A HUGE final game of the weekend between two top three teams headlines Round 15 with a trio of one-sided results tipped otherwise in the AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division. We preview each of the matches.

UTS BATS vs. PENNANT HILLS DEMONS
Saturday, August 2 @ 11:00am
Trumper Oval

This game marks the start of UTS’s run to determine whether the Bats can push into the finals. The margin will be crucial, and it needs to be significant. Expect to see plenty of long, high balls aimed at freeing up UTS’s forwards, especially for former Demon Brianna-Lee Wade, who could make things difficult for Pennant Hills.

However, it isn’t necessarily UTS’s strongest approach. The Bats will need to think outside the box, integrating all available options to score. Look for players like Jessica Quade, who can play high and make those dangerous runs into space to finish goals. The Bats will be testing different field positioning and tactics as they figure out what works best for this group heading into the end of the season.

For the Demons, expect Sheridan Baker to be a standout, locked in as their best and fairest for the year. She’s had an outstanding season and will be a key player in defence. The Bats will need to be strategic. If they kick in her direction without offering a consistent diversionary plan, they’ll likely cost themselves by 40 points or so by the final siren. UTS by 77 points.

MANLY WARRINGAH WOLVES vs. ST GEORGE DRAGONS
Saturday, August 2 @ 12:40pm
Weldon Oval

In front of a home crowd, Manly is set to comfortably account for St George on the scoreboard and they will be eager to do so in emphatic fashion after narrowly losing by a point to North Shore in a top-of-the-table clash last week. While the Wolves are in strong form, there are still areas they need to refine and adapt to in order to stay at the top level. Expect them to bring their A-game in this one.

The key difference in this matchup will be the battle in the midfield. St George will need to make the most of their first possession downfield if they hope to create opportunities. However, with Manly’s relentless pressure on the ball carrier, creating enough opportunities in the right areas of the field will be a real challenge for the Dragons.

That pressure from Manly will make it difficult for St George to find consistent scoring chances. Isabella Rudolph could very well finish the game with a bag of goals in her pursuit of the leading goalkicker award, but Manly needs to keep diversifying their attacking options. By adding extra avenues to goal, they will ensure they have multiple weapons at their disposal when the stakes are higher later in the season. Manly by 80 points.

EAST COAST EAGLES vs. PARRAMATTA GOANNAS
Saturday, August 2 @ 4:10pm
Bruce Purser Reserve

Another game where the margin should be significant, the key issue for East Coast is that it is time for the Eagles to step up. With the business end of the season approaching, the back-to-back-to-back premiers will likely make the finals, but they are not mathematically assured of it yet. That’s a surprise to many, but not to those who’ve been talking about their depth and development issues for a while, especially when the opposition can spread the football across all areas of the park.

There’s been too much reliance on players who’ve been key positional figures in previous seasons. This week, the best thing for the Eagles would be to give their less-used players the chance to step up, take the reins. Players like Jessica Whelan and Renee Tomkins are tried-and-tested inside footballers, but it is time for them to have a break so that others can learn under pressure. It will help build confidence across the entire team.

The Eagles’ unique edge over the past four years has been their ability to attack the ball wherever it goes, with players contesting and evading with deliberate precision. However, in 2025, that’s not as apparent, and the amount of disjointed possessions and holding-the-ball frees against is the only thing preventing them from being clear premiership favourites again.

It would also benefit the Eagles if they deliberately used their athletically gifted players, like Michelle Foscarini and Kaitlyn Noble with more influence in the centre of the ground. They should not just be on the end of forward moves or sweeping up behind the play; they could contribute more to the rotation and help dominate the midfield battle. Eagles by 85 points.

NORTH SHORE BOMBERS vs. SYDNEY UNIVERSITY
Saturday, August 2 @ 4:50pm
Gore Hill Oval

This is clearly the top-end match of the round and promises to be a very, very interesting contest. The big question is: Have Sydney Uni done their homework and found North Shore’s vulnerable squad weaknesses?

If they have, they will come away with the win. North Shore may struggle to score enough against them if there’s relentless defensive pressure and constant disruption of their release players.

However, if Sydney Uni doesn’t apply that pressure and allows a free-flowing, open game, or if the Bombers players manage to break away from contests, then North Shore could edge out a win by a goal.

Look for a top-class battle in the midfield, where Sydney Uni has the upper hand in terms of experience. Expect Amanda Farrugia to be especially keen on stamping her authority and preventing the younger Bombers players from building early confidence. The real question is whether Sydney Uni will play proactively enough to force the Bombers into a defensive position.

Expect a tight, contested game with about five or six goals each. The winner will be determined by tactics and execution on the day, which is great for the league, especially after a season of big blowout margins. There will be plenty of contested play between the arcs, making for a hard-fought contest. If Sydney Uni has done their homework then they win by a point, otherwise North Shore by 16. However, do not be surprised if it is a draw.