A GRAND final rematch headlines a huge Round 12 of action in the AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division. The clash between the Manly Warringah Wolves and East Coast Eagles is the benchmark game, but there is no shortage of classic contests that could be finals previews this year.

MANLY WARRINGAH WOLVES vs. EAST COAST EAGLES
Saturday, July 1 @ Weldon Oval, 12:30pm

A cracking game here, and fans keen to see the standard required to reach the peak of Sydney women’s footy in 2023 should watch this game. The Wolves and Eagles clash is another grand final replay and it could be the case again in 2023.

East Coast might be vulnerable this weekend as Manly always has the capacity to shut down opponents through relentless defence which would stifle the East Coast play. If Manly’s younger players can provide pressure around the contest and play direct football themselves, then the Wolves are right in the game.

Coming off a bye expect the Wolves’ Kaitlyn Manning – who booted four goals in her last match – to be dangerous inside 50. The Eagles have no shortage of firepower themselves with Caitlin Davidson slotting four goals in the Round 1 clash between the two sides.

In what should be a high tackling game, a win to the home side would be a huge confidence booster, while if the Eagles win, they tick off another challenge.

SYDNEY UNIVERSITY vs. PENNANT HILLS
Saturday, July 1 @ Sydney Uni Oval 1, 12:40pm

Sydney University threw the race for finals wide open last week with an upset win and here is the first pseudo final for the year. The winner of the Students and Demons clash takes fifth place. The last time these teams played, Pennant Hills won in a nail-biting one-point result and expect this clash to be something similar.

Watch for Sydney University to use the learnings the Students found last week and exploit any and all of Pennant Hills fumbled possessions with long direct kicking. They must avoid kicking long to Eleanor Rugg – who is arguably the best sweeper in the competition presently – at all costs, or kick it over her head and turn her around.

Alternatively, for Pennant Hills to win, the Demons need to find the answers to cleaner football and expect them to be stung and hungry after last week’s tight loss. As close to a draw as one could expect.

MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY GOANNAS vs. SOUTHERN POWER
Saturday, July 1 @ Macquarie University, 2:00pm

After going down in a shock loss last week, expect Macquarie University to bounce back in a big way against the league’s cellar dwellers. The Goannas’ homeground is a hard ground to get the ball from one end to the other, and hopefully for Southern Power, they can do that a few times throughout the game.

Macquarie University will still win and the margin will be extensive, but watch for a few of the young Power players who are starting to find the confidence to run with the footy. Michala Ford – who kicked six majors last time the teams played is one to watch for the Goannas with her speed and finishing in front of goal, while Laura Kent and Amy Kowski will work hard in defence for the Power.

UTS BATS vs. NORTH SHORE BOMBBERS
Saturday, July 1 @ Waverley Oval, 3:15pm

UTS Bats and North Shore Bombers are playing and learning very similar styles of football, both individually and structurally. That makes the contest a fascinating one because despite UTS’ stellar season so far, do not be surprised if North Shore keeps it close and creates lots of outside long deliveries
which is exactly UTS’ main weakness.

The Bats should still get the win, sitting in second spot to the Bombers’ seventh, but North Shore must keep in touch with the top five sides, particularly given fifth and sixth face off. The Bats won by 12 points last time these teams faced off bback in Round 1, with Georgia McDonnell a standout. Matilda Eder is in ripping form for the Bombers at present though and looms as a key player for the underdogs.

Bye: UNSW-ES Bulldogs