SYDNEY University can control its own fate in the final round after upsetting Parramatta and moving into fifth spot on the AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division table. The Students needed a win to piut the ball back in their court for finals, and managed to grind out a six-point ladder-shaping victory over the Goannas at Gipps Road Ovals, 7.3 (45) to 6.3 (39).

It was a game that earned the respect of all onlookers, as a much improved and entertaining contest leading into the finals series. Right from the opening bounce, the first play by the Goannas was poetry in motion.

A nice tap beautifully sharked by Caitlin Fletcher, whose deft handball over the top to a runner flying off the edge lead to a beautiful forward 50 entry kick to a flying Lauren O’Sullivan and hit her lace out.
It eas a great start to the game, though unfortunately for the Goannas, the ensuing shot at goal eas touched centimetres from the line.

But that was where the dominance ended, as the Students went down the other end and scored the first goal almost immediately afterwards. They clearly showed that they had come to play, and play with a quicker, smoother and definately more linkage style.

The first quarter was highlighted and headlined by lots of quizzical positionings from the Parramatta team that could not go unnoticed. Brianna Wade started in defence having played largely deep forward this season, while both Amanda Farrugia and Sophie Kavanagh started inside 50.

Still working out formations for what would work best, the Goannas only held a narrow one-point lead at quarter time before gaining some breathing space in the second term. The pressure from the Students kept them in the game and the intensity around the ground both on and off the field was fever pitch.

Kiera Yerbury was once again starring with her footwork and evasion a feature, while the likes of Fletcher and the rest of the midfield were shining strong, and O’Sullivan was providing a target up forward.

Sydney Uni, however, countered with the move that would win th the match. Kendra Blattman was moved into the ruck and rotated forward, and proceded to put on a best on ground performance.

The second half was fantastic to watch, and featured a helpful wind to the southern end. The Students, who had been playing the wind the wrong way all day had found themselves stuck wide. Howver in the third term it all changed, making the most of the breeze and surged away to lead at three quarter time.

The onus was back on Parramatta and whether the second placed side could do the same with the wind aide in hte final stanza, and they did. Quickly kicking two goals to bring the margin back within a point, the game was alive.

Though the importance for the Students to win with their sesaon on the line was evident, and they stepped up big time. Providing a stack of tackling pressure, Sydney Uni made life incredibly difficult for the Goannas who could not find much space.

A crucial 50m penalty led to a free shot on goal for the visitors, and then eventually they put one through to give themselves the breathing space required to hold onto a win. Both sides had played superbly, but the Students were just that touch better.

The win had massive ramfications for the ladder, with Parramatta sliding from second to fourth, while Sydney University temporarily moved into fifth on the ladder, but take on ladder leaders East Coast Eagles in the final round.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

In another finals-defining result, North Shore Bombers not only secured a finals spot, but moved into the top two and edged closer to a double chance. The Bombers won 5.3 (33) to 4.7 (31) over UTS Bats, which sent the reigning grand finalists back outside the top five and down to sixth on the ladder. However with a bye in the final round, North Shore needs at least Manly and Parramatta to lose in order to stay in second.

In a nail-biting scrap, North Shore had the likes of Charlotte Tidemann and Georgina Maher named among the best, with five individual goalkickers. Chaye Hartwell kicked two majors for the Bats, with Georgia Knight named best-on in defeat.

Capitalising on the Goannas’ loss, Manly Warringah Wolves jumped up to third with a percentage-boosting win over Pennant Hills Demons. Keeping the Demons to just one behind, the Wolves had 28 scoring shots en route to a 17.11 (113) to 0.1 (1) victory at Mike Kenny Oval.

Peggy Stanbury (five goals), Isabella Rudolph (four) and Holly Wickham (three) were all fantastic in front of goal, while Zara Hamilton was prolific for the Wolves once again. Sheridan Baker was named best-on for the Demons.

In the final game of the weekend, East Coast Eagles put the foot down in a 20-goal shellacking of St George Dragons. The top-against-bottom clash went about as expected with East Coast coming way with an 18.18 (126) to 1.0 (6) victory at Kanebridge Oval.

Rylee McGarland slammed home half a dozen goals in the win, while top-ager Amelie Prosser-Shaw booted four and was named among the best with Bryany Parker. For the Dragons, Rhiannon Burns kicked her side’s sole major and was named best-on for the red and whites.