MANLY Warringah Wolves ensured they did not have to wait for other results to book a double chance in this year’s AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division finals series. The Wolves were too strong for Pennant Hills Demons at Weldon Oval on the weekend, needing a win to secure third spot and they did just that by nine goals.

The Wolves came into the clash with Macquarie University Goannas ahead but likely to lose against the East Coast Eagles, but still needing the four points to ensure third spot and leapfrog the Goannas. A loss against the largely competitive Pennant Hills side would mean the Wolves would remain in fourth spot and instead face an elimination final against Sydney University.

Pennant Hills on the other hand, had its finals series officially dashed last weekend, so it was just pride on the line for the Demons. That, and potentially throwing a spanner into the works for the finals sides. Manly Warringah needed to play like it was a virtual elimination final and the Wolves did just that, booting the first three goals of the match and racing out to a 23-point lead at quarter time.

By the main break, the lead had grown to 31 points, as the Wolves booted a slightly inaccurate 5.6 to 1.0, but held all the momentum. By the last change, the game was done and dusted as the home crowd was able to sit back and enjoy the show. Kicking the only goal of the third term – but dominating forward half possession – the Wolves set up the win by pushing the lead out to seven goals at the last change.

Ensuring there was no comeback, the Wolves did not take the foot off the pedal, kicking 3.2 to 1.2 in the final quarter to win, 9.14 (68) to 2.2 (14). Lauren Bull kicked two goals in the win, as the Wolves had eight individual goalkickers. By comparison, Laura Donohue kicked the Demons’ only majors of the game.

Andrea Roditis and Olivia Cameron were named among Manly Warringah’s best, with captain Ashleigh Carter, and Jacqueline Green also hitting the scoreboard. For the Demons, Eliza Harvey and Kaitlin Quinlan continued their form by being named in the best to round out their season.

MANLY WARRINGAH WOLVES 3.5 | 5.7 | 6.12 | 9.14 (68)
PENNANT HILLS DEMONS 0.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.2 (14)

GOALS:
Manly Warringah: L. Bull 2, A. Carter, J. Green, J. Kennedy, K. Manning, I. Tremauville, H. Wickham, E. Wood
Pennant Hills: L. Donohoe

BEST:
Manly Warringah: A. Roditis, O. Cameron, C. Johnson, J. Layton, H. Woolf
Pennant Hills: E. Harvey, K. Quinlan, L. Donohoe, M. Brown, M. Hartley

AROUND THE GROUNDS

East Coast Eagles knocked Macquarie University Goannas out of the top three with a 21-point win at Kanebridge Oval. The Eagles raced away to a 21-point lead at half-time, and while the Goannas held sway after that, the game was done and dusted and the Eagle came away with a 6.9 (45) to 4.0 (24) victory.

Competition leading goalkicker Caitlin Davidson booted three goals in the win, as Shiarna Tarasenko and Annaleise Barton were named among the Eagles’ best. For the Goannas, Mallorie Jansen and Sophie Kavanagh both kicked two goals, with Lauren Easton a standout in the loss.

Despite the win, the Eagles could not take back top spot as minor premiers UTS Bats completely destroyed Southern Power by 192 points. The Bats put the Power to the sword, kicking 17 goals in the first half to lead by 112 points at the main break. They still kicked 12 after half-time, but added the 80 points as the Bates won, 29.18 (192) to 0.0 (0).

The two players chasing Davidson for the leading goalkicker in Jessica Quade (eight goals) and Gillian Behan (seven) both fell short of catching her, while Danika Spamer (four) and Melissa Lindsay (three) also filled their boots. Jessica Cox was the pick of the Power players in the loss.

Sydney University survived a scare against UNSW-ES Bulldogs at home to round out its season, coming from a deficit at half-time to post an 11-point win. Though the Students lead by two goals at quarter time, they were quickly caught by the main break. Luckily for the fifth placed side, Sydney Uni straightened up and kicked 2.3 to 0.3 in the second half to come away with a 5.3 (33) to 3.4 (22) victory.

Natalie Murray kicked three goals for the Students to be among the best with Yasmin Sayer and Sarah Tutt. Sophie Phillips and Emelye Blades were standouts for the Bulldogs in a promising performance to end what had been a disappointing season for UNSW.