SYDNEY University has kept its aspirations of going one better than 2025 in this year’s AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division finals series alive after a comprehensive eight-goal victory over the UTS Bats on Sunday. The Students were heavily favoured given the 14-point gap between the top four and fifth, but still got the job done and will now advance to take on the UNSW-ES Bulldogs in a do-or-die semi-final after the Dogs went down to reigning premiers North Shore Bombers.

North Shore Bombers 7.4 (46) def. UNSW-ES Bulldogs 5.4 (34)

In a genuine battle, the North Shore Bombers edged ahead with a crucial final term to book their place in the second semi-final and move one win away from a grand final berth. Level at quarter time, up by seven at the main break and then just three at the final change, the Bombers kicked 1.1 to no shore at Blacktown International Sportspark to book safe passage into the second chance semi.

North Shore looked home after building as much as an 18-point lead in the third term, but there still was one big thorn in the Bombers’ side. That thorn was ex-Swan Rebecca Privitelli who booted back-to-back goals in the final two and a half minutes of the quarter to bring her side right back into the contest. She had kicked four for the match and looked the big threat inside 50. However the Bombers settled, and were able to stop the Bulldogs from scoring in the final stanza with a last minute goal to Lily Sullivan breaking what had been an incredible deadlock.

The stats were an interesting read across the board with the Bombers having 33 more disposals (263-230) and dominating the inside with 41 more contested possessions and 11 more clearances, while the Bulldogs had advantage on the outside, taking nine more uncontested marks. Ultimately though, the Bombers owned forward territory, pumping the ball inside 50 on 40 occasions compared to the Dogs’ 24, while being able to take 10 marks inside 50 to UNSW’s four. The Dogs’ pressure – 84 tackles to 72 – indicated a side that never gave in.

Top-age talent Heidi de Saxe continued her brilliant form since returning from an ankle injury, racking up a team-high 25 disposals, as well as seven clearances, four inside 50s and laying 10 tackles. AFL Sydney representatives Lucy Yates (21 disposals, four marks, four clearances, three tackles and three inside 50s) and Sophie Kavanagh (21 disposals, seven tackles and four inside 50s) were both prolific, while bottom-ager Genevieve Hynes hit the scoreboard, and Sullivan finished with 15 touches and five inside 50s alongside her goal. Adrienne Keeffe‘s consistent scoreboard impact rolled on with another two majors for the winners.

For the Bulldogs, it was the AFLW experience that shone through with Privitelli’s four goals coming alongside 18 disposals, five marks – three contested – and three tackles, while Eliza Vale was a standout further afield, amassing 28 disposals – at 78.6 per cent efficiency – six marks (one contested) – and four tackles. Francesca Ryan (17 disposals, three marks, eight tackles and three inside 50s), Rani Sossai (15 disposals, six clearances and eight tackles) and Emily Conlan (15 disposals, three marks, four tackles, three inside 50s and a goal) were also busy for the Dogs.

Sydney University 7.9 (51) def. UTS Bats 0.3 (3)

It was a one-sided contest in the knockout week one final as Sydney University tightened the screws and put in an incredible defensive performance against the Bats. The Students only lead by four points at the first change, but continued to build on that, conceding just one behind for the final three quarters on their way to a dominant 48-point victory at Blacktown International Sportspark on Sunday.

Two quick goals to the higher ranked side in the first eight minutes of the second term gave Sydney Uni an early buffer, as they peppered the goals with five straight behinds after an unblemished 3.0 start to that point. The Bats booted their only other score after quarter time in the first 30 seconds of the third term, before the Students put the game with two more majors, including a second goal to Jessica Lee Urquhart two minutes into the premiership quarter.

If there was any doubt on the result with a 34-point buffer at the final change, top-age draft hope Evie Bowie put the game to bed in the sixth minute with a major, before Jessica Robertson joined Urquhart on a pair of majors to bring up the half century for the Students. After conceding the first two points of the match, the fourth placed Students had 16 scoring shots to one in the big win to set up the do-or-die contest with the Dogs.

Bowie was named best on ground for her 24-disposal, five-clearance, four-inside 50 and one-goal game, pairing well with fellow Swans Academy member, Frances Walsh. The first-round talent racked up 26 disposals and three inside 50s providing plenty of run for the Students, complementing the inside grunt of veteran Amanda Farrugia who amassed 33 disposals, six marks, seven clearances, seven tackles and seven inside 50s. Saskia Johnson (21 disposals, three marks and four tackles) and Brianna Davies (14 disposals, six marks – two contested – and five inside 50s) were also impressive in the win.

The UTS Bats’ season came to a close with the result, but Zoe Bush (20 disposals, three marks and three inside 50s) still tried hard, while the defensive presence of Olivia Morris (17 disposals, eight tackles) and Taylah Canobie (15 disposals, four clearances and four tackles) was important. Ella Parker (14 disposals, six tackles) and Emma Keane (12 disposals, 30 hitouts, five clearances and three tackles) were also standouts for the Bats.

SEMI-FINALS FIXTURE:

Saturday, September 5:

Manly Warringah Wolves vs. North Shore Bombers @ Blacktown International Sportspark, 1:50pm

Sunday, September 6:

UNSW-ES Bulldogs vs. Sydney University @ Blacktown International Sportspark, 1:10pm