EAST Coast Eagles claimed top spot in the AFL Sydney Women’s Premier League competition following a commanding 52-point win over Sydney University in wet conditions across Round 3 of the competition. Keeping the Students scoreless, the Eagles piled on five goals in the second half to come away with the 8.4 (52) to 0.0 (0) victory.

One of three teams gunning for top spot in the league, East Coast was coming up against a Sydney Uni line-up that was desperate to get its first win of the 2023 season after two competitive losses.

The game was defined by wet weather football and the team that would adapt best would come out on top. That was the case from the opening term with the Eagles setting the tone early. Following an arm-wrestle as the sides adjusted to the conditions, it was East Coast who struck first, kicking two goals in the opening term after the home side failed to capitalise on its chances.

After scoring their first through a team running goal, Caitlin Davidson kicked the Eagles’ second and they were out to a 12-point lead at quarter time. The second quarter was more of the same.

Clean ball use was at a premium and yet again Sydney Uni could not convert its inside 50 chances into scores, while the Eagles kicked a late goal to extend the lead out to 20 points by the main break. Though the home side would have moments, the defence of the Eagles was too strong, and the ruck duo of Olivia Coleman and Jessica Whelan had a very influential half of football.

With cleaner skills in the wet and more effective possessions around the stoppages, the Eagles went on with it in the second half, gaining more time in the forward half and putting immense pressure on the Students’ defence. Adding two more goals to the total, the visitors extended the lead out to 33 points by the final break with the Students yet to trouble the scorers.

Sydney Uni could not maintain clean possession and the Eagles made them pay with another shot on goal that just missed, but Caitlin Reid’s major after some clever play through the middle further emphasised the impact of the midfielders on the scoreboard.

Though the fourth term started promisingly thanks to some neat work from Kendra Blattman, once again the Students could not affect the scoreboard. After that missed opportunity, the Eagles regained the momentum and never let it slip with Davidson kicking getting her side on the board and finishing with four goals in an impressive effort for the winners.

Whelan was named best on ground in the win, while Teagan Germech was also impressive ,and Davidson’s four majors saw her as the main forward target. For the Students, Jasmine Smith was named their best, while Maryanne Harley also tried hard all game.

East Coast Eagles will look to continue their unbeaten streak next week against another unbeaten side in Pennant Hills who had the bye in Round 3.

SYDNEY UNIVERSITY 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 (0)
EAST COAST EAGLES 2.0 | 3.2 | 5.3 | 8.4 (52)

GOALS:

Sydney Uni: Nil.
East Coast: C. Davidson 4, A. Barton, E. Naden, C. Reid, J. Whelan

BEST:

Sydney Uni: J. Smith, M. Harley, S. Johnson, N. Seroukas, N. Murray
East Coast: J. Whelan, T. Germech, S. Hall, A. Barton, R. Tomkins

AROUND THE GROUNDS

UTS Bats announced themselves as a major player in this year’s AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division with a 26-point win over fellow heavyweight Manly Warringah Wolves. The Bats won 7.3 (45) to 3.1 (19) at Waverley Oval, with Jessica Quade being the only multiple goalkicker in the game, and Danika Spamer named best-on for the Bates. Andrea Roditis was the pick of the bunch from the Wolves who broke even in the second half but trailed 25-0 at the main break.

A second team was held scoreless over the weekend, with the Southern Power unable to trouble the scorers against Macquarie University. The Goannas dominated proceedings to win 18.14 (122) to 0.0 (0) as several players had big days out. Michala Ford (six goals with speed and evasion on show) and Lauren Easton (five) were outstanding, while Lili Kablau was nominated as the winners’ best.

In the final game of the round, North Shore Bombers took care of UNSW-ES Bulldogs by 22 points, 5.9 (39) to 2.5 (17). There were only three goalkickers in the entire match, with Bombers’ skipper Matilda Eder booting three goals and her vice-captain Adrienne Keefe kicking two. Chloe Anderson slotted her side’s two majors in the contest and was named among the best.