwards-Hill, Tallulah Kirk, and Tahlia Fraser. St. George’s best players were the consistent Caydelan Mitchell- Bruce, Montana Doubell, Zoe Maher, Eloise Carey, Paige Bauer, and Shona O’Connell- Shea.
In the other Thursday Night fixture over the King’s Birthday Long Weekend, ladder leaders Sydney University prevailed over archrivals UNSW-ES by 32 points at Uni #1 Oval. Final scores were Sydney Uni 9.7.61 to UNSW-ES 4.5.29.
Sydney University produced a very consistent four-quarter performance. They kicked 5 goals in the first half then 4 in the second half in a very professional display against an up-and-coming Bulldogs outfit. The Bulldogs saved some face as both sides kicked 2.2.14 in the final quarter.
Frances Walsh and star recruit Amanda Farrugia kicked two goals each for Sydney University. The Bulldogs’ goalkickers were not available at the time of writing.
Sydney University’s best players were Farrugia, Walsh, Lucy Smith, Lucy Gilfedder, Emma Juneja and Daisy George. The Bulldogs’ based players were not available at the time of writing.
In Friday Night Football at Mike Kenny Oval, North Shore demolished Pennant Hills by 177 points. Final scores were North Shore 27.15.177 to Pennant Hills 0.0.0.
North Shore simply overwhelmed the young and developing Pennant Hills outfit, kicking 14 goals in the first half and then 13 goals in the second half in a comprehensive display.
Adrienne Keeffe kicked 4 goals for the Bombers, whilst Amelia Rainbow, Ava Horneman, Lila Micheletti and Heidi De Saxe all kicked 3 goals for North Shore.
North Shore’s best players were the rampant De Saxe, Lucinda Watson, Keeffe, Rainbow, Teigan Collister and Yasmine Janschek in the ruck. Pennant Hills were best served by Scarlett Sheridan, Addison Hickey, Sienna Lindsay, Sophie Pendlebury, Ashley Grubba and Amelia Bennett.
Reigning premiers East Coast Eagles returned to form in resounding fashion on Saturday at Gipps Rd Oval, defeating Parramatta by 98 points. Final scores were East Coast 18.6.114 to Parramatta 1.0.6.
The Eagles kept Parramatta scoreless after quarter-time and kicked 11 goals to zero in the second half as they gained much-needed percentage in a crowded Women’s Premier Division Top 6.
Caitlin Davidson kicked 5 goals for East Coast, whilst Marley Kozak kicked 4 goals for the Eagles as she highlighted her importance to the Eagles; forward structure. Stacey Phillips kicked Parramatta’s only goal.
The Eagles best players were Savannah Codd, Tyler Canobie, Grace Tracey, Annaleise Barton, Nellie McMillan, and Erin Naden. Parramatta were best served by the consistent Brea Trevitt, Skyla Seal, Megan Ashford, Teigan Saunders, Tayliya Noack and Caitlin Connaughton.
WOMEN’S DIVISION 1:
In the only Women’s Division One game played on the weekend, ladder leaders Sydney University defeated second-placed Randwick City by 53 points at Uni #1 Oval.
MEN’S PREMIER DIVISION:
In a thrilling Thursday Night fixture at Bat and ball Oval, UTS hung on to defeat St George by 5 points in an absorbing and tense tussle. Final scores were UTS 8.9.57 to St George 8.4.52.
UTS led by mere 4 points at the main break. The Bats then kicked 4 goals to 3 in an entertaining third quarter to lead by 11 points at three-quarter time. The Dragons kicked 2 goals to 1 in the final quarter but just could not manage the final match-winning goal as UTS hung on for their second successive victory in five days.
Josh Ralph kicked 3 goals for UTS. Burly full forward Jed Robin kicked 5 majors in an excellent display for the Dragons.
Best players for UTS were skipper Henry Gosse, Lachlan McNamara, Jack Calabro, ruckman Arki Hp-Coles, Ed Palmer and Ralph. St George were best served by backline general Dominic Michalak, veteran Matt Saunders, Robin, Thomas Ingram, Kian Todd-Bonselaar and Riley Taylor.
In Friday Night Football at Uni #1 Oval, Sydney University comfortably accounted for their archrivals UNSW-ES by 48 points. Final scores were Sydney University 15.8.98 to UNSW-ES 6 14.50, with Sydney University’s accurate shooting a major contributor to their accomplished victory.
Sydney University lead by 15 points at half time, but then a dominant second half, in which they kicked 8 goals to 2, led to an important victory for the Students.
Gun recruit Alex Witherden kicked 4 goals for Sydney Uni, whilst key forward Nik Dale chipped in with 3 majors. The Bulldogs goal kickers were not available at the time the writing.
Sydney Uni was best served by Marcus Valastro, Jake Bartholomaeus, Lucas Newman, Sam Barkley, Michael Nettheim and Tom Ryan. The Bulldogs’ best plays were not available at the time of writing.
Undefeated Manly Warringah thrashed Inner West Magpies by 94 points at Weldon Oval in Curl Curl. Final scores were Manly Warringah 21.21.147 to Inner West 7.11.53.
The Wolves led by 49 points at half time, after they had burst out of the blocks in the first quarter kicking 7 goals to 1 in an exhilarating display. The Wolves kicked 11 goals to 5 in an entertaining second half as they consolidated their lead in the Mens Premier Division.
Manly full-forward Jesse Wadeisha had a day out, kicking 7 goals for his new club. Phelan Medal favourite Travis Schiller chimed in with 3 majors for the Wolves. Jack Rule kicked 2 goals for the winless Magpies.
Manly Warringah’s best players were Lachlan Behagg, Cooper McLennan, Aiden Adams, Wadeisha, Schiller and Willem Smit. Inner West was best served by Nick McCormack, Jonty Inglis, Jonathan Bowyer, Kyle Veerhuis, Ryder Eberhard and Jordan Ware.
After an upset loss last weekend, South West Sydney returned to form with a solid 49-point victory over East Coast Eagles at Rosedale Oval. Final scores were South West Sydney
13.18 .96 to East Coast Eagles 7.5.47.
The Blues, desperate to atone after last Saturday, absolutely flew out of the blocks in the first quarter, leading by 25 points at the first break. Both sides kicked 4 goals in an entertaining second quarter. A strange goalless third quarter, highlighted by the Blues inaccurate goalkicking, saw the Blues lead by 36 points at the final break. South West kicked 3 goals to 1 in the final quarter to run away with an important victory.
Nick Dunshea and Bailey-Dean Latanis kicked 3 goals each for the Blues. The Eagles’ goalkickers were not available at the time of writing.
Best players for the Blues were Callum Burns, Latanis, Josh Croft, Ethan Roberts, Eddie Keogh and Dunshea. The Eagles were best served by Harry Elbourne, Jesse Eldred, Keegan Brady, Mitchell Bradley, Cameron Edwards and Corey Dowle.
A superb from defensive performance from reigning premier North Shore saw them run out comfortable 91-point winners over depleted Pennant Hills Demons at Mike Kenny Oval on Saturday. Final scores were North Shore 14.14.98 to Pennant Hills 1.1.7.
The Bombers’ back 6 led by Will Giacometti, Mitchell Rogers, skipper Jake Veale, Christian Loone and Felix Rogers (in a new role off half back) were simply too much for Pennant Hills; they kept the Demons to one behind after quarter time, such was their dominance.
Whilst a chilly cross-breeze made scoring difficult on the Eastern flank at Mike Kenny Oval, the Bombers kicked eight goals in a resounding second half as they kept pace with high-flying Manly Warringah.
Forward Matt Buskariol kicked 4 majors for North Shore, as he continued his excellent run of recent form. Patrick Bolger, Jarvis Hemmings and Max Yeoland all chimed in with 2 majors for the Bombers. Nathan Cranwell kicked Pennant Hills’ only goal.
Northshore’s best players were Pearce Roseby, Veale, Felix Rogers, Fraser Thurlow, Mitchell Rogers and Giacometti. Pennant Hills were best served by Lachlan Willey, custodian Luka Jordaan, Mikey Carroll, Mitchell Trenaman, Josh Everett and Lukas de Vries.
