AFL SYDNEY WEEK 3 FINALS REVIEW

Written by David Redden

WOMEN’S PREMIER DIVISION:

East Coast Eagles produced a comprehensive four-quarter performance in defeating Sydney University by sixty-three points in the Preliminary Final held at Kanebridge Oval on Saturday. Final scores were East Coast 10.10.70 to Sydney University 1.3.9.

A devastating performance from Summer Hall was the catalyst for the Eagles’ comfortable win. Hall’s speed and evasiveness proved too much for the Students, beating tackles and breaking lines with monotonous regularity.

After a tight first quarter, the Eagles gradually wore a gallant Students outfit down, with Hall being well supported by a terrific performance from representative on-baller Bryany Parker. The Eagles renowned defence kept Uni to one goal, despite a wonderful effort from Uni centre half-forward Jasmine Smith.

Uni fullback Amelia Causley-Todd kept gun full-forward Rylee McGartland to one goal, showing once again that Causley-Todd is one of the best defenders in the competition.

Amelie Prosser-Shaw kicked three goals for the Eagles in an eye-catching display. Caitlin Davidson chipped in with two goals for the Eagles

East Coast Eagles were the sublime Hall, Amelie Prosser-Shaw, Michelle Foscarini, Renee Tomkins, Parker and Emily Hurley. Sydney University’s best players were Causley-Todd, Ashley Dribbus, Natalia Waterson, Smith, Emma Gelsomino and Asha Goddard.

WOMEN’S DIVISION 1:

In Womens Division One Preliminary Final action at BISP 2 on Saturday, UTS produced a dominant display in accounting for Parramatta by forty-five points. Final scores were UTS 8.11.59 to Parramatta 1.8.14, with the Bats setting up a Grand Final with their arch rivals Randwick City this weekend.

WOMEN’S UNDER 20s:

In the Womens Under 20’s Grand Final, Parramatta produced a huge comeback to squeak home over a gallant North Shore by a mere five points in an absolutely thrilling inaugural Womens Under 20 Grand Final. Final scores were Parramatta 4.6.30 to North Shore 4.1.25.

North Shore flew out of the blocks, leading by eighteen points at quarter-time. The Goannas then kicked four goals to one in the final three quarters to complete an historic first Under 20’s flag

MEN’S PREMIER DIVISION:

Manly Warringah, who had several walking wounded players,produced a wonderful, inspiring, into-the-breeze final quarter to defeat Pennant Hills by just eight points in the Preliminary Final at Kanebridge Oval on Saturday. Final scores were Manly Warringah 10.14.74 to Pennant Hills 10.6.66.

With the sides locked at fifty-one points each at the final break, a moderate southerly breeze came out of nowhere on a perfect day at North Kellyville, with Pennant Hills kicking downwind in the fourth quarter. The Demons kicked two goals in the quarter, including a cracking goal for Joel Rush, but a determined Manly Warringah, kicking to their fans on the “Varra Hill”, kicked the final two goals of the game through Zac Youlten then a goal square snap from Tom McCaffery to complete an inspiring victory.

Youlten, crucially, kicked four goals for the Wolves, with Cam Manuel adding two important goals for the Manly outfit. Maine Vidler, performing a tagging role on influential Wolves custodian Lachlan Behagg, kicked four goals for the Demons. Forwards Theo “The Prince” Moraitis and Harrison Pitt chimed in with two majors each for Pennant Hills.

Manly Warringah’s best players Sam McMeeken, Youlten, Willem Smit, Tom Sheldrick, Nicholas Marsh and Ethan Williams, ably supported by veterans Antony Forato and skipper Ryan Wearne.

The Demons were best served by Vidler, Luke Skrivanic, Moraitis, Nicholas Eynaud, Jye Boby and Pitt.

MEN’S DIVISION ONE:

In Men’s Division One Preliminary Final action, North Shore booked a finals re-match with Sydney University after a solid twenty-four-point victory over Camden at Kanebridge Oval. Final scores were North Shore 10.5.65 to Camden 6.5.41, with the Bombers bundling the Cats out of the Finals in straight sets.

The Bombers set up their win with a five goal to two third quarter, taking an unassailable thirty-one-point lead into the fourth quarter. Try as they might, Camden made only minor inroads into the Bombers lead over the final twenty-five minutes of the Preliminary Final.