A VERY unique and interesting weekend awaits for AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division fans as four evenly contested matches take place across tomorrow. So far the average winning margin across all games is at a whopping 84 points, however the quirk of the draw is that many of the contenders have faced the developing sides causing that gap, which all changes this weekend.

PARRAMATTA GOANNAS vs. ST GEORGE DRAGONS
Saturday, April 26 @ 12:25pm
Gipps Road Oval

Two sides who have not developed their offensive game to the level yet face off in the opening match with the Goannas yet to score in 2025. Both teams have signatures of maximum effort on defence, so the contest will come down to which of the Goannas or Dragons can create scoreboard pressure through ball movement.

On the long expanses of the Gipps Road Oval where it takes longer to get end-to-end, the match looms as a low-scoring, tight clash that will likely be an armwrestle to the final side. The edge goes to St George who at least have created some scoring opportunities against the bigger teams. If the Dragons do get up, it would make history as their first win in the Women’s Premier Division.

St George by 15 points.

SYDNEY UNIVERSITY vs. UTS BATS
Saturday, April 26 @ 1:20pm
Sydney Uni

The second match will feature two teams who are still improving their ball movement in transition and though look promising in the early parts of the season and are capable of squeezing into the finals. Sydney Uni has looked sharp lately against the bottom sides, while UTS’ recent performance against Manly was very impressive.

Both sides could not be more evenly matched with the influence of Amanda Farrugia in the middle for Sydney Uni potentially the differing factor. Both she and Saskia Johnson have been the best for the Students this year, and they and the rest of the side will need to keep the ball away from Jessica Quade who is key for the Bats. She has the type of game that really troubles Sydney Uni’s defence.

Sydney Uni by one point.

NORTH SHORE BOMBERS vs. EAST COAST EAGLES
Saturday, April 26 @ 1:20pm
Gore Hill Oval

Undoubtedly the heavyweight match of the competition with the reigning three-time premiers East Coast Eagles facing off against the most impressive side of 2025 to-date. The big question is whether or not North Shore is the real deal in 2025, and so far the Bombers have destroyed the lower teams on the ladder. In Round 4, they get their first big test and the likes of Sophie Kavanagh have the opportunity to go head-to-head with the league champions.

East Coast will also see the threat of the Bombers and defensively must be at a high level in order to quell the Bombers’ defence. The Eagles cannot rely on what has won them the last three flags – intercepting play at half-back and scoring off turnover – with North Shore happy to use handballs to run and carry down the field. The Bombers must keep the ball away from the experienced Eagles and have multiple scoring avenues if the key players are shut down.

East Coast by two goals or less.

MANLY WARRINGAH WOLVES vs. UNSW-ES BULLDOGS
Saturday, April 26 @ 4:30pm
Weldon Oval

Completing the round’s action is another intriguing clash between Manly and UNSW. The Wolves deserve to be favourites, but the Bulldogs have not put a foot wrong all season. Manly has looked a little vulnerable at times such as their 32-point loss to North Shore in Round 2. The Bulldogs are 3-0 but have beaten the bottom three teams, so the real test begins now.

Unlike across the first three rounds, the pressure will be sky high so the Bulldogs will be really tested under those circumstances. In recent seasons, UNSW has failed to translate effort into score due to the external pressure on the ball carrier. Conversely, Manly’s strength is its ability to shut down runners through fantastic athleticism. However, the Wolves need to make sure they are not turning the ball over too often and getting hurt going the other way.

Manly by 23 points.

Bye: Pennant Hills Demons