THE action heats up across the northern states this weekend as Round 12 arrives. In the AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division, the match of the round sees heavyweights North Shore and Manly Warringah go head-to-head in a blockbuster clash that has genuine premiership implications.

AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division

ROUND 12 FIXTURE:

UTS Bats vs. Pennant Hills Demons | Saturday July 4, 10:30am @ Waverley Oval
Sydney University vs. Parramatta Goannas | Saturday July 4, 1:00pm @ Sydney Uni No. 1 Oval
North Shore Bombers vs. Manly Warringah Wolves | Saturday July 4, 1:10pm @ Gore Hill Oval
UNSW-ES Bulldogs vs. St George Dragons | Saturday July 4, 2:20pm @ Henson Park

Bye: East Coast Eagles

The clear match of the round takes place at Gore Hill Oval, where the North Shore Bombers host the Manly Warringah Wolves. One of these sides will likely play in the grand final this year, if not both – with UNSW-ES the other clear chance – making this the matchup of the year thus far. Both sides are flying, but the Bombers play the style that hurts the Wolves the most.

The brilliance of Sophie Kavanagh and Lucy Yates has driven North Shore’s engine room all season, and they will need to be at their best again. Manly, meanwhile, are capable of exposing North Shore’s main weakness, with Lauren Bull and Bella Clarke the key connectors who can drive the Wolves forward. Only UNSW-ES has discovered the Wolves’ secret Achilles heel thus far.

A fascinating game of tactics awaits, and performance on the day will count for everything. If Manly study the tape of the past two seasons’ UNSW-ES vs. North Shore games, the Bombers could be heavily restricted. A draw would not surprise.

At Waverley Oval, the UTS Bats host the developing Pennant Hills Demons. The Bats have a habit over recent seasons of putting large margins on developing teams, and at home, it is hard to see that not happening again. Olivia Morris has been the Bats’ prime mover all season and will again be the player to watch, while Emma Keane‘s ruck work continues to give UTS a platform. However, it is time to make a statement for the Demons.

While they have been routed everywhere this season, their defensive fervour has never waned, emphasised by last round’s performance, with Remy Ally and Greta Clatworthy fighting hard week in, week out. The key question is whether they can learn how to put some scores on the board — and one hopes this is the week. UTS to win comfortably, though.

Sydney University will welcome the Parramatta Goannas to Sydney Uni No. 1 Oval. The Students will be too consistent all day and will probably find a way to be two goals better per quarter. Amanda Farrugia was magnificent in defeat last round with 26 disposals and 10 tackles, and the Students will be desperate to get her and the rest of the side firing in the right direction again.

Parramatta’s defensive efforts recently have been pleasing to watch, but the Students received a lesson from another top side last round and will want to work on some things – especially linkage creation from inside football and full-field ball movement. Look out, Goannas. Sydney Uni by around 50 points.

Closing out the round at Henson Park, the UNSW-ES Bulldogs take on the St George Dragons. The Bulldogs will be relentless at home, and the only question for the margin will be whether the Dragons try to further their own offensive football damage.

Sera Kaukiono has been arguably the most influential player in the league across the last three rounds, and Grace Madden has been equally destructive alongside her. The Dragons will also have to find an answer for that combination. Ruby O’Dwyer and Eloise Carey will need to be at their best to give St George any chance of keeping the margin respectable. UNSW-ES to win easily.