UTS Bats and North Shore Bombers both enjoyed massive wins in the opening round of the AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division season, while the grand final rematch was put on hold until June due to uncontrollable weather elements. We recap Round 1 with a focus on the Bats’ big victory over the Goannas.

UTS Bats 18.10 (118) defeated Paramatta Goannas 0.0 (0)

UTS Bats made light work of a Parramatta side that had just three Premier Division players left on the roster from last season, and the Goannas also had a host of players running out for their second matches of the day. Naturally the score ballooned out as the game went on with the Bates booting five goals in each of the last three quarters to storm to victory.

Key Talking Points:

• Bats blitz decimated Goannas

• Sydney father-daughter eligible talent stars

• New recruit Brianna Wade impresses for winners

• Demons duo influence contest

Tallulah Kirk – daughter of Sydney great Brett – had a day out, combining with Aoife Berry through the middle. They brought their own ball and extracted it consistently to get the pill moving from inside to outside.

New recruit Brianna Wade hit the scoreboard for her new side and endeared herself to the new fans with a terrific early contested mark. She teamed up well with young gun Sophia Gaukrodger (two goals) and Jessica Quade (four) in an offensive display of skill.

Further to the recruitment of Wade, UTS inclusions from Pennant Hills, Laura Donohoe and Elly Rudd were both superb and the latter was particularly clean with the football in hand. They combined with ruck rotations, National Academy member Madeleine Quinn and Chaye Hartwell took control around the stoppages.

Overall, Parramatta found it difficult to get any offensive movement happening and the lack of familiarity within the team saw the Goannas struggle. Brea Trevitt and Ashley Gray were named as their side’s best in the loss.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

North Shore Bombers 18.26 (134) defeated Pennant Hills Demons 0.0 (0)

Key Talking Points:

• Bottom-age star Charlotte Tidemann dominates

• Adrienne Keeffe and Heidi de Saxe combine for nine goals

• Baby Bombers stand tall in dominant performance

Not eligible until the 2026 AFLW Draft, explosive Sydney Swans Academy member Charlotte Tidemann showed why she is a special prospect, named best on ground in the 134-point win. Her evasion, acceleration and footskills shone against far older opponents. Lucy Yates and Sophie Kavanagh both impressed in the victory as well and loom as key players for the red and black.

UNSW-ES Bulldogs 9.11 (65) defeated St George Dragons 1.5 (11)

Key Talking Points:

• Aimee Whelan stands tall for Dogs in important victory

• Hannah Phillips brave in Dragons’ defence

• Bulldogs skipper boots four

There were big winners across the park for the Bulldogs in what was clearly the closest match of Round 1, but still a comfortable blowout against a Dragons side searching for their first Premier Division victory. Aimee Whelan looked a class above in the match and was crucial in directing traffic leading to scores. UNSW-ES skipper Emily Conlan finished with four goals despite the best efforts of bottom-age Dragons’ defender Hannah Phillips.

The Manly Warringah Wolves-East Coast Eagles clash was postponed until June 7.