Finals Week 1, 2025 – Men’s & Women’s Premier Division Preview
Written by Michael Shillito
And so it came to pass that finals time had come, for the also-rans, the season is over and planning for 2026 is under way. Now just five teams in each competition remain. And each week we will lose one until only our premiers remain.
Manly Warringah are minor premiers in both Men’s and Women’s Premier Division. They get this week off, a chance to recover from any niggles and they’re just one win away from the Grand Final.
North Shore, UNSW-ES and Sydney Uni also made the finals in both competitions. South-West Sydney are in their first finals series at Men’s Premier Division level, a remarkable achievement in just their second season. While East Coast, going for their fourth premiership in a row, will have to go through sudden death to get there.
By a remarkable co-incidence, both Elimination Finals are replays of round 18 matches. But with the disclaimer that past performance is not necessarily an indicator of future performance. At this time of year, it’s all about turning up on the day. Form on paper means nothing; it’s all about the here and now.
Don’t forget that if you’re going to finals, you’ll need a ticket. Head over to the Eventbrite site to get that sorted. [Link – https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/afl-sydney-31150442335 ]. Make sure you select the correct date and venue.
Also note that AFL Sydney regulations don’t allow you to bring alcohol into any venue; and Council regulations don’t allow you to bring dogs to Blacktown International Sportspark. So if you’re going to Blacktown, leave the dog at home.
And now it’s time to get into the finals action. History awaits!!
MEN’S PREMIER DIVISION
Qualifying Final
North Shore Bombers v UNSW-ES Bulldogs
Blacktown International Sportspark, Saturday 3:20pm
Bombers – 2nd. Played 18, Won 16, Lost 2, 197.70%. Streak – W1
Bulldogs – 3rd. Played 17, Won 13, Lost 4, 175.91%. Streak – W7
Winner – Will play Major Semi-Final v Manly Warringah
Loser – Will play Minor Semi-Final v Winner Elimination Final
The Bombers and the Bulldogs have built quite a rivalry in recent years. They’ve played plenty of finals, including Grand Finals in 2022 and 2023. The Bulldogs took out both those Grand Finals; but North Shore lifted the trophy last year when the Bulldogs missed the finals. Now they’re back at the business end of the season. The Bombers were the higher finisher, dropping just two games in the regular season. But the Bulldogs go into this game as the competition’s form team, having won their last seven on the trot. The best place to see the action is at Blacktown; the next best is live on Streamer. [link – https://streamer.com.au/match/5671 ]
North Shore come into this game on the back of a comfortable 80-point win over UTS at Gore Hill last week. It could have been even more but for some wasteful finishing in the first term when the Bombers scored 2.8. Matt Buskariol landed four goals for the Bombers; while Nick Pavlou and Matt Wilson were influential around the ground. The defending champions will bring a strong team into this game; they’re ready to rumble, and they’ll be hard to stop.
UNSW-ES also have winning form on the board, having sung the song after the last seven games they’ve played. Last week at Blacktown they faced few problems in getting past East Coast by 65 points; although like the Bombers last week, they had periods of inaccuracy in getting to their final score of 17.23. Kynan Kilpatrick spearheaded the charge with five goals; while Jordan Endemann, Cooper Kilpatrick and Will Spencer played prominent roles for the Bulldogs. Plenty of quality in this lineup, and they’ve built up nicely to the finals.
These teams have split their meetings in the regular season. In round 9, the Bombers were never threatened in completing a 47-point win at Gore Hill. But a fortnight ago at Blacktown, the Bulldogs turned the tables as they ran away after half time to win by 40 points. Now the pressure is on, and the winner will find themselves just one win away from the Grand Final. Plenty of quality in both these lineups, and the question is who will stand and deliver in the critical moments when the game is there to be won. There’s a good chance this one will go down to the wire; and it’s the players that stand up under pressure that will decide the result here.
Elimination Final
Sydney University Students v South-West Sydney Blues
Blacktown International Sportspark, Sunday 3:20pm
Students – 4th. Played 17, Won 9, Lost 7, Drawn 1, 111.11%. Streak – W1
Blues – 5th. Played 18, Won 10, Lost 8, 110.27%. Streak – L1
Winner – Will play Minor Semi-Final v Loser Qualifying Final
Loser – Eliminated
The Students and the Blues fought out a thriller last week, and now they do battle again. This time the stakes are even higher, there are no more chances. As the sun sets behind the western grandstand at Blacktown, it will set on the season of one of these teams. The winner lives to fight another day. Don’t miss a moment of the action, get on to Streamer and see it as it happens. [link – https://streamer.com.au/match/5673 ]
Last week at Rosedale, Sydney Uni were on the edge of the abyss. They’d lost their last three games, and another loss would have seen them miss out on the finals. The Students responded by hitting the ground running, bursting out of the blocks with five unanswered goals in the first quarter. It set up a handy buffer; and they would need it. As the afternoon ticked on, the Students slowed to a walk as the Blues kept coming; and in the final minutes the margin was back to five points. But the Students hung on for dear life. It was more relief than jubilation when the siren sounded; but Sydney Uni are still here. Oscar Bosnjanovic, Nick Andreacchio and Harry Cameron were outstanding on a day when the Students did what they had to do. But now they have to do it again against the same opponent.
For the Blues, the slow start cost them dearly; but as the game drew on, they were full of running. 32 points down at the last break, the Blues added four goals in the last quarter and kept the Students scoreless. They could have stolen the game and broke the Students’ hearts, but in the end fell so agonisingly short. Khy Gibbs, Callum Burns and Ryan Shipard were superb as the Blues came so close to pulling off the comeback of the season. But although they didn’t quite get there, the Blues showed they’re not beaten until it’s over. If it gets close this time, they know they have the stamina and fitness to last the distance.
In round 6 when these teams faced off, the Blues got it done by 31 points. Then there was last week’s thriller. Now history awaits. The Students have been here before; they won the Elimination Final last year and the year before. This is the Blues’ first appearance in Premier Division finals. The competition’s newest team has proven themselves capable of rising to big occasions; and they don’t come bigger than finals footy. There’s no time for nerves, and the Blues can’t afford another slow start. Sydney Uni won’t let them back in this time.
WOMEN’S PREMIER DIVISION
Qualifying Final
North Shore Bombers v Sydney University Students
Blacktown International Sportspark, Saturday 1:15pm
Bombers – 2nd. Played 16, Won 13, Lost 3, 484.24%. Streak – W1
Students – 3rd. Played 15, Won 11, Lost 6, 306.01%. Streak – W1
Winner – Will play Major Semi-Final v Manly
Loser – Will play Minor Semi-Final v Winner Elimination Final
Finals footy is here, and we have a cracker of a contest to start. While Manly rest and wait, North Shore and Sydney Uni face off for the right to meet them for a Grand Final spot. Both returned to the winning list last week, they’re primed and ready; and now the time has come. It’s a great way to get our finals under way; and if you can’t get to Blacktown, make sure you catch the action as it unfolds on Streamer. [link – https://streamer.com.au/match/5670 ]
North Shore finished the regular season in fine form, demolishing UTS by 66 points at Gore Hill last week. The Bats were unable to score a goal as the Bombers tightened the screws with some solid defence, while being able to create an abundance of scoring opportunities. Lila Micheletti,
Grace Hill and Grace Parsons were everywhere for the Bombers in another impressive display. The Bombers have played some great footy this year, and when they’re on top they can put an opposition to the sword, as evidenced by their impressive percentage over the regular season. But this is the true challenge, and it’s time to step up another gear.
Sydney Uni also finished the regular season full of running with a 115-point win over Parramatta in the final round. In a match moved to Fairfax Reserve, the long drive held no fears for the Students as they dominated all day and kept the Goannas scoreless. Lucy Gilfedder landed five goals and Jasmine Smith four; while Yasmin Sayer, Evie Gowie and Maryanne Harley played solid games for the Students. They’re ready for this challenge; well prepared and pumped.
These teams have split their meetings so far in 2025. The Students hung on to win by six points at Sydney Uni No 1 in round 8; before the Bombers reversed that result with a 21-point win at Gore Hill in round 15. The Students also ended North Shore’s season in last year’s Elimination Final. Now we’re on neutral territory in Blacktown. These are two teams in good form; the Students having the experience while the young North Shore team bring the enthusiasm. Both are ready for action; and there’ll be plenty of action in this contest. There probably won’t be much in this game, and you can expect to see it go down to the wire.
Elimination Final
East Coast Eagles v UNSW-ES Bulldogs
Blacktown International Sportspark, Sunday 1:15pm
Eagles – 4th. Played 15, Won 10, Lost 5, 222.35%. Streak – L1
Bulldogs – 5th. Played 15, Won 9, Lost 6, 229.58%. Streak – W5
Winner – Will play Minor Semi-Final v Loser Qualifying Final
Loser – Eliminated
East Coast Eagles, premiers 2022, 2023 and 2024. But to make it four in a row, they’ll have to win four sudden death finals in a row. It’s a massive ask. The first is against a UNSW-ES team that beat them last week, has won their last five games and is flying high on form and confidence. Will the Bulldogs continue on their winning way, or will being back in the finals bring the defending champions back into premiership form? Find out on Sunday afternoon; if you’re not at Blacktown, get your device on to Streamer and you won’t miss a thing. [link – https://streamer.com.au/match/5672 ]
Last week when these sides met at Blacktown, it was a close contest in the first half; with the Bulldogs leading by a point at the long break. But when the game was in the balance, the Eagles were found wanting, and were unable to score in the second half to go down by 41 points. Grace Tracey, Bryany Parker and Renee Tomkins tried hard; but it wasn’t the Eagles’ day. Now they’re on their last roll of the dice, and they’ll need to run out four quarters this time. Otherwise their run of premierships is over.
One point ahead at the long break, the Bulldogs stood tall in the second half, landing six goals while holding the Eagles scoreless. Ahlani Eddy, Aimee Whelan and Amaia Wain were unstoppable as the Bulldogs continued their purple patch of form. Flying high, full of confidence, playing great footy. But finals is a whole new challenge, and several of their number have never experienced playoff footy before. Their form is great, but they’ll need to handle a lot more pressure this week.
In round 6 at Bruce Purser, the Eagles completed a comfortable 42-point win. The Bulldogs turned the tables last week. This one will probably be much closer. The Eagles haven’t been anywhere near premiership form in recent weeks, and the second half last week was a shocker. But being back in the finals will bring the best out of them. The Eagles finished higher after the regular season, but the Bulldogs are the form team in the competition at the moment. Five wins in a row, and the Eagles will need to make a statement early to shut down the Bulldogs’ momentum. With no second chance, neither side will leave anything in the tank. Any missed tackle, an inaccurate shot, a poor decision could end the club’s season. Now is the time to stand up.
