SOME might say there is a certain inevitability to the four AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division matches this weekend – and it will probably turn out that way – however the winds of change have just had the first little zephyrs blow.

The teams on the bottom of the ladder have found strength and starchiness to their defences recently and made the other teams work for their wins. Universally there has been a rise in getting to search for the competitiveness required and not just let the status quo roll on. The key offensive capabilities and tactical gulf is what is creating the difference at the moment. The question is, will there be an upset in Round 12?

PENNANT HILLS DEMONS vs. UTS BATS
Saturday, July 6 @ 1:10pm
Mike Kenny Oval

An absolutely crucial game for UTS and the Bats will go in as favourites with their run and gun on the outside of contests being Pennant Hills’ major weakness.

Watching the first 10 minutes of vision from last round, you could be forgiven for thinking that the result against the Eagles would have been a lot closer, it was actually a pretty positive effort. The Eagles proved too evasive and effective for too long to win and the Bats will be looking to learn and add more effective pathways to goal against the Demons.

For the Demons to win, Pennant Hills must do it back to the Bats and get clean ball to outside runners who are proactively moving and creating offensive opportunities. The defensive mindset has been long engrained.

However, Pennant Hills youngsters did impress last week with Cassidy McArthur getting the ball downfield with more purpose and freedom, whilst Sheridan Baker was in everything and Kaitlin Noble played very well.

The barriers they kept though, halted scoring opportunities. Only Nat Pajor is truly a proactive presence downfield from the immediate contest and that will not allow enough linkages to put a winning score on the board against UTS.

It should be a tight, low scoring due to great pressure, and should be an interesting game to watch. UTS by 16 points.

MANLY WARRINGAH WOLVES vs. NORTH SHORE BOMBERS
Saturday, July 6 @ 2:30pm
Weldon Oval

The anticipated return bout – Manly won the original clash amonth ago by seven goals – and now at the Wolves’ homeground and on grass. The two northern suburbs teams going head to head makes for a fascinating contest.

For Manly, the Wolves built the blueprint last time, and just need to replicate the internal contest pressure disruption of North Shore’s chain handpass extractions and produce the offensive concepts that their players are utilising.

There is a misnomer developing that the driving is their half-back line that is restricting all-comers scoring ability.

Wolves captain Ash Carter is having a stellar year, but it is the pressure up field around the contest that is causing the restriction. You very rarely see an opposition player with the footy, either out and free or with one or two opponents not directly bearing down or closing the space.

For the Bombers, they will want to show what they believe can really do as a fully fit and focussed unit in dry weather. To win they need to really even out the inside work, giving value up field to the work of players like Lucy Yates through the middle. They must have players ready to contest and win ball downfield, not just waiting in position for it to be delivered.

Secondly, they will need multiple targets up forward, as Manly is excellent at swarming underneath the long high ball delivered to a single target, eventually being swept out in a rebound to the wing. Expect to see North Shore’s scoring opportunities minimised, especially on the bigger expanses of Weldon Oval, so to win, the Bombers must convert.

Manly should win by about six goals, however the Wolves should continue to improve their linkage play and efficiency on the outside with one eye on finals preparation.

EAST COAST EAGLES vs. UNSW-ES BULLDOGS
Saturday, July 6 @ 4:30pm
Kanebridge Oval

UNSW should be really proud of its uplift and effort over the past few rounds, but this might be a task too far for them. The Bulldogs’ defensive pressure has been excellent but they just continue to find it difficult to play effective linkage football to get points on the board .

They are building a style to rebound of half-back though, so watch for the Eagles to have to go over the half-back wall or have to link up run straight through it.

However, the Eagles have and deserve favouritism in this game, and expect to see them jump out of the blocks from the get-go. They will not want to get bogged down into repeat contests, and instead should be looking to refine their level with finals to come.

Expect a quick early burst, and then it will be a tough day but up to the Dogs to restrict how many goals the Eagles forward are going to score. East Coast by about eight goals.

ST GEORGE DRAGONS vs. PARRAMATTA GOANNAS
Saturday, July 6 @ 4:50pm
Olds Park

A real test for the Dragons, but the pressure is on the Goannas to really show what they can do. They are playing a different style to the other too teams, and I expect them to win in the tight wrestle for contested ball to dominate this game.

The Dragons saw what Saskia Johnson did to them last week around the contests, and if they let Amanda Farrugia do the same thing, they will again be soundly beaten. Offensive football wins and effective possession completions is the key pathway for improvement this week.

For Parramatta, it is time for their youngsters like Lauren O’Sullivan and Kiera Yerbury to take the game by the scruff of the neck and show their increased development over other younger players coming into the league ahead of finals. The Goannas by 44 points.