A TOP of the table clash between unbeaten sides East Coast Eagles and UTS Bats headlines a massive round of AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division action. It is far from the only tight contest, with third and fifth, and sixth and seventh also playing off in Round 7 which should make for some fascinating viewing.

PENNANT HILLS DEMONS vs. UNSW-ES BULLDOGS
Saturday, May 20 @ Greenway Park, 12:40pm

Both these teams are desperate for a win as the top four begin to make up distance on the rest of the field. Sitting sixth and seventh respectively, Pennant Hills will need to make up some percentage, with two wins, but just 49.15 percentage points, the second worst in the league. The seventh placed Bulldogs are almost the opposite with one win from five games, but have been ultra-competitive boasting a percentage of 86.89 and will leapfrog the Demons with a victory.

The four points in this one will be like gold and with both teams failing to fire offensively so far this year, it will be a game to watch. The sides have gone large chunks of their last couple of games failing to trouble the scorers and they both will be desperate to find the solutions. It will be the team that best adapts to clearance work and stoppage clearances and clean exits and more deliberate executions that will gain the advantages. This could be an absolute thriller.

EAST COAST EAGLES vs. UTS BATS
Saturday, May 20 @ Kanebridge Oval, 3:10pm

This is the big one that all of Sydney footy is waiting for. East Coast Eagles are the reigning champions, while UTS Bats are the early season challengers and it shapes as a Saturday cracker. The Eagles are coming off the bye and record performance with more than 30 goals kicked the week before. They are gelling well and their run and have remained the benchmark side in 2023.

The Bats were too classy for Pennant Hills last week and kept them pressured to very few damaging possessions across the field all day. Their pressure was immense, which is exactly what they need to do again. If the visitors can get stuck in at the coalface and manufacturing ways to create space for execution for forwards forays, then they are a chance. They will also need to convert goal opportunities. The Eagles are a difficult team to beat though, so expect them to win in a tight contest.

MANLY WARRINGAH WOLVES vs. SOUTHERN POWER
Saturday, May 20 @ Weldon Oval, 4:40pm

Southern Power are coming off a really improved performance against another previous winless side in Sydney University, but still remain without a victory to-date. The trip to Manly to take on the Wolves has been somewhat of a hoodoo for the Power over the last couple of years, with that unlikely to change given the difference in standings thus far in season 2023.

Manly really pressured North Shore on the astroturf last week while still finding the scoreboard. Back on its home deck, expect the Wolves to put in a bigger performance again, and with the Power missing Nat Smith due to injury, the last placed side will be up against it. Given Manly’s high-pressure gamestyle, expect the Wolves to completely nullify the Power’s scoring attempts to come away with a big win.

MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY GOANNAS vs. NORTH SHORE BOMBERS
Saturday, May 20 @ Macquarie University, 5:20pm

Another important game for two finals hopefuls sees the impressive third placed Goannas taking on the fifth placed Bombers. North Shore was bumped back to fifth this week after a loss to the Wolves, while the Goannas are outright third with a massive 302.17 per cent. Sitting just off the top two sides, a win here would be critical to ensure they are still within touching distance of those spots.

Both teams are evenly matched and play a very similar style of game, trying to get away from the contested area as much as possible. Macquarie Uni aims to utilise its running between the arcs and taking the opposition on, while North Shore look for chain handballs to get the ball quickly down the field to release for a kick inside 50. Whichever teams style is executed the best on the day will gain the advantage and should be a nail-biter.