THE northern competitions reach a pivotal juncture this weekend. In the AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division, Round 16 arrives with two rounds still to play and the top four very much alive, headlined by a blockbuster clash between UNSW-ES and the UTS Bats. In the QAFLW, the final home-and-away round is here, with the top five to be decided across five simultaneous clashes — and Southport’s minor premiership already locked in.

The new QAFLW top six finals series means the clear top six sides are all secured and Morningside definitely playing Wilston Grange next week, however the home team will be decided tomorrow. Southport has to wait to see whether it will meet Coorparoo or Bond University in the second week of finals, with the third placed team relegated to an elimination final against Aspley.

AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division

ROUND 16 FIXTURE:

East Coast Eagles vs. Sydney University | Saturday August 8, 12:00pm @ Bruce Purser Reserve
UNSW-ES Bulldogs vs. UTS Bats | Saturday August 8, 12:00pm @ Henson Park
Manly Warringah Wolves vs. Pennant Hills Demons | Saturday August 8, 12:10pm @ Weldon Oval
St George Dragons vs. Parramatta Goannas | Saturday August 8, 1:25pm @ Kelso Park North

Bye: North Shore Bombers

The match of the round is the top-five clash at Henson Park, where the UNSW-ES Bulldogs host the UTS Bats. Both sides are locked in a tight battle for finals positioning – UNSW-ES sit fourth on 40 points, while the Bats are fifth on 32 – and the result here will have significant implications for the final two rounds. The Bulldogs have been one of the most consistent sides in the competition and will be fierce at home, with Sera Kaukiono looking to build on her six-goal haul against the Eagles last round. The Bats, meanwhile, are stinging after being held scoreless by Manly in a bizarre result that saw them win the disposal count but register zero scores. Taylah Canobie, Tara Coopman and Olivia Morris will need to be at their best to drag the Bats back into form.

With North Shore on the bye, Sydney University has a golden opportunity to temporarily leapfrog the Bombers at Bruce Purser Reserve, where they face the East Coast Eagles. The Students will be eager to respond after their 73-point thumping at the hands of North Shore last round, with Amanda Farrugia, Frances Walsh and Evie Bowie the key figures to watch. The Eagles produced the upset of Round 15, defeating Parramatta by nine points with Nellie McMillan outstanding, and will be full of confidence. Sydney Uni should still be too strong, but the Eagles have shown they can compete.

Weldon Oval hosts Manly Warringah Wolves against Pennant Hills Demons. The Wolves are in commanding form at the top of the ladder and will be looking to extend their lead, with Lauren Bull, Hannah Woolf and Isabella Rudolph all in excellent touch. Pennant Hills remain winless and will face a significant challenge, but will be desperate to put some scores on the board. Manly to win comfortably.

Closing out the round at Kelso Park North, the St George Dragons host the Parramatta Goannas in a battle between two sides sitting level on 12 points. St George will be looking to avenge their loss to Parramatta earlier in the season, with Jordan Davis and Paige Bauer in good form. Parramatta, meanwhile, were stung by the Eagles last round and will be desperate to respond, with Brea Trevitt and Lauren O’Sullivan needing to lead the charge. A genuine toss-up between two evenly matched sides.

QAFL Women’s

ROUND 16 FIXTURE:

Moreton Bay vs. Southport | Saturday August 8, 3:45pm @ Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex Broadbeach vs. Bond University | Saturday August 8, 4:45pm @ Kombumerri Park
Aspley vs. Maroochydore | Saturday August 8, 4:45pm @ Graham Road
Morningside vs. University of Queensland | Saturday August 8, 4:45pm @ Jack Esplen Oval
Coorparoo vs. Wilston Grange | Saturday August 8, 4:45pm @ Giffin Park

The QAFLW minor premiership is already decided – Southport has locked it in and will enjoy a week off regardless of this round’s results – but the battle for positions two through five is set to go down to the wire. Coorparoo sit second on 48 points, Bond University third on 44, Morningside fourth on 40, and Wilston Grange fifth on 36, meaning every result across the four simultaneous 4:45pm clashes matters enormously.

The standout clash of the round takes place at Giffin Park, where Coorparoo hosts Wilston Grange. The Kings will be looking to secure second spot and a double chance, with Ayla Fetahagic and Grace Roberts-White the key ball-winners after another strong showing last round. Wilston Grange, meanwhile, suffered a stinging eight-point loss to Aspley last round and Layla Collins and Mackenzie Findlay will need to be at their very best. A high-stakes clash with genuine finals implications for both sides.

Jack Esplen Oval hosts Morningside against the University of Queensland. The Panthers are fourth on the ladder and will essentially be playing the Gorillas next week, with Stella Scott, Zoe Petrides and Isabella Levine all in strong form. UQ produced a spirited showing against Coorparoo last round despite going down by 11 points, with Luka Yoshida-Martin outstanding with 37 disposals. The Red Lionesses have nothing to lose and could prove a dangerous opponent for a Panthers side with a home elimination final – compared to on the road – to play for. Morningside should have enough to get the job done at home.

Kombumerri Park hosts Broadbeach against Bond University in a clash with major implications for the top three. The Bull Sharks bounced back emphatically from their narrow loss to Coorparoo with a 74-point demolition of Moreton Bay, with Shannon Nolan and Kendra Blattman outstanding. Bond University will be heavy favourites, but Broadbeach showed last round they can compete against the competition’s best sides, with Stephanie Aguinaldo tireless in a gallant effort against Southport. Bond University to win and keep the pressure on Coorparoo.

Graham Road hosts Aspley against Maroochydore. The Hornets produced the upset of the round last week, defeating Wilston Grange by eight points to officially secure sixth spot in the new finals series, with Eva Downie and Ella Smith both outstanding. Maroochydore have been competitive without getting results, with Molly Ferguson and Kya Wills-Rawlings among the competition’s best young players. A fitting end-of-season contest between two sides with talented young lists.

Southport close out the QAFLW home-and-away season at the Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex, where they face the Lions. The Sharks have already secured the minor premiership and will use this game to fine-tune their preparations ahead of finals, with Ella Maurer, Steph O’Brien and Sienna Clinch all key figures. Moreton Bay have shown improvement in recent weeks despite their record, with Jessica Davy consistently one of the hardest workers on the field. Southport to win comfortably in what will be a valuable hit-out before the finals.