THE northern competitions enter the business end of their respective seasons this weekend. In the AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division, four rounds remain and the top four is far from settled, with a blockbuster clash between second-placed Sydney University and third placed North Shore headlining the round. In the QAFLW, Round 15 is the penultimate home-and-away fixture before finals, and with the top five still very much in flux, every result carries enormous weight.

AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division

ROUND 15 FIXTURE:

North Shore Bombers vs. Sydney University | Saturday August 1, 12:20pm @ Gore Hill Oval
Parramatta Goannas vs. East Coast Eagles | Saturday August 1, 12:20pm @ Gipps Road Ovals
UTS Bats vs. Manly Warringah Wolves | Saturday August 1, 12:45pm @ Waverley Oval
Pennant Hills Demons vs. St George Dragons | Saturday August 1, 1:00pm @ Mike Kenny Oval

Bye: UNSW-ES Bulldogs

The match of the round is the top-three clash at Gore Hill Oval, where the North Shore Bombers host Sydney University. Both sides have been in scintillating form, with North Shore’s 105-point demolition of St George last round – led by Charlotte Tidemann and Heidi de Saxe – a reminder of just how dangerous the Bombers are at home.

Sydney University, meanwhile, were equally ruthless in their 156-0 dismantling of Pennant Hills, with Amanda Farrugia dominant through the middle and Allies representatives Frances Walsh and Evie Bowie both outstanding. With UNSW-ES on the bye, a win here could prove decisive in the race for a double-chance. Expect a genuine arm-wrestle between two sides who have drawn against each other earlier in the season – this one could go either way.

Waverley Oval hosts a fascinating contest between the UTS Bats and ladder leaders Manly Warringah Wolves. The Wolves return from their bye in top spot and will be eager to maintain their advantage, while the Bats will be buoyed by their gritty win over Parramatta last round, with Emma Keane and Kaitlin McCaffery among the best. Manly’s class should prove the difference with the likes of Hannah Woolf and Lauren Bull in great form, but the Bats are finals bound and will aim to push the Wolves hard at their home ground.

Gipps Road Ovals hosts the Parramatta Goannas against the East Coast Eagles. Parramatta will be looking to build on their competitive showing against UTS last round, with Brea Trevitt and Lauren O’Sullivan providing the spark up forward. The Eagles have struggled for wins this season but will compete hard, as they always do. Parramatta to win and continue their push up the ladder.

Closing out the round at Mike Kenny Oval, the Pennant Hills Demons take on the St George Dragons in a clash between the two bottom four sides. Both teams have had difficult seasons, but this represents a genuine opportunity for either side to claim a rare victory. St George will carry a strong edge given their greater experience and having at least notched up two wins, with Ruby O’Dwyer one of the more reliable performers in the competition, but Pennant Hills will be desperate to put some scores on the board given their percentage is less than one.

QAFL Women’s

ROUND 15 FIXTURE:

Southport vs. Broadbeach | Saturday August 1, 2:00pm @ Fankhauser Reserve
Wilston Grange vs. Aspley | Saturday August 1, 2:00pm @ Hickey Park
Bond University vs. Moreton Bay | Saturday August 1, 3:45pm @ Bond University Oval
University of Queensland vs. Coorparoo | Saturday August 1, 4:00pm @ UQ Playing Field 2 Maroochydore vs. Morningside | Saturday August 1, 4:45pm @ Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex

With just one round of home-and-away football remaining after this weekend, the QAFLW finals picture is coming into sharp focus. Southport sit clear at the top, while the battle for positions two through five is fiercely contested, with Coorparoo, Bond University, Wilston Grange and Morningside all separated by just eight points.

The standout clash of the round takes place at UQ, where the University of Queensland host second-placed Coorparoo. The Kings will be looking to consolidate their position after their nail-biting three-point win over Bond University last round, with Ayla Fetahagic and Grace Roberts-White the key ball-winners. UQ, meanwhile, were outstanding in their 67-point demolition of Moreton Bay, with Luka Yoshida-Martin best afield and Freya Ross adding enormous run through the middle. The Red Lionesses are mathematically alive in the finals race and will treat this as a must-win. Coorparoo are favoured, but UQ at home with nothing to lose is a dangerous proposition.

Hickey Park hosts a crucial clash between Wilston Grange and Aspley, with both sides’ finals hopes on the line. The Gorillas are fourth on the ladder but were held to just one goal by Morningside last round, a result that will have stung. Zimra Hussain, Layla Collins and Mackenzie Findlay will need to be at their best to restore Wilston Grange’s momentum. Aspley, meanwhile, are sixth and need to record two big wins in the last fortnight – while needing Wilston Grange or Morninside to loose both heavily – to keep their finals dream alive. Ella Smith has been one of the competition’s best players over the last month, and Summer Carriage continues to impress. A genuinely even contest with significant ladder implications.

Neil Upton Oval hosts a fascinating clash between Maroochydore and Morningside. The Panthers secured a vital 28-point win over Wilston Grange last round, with Stella Scott, Raffi Baviello and Ella Gibson all influential, and will be looking to cement their top-five spot. Maroochydore, meanwhile, will be stinging from their loss to Broadbeach and have the talent to compete, with Molly Ferguson and Kya Wills-Rawlings both in form. Morningside are favoured, but the Roos at home with their representative talent available makes this anything but a foregone conclusion.

Fankhauser Reserve hosts ladder leaders Southport against Broadbeach. The Sharks were dominant in their 33-point win over Aspley last round, with Steph O’Brien, Ella Maurer and Sienna Clinch all outstanding, and will be looking to lock up the minor premiership. Broadbeach had a hard-fought win over Maroochydore last round, with Stephanie Aguinaldo and Makayla Sekac leading the way, but face a significant step up in class against the competition’s best side. Southport to win comfortably.

Bond University close out the round at home against Moreton Bay. The Bull Sharks will be desperate to respond after their heartbreaking three-point loss to Coorparoo last round, with Shannon Nolan and Evy Reeves needing to reassert their dominance through the middle. Moreton Bay have shown improvement in recent weeks despite their record, with Jessica Davy continuing to fight hard every week. Bond University to win convincingly and keep the pressure on the teams above them.