AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division: Round 17 wrap
MANLY Warringah Wolves confirmed the AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division minor premiership with a 107-point demolition of St George in Round 17, while North Shore Bombers, UNSW-ES Bulldogs and East Coast Eagles also enjoyed commanding victories in the penultimate home-and-away weekend.
With just one round remaining, the Wolves’ 54 points place them beyond reach at the summit. North Shore and UNSW-ES are level on 48 points, with the Bombers marginally ahead on percentage, while Sydney University’s bye did not prevent it from locking away a finals berth. The Students sit 14 points clear of fifth-placed UTS Bats, meaning the top four is settled; only the order of the Bombers, Bulldogs and Students remain up for grabs.
UNSW-ES Bulldogs 10.7 (67) def. Parramatta Goannas 0.0 (0)
UNSW-ES Bulldogs produced a complete team performance at Gipps Road Ovals, keeping Parramatta scoreless while repeatedly generating forward-half opportunities. The Bulldogs amassed 292 disposals and 49 inside 50s to Parramatta’s 140 and three respectively, turning that territorial authority into 10 goals.
Rani Sossai led the way around the contest with 26 disposals, six clearances, 10 tackles and two inside 50s. Ashleigh Barlow was similarly influential in transition, collecting 25 touches, seven marks and six inside 50s, while kicking two goals. Emily Conlan also booted two goals from 24 disposals, while Sera Kaukiono finished with three majors from her 19 disposals.
The Bulldogs’ ruck combination gave the midfield a solid platform. Bec Newman registered 39 hitouts and nine tackles, with 18-year-old Mahlia Pollington adding a goal and eight tackles.
Parramatta fought hard under continual pressure, recording 90 tackles. Montana Doubell battled throughout for 24 disposals, six clearances and five tackles, while Brea Trevitt laid a game-high 13 tackles to go with 16 touches. Marley Rhodes was prominent at the stoppages, posting four clearances and 19 hitouts.
North Shore Bombers 4.14 (38) def. UTS Bats 0.1 (1)
North Shore overcame wayward conversion to bank a comfortable 37-point win over UTS at Waverley Oval. The Bombers’ 4.14 reflected missed opportunities, but their superiority in the key territory measures was pronounced: 242 disposals, 23 clearances and 37 inside 50s, compared with 144, nine and 14.
Heidi de Saxe set the tone at the contest with 19 disposals, eight clearances and five tackles. Sophie Kavanagh offered an all-round influence, collecting 17 disposals, four clearances, eight tackles and six inside 50s, while Lucy Yates combined 16 touches with three clearances and five entries inside 50.
Adrienne Keeffe was effective in the ruck with 14 hitouts and a goal, with Lily Sullivan adding a goal from 16 disposals and five inside 50s. The Bombers will now enter the final round in second spot on percentage, level with UNSW-ES on 48 points.
UTS had plenty of resistance despite enduring a difficult afternoon in attack. Hannah Cerezo gathered 19 disposals and Olivia Morris paired 17 touches with 11 tackles. Emma Keane dominated the ruck battle with 47 hitouts and Taylah Canobie led the Bats’ clearance count with three.
East Coast Eagles 10.11 (71) def. Pennant Hills Demons 0.0 (0)
East Coast Eagles powered past Pennant Hills at Mike Kenny Oval, producing 10.11 in a 71-point shutout. The Eagles sustained their attacking pressure all afternoon, recording a remarkable 48 inside 50s to two and winning the hitouts 57 to nine.
Nellie McMillan delivered an extraordinary midfield display, racking up 42 disposals, 11 clearances, eight tackles and 12 inside 50s. Skye Southon was another driving force with 34 disposals, 11 tackles, seven inside 50s and two goals.
Renee Tomkins supplied 36 hitouts and five inside 50s, while Ammie Vamah complemented her 21 hitouts with 13 disposals, three clearances and a goal. Marley Kozak was the chief finisher with three goals, and Bailee Hourigan chipped in with two.
Pennant Hills’ best efforts came in defence and at ground level. Remy Ally collected 18 disposals and seven tackles, while Ashleigh Grubba had 18 touches, two clearances and two of the Demons’ two inside 50s. Ava Clegg also stood up with 12 disposals, three clearances and five tackles.
Manly Warringah Wolves 15.18 (108) def. St George Dragons 0.1 (1)
Manly Warringah sealed the minor premiership in emphatic fashion, overwhelming St George by 107 points at Kelso Park North. The Wolves generated 47 inside 50s and won the clearances 32 to 19, ensuring the Dragons had little chance to build meaningful forward momentum.
Andrea Roditis was a commanding presence through the middle with 25 disposals, eight clearances and four inside 50s. Hannah Woolf continued the Wolves’ stoppage dominance with 20 disposals, seven clearances and five inside 50s, while Holly Wickham constantly advanced play, recording 19 touches, seven uncontested marks and nine entries inside 50.
The scoreboard belonged to Isabella Rudolph, who kicked nine goals from 16 disposals. Ella Tyack provided a potent second avenue with four majors, while Jayme Saggers and Abbie Hayes combined for 53 hitouts to underline Manly’s control at the source.
For St George, Kaitlyn Eisenhuth worked tirelessly for 19 disposals and lay four tackles, while Bianca Rudzis produced four clearances from 16 touches. Gabriela Waechter found space for 12 disposals and five uncontested marks as the Dragons sought avenues out of defence.