AN INTRIGUING final match caps off Round 16 of the AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division with two finals-bound sides going head-to-head after three predictable matches across the league earlier in the day. We take a look at the four games in action.

ST GEORGE DRAGONS vs. UTS BATS
Saturday, August 9 @ 12:10pm
Olds Park

UTS Bats are coming off a dominant 61-point win in the wet against Pennant Hills Demons where inaccuracy – 8.14 (62) – was the main factor in not making the result even more one-sided. The younger contingent of Bats such as Sophia Gaukrodger, Tallulah Kirk and Aoife Berry are all in very good form and should continue that against their bottom three opponent. Theoretically the Bats are still chasing a finals spot and sit just outside the top five, but also need the percentage required in a match like this.

St George will look to defend, defend and defend, but kicking a winning score will be the problem. Watch for Caydelan Mitchell-Bruce to be a key player after a 21-disposals, eight-clearance game against the Wolves and should have an easier time getting her hands on the ball her too. Annabelle McHale and Montana Doubell are other young guns to watch. UTS by six goals.

PARRAMATTA GOANNAS vs. MANLY WARRINGAH WOLVES
Saturday, August 9 @ 12:20pm
Gipps Road Ovals

Competition leading goalkicker Isabella Rudolph has the opportunity to really fill her boots against the battling Goannas, who have some promising young players but are not in the same developmental phase as the Wolves. Even without the likes of Hannah Woolf, Manly has Lauren Bull and Ava Barraclough as players supporting the in-form duo of Kenya Fahey and Andrea Roditis.

The form of Brea Trevitt might have flown under the radar considering hte Goannas’ struggles, but the bottom-ager racked up 31 touches, 12 clearances and six tackles in the torrential rain against the Eagles. She and fellow Giants Academy member Marley Rhodes are both putting their best foot forward in an otherwise tough season for Parramatta. In fine conditions, the Wolves could win by triple digits.

PENNANT HILLS DEMONS vs. EAST COAST EAGLES
Saturday, August 9 @ 12:35pm
Mike Kenny Oval

Another game set to be quite one-sided, East Coast Eagles rattled off a 55-point win over Parramatta Goannas last round in the wet, making it back-to-back victories since a disappointing loss to North Shore in Round 14. Fortunately for the Eagles, the Demons have very much struggled offensively and defensively, with the rain saving a fourth straight 100-point loss last round.

Aysha Sanchez stepped up well in the conditions for the Eagles, while the likes of Jessica Whelan and Bryany Parker are other key names. They are not quite the Eagles of old given the bulk of their three-time premiership list have moved on, but they will still be too strong for the Demons here. Bela Nash was very good last week in the loss to UTS, while Sheridan Baker has been a clear standout for the Demons all year in defence, taking seven marks from 24 touches in Round 15.

SYDNEY UNIVERSITY vs. UNSW-ES BULLDOGS
Saturday, August 9 @ 2:00pm
Sydney Uni Oval

Sydney University looked like the team to beat early in the season, but have slipped well back to the pack and below both the Wolves and Bombers, while the Eagles are coming. Put simply, the Students must win this match, and they should, with the Bulldogs’ best good enough to match it with them, but they are yet to really look on top against a quality opponent for four quarters.

Coming off a bye, the Bulldogs should be well rested with the three bottom sides prior to that and wins of 48, 186 and 110 to really boost that percentage. The Students will be far toucher and wanting to atone for their loss to North Shore last round. Emily Conlan is the one to stop up forward and has been brilliant for the Dogs, while Amaia Wain and Sera Kaukiono pose problems in midfield. For Sydney Uni, the experience of Amanda Farrugia is crucial, while Saskia Johnson and Frances Walsh are also key components between the arcs. Sydney Uni by four goals.