Round 10 Men’s and Women’s Premier Division Match Preview
(Photo courtesy of Merrillie Redden Photography)
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Written by Michael Shillito
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A long weekend off was certainly welcome. A chance to relax and unwind, take a break and recover from the little niggles that everyone gets during a long season. And at the half-way point of the season, a chance to take stock and evaluate where the team is at. And now it’s time to get back into it.
Except for UTS in the Mens and Pennant Hills in the Womens. They have their second bye this week and have to wait another week before getting their second half of the season under way. For the Bats men, their restart will need to trigger a winning streak if they are to get into finals calculation. For the Demon women, the game in hand will be important to factor in when finals permutations are discussed.
For everyone else, as they emerge from their rest for the second half; we’re into the premiership quarter of the season. Every week there’s four points on the line, and the teams that can accumulate them now will set themselves up for a finals run.
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MENS PREMIER DIVISION
East Coast Eagles v Sydney University
Kanebridge Oval, Saturday 12:30pm
It’s a blue and gold derby at Kanebridge on Saturday afternoon as East Coast play host to Sydney Uni. The Eagles have struggled this season and desperately need to claim a prize scalp to get their season back on track. But it won’t be easy against a Sydney Uni side that have been waiting two weeks to get themselves back on the winners’ list.
Both these teams at their last start went down to North Shore. East Coast was in round 8, and they had the bye before the long weekend. Their last game was at Gore Hill, and they were never in the contest against the Bombers and went down by 149 points. Marshall Poynter, Nick Johns and Scott Brown tried hard, but the Eagles didn’t have the firepower to match it with the Bombers. Since then they’ve had a long wait to reset and now is the time to throw everything into this contest and attempt to put things right.
The Students were up against the Bombers at Sydney Uni No 1 in the week before the long weekend, and a win would have brought them level with the Bombers on the ladder. Only three points separated the two sides at the last change after a see-sawing first three quarters, but when the game was in the balance in the last quarter the Students fell behind the Bombers and went down by 26 points. Harry Whitaker, Oscar Davis and Dom Goddard featured prominently for the Students; but it wasn’t enough to get the points.
These sides played off in round 3 at Sydney Uni No 1, and on that occasion the Students were 74 points too good for the Eagles. The Students will be looking for a big win here. They sit fourth on the ladder, with an inferior percentage to UNSW-ES and Pennant Hills; and need a big result to bridge that percentage gap. Where they finish in the finals could depend on it. While for the Eagles, after two weeks off, they’ll be looking for a credible performance and some evidence that they are on track to turn their fortunes around.
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Manly-Warringah Wolves v UNSW-ES Bulldogs
Weldon Oval, Saturday 2:00pm
Our broadcast game this week comes from Weldon Oval, as Manly take on UNSW-ES. If you can’t make your way over the Spit Bridge for this match-up, never fear; you can catch all the action live as it happens on Kayo Sports and the AFL Sydney Facebook page. It’s a clash between two teams in the top five; but facing vastly differing fortunes.
Manly are in fifth place, but a long way behind fourth; with a gap of three games plus percentage separating the Wolves from the teams above them. The gap widened in the week before the break when the Wolves travelled to Mike Kenny Oval and were unable to match it with Pennant Hills. One goal per quarter wasn’t enough, and they went down by 34 points; despite the persistent efforts of Byron Laws, Cooper McClennan and James Lugsdin. The season started promisingly for the Wolves, but three wins and a poor percentage sees them under pressure to keep their grasp on fifth place; and if they drop this game they’ll be depending on other results to stay there.
The Wolves’ opponents this time will be a UNSW-ES side that hit back hard in their last start, recording a convincing 73-point result against UTS at Henson Park. Kieren Emery spearheaded the charge with seven goals, while Jordan Endemann, Fred Tricks and Hamish Morrison picked up myriad possessions throughout the evening. The win kept the Bulldogs in second place, with a 6-2 record and an imposing percentage; and the Bulldogs are looking good. But with Pennant Hills and Sydney Uni snapping at their heels, the Bulldogs can’t afford a slip-up this time round.
The two sides have played once already this season; and that was in round 5 at Henson Park; with the Bulldogs taking a 69-point win. This tine the Wolves have the home ground advantage and they need to make it count. If the Wolves can take the points here, they can consolidate their grip on fifth place and the finals look more likely. But the Bulldogs also have plenty to play for, and if they drop this one their double-chance in the finals would be under threat. At this stage of the season, it’s all about accumulating premiership points; and neither team will want to let these points go without a fight.
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Pennant Hills Demons v Inner West Magpies
Mike Kenny Oval, Saturday 2:40pm
Pennant Hills and Inner West Magpies have fought out plenty of tightly-contested battles over the years; and this week these clubs renew the rivalry in a clash that has plenty of importance for both clubs, for very different reasons.
The Demons have been matching it on the ladder with the University powerhouse clubs, level on games with UNSW-ES and Sydney Uni and sitting in third place. The double-chance remains a chance; but the Demons will need to keep winning. Last start wasn’t totally convincing, but they did enough to get over Manly by 34 points in a low-scoring contest; helped along by the efforts of Cameron Mitchell, Josh Boag and Nick Richards. For the Demons, it’s simple; they just need to keep doing what they’re doing. Their chances of a top-three finish rest in their own hands.
2023 hasn’t been kind to the Inner West Magpies, and they have only saluted once so far this year. And in their last start, they were denied by St George after a poor third quarter enabled the Dragons to set up a match-winning lead. A 23-point loss was tough for the Magpies; despite the best efforts of Ben Klemke, Lachlan Tiziani and Kel Evans. Two games behind fifth place, there’s no time to lose; and if the Magpies are to be part of the business end of the season, they need to get a move on. And it starts here.
These teams have already played once this season, in the ANZAC Day blockbuster at Picken Oval; and on that occasion the Demons had to dig deep to get over the Magpies but were able to get it done by 16 points. It’s desperation time for the Magpies, and they’ll be taking it up to the Demons. They have to. But the Demons have shown this season that they know how to get the job done. Whoever takes the points in this contest will have to earn them.
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St George Dragons v North Shore Bombers
Olds Park, Saturday 2:40pm
The fixture hasn’t been kind to St George in 2023, and they’ve got a tough opening to the second half as they host the undefeated North Shore at Olds Park on Saturday. The two teams faced off in last year’s Preliminary Final, but the Dragons have plenty of work to do if they are to replicate last season’s appearance in the playoffs.
But the Dragons kept themselves within striking distance of fifth-placed Manly in the last week before the break. Five unanswered goals against Inner West at Picken Oval was enough to get a 23-point win and draw level on points with the Wolves; only percentage holding them back from the top five. It was a win built around the efforts of Connor Flanagan, Ben Hodgson and Ben Jones; and although the Dragons haven’t yet hit their best form in 2023, they’re hanging in there and keeping themselves in the finals race. But a big scalp would make a massive difference, and this is one they’ll have been eyeing off.
Meanwhile in the last weekend before the mid-season break, the Bombers moved two games clear on top of the ladder when they got over Sydney Uni. Several lead changes in the first three quarters saw the Bombers lead by three points at the last change; but when the game was there to be won the Bombers pulled away to win by 26 points. Nick Brewer, Luke Robertson and Christian Loone were in the thick of the action for the Bombers, as they established a handy break over the rest of the competition. The message from the Bombers was clear – catch us if you can. They’ll be hard to run down in the regular season from here.
When the two sides met at Gore Hill in round 4, it was all North Shore as they raced to a crushing 88-point result. One would expect this clash to be closer. The Dragons will be desperate. Outside the top five, and with a poor percentage, they just can’t allow themselves to be blown away again. They have to scrap, contest and make it hard for the Bombers. If they can do that, at a ground where they upset the Bombers last year, they give themselves their best chance of ending North Shore’s unbeaten status. North Shore can’t take the Dragons lightly.
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WOMENS PREMIER DIVISION
Southern Power v North Shore Bombers
Waratah Oval, Saturday 12:00pm
It’s high noon at Waratah Oval for a desperation stakes shootout. Both teams are desperately in need of a win. The team that sings the song after this one will have the feeling of getting back on track; but the loser will have plenty more worries ahead of them.
The Power haven’t played for a couple of weeks, having had the bye in the weekend before the mid-season break. Last time they played was in round 8 against Pennant Hills. It was one of their better performances, in which they managed three goals; but still went down to the Demons by 64 points. Grace Crittenden, Amelia Martin and Sienna Smith never gave up, but it wasn’t enough to keep the Power in the contest. The first half of the season was difficult for the Power, but having had a long break to re-set and re-evaluate, they’ll be fresh and determined to salvage something in the second half of this season; and this a game they’ll be looking to make an impact.
North Shore also are desperate for a win. They’ve lost their last four, and are at risk of losing contact with the top five unless they can quickly turn their form around. Their last start was at Sydney Uni No 1, where after leading at half time they went down to the Students by 15 points. The Krimmer sisters, Emilie and Lucy, along with Nadja Squires, kept putting the effort in; but it was a disappointing loss for the Bombers. They still hold a percentage over 100, but need to make up two games to be in reach of the top five; and they can’t risk going down in this one if they have any finals aspirations.
When the two sides met at Gore Hill in round 4, it was one-way traffic as North Shore held the Power to one point to run out 161-point winners. But that was several weeks ago, and neither side has won since. Now it’s desperation time. The Power need to salvage something from their season, while the Bombers’ finals hopes are hanging by a thread. There’s no margin for error now, and every possession will need to be earned.
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Manly-Warringah Wolves v UNSW-ES Bulldogs
Weldon Oval, Saturday 12:00pm
Our broadcast game this week is a lunchtime classic at Weldon Oval, a crunch game in the context of this season. If you’re not at Curl Curl for this one, you can catch all the action live online through Kayo Sports and the AFL Sydney Facebook page; so you don’t have to miss a thing.
The Wolves sit in third place, having worked their way back into the season and gone step by step into place for the double-chance. They’ve won six in a row, but were made to earn their last win when they were pushed all the way by a determined Pennant Hills outfit at Mike Kenny Oval. But in the end, thanks to the efforts of Caitlin Johnson, Holly Cooper and Andrea Roditis, they found a way to get the job done. You’re not going to dominate every week; but the good sides will find a way to win when it gets tight; and the Wolves have managed to do that. The momentum and confidence is running Manly’s way, and they’ll be keen to continue that run as the season progresses.
2023 hasn’t been kind to UNSW-ES. The Bulldogs won their opening game this year but haven’t sung the song since. And in their last start, playing against UTS at Henson Park, the Bulldogs didn’t trouble the scorers until the last quarter and went down by 71 points. Hayley Stanford, Gabrielle Wendelin and Emily Conlan never gave up; but the Bulldogs didn’t have the firepower to match it with the Bats. After seven losses in a row, the Bulldogs need a spark to kick-start their campaign and get the season back on track; and they’ll need to dig deep if they’re going to find it here.
When the two clubs met at Henson Park in round 5, the Wolves controlled proceedings throughout to win by 53 points. With the home ground advantage, and with some impressive form behind them, the Wolves will go into this game full of confidence they can get it done. But the Bulldogs will have to turn on their desperation and fighting spirit. It’s been a long time between drinks for the Bulldogs, and they can’t afford to let this one go without putting up a fight.
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UTS Bats v Macquarie Uni Goannas
Trumper Park, Saturday 1:00pm
The two big improvers in Womens Premier Division face off at Trumper Park on Saturday afternoon in a game that could be pivotal in determining how finals places are distributed; as well as the chance to lay a psychological blow against a potential finals rival. It’s games like this that define a season.
The Bats have only dropped one game this season, and are looking good. Any fears that the loss to ladder-leading East Coast would trigger a drop-off in form were dispelled in emphatic fashion at Henson Park in their last start as the Bats held UNSW-ES scoreless until the last quarter as they raced to a 71-point win. Danika Spamer, Ella Parker and Elouise Carey featured prominently for the Bats; as once again they out-classed their opponents.
Macquarie Uni are also on a roll, and in their last start went so agonisingly close to knocking off the unbeaten East Coast. The lead changed hands several times, but when the final siren sounded the two teams couldn’t be separated. The first draw of the season. Mallorie Jenson, Jacqui Brown and Caitlin Fletcher were magnificent for the Goannas, who showed themselves equal with the best in the comp; and will be wanting to maintain that momentum into this crunch game.
The two sides faced off in round 2 at Gipps Road, and on that occasion the Bats cruised to a 32-point win. At the time, few would have realised that these two teams were both genuine premiership contenders; but both clubs have built some impressive form since then. Now they meet again, looking for an edge over a rival and a top-three position on the ladder. It’s these games between teams near the top that define a season; and both teams should be well physically and mentally prepared for a thrilling contest. There’s no excuse for not being up for this match, and it has the potential to be a classic clash.
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East Coast Eagles v Sydney University
Kanebridge Oval, Saturday 3:00pm
We know the winner of the match between East Coast and Sydney Uni will be a team in blue and yellow. But this is an important game for both clubs; with the Eagles needing a win to stay on top while the Students will be looking for a win to put themselves in a spot to challenge for the top five.
East Coast remain undefeated on top of the ladder, but dropped their first competition points in their last game when they were held to a draw by Macquarie Uni at Gipps Road. Annaleise Barton, Jess Whelan and Sharna Tarasenko featured prominently for the Eagles, but for the first time in 2023 their game day didn’t end with singing the song. But that’s something they’ll be keen to put right in this match; and they’ll be hungry to regain the winning feeling this time round.
Sydney Uni are well and truly in the finals race, and did their chances no harm at all in their last start, when they came from behind to record a 15-point win over North Shore at Sydney Uni No 1. Maryanne Harley, Saskia Johnson and Lucy Gilfedder were in fine form for Sydney Uni. With Pennant Hills having the bye this week, the Students can draw level on games with the Demons into equal fifth; but it won’t be easy against the Eagles. The Students will need to put on something special here.
The two teams played in round 3, and on that occasion the Students were unable to score as the Eagles romped to a 52-point win. This time it’s on the Eagles’ home turf, and they will go into this game as the hottest of favourites. But Sydney Uni lifted their game in their last start, and that’s the winning momentum they’ll need to carry into this contest. It’s a long shot, but if Sydney Uni replicate that winning form and make life difficult for the Eagles, anything is possible.
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