UNSW-ES Bulldogs produced a spirited second-half comeback to edge Sydney University by nine points in the final round of the AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division home-and-away season, sealing third spot in the process.

The Bulldogs will now meet North Shore Bombers in Saturday’s qualifying final, while the fourth-placed Students face UTS Bats in Sunday’s elimination final. North Shore also signed off its regular season in extraordinary fashion, matching Manly Warringah Wolves’ Round 16 scoreline of 30.17 (197) in a 197-point demolition of Pennant Hills Demons.

The minor premiers Wolves finished their campaign with a 56-point win over Parramatta Goannas, while St George Dragons overturned a 13-point half-time deficit to defeat East Coast Eagles by six points. Manly will enjoy the first week of finals off, with North Shore and UNSW-ES set to meet at Blacktown International Sportspark on Saturday before Sydney University takes on UTS on Sunday.

UNSW-ES Bulldogs 7.6 (48) def. Sydney University 6.3 (39)

UNSW-ES Bulldogs came from six points down at half-time to defeat Sydney University by nine points at Sydney Uni, claiming third place on the final ladder. The Bulldogs made the faster start, kicking three goals to one in the opening term, but Sydney University seized control in the second with four goals to one to take a 31-25 lead into the main break.

The Bulldogs responded when it mattered most, booting three goals to one in the third term to turn a six-point deficit into a 13-point lead. Sydney University reduced the margin by four points in the final quarter, but UNSW-ES held firm to bank its 13th win and earn a qualifying final berth. The visitors had the edge in disposals (209-182), tackles (32-26) and inside 50s (34-20), though Sydney University won the clearance count 18-14.

Maddy Collier was prolific for the Bulldogs with 20 disposals, four marks, five inside 50s and a goal. Francesca Ryan booted two majors from 19 disposals, while Sera Kaukiono matched her output with two goals from 16 disposals and three marks. Emily Conlan (17 disposals, two clearances, four inside 50s) and Rani Sossai (16 disposals, two clearances, four tackles) were important through the middle, as Bec Newman provided the platform with 32 hitouts.

For the Students, Amanda Farrugia did everything she could to drag her side over the line, accumulating 21 disposals, nine clearances, six tackles and three inside 50s. Frances Walsh collected 17 disposals, four marks and three inside 50s, while Saskia Johnson and Yasmin Sayer each had 16 touches. Lucy Gilfedder was the dominant forward on the ground, booting four goals from 11 disposals and seven marks.

North Shore Bombers 30.17 (197) def. Pennant Hills Demons 0.0 (0)

North Shore Bombers rounded out the home-and-away campaign with a staggering 197-point shutout of Pennant Hills at Gore Hill Oval, matching the score Manly Warringah produced against the Demons in Round 16. The Bombers were out of reach by quarter-time after booting 7.4 (46), then piled on an incredible 11 goals in the second term to take an 18.8 (116) to 0.0 (0) lead into half-time.

North Shore continued to add to its total across the second half, finishing with 30 goals from 56 inside 50s while restricting Pennant Hills to just one entry. The Bombers dominated at the source, winning clearances 39-12 and hitouts 58-9, to ensure they retained second spot on percentage ahead of UNSW-ES.

Adrienne Keeffe produced an astonishing 15-goal haul from 23 disposals and 15 marks, 10 of them contested, incredibly snatching the leading goalkicker award with her final major. Lily Sullivan was a key link player with 21 disposals, 10 inside 50s and two goals, while Lucy Yates (20 disposals, eight clearances, five inside 50s) and Heidi de Saxe (19 disposals, nine clearances, four tackles) controlled the contest. Zoe Clubb also had an impact with 20 disposals, eight inside 50s and two goals, while Abbey Martin added three majors.

Pennant Hills was forced to defend for long periods, but Ashleigh Grubba found a team-high 22 disposals. Remy Ally also competed hard with 19 disposals, five marks and five tackles, while Mia McGregor collected eight touches and three clearances.

St George Dragons 4.6 (30) def. East Coast Eagles 3.6 (24)

St George Dragons finished their regular season with a six-point victory over East Coast Eagles at Bruce Purser Reserve, storming home after trailing by 13 points at half-time. The Eagles kicked the opening goal and took a narrow three-point advantage into quarter-time, before a two-goals-to-one second term extended their lead to 22-9 at the main break.

The Dragons turned the game in the third term, kicking two unanswered goals to level the scores at 3.4 (22) apiece. They then added the only major of the final quarter to snatch the win, despite the Eagles having more inside 50s (34-28) and clearances (26-20). St George’s 65 tackles to 47 reflected its relentless pressure around the ball.

Delaney Gwynn was crucial in the win, recording 19 disposals, five clearances, 18 hitouts and four inside 50s. Eloise Carey (17 disposals, five marks, four inside 50s) and Bianca Rudzis (15 disposals, three marks) were prominent, while Ruby O’Dwyer got to work at the contest with 13 touches, four clearances and five tackles. Gabriela Waechter was one of four individual goalkickers for the Dragons, collecting 10 disposals, three marks and a goal.

For East Coast, Nellie McMillan continued her strong season with 21 disposals, while Jess Whelan accumulated 17 disposals, four clearances and seven tackles. Alexandra Huynh showed plenty of poise at the stoppages with 12 disposals, five clearances and four tackles, as Skye Southon provided a consistent source of territory with 13 touches and six inside 50s. Ammie Vamah (12 disposals, three clearances, seven hitouts and a goal) was also influential.

Manly Warringah Wolves 9.10 (64) def. Parramatta Goannas 1.2 (8)

Minor premiers Manly Warringah Wolves completed their regular season with a composed 56-point victory over Parramatta Goannas at Weldon Oval. The Wolves led at every change, keeping Parramatta scoreless through the opening three quarters before the Goannas kicked their only goal of the match in the final term.

Manly established its advantage gradually, taking a 7-0 lead into quarter-time before moving to 4.6 (30) at half-time and 7.9 (51) at the final break. The Wolves finished with a 250-158 disposal advantage, won the clearances 24-14 and generated 52 inside 50s to 14 in another comprehensive display.

Andrea Roditis was dominant for the Wolves, gathering 30 disposals, five clearances and 10 inside 50s. Isabella Rudolph kicked five goals from 16 disposals, while Holly Wickham drove her side forward with 16 disposals and eight inside 50s. Abbie Hayes (10 disposals, 21 hitouts) and Jayme Saggers (12 disposals, 11 hitouts and a goal) shared the ruck workload, while Lauren Bull contributed 15 disposals, five marks and a goal.

For Parramatta, Lauren O’Sullivan led the way with 20 disposals, five marks and the Goannas’ sole goal. Zara Stanford and Ashley Gray each collected 16 disposals, while Marley Rhodes competed strongly in the ruck with 14 touches, 19 hitouts and four tackles. Brea Trevitt laid six tackles from 12 disposals in the defeat.