A DOUBLE chance and last post-season spot are both on the line across the final weekend of the AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division as Round 18 kicks off.

SYDNEY UNIVERSITY vs PARRAMATTA GOANNAS
Saturday, August 23 @ 11:30am
Fairfax Reserve

In what is the more obvious result of the weekend, finals-bound Sydney University tackle bottom two side Parramatta Goannas. The Goannas did pick up their second win of the year last week – once more against winless Pennant Hills – but the Students loom as a far greater challenge. Adding to the spice of the match, the Students need to win by plenty to ensure East Coast does not overtake them on percentage for that crucial third spot and double chance next week.

Brea Trevitt and Marley Rhodes have been super for the Goannas all year and are bottom-agers to keep in mind for next season, finishing off with a huge test against the Students. Sydney University’s Frances Walsh is another player to note for 2026, as she looks to team up with the experienced Amanda Farrugia to get her side the important four points and percentage. Sydney Uni by around 70 points.

UNSW-ES BULLDOGS vs EAST COAST EAGLES
Saturday, August 23 @ 12:30pm
Blacktown International Sportspark

East Coast Eagles will have their eyes set on one thing which is gaining enough percentage to overtake Sydney University and snatch third spot on the ladder. They have secured a top four spot – and not in danger of dropping to sixth – but if they fall short of the required percentage, then they will likely face the Bulldogs again next week. The Bulldogs are coming off an incredible upset win over North Shore Bombers, and will need to do much of the same, because they are fighting for that fifth and final spot as well.

Bryany Parker has been in ripping form for the Eagles of late, and will be a key player once more, while Abbey Martin, Grace Tracey and Aysha Sanchez are all among a young East Coast contingent coming through. THe Bulldogs have a stack of talent themselves, with young ruck Amaia Wain a player who continues to get better, working in tandem with Sera Kaukiono. Senna Gulden plays her third game for the season and first since Round 9 for the Bulldogs, a key inclusion to work alongside Aimee Whelan. East Coast by 37.

NORTH SHORE BOMBERS vs UTS BATS
Saturday, August 23 @ 3:00pm
Gore Hill Oval

UTS Bats have their season on the line, because if the Eagles can in deed knock off the Bulldogs – which the Bats will know by the time the first bounce rolls around – then UTS can snatch fifth spot and a finals place with an upset over the Bombers. It seems incredibly difficult all things considered, but the Bulldogs did show they were gettable last week. Due to the match ratio, the Bombers cannot grab top spot, so are locked into second, but will aim to finish off with a big win ahead of a clash with either Sydney Uni or East Coast next week.

North Shore’s massive season has been helped by the further development of youth, with draftable prospects over the next three years. Kiera Yerbury and Grace Parsons are two such players in 2025, while the likes of Heidi de Saxe, Amelia Rainbow and Lucinda Watson are ones for the future. UTS has some similar standouts with Sophia Gaukrodger and Aoife Berry always looking a class up, as is talented National Academy ruck/forward Madeleine Quinn who will land somewhere at this year’s AFLW Draft. North Shore in a tight nine-point game.

PENNANT HILLS DEMONS vs ST GEORGE DRAGONS
Saturday, August 23 @ 5:20pm
Mike Kenny Oval

The last match of the regular season pits St George Dragons up against the last placed Pennant Hills Demons. There are no finals ramifications for this one, but a victory for the competition’s newest side would mean four wins in season two, and being a clear step ahead of both the Goannas and Demons. For Pennant Hills, finishing on a high with its first win of the season would be something special.

Pennant Hills has relied a lot on the experience of Sheridan Baker this season, while Bela Nash has been consistently among the Demons’ best, particularly of late. For the Dragons, Annabelle McHale and Montana Doubell are promising young prospects. St George by 20 points.