EAST Coast Eagles grabbed the four points they needed to go that amount clear inside the top four of the AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division ladder. The Eagles were far too good for developing side Parramatta Goannas, with the three-time reigning premier coming away with a 7.13 (55) to 0.0 (0) victory at Bruce Purser Reserve on Saturday.

Most of the work was done in the first half when the Eagles piled on five unanswered goals to head into the main break with a 34-point lead. Credit must go to the young Goannas who made a game of it in the second half, only conceding two goals, but still struggling to get offensive movement themselves in the eventual 55-point defeat.

The Eagles had 93 more disposals, nine more clearances and a whopping 32 more inside 50s to win via eight of numbers. Scoring 63 per cent of the time they entered the forward 50, the Eagles had too many standouts with a mix of youth and experience.

Aysha Sanchez (31 disposals, four marks, six inside 50s and a goal) and Jessica Whelan (30 disposals, nine clearances, seven tackles and three inside 50s) were the prime ball-winners in the victory, while Bryany Parker, Taylah Canobie and bottom-ager Addison Hickey all had 25-plus disposals and kicked a goal in the win.

The Goannas were spearheaded by young clearance midfielder Brea Trevitt who racked up 31 disposals, 12 clearances, six tackles and three inside 50s in defeat. Ashley Gray (22 disposals) and Cindy Lam (20) were also prominent, while Marley Rhodes did well through the ruck.

EAST COAST EAGLES 2.3 | 5.4 | 6.9 | 7.13 (55)
PARRAMATTA GOANNAS 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 (0)

GOALS:
East Coast: T. Canobie, H. Griffin, A. Hickey, A. Sanchez, R. Tomkins, K. Treadgold Simons
Parramatta: Nil.

BEST:
East Coast: A. Sanchez, J. Whelan, B. Parker, T. Canobie, R. Tomkins
Parramatta: B. Trevitt, C. Connaughton, I. Gow, A. Saad, S. Seal

AROUND THE GROUNDS

In the closest game of the round, top of the table North Shore Bombers saw off another title contender by defeating Sydney University by 21 points. The Bombers conceded both their opponent’s goals in the second term, but otherwise kicked 4.5 to 0.2 across the three other quarters.

Bottom-age duo Heidi de Saxe and Charlotte Tidemann continued their fantastic seasons with their respective inside and outside roles, while for the Students, Amanda Farrugia used all her experience to get on top around the stoppages with eight clearances from 20 touches.

Meanwhile second placed Manly Warringah Wolves had an easy day out in challenging conditions, getting up 5.13 (43) to 0.1 (1). The Wolves kept building their lead against the bottom three side and completely shut down the Dragons’ offence in the seven-goal victory.

Hannah Wolf (24 disposals, seven clearances, five inside 50s) lead the way for the Wolves with partner in crime, Kenya Fahey managed 21 disposals, three clearances and eight inside 50s in the triumph. For the Dragons, Caydelan Mitchell-Bruce was the pick of the Dragons with a team-high 21 disposals and eight clearances in the loss.

Finally, UTS Bats cruised past cellar dwellers Pennant Hills Demons en route to a 61-point win. The Bates struggled with inaccuracy at times before posting an 8.14 (62) to 0.1 (1) victory. Sophia Gaukrodger (24 disposals, four marks, three clearances, four tackles, seven inside 50s and 2.4) and Tallulah Kirk were huge for the winners, while Bela Nash and the experience Sheridan Baker stood tall for the Demons in defeat.