A GRAND FINAL rematch and standalone Sunday match headline Round 1 of the new AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division season, which kicks off tomorrow. We preview all four games.

PARRAMATTA GOANNAS vs. UTS BATS
Saturday, March 29 @ 12:15pm
Gipps Road Ovals

The opening match of the new season looms as a great battle that should consist of end-to-end action. UTS looks to amend its 2024 campaign that saw the reigning grand finalists fail to make finals narrowly. The inside contest will be pivotal to the end result, with the key being how much of a load the experienced Parramatta players will have to shoulder, or how they have developed their run and carry gamestyle as a team.

Alternatively, UTS’ run and gun style that the Bats showed last season works against the league’s battlers and could pose major issues for the Goannas. However, that style can be conducive to turnovers and getting punished the other way. Parramatta will look to keep the ball in close and stifle the Bats’ run and then the litmus test will be put to UTS whether or not the team is capable of extracting past the Goannas pressure.

Prediction: UTS to win in a tight, low-scoring contest one by four points.

NORTH SHORE BOMBERS vs. PENNANT HILLS DEMONS
Saturday, March 29 @ 12:40pm
Gore Hill Oval

On paper the clash looms as a mismatch given the Bombers’ experience compared to the young Demons. If the Bombers get their one, two or three trademark handpass game going with the outside run that can hurt serious contenders, then it could be a tough day at the office for Pennant Hills. Expect the home side to put on a big score and keep the crowd entertained, though Pennant Hills has a stronger defence than offence so the Demons will hope to deny North Shore’s forward thrusts.

Pennant Hills enters the season with a new coaching panel, lineup and different ambitions for the year ahead. It might take the Demons some time to adapt to the changes, but they will look to improve their ability to win contested possessions and transition to the outside in order to compete with the very best teams.

Prediction: North Shore should be too good and record a comfortable win.

MANLY WARRINGAH WOLVES vs. EAST COAST EAGLES
Saturday, March 29 @ 12:50pm
Weldon Oval

All eyes are on the grand final rematch as the Eagles start 2025 without some of their premiership stars in Caitlin Reid and Brooke Bailey, while Manly will look to continue their fantastic run throughout the finals into the new season. The Wolves can stifle great teams as they did to East Coast in the semi-finals, and expect them to be there right in the thick of finals action with the Eagles at year’s end.

Watch for a much more even contest on the inside, with Manly having a strong on-ball brigade that impressed during the Under 22s Summer Series. The Wolves might have to adapt when facing faster midfields, but should get first hands on the ball more often than not. However the Eagles are a known quantity as well, having now won the past three flags, and even without some quality big names, are a huge premiership threat.

Prediction: Expect the match to go down to the wire and be potentially goal-for-goal with either side capable of coming out on top. East Coast by one point.

UNSW-ES BULLDOGS vs. ST GEORGE DRAGONS
Sunday, March 30 @ 12:00pm
Henson Park

The standalone Sunday game in a season where traditional Saturday afternoon football is the norm, UNSW-ES Bulldogs get no better chance to start off a new year with a win against last year’s wooden spooners, St George Dragons. The Dragons are now into their second Premier Division season and will look to show what lessons they learned from year one, while the Bulldogs need to convert their forward 50 chances and punish opposition teams on the scoreboard.

UNSW has struggled offensively for some time even when playing well defensively, so it is hoped that 2025 can change the Bulldogs’ fortunes. Their best is good enough to compete with the contenders, and against a side still developing like St George, really should win the match rather comfortably. Expect to see plenty of contests around the ground, and the key to result will be who can extract the ball cleanly to the outside and deliver most effectively going forward. While Henson Park is known for its deep pockets and wide space on the wings, both sides must try and go route one in order to get the job done.

Prediction: Realistically the Bulldogs should win it rather comfortably given their experience, so a 34-point margin is the tip.

Bye: Sydney University WPD