AFTER a weekend off, the AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division returns for Round 10 action and there is plenty on the line for the eight teams competing including a top four clash. We take a look at what each match could mean for the respective sides.

SOUTHERN POWER vs. NORTH SHORE BOMBERS
Saturday, June 17 @ Waratah Oval, 12pm

Seventh placed North Shore Bombers completely dismantled the winless Southern Power only about six weeks ago in a performance that was an all-time record win – lasting about a week – and will be favoured to have another big win here. On the bigger field, grass field and with a few more games together, Southern Power might get a little bit closer, but expect a huge margin in favour of the visitors.

North Shore has shared its scoring around with Olivia Edwards (seven goals) the current club goalkicking leader. Lucy and Emilie Krimmer have stepped up at different points as well, and the Bombers will have plenty of contributors in this game. Laura Kent and Indianna Hughes are two players who have been rock solid all season despite the results, while Grace Crittenden is another Southern Power talent who in only four games thus far has impressed.

MANLY WARRINGAH WOLVES vs. UNSW-ES BULLDOGS
Saturday, June 17 @ Weldon Oval, 12pm

Third placed Manly Warringah Wolves should dominate the majority of contests around the ground and continue to make UNSW-ES Bulldogs run of finding it hard to get on the scoreboard. The Bulldogs had a huge win over Southern Power in Round 1, but since then have dropped seven consecutive games to be just ahead of the Power on the ladder. The last time these teams met, the Wolves came away with a huge 62-9 victory, so now at home, will be strongly favoured.

Lauren Bourgeois has enjoyed a great season for the Wolves as they look to go better in 2023, while Molly Woods and Jacqueline Green are other players the Bulldogs will ned to be wary of. Emily Conlan eight goals) and Shelby Koh (five) are the leading goalkickers for the Bulldogs, while Chloe Anderson has been a consistent performer all year.

UTS BATS vs. MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY GOANNAS
Saturday, June 17 @ Trumper Oval, 1pm

Easily the match of the round with the second placed UTS Bats and fourth placed Macquarie University Goannas set to put on a cracker of a contest. Macquarie Uni has the stronger group of players around the inside coalface, especially at extracting the football to runners, but UTS is stronger on average, all across the park, so it will be a matter of whom creates the cleanest linkage footy on the day. The Bats are only two points away from the ladder-leading Eagles and will be keen to keep in touch, while the Goannas will want to extend their gap on the bottom five teams.

UTS Bats forward Melissa Lindsay has booted 12 goals in eight games and is consistently among the best on the ground, taming up well with April Devine (13) well inside 50. Danika Spamer and Georgina McDonnell are other in-form players for the title hopefuls. For the Goannas, Caitlin Fletcher is one of most consistent players in the competition, while former GWS skipper Amanda Farrugia, and crafty forward Michala Ford are always dangerous.

EAST COAST EAGLES vs. SYDNEY UNIVERSITY
Saturday, June 17 @ Kanebridge Oval, 3pm

It is finally time for Sydney Uni to have no further excuses for the season and a strong performance against the ladder leaders is a must here. East Coast Eagles will be wanting to fix a few issues – ball movement and whole field defence – up after their draw to the Goannas in their last game. The Students have moved up the ladder a little off the back of three consecutive wins, but this match is a tough ask on the road for the Students.

Eagles and competition leading goalkicker Caitlin Davidson (24 goals) has the opportunity to stretch her advantage over the competition by more than 10, while Caitlin Reid (13) and Brooke Bailey (12) are not far behind. Sydney Uni skipper Maryanne Harley might have something to say about that, while Saskia Johnson and Molly Cameron have alsobeen impressive this season.