MANLY Warringah Wolves were able to bounce back from a disappointing Round 2 loss by shaking off a determined UTS Bats by 14 points in Round 3 of the AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division over the weekend.

Manly Warringah Wolves 8.6 (54) defeated UTS Bats 6.4 (40)

Despite the final 14-point martin, the tension was palpable from start to finish and it was neck-and-neck right up until the last two minutes. A goal on the final siren made it stretch beyond two goals, but for the most part there was nothing between the sides.

Key Talking Points:

• Squad depth tested with both sides missing key players

• Manly lifted its contested work in the second quarter

• Brianna Wade and Jessica Quade remain tough players to quell

• Hannah Woolf and Kenya Fahey continue fantastic seasons

Coming into the match both sides had a few top line players missing, so the squad depth was going to be tested. Despite Manly going in as favourites, it was UTS that came out all guns blazing across the first eight minutes and found the target of Brianna Wade to get the Bats up and about.

However with a slight breeze blowing down one end, it was Manly that took full advantage kicking a couple of key goals that came from a lifted intensity around the stoppages. It forced UTS to not be as clean as in the first term and the linkages were not as easy.

Manly still struggled with precision going forward which always kept the game within reach for the the Bats, especially with both Wade and Jessica Quade booting a couple of majors each. However the Wolves had Kenya Fahey, who along with Hannah Woolf were significant in turning the game back in the visiting side’s favour.

Despite being on the losing side, Tilley Edwards Hill stood out as the best player on the ground with her influence when given any time and space critical for the UTS game. She was proactive and on top between midfield and attack and almost dragged her side back on top. However Woolf’s fourth term was one to behold where in the space of six minutes she turned the game back in the Wolves’ favour,.

Despite that, the Bats did not give in even with the Wolves being up in the dying stages of the match. When Wade kicked her second, the margin was cut to just two points. However back-to-back goals to end the match sealed the result.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

All the other three games went as expected with a trio of blowouts taking place across Round 3. The closest of those three were Sydney University’s 69-point win over St George Dragons, 10.11 (71) to 0.2 (2). Lucy Gilfedder booted five goals in the clash, while Saskia Johnson starred for the Students.

UNSW-ES Bulldogs moved to 3-0 in the 2025 season with a comprehensive 102-point victory over Pennant Hills, 16.13 (109) to 1.1 (7). Skipper Emily Conlan had a day out bagging half a dozen goals, while Sera Kaukiono was best on ground with three goals and considerable influence.

The most one-sided match by far though was North Shore Bombers’ 172-0 shellacking of a struggling Parramatta Goannas. The Bombers notched up 14 goals in the first half, and though inaccuracy crept in through the second half with 12.11 compared to 14.5, it was still a considerable smashing with 42 scoring shots to nil. Adrienne Keeffe feasted with seven goals, while Sophie Kavanagh was named best on ground in the win.