A HUGE top three contest headlines Round 13 of the AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division, while another great battle between two in-form sides provides spectators some great options as the competition heads into the final third of the regular season.

EAST COAST EAGLES vs. NORTH SHORE BOMBERS
Saturday, July 12 @ 10:50am
Bruce Purser Reserve

A top three showdown that promises to be a fascinating battle of tactics. North Shore had a serious reality check against the UTS Bats last round, and if East Coast has done its homework, it should be very clear how to restrict the Bombers’ scoring. But seeing it, understanding it – and doing it on game day – are very different things.

The key question is: do the Eagles have the personnel with enough experience to pull off what needs to take place?

The Eagles are really struggling with maintaining the full-field pressure they used to be famous for as well as the run-and-gun style that once dominated the league. Due to the depth in their current squad which is being tested, their style that has worked the last few years is now being stifled by opposition tactics.

What awaits is a fascinating contest where the winner will be truly decided by performance on the day. Expect to see the Bombers try to get runners moving at the fringes and out the front of contests—and if the Eagles allow them to, the Bombers will win.

Similarly, if East Coast set up in a rebound football structure across half-back, they will invite the Bombers to have too many scoring opportunities. Alternatively, if the Eagles can pressure the ball carrier and disrupt the Bombers’ secondary link-up possessions throughout the day, they will give themselves a chance to restrict North Shore’s scoring and strike back with their potent forward line.

Expect that both teams have not quite figured each other out yet, both still preparing for the full squads and full-field pressure of finals football. As a result, there could be plenty of goals either way as they feel each other out.

Ultimately, whoever comes closest to exposing the other’s weaknesses will win on the day.

PENNANT HILLS DEMONS vs. UNSW-ES BULLDOGS
Saturday, July 12 @ 12:00pm
Mike Kenny Oval

This game will be won by the team that creates the most opportunities in attack and gets the ball forward. At this stage of both squads’ development, UNSW hold a significant advantage. The Bulldogs should be looking for every opportunity to practice clean transitional play and convert those chances into scores on the board.

Expect to see Pennant Hills put up a huge effort in defence, but they may find themselves constantly under pressure, forced to stay in defensive mode for too long to generate meaningful offence. Bulldogs to win comfortably against the last placed, winless Demons.

MANLY WARRINGAH WOLVES vs. UTS BATS
Saturday, July 12 @ 1:00pm
Weldon Oval

A fascinating contest awaits, where Manly rightly deserve to be favourites. However, UTS has been playing football the Bats can be proud of over the past three rounds.

Expect to see Manly’s midfield try to negate the influence of Emelye Blades and surge straight out the front of contests, with Kenya Fahey and Hannah Woolf looking to burst through with strength and power. Manly holds a massive advantage in this area, though they still need to refine their ability to extract the ball cleanly from inside contests and transition to outside football.

UTS, on the other hand, need to find a way to get the ball out of the clinches and flowing freely towards their forward line. Otherwise, the game could get bogged down with stoppages and smothered possessions, leading to a lower score for the Bats.

Expect Manly’s leading goalkicker Isabella Rudolph to be closely guarded and asked the tough questions on whether she can create proactive scoring opportunities. The biggest question for the day is whether the younger and more diminutive ball winners for the Bats can step up and sustain their efforts across an entire game against one of the best teams in the league.

Look for Manly’s recent shift in their link-up play – especially in handball chains – to be the difference on the day. The Wolves by 12 points, but it could be more if the Bats are slow out of the blocks.

MANLY WARRINGAH WOLVES vs. UTS BATS
Saturday, July 12 @ 1:00pm
Weldon Oval

This game is a much-anticipated rematch of the contest where St George claimed their first-ever win in the league earlier this year. Last time they met, both teams found far more offensive firepower than they had shown against other sides in the competition. This time, expect a much tighter contest, with both squads now carrying a lot more experience under their belts.

Parramatta will be especially keen and raring to go as they chase their second win of 2025. Meanwhile, St George is yet to improve its win-loss percentage or offensive capabilities against the rest of the league since that memorable victory.

Expect both teams to fight for every possession right until the final siren. The winner will be the side that puts the most pressure on the opposition ball carriers, and, if the ball gets past them, shuts down the secondary link-up options.

Both squads are highly susceptible to fumbly and stunted offensive movements when under maximum pressure—and that will be the defining factor on the day. It looms as a potential draw, though the winner will likely be decided late in the game.