AN UNLUCKY Parramatta Goannas side will be raring to get back on the winners list against a Pennant Hills team keen to impress in the opening match of the AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division. We preview that clash along with the other three featured matches tomorrow.

PARRAMATTA GOANNAS vs. PENNANT HILLS DEMONS
Saturday, April 27 @ 11:10am
Gipps Road Ovals

The third home game to start the season for Parramatta sees the Goannas playing aspiring ladder risers Pennant Hills. Interestingly, three Pennant Hills players are mow playing for the Goannas in Eleanor Rugg, Brianna Wade and Emma Richards in preseason switches, however Rugg is missing in this match.

Parramatta’s last minute loss to the Eagles on the weekend will have the Goannas fired up for this weekend so expect them to put Pennant Hills under so much pressure that their scoring chances will be very limited.

It is time for Parramatta to shake off the early season rust and start putting together some combinations. Richards has made a great start with her new club, and really took it the Eagles last round against quality opponents.

Expect Amanda Farrugia to exploit the Demons greatest defensive weakness and create havoc running away from and out the front of contested situations. If the Goannas manage to find the downfield linkages, it could be a long day for the Demons.

For the Demons, as predicted preseason, their staggering effort in defence has always been their main weapon. Their shutdown is the best in the league, and they showed that against North Shore to start the season.

The Kaitlin Quinlan, Ellie Cooper and Kaitlin Noble trio of athleticism and attack on the football and development defensively has been very pleasing and when Eliza Harvey helps out in the backline, only pinpoint passing will suffice for the opposition.

This is why it is expected there will be quite a few behinds or stoppages or out of bounds next to the posts for Parramatta. Pennant Hills’ main Achilles heel will still be though, going the other way,
Finding enough offensive linkages, especially from contested ball situations, to find enough avenues to goal.

Expect Parramatta to win by a few goals.

MANLY WARRINGAH WOLVES vs. EAST COAST EAGLES
Saturday, April 27 @ 12:30pm
Weldon Oval

The reigning premiers are coming off a very good last minute win, but they have showed a vulnerability to pressure without a mix of their top echelon players. The linkage football and efficient movement forward have been brought back to earth, with the players stepping up still figuring out the level required.
At times too much was left on the shoulders of Renee Tomkins, and it was only when others stepped up the proactive attack on the footy, that the Eagles finally turned last weeks match around.

Luckily for Manly, its athletic close down space production on the immediate ball and first exit players carrier is the best in the league, and this will be their best chance for the year for an upset, or at least reduce the final margin. Clearances out the centre will be crucial for both teams.

Expect Wolves captain Ash Carter and Kaitlyn Manning to have influential games for the home side. Still tipping East Coast by 11, but do not be surprised if it is tight for a huge portion of the game.

NORTH SHORE BOMBERS vs. UNSW-ES BULLDOGS
Saturday, April 27 @ 1:40pm
Gore Hill Oval

A true test for both teams, who have had wildly different draws to start the season. While North Shore sits atop the table via percentage, the Bombers have started the season up against the equivalent of last years bottom three sides. Whilst UNSW-ES who were a bottom three side last year, the Bulldogs have had to start the year against the two grand finalists from 2023.

Now they both get to see, head-to-head, what all the hard work over summer has lead to. This will be a a contested contest with quick handballs out of congestion a feature. Close down pressure will be the differentiating factor on the day, with a lot of the action to played between the fifty metre arcs.

Both teams will not want the forced into raking the ball downfield, but it is expected with the two teams strengths and weaknesses that it might turn out to be the better rebounding team who gets the result on the day.

The slick, fast home ground surface on the astroturf might just give the Bombers the advantage, though do not expect a lot of free running goals in this one. North Shore by a goal.

SYDNEY UNIVERSITY vs. ST GEORGE DRAGONS
Saturday, April 27 @ 3:45pm
Sydney Uni Oval

Things will get harder before they get easier for the newcomer Dragons, as the excitement of entering dissipates, and they strive to identify and meet the contested ball requirements week in and week out. The Dragons’ effort and enthusiasm is there though, and they should be proud of their efforts across their first two games.

Sydney Uni had an in tight slug fest of a wet weather game last week, so if the Students get dry weather and space, they will be keen to stamp their authority on this match. The home side should be careful not to get drawn into a tackle fest lockdown style of game, and use the central corridor.

Providing run and carry can pile on goals very quickly on the shorter oval if the Students are allowed to dominate the centre and waltz through unchecked. Expect Jasmine Smith to have a big game and influence straight through the middle.