2024 AFL Sydney Finals – Week 2 Preview
Written by Michael Shillito
We’re down to four teams remaining in each of our Premier Division competitions. The Grand Finals are just a fortnight away, and this Saturday we will see our first teams qualify for the big dance. Then on Sunday we bid farewell to one team in each competition.
Last weekend we saw Inner West in the Men’s and North Shore in the Women’s bow out. Both had success during the season to make the finals, but that was as far as they were able to go. And this week we will lose another team. And again next weekend, which will leave only two teams.
This Saturday, a spot in the Grand Final is up for grabs. North Shore in the Men’s and East Coast in the Women’s make their first appearance in this year’s finals after a week off; with the Bombers playing Pennant Hills while the Eagles play Manly. Both Pennant Hills Men and Manly Women had to work hard in see-sawing games last week, but when the games were there to be won, both stood up and got it done. To the winners this week, a spot in the Grand Final. The loser gets a repechage in the Preliminary Final.
Then on Sunday, the Men’s will have Manly taking on Sydney Uni while the Women’s have Parramatta up against Sydney Uni. Here it is sudden death, and we will lose one team in each game. Every moment of play counts, and if you get it wrong, there is no second chance.
If you’re planning to head out to the finals, you’ll need to get yourself a ticket. Head online to eventbrite to get that sorted. Also be advised that dogs are not permitted to finals at Blacktown, and no alcohol is to be brought to any AFL Sydney finals.
And then sit back and watch as the best teams in our league battle it out.
MEN’S PREMIER DIVISION
Major Semi-Final – North Shore Bombers v Pennant Hills Demons
Blacktown International Sportspark, Saturday 1:10pm
North Shore H&A season – 1st. Played 18, Won 18, Lost 0, 247.36%. Streak – W18
Pennant Hills Qualifying Final – Pennant Hills 8.5 (53) def Manly 5.15 (45). Streak – W2
After a week off, North Shore enter the finals series this week. Undefeated in the regular season, the Bombers have been the benchmark for 2024. But, as they know only too well, finals are a whole new ball game. And the Bombers find themselves up against an in-form Pennant Hills side who will relish this challenge. There’s a spot in the Grand Final up for grabs, so there’s no shortage of motivation for a good performance here. A big game like this deserves a big audience; and if you can’t get to Blacktown for this, don’t forget to fire your device up to watch the Streamer.
The Bombers have been the dominant side through the regular season, winning all 18 games with a percentage of 247. They finished the regular season in style, with a resounding 116-point win over South-West Sydney at Gore Hill in the last round. The Bombers were landing goals from everywhere, with Wayd Blackburne and Matt Buskariol booting five goals apiece and Max Thomas chipping in with four; with Buskariol joining James Tidemann and Sean Netting among the Bombers’ best. Since then they’ve had a week to rest and recover from any niggles. North Shore have been outstanding this year to date; but finals are a whole new challenge.
While the Bombers rested last week, Pennant Hills earned the right to play them for a spot in the Grand Final when they got up by eight points over Manly in the Qualifying Final. A thrilling contest with numerous lead changes and momentum swings, the Demons kicked the only two goals of the final quarter to get over the line; helped along by the prolific efforts of Lachlan Willey, Cam Mitchell and the evergreen Stephen Wray. When it’s tight and the game is on the line, the top sides will find a way to prevail; and that’s what the Demons did last week. They can expect it to be tight again this week, and the Bombers won’t be making scoring easy for the Demons; and the Demons will again need to make every post a winner to get over the line this week.
There’s a spot in the Grand Final on the line, and both clubs would love to go straight through to the big dance without the stress of having to play the Preliminary Final. North Shore go into this as favourites after an undefeated home and away season. In round 2, the first game played this year, the Bombers easily accounted for the Demons by 64 points at Gore Hill. It was closer in round 11 at Mike Kenny, with only a kick in it at half time before a strong premiership quarter got the Bombers home by 22 points.
But the Bombers have breezed through the regular season in previous years only to come unstuck in finals. And the Demons will be ready to pounce should the Bombers fall over. The Demons are in form, well prepared and ready to go. This will be no walk in the park for the Bombers, and they’ll need to bring their best game here.
Minor Semi-Final – Manly-Warringah Wolves v Sydney University Students
Blacktown International Sportspark, Sunday 1:10pm
Manly Qualifying Final – Manly 5.15 (45) lost to Pennant Hills 8.5 (53). Streak – L1
Sydney Uni Elimination Final – Sydney Uni 17.8 (110) def Inner West 6.13 (49). Streak – W3
There’s no second chances in this Sunday classic, as the Wolves play host to the Students at Blacktown. The Wolves will be looking to hit back after a big opportunity was lost last week, while the Students have winning form and momentum behind them. Both clubs have had plenty of success in 2024 and aren’t ready to finish just yet. But for one of these teams, when the final siren sounds, it’s all over. The stakes are high, and if you can’t get out to Blacktown for this, the next best thing is to see all the action as it unfolds on Streamer.
Manly find themselves in this final after going down to Pennant Hills in a closely-fought Qualifying Final last week. The Wolves were left to lament their missed opportunities after squandering plenty of shots on goal that looked kickable; and their scoreline of 5.15 showed that game as one that got away; despite the gallant efforts of Keiran Le Jeune, Ky McGrath and James Lugsdin. It was a concerning sign for the Wolves, who have kicked more behinds than goals in 13 games this season. But they have another shot, a chance to put things right. And the Wolves surely will make better use of their chances this week and won’t let another chance go by without putting up everything they have.
One other thing Manly will need to do is keep Nik Dale quiet. In last week’s Elimination Final, Inner West Magpies were unable to do that, with a rampant Dale helping himself to eight goals as the Students cruised to a 61-point win. Noah Connick and Harry Morrison were also prolific for the Students. It was a convincing performance, as the Students showed they have plenty to offer this year’s finals and were far too good for their opposition. They’re in good form, and have shown themselves capable of troubling the top teams. It won’t be the easiest of runs through the finals, but if the Students can click into gear and play their best footy, they’re more than capable of doing some serious September damage.
When these teams met at Sydney Uni No 1 in round 3, the Wolves recorded a 30-point away win which sent a message throughout the competition that Manly were a side to watch in 2024. They repeated the dose with a 35-point win at Weldon Oval in round 10. Now we’re on neutral turf and there’s no tomorrow for the loser. Neither side can afford to leave anything in the tank here, it’s non-stop and every effort counts for the full four quarters. This is time to shine, and the fate of the season depends upon getting it done.
WOMEN’S PREMIER DIVISION
Major Semi-Final – East Coast Eagles v Manly-Warringah Wolves
Blacktown International Sportspark, Saturday 11:10am
East Coast H&A season – 1st. Played 16, Won 14, Lost 2, 310.97%. Streak – W4
Manly Qualifying Final – Manly 5.5 (35) def Parramatta 5.1 (31). Streak – W3
East Coast Eagles, going for their third straight premiership, have had another successful year, taking out the minor premiership and having last week off as a reward for effort. Now they return to the field for a clash against Manly; with a spot in the Grand Final up for grabs. The best place to watch the action as it happens is at Blacktown Sportspark, the next best is live on Streamer.
The Eagles have swept aside against most opposition this season. A prime example was in the last home and away game, when the Eagles found themselves nine points behind Sydney Uni at the long break; before five unanswered goals in the premiership quarter gave the Eagles the momentum to bring up another comfortable win. Emily Hurley spearheaded the charge with four goals; while Jess Whelan, Caitlin Reid and Michelle Foscarini were influential around the ground. The Eagles have found themselves under pressure at various times during the season but usually find a way through; something that will stand them in good stead for the finals.
Manly were made to work hard to get into this semi final, when they were pushed all the way by a plucky Parramatta team in the Qualifying Final. The Goannas led by eight points at the last change, but the Wolves kicked goals with the only two scoring shots in the last term to get over the line by four points; with Holly Wickham, Ash Carter and Hannah Woolf being influential in getting them over the line. It was close, but the Wolves managed to stand up when it mattered; and that’s what they’ll have to do at the key moments this week.
The teams have split their meetings so far this season; with the Wolves getting up by 37 points at Weldon Oval in round 4 before the Eagles turned the tables with a 19-point win at Kanebridge in round 14. But in this third clash between the two sides this season, the stakes are higher.
With plenty of star power and rep players in both of these teams, these are two clubs that have had a consistent record of being thereabouts at the business end of the season; and it’s no surprise that they find themselves up against each other in this clash. One of them will go through to the competition decider, and earn themselves a week off to rest and prepare. The other will get a second chance next week; but to go straight through would be preferable. Expect a closely-contested affair between two teams determined not to cede an advantage to the other. It wouldn’t be a surprise if this one went down to the wire.
Minor Semi-Final – Parramatta Goannas v Sydney University Students
Blacktown International Sportspark, Sunday 11:10am
Parramatta Qualifying Final – Parramatta 5.1 (31) lost to Manly 5.5 (35). Streak – L1
Sydney Uni Elimination Final – Sydney Uni 6.6 (42) def North Shore 3.7 (25). Streak – W1
Of the four teams remaining in Premier Division, three of them wear blue and gold. Two of them are in action in this Minor Semi-Final, with the Goannas playing host to Sydney Uni in a sudden death clash. For the Goannas and Sydney Uni faithful around the globe who can’t get to Blacktown, don’t forget to catch up on all the action live on Streamer.
The Goannas find themselves in sudden death after letting a lead slip against Manly in last week’s Qualifying Final. They led at every change, holding an eight-point advantage at three quarter time, but were held scoreless in the last quarter as the Wolves chased them down. Caitlin Fletcher, Cassie Brown and Zoe Clubb picked up plenty of the ball; but in the end the Goannas were left to rue the one that got away. But their reward for finishing in the top three is they get another chance. Another shot at glory. But this time they have to play four quarters and get the job done.
Sydney Uni got here with a 17-point win over North Shore in last Sunday’s Elimination Final. The Students hit the ground running and led all the way. Emma Juneja, Kendra Blattman and Ash Dribbus were in the thick of the action as the Students shut the Bombers down and never allowed them into the contest. Against a side like Parramatta, Sydney Uni again would be keen to get off to a flyer and put the Goannas under some scoreboard pressure. At this critical stage of the season, any advantage they can get is valuable.
In clashes between these sides, the Students have had the advantage. They got up by eight points at Gipps Road in round 5, and repeated the dose by six points in round 17. Both games went down to the wire, and you’d expect this one should also be close. It’s all about staying alive and living to fight another week. When the game is there to be won, who will stand and deliver?
