SYDNEY University is headed to the big dance after upsetting Manly Warringah Wolves and sending out the AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division minor premier in straight sets. The Wolves were forced to use their double chance after a meek loss to North Shore Bombers last weekend, but found themselves completely eliminated after a shock 12-point loss to Sydney University at Bruce Purser Reserve on Saturday.

In a low-scoring tussle, the Students raced out a 14-0 first term lead thanks to two late goals in quarter one from Amanda Farrugia and Jasmine Smith. It took until Jayda Kennedy‘s straight kick nine minutes into the second term for the Wolves to get on the board, and when she struck again three minutes into the third quarter, the Wolves had cut the deficit back to two points.

However it was Sydney Uni that would pepper the scoreboard throughout the next 20 minutes as the Students kicked 1.4 for the rest of the term, the sole major coming off the boot of skipper Emma Walsh. Smith would boot the sealer 90 seconds into the fourth term, and while Annabel Lynch would respond for the Wolves midway through the quarter, it would ultimately only reduce the damage back to 12 points.

In the end, Sydney University had completed the upset with a 4.7 (31) to 3.1 (19) result despite missing Frances Walsh – one of her side’s best from the week before – who ran out in the Under 17 Futures match in Melbourne. Fortunately for the bottom-ager, her teammates got the job done enabling her to regain her place for next week’s grand final.

Despite winning the hitouts 52-32, the Students actually lost the clearances (31-34), but were able to put pressure on the Wolves causing uncharacteristic mistakes and the visitors intercepted and worked the ball inside 50. There, the underdogs recorded nine more inside 50s (34-25), scoring one third of the times they went inside 50. Though the accuracy was an issue, they peppered the goals so much that it cut off supply to the Wolves’ forwards.

Lead by the experienced Farrugia (20 disposals, four marks, six clearances, six tackles, two inside 50s and a goal, the Students took it right up to the Wolves, and Maryanne Harley (21 disposals, seven clearances, five tackles and five inside 50s) and Saskia Johnson (21 disposals, four marks, four clearances, five tackles and four inside 50s) were all outstanding around the ball.

The Students defence kept competition leading goalkicker Isabella Rudolph to just six disposals, nine marks and no score which was crucial in getting the win, as only Kennedy (two goals) punished them multiple times. Smith kicked two majors for the winners, while Molly Cameron (38 hitouts) was dominant in the ruck, and Evie Bowie and Walsh also played key roles.

For the Wolves, Mostyn Medal winner Hannah Woolf battled on strongly with 19 disposals, six clearances and four inside 50s, teaming up well with fellow star Kenya Fahey (20 disposals, five clearances and four inside 50s). However they were unable to stop the Students from keeping the ball entering the 50 on repeat occasions, and ultimately putting enough score on the board to come away with the victory.

MANLY WARRINGAH 0.0 | 1.1 | 2.1 | 3.1 (19)
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY 2.2 | 2.3 | 3.7 | 4.7 (31)

GOALS:
Manly Warringah: J. Kennedy 2, A. Lynch
Sydney University: J. Smith 2, A. Farrugia, E. Walsh

RMC BEST:
Manly Warringah: K. Fahey, H. Woolf, A. Lynch, A. Carter, A. Barraclough
Sydney University: A. Farrugia, M. Harley, S. Johnson, J. Smith, E. Bowie