ST GEORGE proved far too strong for Pennant Hills, recording a commanding 5.10 (40) to 0.0 (0) victory in the last round of the AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division. The Dragons set the tone early, and from there the pattern of the game was established through midfield dominance and repeat entries inside 50.

The Dragons’ control through the central corridor was overwhelming. They won almost every contested ball and stoppage, and the game became a question of how well they linked up and executed their possessions going forward. At times they broke down through skill execution, but the Demons’ desperate defence also played a role in holding them up.

Sheridan Baker and Bella Nash again stood tall for Pennant Hills in defence, racking up countless possessions under pressure. The pair combined for a whopping 77 disposals – 47 from Baker – as well as 21 marks. However, as has been the case throughout the season, their side lacked the offensive options to move the ball past halfway with any consistency.

Imogen Painting worked tirelessly to create stoppages and pressure the Dragons with chase-down tackles, while Christine Abrams provided one of the highlights of the day with a late run-and-carry effort to break the lines.

For the Dragons, Maggie Ritchie was outstanding, influencing contests all over the ground. They impressed with their aerial work, bringing the ball to ground effectively and clunking important marks when needed.

Perhaps the biggest difference between the two sides was St George’s confidence and evasive footwork with ball in hand, a quality that stood out across the squad and separated them from their opponents.

Caydelan Mitchell-Bruce (25 disposals, eight clearances and 10 inside 50s) was involved in numerous contests, while Sophie Matheson provided strong link-up play along the wings, setting up repeated forward entries. Young guns such as Montana Doubell (21 disposals, five marks, five tackles, five inside 50s and two goals) and Annabelle McHale were also named among the winners’ best.

Ultimately, the 40–0 scoreline was a fair reflection of the game. St George was clearly the superior side across all four quarters, while Pennant Hills battled valiantly in defence but couldn’t generate meaningful attacking play.

Both teams can take pride in their perseverance through challenging seasons and will now turn their attention towards building for 2026, with hopes of lifting their competitiveness to the next level.

PENNANT HILLS DEMONS 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 (0)
ST GEORGE DRAGONS 2.3 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 5.10 (40)

GOALS:
Pennant Hills: Nil.
St George: M. Doubell 2, A. McHale, A. Walsh, E. Ritchie

BEST:
Pennant Hills: B. Nash, S. Lindsay, R. Ally, S. Baker. S. Sheridan
St George: C. Mitchell-Bruce, M. Doubell, R. O’Dwyer, A. McHale, Z. Maher

AROUND THE GROUNDS

UNSW-ES Bulldogs produced the biggest upset of the weekend, making it two from two the past fortnight as they locked in a finals spot. The Bulldogs knocked off reigning back-to-back premier East Coast Eagles – and will now face them in an elimination final – 9.7 (61) to 3.2 (20).

Aimee Whelan (26 disposals, three marks, nine clearances and six inside 50s) was outstanding again, as Emily Conlan (20 disposals, three goals) and young ruck Amaia Wain (19 disposals, three marks, six clearances, 37 hitouts and six inside 50s) were both very good. Fellow teenager Grace Tracey (17 disposals, 22 hitouts, six marks and six tackles) had a great battle with Wain, thought ultimately many of the Eagles players were down on form.

North Shore Bombers ran all over UTS Bats to officially put a line through the latter’s finals hopes and head into the qualifying final full of confidence. Bouncing back from a rare loss to the Bulldogs the week before, the Bombers got back to their best and ran away with the 10.8 (68) to 0.2 (2) in a far more one-sided contest than the last time the teams faced off.

Grace Hill (20 disposals, four clearances and three inside 50s) won the most disposals for the Bombers in an even team effort, while Heidi de Saxe (19 disposals, seven tackles, five inside 50s) and Kiera Yerbury (18 disposals, three clearances and three inside 50s) dug in around the ball. Top-age talent Madeleine Quinn was strong once again with 17 disposals, 33 hitouts, six tackles and four clearances through the ruck for the Bats, while Aoife Berry finished with 14 disposals, three tackles and four inside 50s) was solid in defeat.

Sydney University made light work of Parramatta Goannas en route to a 17.13 (115) to 0.0 (0) victory in the other match. The Students are headed for a qualifying final against the Bombers, and flexed their muscles against the bottom two Goannas in a dominant performance.

Amanda Farrugia (40 disposals, three marks, nine clearances, eight inside 50s and a goal) was simply outstanding, while Maryanne Harley (26 disposals, nine clearances, seven inside 50s and a goal) and Saskia Johnson (21 disposals, five marks and four inside 50s) created a nice inside-outside combination. Up forward, Lucy Gilfedder (five goals) and Jasmine Smith (four) did all the scoreboard damage. For the Goannas, Michala Ford (20 disposals, six clearances and six tackles) tried hard all day.