IT IS crunch time for a few mid-table teams in the AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division competition, with both litmus tests and potential blowouts on the cards for Round 6. Ladder leaders Sydney University take on the battling Parramatta Goannas, with East Coast Eagles looking to bounce back against UNSW-ES Bulldogs. Meanwhile UTS Bats and Manly Warringah Wolves will look to take care of their inexperienced opponents.

PARRAMATTA GOANNAS vs. SYDNEY UNIVERSITY
Saturday, May 17 @ 12:20pm
Gipps Road Ovals

There are danger signs for the opening game of the round with ladder leaders unbeaten Sydney University coming up against the winless Parramatta Goannas. The Goannas did rise above Pennant Hills last round after putting in a competitive shift against St George the week before, but this is a completely different assignment. Coming off a bye the Goannas will be refreshed, with Lilly Dummett booting a couple of goals in that loss, while Ava Saad was named best on ground.

The central core for the Students will be far too strong and a mis-match result is predicted. Expect Jasmine Smith to kick a few if she is allowed to stay forward and Molly Cameron continues the central ruck dominance she cast on the Eagles last week. Sydney Uni by 90-plus points.

PENNANT HILLS DEMONS vs. UTS BATS
Saturday, May 17 @ 12:20pm
Mike Kenny Oval

UTS Bats were humbled last round by a reinvigorated UNSW-ES Bulldogs and have come into the 2025 season still building towards bigger things. However Pennant Hills Demons – who have been rebuilding for a few seasons – are unlikely to pose too much of a problem as they continue to develop their core youth and adapt to senior level.

The Bats will be very displeased with recent performances as a whole and looking to exploit a percentage booster from the young Demons. Both teams tackling and scrappy pressure are their trademarks at the moment so the result will come down to skill with ball in hand, where UTS has a major advantage. Especially if the Bats’ outside runners get off the chain. UTS by 73 points.

ST GEORGE DRAGONS vs. MANLY WARRINGAH WOLVES
Saturday, May 17 @ 12:30pm
Olds Park

Another game that should be no problem for the visiting team is Manly Warringah Wolves heading to Olds Park to take on St George. The Dragons won their first game a fortnight ago against the Goannas, but have since been humbled by the red-hot North Shore Bombers. The Wolves sit at 3-1 on the year and will be itching to push for another finals tilt, so this game is a must-win and comfortably.

Manly’s top players burst through a barrier in the representative game on the weekend which is going to make it a very hard day for the Dragons. In particular, Hannah Woolf’s proactive burst out of the centre just after half-time – which lead to a goal – is a step forward, while Zara Hamilton‘s running kick down the wing in the fourth term was a sight to behold. St George’s main chance at hampering the flow involves getting in the face of the ball carrier or it will be a one-sided game. Manly by 94 points.

EAST COAST EAGLES vs. UNSW-ES BULLDOGS
Saturday, May 17 @ 1:00pm
Bruce Purser Reserve

Three-time reigning premier East Coast Eagles will be smarting after a rare loss last round, going down to Sydney University. UNSW-ES Bulldogs get a great litmus test here to see just where they are at, with the side sitting at 4-1 to start the season. The knock on that record is the four wins have come against the bottom four sides, so now is a chance to take it up to a heavyweight and see how they stack up.

The Eagles will be keen to atone for last round’s loss and clunky game, and will be looking to get back to their run and carry style of play, especially going into the forwardline. The UNSW Bulldogs face their toughest test and Emily Conlan – who has been piling on the goals – will be tightly guarded by the East Coast defence leaving the Dogs with much tougher secondary pathways to goal. Expect the Eagles to make scoring and forward possession very hard for the Dogs. Eagles by 34 points.

Bye: North Shore Bombers