A FIERCELY contested battle awaits when Manly Warringah takes on Sydney University for a place in the AFL Sydney Women’s Grand Final. Expect a tough, physical contest with plenty of stoppages and inside footy \u2013 an arm-wrestle that will be fought in tight spaces all afternoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Neither side has yet been able to consistently link up with clean chains of possession during the 2025 finals. Instead, they\u2019ve relied on one or two quick extraction plays before sending the ball forward. North Shore exploited that against both teams, forcing turnovers and then punishing them with their transition game. The ability to find a clean avenue to goal out of congestion will be the difference on the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This won\u2019t be a high-scoring clash \u2013 both teams are defensively disciplined, athletic, and thrive on shutting down space. Expect a high number of ball-ups and wrap-up tackles, meaning the ruck battle and the ability to release cleanly from stoppages will be vital. Jasmine Smith <\/strong>looms as a key figure in that space, with her work around the contest likely to be decisive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Both sides also need to show more proactive ball movement under pressure. Too often, they\u2019ve been caught flat-footed, allowing tacklers to disrupt linkages and stall momentum. The contested ball will be the decisive factor, and for two major reasons. First, it is Sydney University’s greatest weapon, and second, Manly will be desperate to respond after conceding a flurry of goals against North Shore last week, and that response must begin in the middle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n