MANLY Warringah Wolves became the last remaining side with only one loss to their name after handing Sydney University a second straight defeat, sending the Students down to third spot on the AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division ladder after 11 rounds. The top two sides were neck-and-neck throughout the first three quarters before the visitors pulled away with an extra goal to win by eight points, 3.11 (29) to 3.3 (21).

In a battle between two flag fancies, Manly Warringah Wolves overcame a goalless first term and an inaccurate first three quarters – where they kicked 1.9 from 10 scoring shots to Sydney University’s 2.3 from five scoring shots – to still secure the win with the extra behinds. Late goals in the final stanza saw the Wolves overcome the Students and leave Sydney Uni in a little bit of a slump following its loss to UTS Bats the week before.

The Wolves controlled possession with 34 more disposals, winning both the contested (plus-13) and uncontested (plus-26) possession counts, as well as taking the ball at the source with six more clearances despite being heavily beaten in the hitouts (29-51). In the end the weight of inside 50s (34-21) was the difference between the two sides in the narrow result.

Star midfielder Hannah Woolf had a day out with 28 disposals, 10 clearances – including three centre clearances – three tackles and five inside 50s, working well with Kenya Fahey and Andrea Roditis through the middle as the pair had four clearances apiece in the win. Forward Isabella Rudolph was the only multiple goalkicker with two, while Ashleigh Carter finished with 19 disposals, six marks – three contested and five intercepts – playing a crucial role behind the ball.

In the absence of Emma Juneja who ran out for Box Hill in the VFLW, it was stalwart Amanda Farrugia who did all the inside work racking up 10 of her side’s 22 clearances, as well as having 18 contested possessions among her 20 disposals, and laying six tackles. She worked well with Cassie Brown (10 disposals, five clearances and four tackles), while ruck Molly Cameron did her best to get on top with 41 hitouts. Emma Walsh and Frances Walsh were also among the better Sydney Uni players with 11 touches apiece.

Sydney University faces another tough task next weekend when it takes on three-time reigning premiers East Coast Eagles at home, while Manly Warringah Wolves return to Weldon Oval against the last placed Pennant Hills Demons.

SYDNEY UNIVERSITY 1.0 | 2.1 | 2.3 | 3.3 (21)
MANLY WARRINGAH 0.4 | 1.7 | 1.9 | 3.11 (29)

GOALS:
Sydney University: D. George, E. Kennedy, N. McMahon
Manly Warringah: I. Rudolph 2, L. Bourgeois

RMC BEST:
Sydney University: A. Farrugia, C. Brown, M. Cameron, E. Walsh, F. Walsh
Manly Warringah: H. Woolf, K. Fahey, A. Carter, A. Roditis I. Rudolph

AROUND THE GROUNDS

North Shore Bombers continued their massive ascent up the ladder with their percentage growing to a ridiculous 757.86 from an 8-2 record. They obliterated St George Dragons 21.13 (139) to 0.1 (1) to Gore Hill Oval with the youth again standing tall.

Heidi de Saxe (26 disposals, five clearances, three tackles and six inside 50s), Lucy Yates (23 disposals, four clearances, four tackles, nine inside 50s and a goal) and Amelia Rainbow (20 disposals, three clearances and four inside 50s) found plenty of the ball, while Adrienne Keeffe and Cassidy McArthur combined for nine goals up forward.

Meanwhile UTS Bats continued their mid-season form with a 46-point triumph over UNSW-ES Bulldogs at Henson Park. Sophia Gaukrodger (27 disposals, four marks, ive clearances, 11 tackles, nine inside 50s and three goals had a massive day out, with Aoife Berry (16 disposals, three marks, four tackles and nine inside 50s) lively in attack.

Brianna-Lee Wade added three more goals to her nine from nine disposals. For the Dogs, Amaia Wain had 38 hitouts from 13 disposals, while Shelby Koh (25 disposals, nine marks) added plenty of run on the outside.

In the other match, Parramatta Goannas finally had a reason to celebrate, defeating Pennant Hills Demons in the battle of the winless sides. The Goannas did it comprehensively in the end, booting seven goals to nil after quarter time to win, 9.8 (62) to 1.3 (9).

Youngsters Marley Rhodes (17 disposals, 41 hitouts, six clearances, five tackles and six inside 50s and Brea Trevitt (11 disposals, three marks, 10 tackles, four inside 50s) and two goals were both very good, while Michala Ford (11 disposals, three goals) and Khobi Devine (14 disposals, two goals) both booted multiple goals as well. Sheridan Baker was once again a shining light for the Demons, amassing 29 disposals, 10 marks – three contested – and laying five tackles in defeat.