A COUPLE of thrilling matches and a couple of potential blowouts present themselves for Round 5 of the AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division this weekend as we preview all the contests taking place. The rematch of last year’s preliminary final between East Coast Eagles and Sydney University to cap off the round is sure to be a highlight.

PENNANT HILLS DEMONS vs. MANLY WARRINGAH WOLVES
Saturday, May 3 @ 10:20am
Mike Kenny Oval

The match looms as a very long and tough day for the rebuilding Pennant Hills against a strong Manly side. The key for the Wolves will be to tidy up their possessions for when they face stronger opposition as they have been a little wayward in recent weeks. If they can begin to turn that around, they will be a threat again and it all starts here.

Isabella Rudolph has been in good form when the ball has come into her area and has the potential to kick a bag against a young Demons defence. However Sheridan Baker is one of the few experienced Pennant Hills backs and could be a real one-on-one challenge. Expect Manly to be far too strong regardless and it could be a triple-figure margin.

UTS BATS vs. UNSW-ES BULLDOGS
Saturday, May 3 @ 12:30pm
Waverley Oval

Two very evenly matched teams with very similar strengths and weaknesses. The Bats will be displeased with their performance last week and looking to atone against a Bulldogs side that only suffered its first loss of the year in Round 4. They will need to find a way to thwart the influence of Emily Conlan up forward as well as Aimee Whelan, while Sera Kaukiono is a threat across multiple positions.

UTS must also get its own play going and look for linking plays wherever possible and play more proactively than the stagnant brand from Round 4. A crucial match for both sides who have finals ambitions, but also to gain an advantage compared to rivals set to be battling it out in the mid-table. A draw is not out of the question, though the Dogs are in better form so UNSW by a point.

ST GEORGE DRAGONS vs. NORTH SHORE BOMBERS
Saturday, May 3 @ 2:00pm
Olds Park

A really tough task awaits the Dragons who are coming off their inaugural Women’s Premier Division win against the struggling Parramatta Goannas. The Bombers are a whole different challenge and play a style that will highlight the Dragons’ deficiencies in their development such as offensive run from contests and repeat possessions in transition. North Shore has put some teams to the sword on the scoreboard lately and it is not hard to see the same happening here, especially if Sophie Kavanagh gets off the chain.

Winning the midfield will allow multiple opportunities for Adrienne Keefe and the other forwards to finish on the big expanses of Olds Park, while the Dragons have found it difficult to score prior to last week. Keeping the pressure high is a must in order to restrict the Bombers’ offensive moment, and while it is tipped to be a one-sided contest, plenty can be learnt for the young Dragons. North Shore by around 14 goals.

EAST COAST EAGLES vs. SYDNEY UNIVERSITY
Saturday, May 3 @ 2:40pm
Bruce Purser Reserve

East Coast Eagles prepare for another big challenge as the next title threat in Sydney University is up next. The Students have been excellent so far in 2025 and are really looking to capitalise on the rise of their younger talent across the park and have really been coming on such as Daisy George and Arabella Price. The battle between Jasmine Smith and Renee Tomkins could be a great one with the Students set to get their first big test of the year.

While Sydney Uni has been fluent with its transitional play, the Eagles will be much better at stifling them so it will be fascinating to see how the young side deals with it. The question will be whether the Students have a Plan B, C, D or E or their scoring might dry up. For the Eagles, the inclusion of Emily Goodsir has helped bolster the three-time premiership side that is missing some quality talent this season. If she and Summer Hall can get going their they will be hard to stop. The Eagles have the edge due to having so many outside runners complementing their inside ball-winners and giving their forwards more opportunities. East Coast by 28 points.