SYDNEY University has transformed a one-point half-time deficit into a commanding 20-point preliminary final victory over Manly Warringah Wolves, kicking four unanswered goals after the main break to secure its place in the 2026 AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division Grand Final.

Sydney University 8.3 (51) def. Manly Warringah Wolves 4.7 (31)

In a repeat of last year’s preliminary final, the Students trailed by a point at the main break but controlled the game thereafter, kicking four unanswered goals across the second half. The result gives Sydney University another chance at North Shore Bombers in the decider after the Students overcame Manly at the same stage in 2025 before falling to the Bombers a week later.

For the Wolves, it is a painful straight-sets exit for a second consecutive season. Their pressure and contested work kept them in the contest early, but Manly could not establish enough clean passages of play or consistently connect through half-forward to make its early ascendency count.

Manly made the sharper start and took a narrow 2.1 (13) to 2.0 (12) advantage into quarter-time. There was little between the sides through the second term, either, with the Wolves preserving their one-point buffer at half-time, 4.3 (27) to 4.2 (26).

The third quarter proved decisive. Sydney University absorbed the initial contest, applied more effective pressure to the ball carrier and began using its hands with greater purpose to release teammates into space. The Students held Manly to a solitary behind and added 2.1 themselves, turning a one-point deficit into an 11-point lead at the final change.

Manly briefly found the direct centre-bounce release it had been searching for at the start of the last term, but it came at a time when the Wolves needed immediate scoreboard reward. A sequence of two behinds and an out-on-the-full chance kept the door open, before Sydney University scrounged the ball forward and struck back. The Students then kicked another goal to finish the job, adding 2.0 in the last term while keeping Manly goalless to run out 8.3 (51) to 4.7 (31) winners.

Two fortunate bounces helped Sydney University on the scoreboard, but they were not the difference. The Students were the cleaner, more composed team as the contest wore on, making their extra possessions matter and repeatedly punishing Manly’s inability to build linkage through the middle and across half-forward.

The numbers reflected a contest won in different ways. Manly won the clearance count, 28-21, and narrowly edged the hitouts, 36-35, while registering more tackles, 85-78. Yet Sydney University amassed 280 disposals to Manly’s 223, generated one more inside 50 and produced the superior ball use and forward efficiency. Both teams had 11 scoring shots, but the Students converted eight goals to Manly’s four.

Amanda Farrugia was the clear standout through the midfield, collecting a game-high 34 disposals, seven clearances, seven tackles and four inside 50s. Her presence around the ball set the tone for Sydney University, and she helped limit the influence of Manly midfielder Hannah Woolf. Saskia Johnson was ferocious in support with 22 disposals and a game-high 10 tackles, while Evie Bowie combined 22 disposals with three clearances, eight tackles and three inside 50s.

The Students were forced to make a late change before the game when Frances Walsh was ruled out, but they received important contributions from players who have not always attracted the same attention. Madison McCarthy stood up strongly on the big stage with 17 disposals and five inside 50s, Ryleigh Delacour-Batch was particularly important in the tight first half, and Kara Durante showed composure after coming into the contest late.

Lucy Gilfedder continued her excellent finals series with two goals from 18 disposals, while Jessica Robertson also kicked two majors from 17 touches. Jessica Lee Urquhart provided the defining scoreboard impact with three goals from 10 disposals, underlining her value as a forward target, and Molly Gibbs added the remaining major. Molly Cameron gave the Students a valuable contest in the ruck with 21 hitouts.

For Manly, Ashleigh Carter was a constant presence in defence, reading the ball well and repeatedly attempting to halt Sydney University’s momentum. But when an intercept defender is among a side’s most influential players, it often speaks to how much pressure that defence has absorbed.

Kenya Fahey could certainly hold her head high. She produced 15 disposals, three clearances, seven tackles and four inside 50s. More significant than the raw numbers was her intent. Fahey attacked the football and was one of Manly’s few players able to win contested possessions that translated into meaningful forward movement. It will be a question for the Wolves going forward as to why a player with that burst and willingness was so often on the edge of their setup rather than at its centre.

Holly Wickham provided some drive with 16 disposals, six tackles and three inside 50s, while Lauren Bull’s work rate around the contest included 10 tackles. Roxy Beuzeville also had her moments. Andrea Roditis led the Wolves with 20 disposals, six clearances and five tackles, and the ruck pairing of Abbie Hayes and Jayme Saggers combined for 33 hitouts. Bella Clarke kicked two goals, with Isabella Rudolph and Ava Barraclough adding one each.

There had been little to separate the teams across the opening half, but Sydney University’s improvement after the main break was unmistakable. The Students matched Manly’s pressure, made better decisions with the ball and found targets when the game was there to be won. Their return to the Grand Final is reward for a group that has continued to grow, while the competitiveness of Manly, Sydney University and North Shore across the finals series remains a positive sign for the strength of women’s football in Sydney.