SYDNEY University sought revenge on last year’s preliminary finals defeat with a captivating four-point victory over reigning three-time premier East Coast Eagles in the AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division Round 5 clash. The Students kicked a fourth quarter goal to grind out a low-scoring 2.5 (17) to 1.7 (13) win at Bruce Purser Reserve on Saturday afternoon.

In getting the win, Sydney University maintained their spot at the top of the ladder, handing the Eagles their first defeat of the season and allowing North Shore Bombers to move up to second spot on the ladder.

In the tight and low scoring match, the Students and Eagles battled for what was a vital four points, and although Eagles put up a good match with a strong defence, Sydney prevailed in the end.

A regular in the Students’ lineup, Arabella Hendriks kicked off the scoring with the first goal midway through the first quarter, as well as winning her fair share of the contested ball and standing out in the midfield. Captain Maryanne Harley was one of Sydney Uni’s best, clunking many contested marks and succeeding in getting the ball through strong tackles. The visitors exemplified incredible defence throughout the match, particularly in the first quarter and did not allow the Eagles to score any goals.

East Coast Eagles midfielder Summer Hall also dominated the game, taking many marks – majority of them contested – and demonstrating strong tackles which ended in getting the ball out. Hall and Eagles’ ruck Renee Tomkins were both standouts on the field, always seeming to have their hands on the ball and were named among the best on the field.

By the end of the third quarter, the scores were scarily close, with East Coast taking the lead at 12-11. But it was not until Jasmine Smith took a contested mark and converted a set shot straight through the goals, which handed Sydney Uni the lead by five points. Additionally, the Students’ vice-captain Lucy Gilfedder produced an amazing performance, being labelled as one of the best on ground.

Ultimately, Sydney Uni got the four points against Eagles in a nail-biting watch which secured the Students’ spot at top of the ladder, ready to face their Round 6 opponent, the struggling Parramatta Goannas next Saturday.

EAST COAST EAGLES 0.2 | 0.4 | 1.6 | 1.7 (13)
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY 1.1 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 2.5 (17)

GOALS:
East Coast Eagles: E. Naden
Sydney University: A. Hendriks, J. Smith 1

BEST:

East Coast Eagles: K. Noble, G. Tracey, B. Hourigan, R. Tomkins, S. Hall, N. McMillan
Sydney University: M. Harley, L. Gilfedder, L. Smith, N. Waterson, Y. Sayer, A. Dribbus

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Manly Warringah Wolves had an incredible triumph against Pennant Hills Demons, winning by 141 points and dominating with six goals just in the final quarter. The win solidified Manly’s spot in the top four on the ladder, and Holly Wickham was named best-on after kicking five of Manly’s 20 goals.

The Bulldogs got on the board after their victory against UTS Bats. The Bulldogs kicked five goals to one in the first half, followed by a whopping eight goals to one in the second half which made Bulldogs defeat the Bats 75-21. Emily Conlan kicked an impressive seven goals for Bulldogs, naming best on and solidifying her positive play at the Dogs.

In the final match, North Shore Bombers had another intense win against St George Dragons annihilating them by 138 points. North Shore Bombers slammed home 20 goals to St George’s nil, with Lauren O’Sullivan booting four of the goals. The result puts North Shore second on the ladder, with their impressive result of 139-1.