THOUGH the final round of the AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division will not change the five teams who have qualified for the post-season series, it can still shake up the potential ladder order and thus first week matchups.

MANLY WARRINGAH WOLVES vs. PENNANT HILLS DEMONS
Saturday, August 12 @ Weldon Oval, 2pm

Manly has to win this game if the Wolves want a double chance in third spot, and rely on Macquarie University to lose at the same time. There will be no resting on their laurels in this game, and they still have done things they need to work out.

The Wolves have been plagued by opposition bursts of multiple goals over recent weeks, and need to continue to work on that. Pennant Hills is playing for pride and continued improvement in what is ultimately the Demons’ last match of the season. Expect them to come out swinging with hunting defence the priority right from the start.

However, they will be hoping to continue refining their goal scoring pathways. The Demons have been without a lot of usual players over the last few weeks and to the club’s credit, those players who have stepped up have really applied themselves well.

Watch for Demons youngster Cassidy McArthur who is already showing very promising signs, including a natural long and deliberate kicking style. The overall game should be a really tight tussle early, with both teams using tackling pressure as their main weapon. Manly will also not be afraid of shutting the game down if the Wolves can build an early lead with Hannah Woolf among those in great form for the home side of late.

EAST COAST EAGLES vs. MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY GOANNAS
Saturday, August 12 @ Kanebridge Oval, 2pm

The clash between two top three teams is set to be a cracker and it should be a great dress rehearsal for the sides to get a full sense of where they are at and what is needed, as they will likely play each other again in the finals series. If the Goannas win, that will come next week in the second-against-third clash.

It was a draw last time, but this time Macquarie University has to win to 100 per cent retain third place. A loss coupled with a Wolves’ win over the Demons and the Goannas will drop from a double chance to an elimination final against Sydney University.

East Coast Eagles also need to win in order to give themselves the best chance of snatching back the minor premiership, but with the ladder leading UTS Bats taking on the winless Southern Power, barring a miracle upset, it is likely the Eagles will host the knockout final.

East Coast will look for the solutions as to why they the Eagles were held last time. Amanda Farrugia was everywhere last time out for the Goannas and that is tipped to be a similar story again. Sera Kaukiono is also primed for a big game, while the likes of leading goalkicker Caitlin Davidson and tall Jessica Whelan are key players for the Eagles.

SYDNEY UNIVERSITY vs. UNSW-ES BULLDOGS
Saturday, August 12 @ Sydney University Oval, 3:25pm

In the true dead rubber match of the weekend, neither of these sides can move from their respective positions. Sydney University finished fifth with a Round 17 win last week, and the Students will be looking for a strong performance against the bottom two Bulldogs in this game.

The Students have bigger fish to fry in the coming weeks, and will look to open up and fine tune ahead of finals, which might also involve managing players towards the end of the match. For the Bulldogs, they will finish eighth, having escaped the wooden spoon thanks to two wins over the Power, but have struggled to put up winning scores.

Though likely to be closer than the ladder positions might suggest, Sydney University will be too strong in the game and head into finals full of confidence.

UTS BATS vs. SOUTHERN POWER
Saturday, August 12 @ Waverley Oval, 3:30pm

In the final game of the day, the top and bottom placed sides face off in what is anticipated to be a one-sided contest. UTS Bats do have something on the line, with a weekend off next week for finishing minor premiers, so expect the Bats to ensure the four points early. With the game in the bag, expect heavy rotations to keep players fresh, but also ready for their first final in a fortnight.

Southern Power will just look for a competitive effort to finish the season, and avoid getting blown away in the last match of the year. Boasting a very young side this season, the Power have a percentage of 3.71 coming into this game and a competitive performance would see that lift. Though they have the capacity to bring the tackling pressure, there is a reason the Bats are premiership favourites and will win by plenty.