MANLY Warringah Wolves have defeated reigning premiers North Shore Bombers by 22 points at Weldon Oval in Round 5 of the AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division, handing the Bombers a second loss in three rounds, while making it four straight wins themselves since a forgettable opening round performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division: Round 5<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In what was quite obviously match of the round from the outset, the top two teams at the end of last year’s regular season went at it in a tough slog for the most part. Each side could only manage one goal in the first half with the Wolves up, 1.7 (13) to 1.3 (9), before the home team kicked four goals to one in the second half to enjoy a 5.9 (39) to 2.5 (17) victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Talented defended Lauren Bull<\/a> was huge for the Wolves, clunking seven marks from 24 disposals and clearing the ball from dangerous on numerous occasions. Zara Hamilton<\/a> (17 disposals, five marks and four inside 50s) was also impressive, while Peggy Stanbury<\/strong> slotted three crucial goals in a low-scoring contest. The Bombers defence kept danger forward Isabella Rudolph<\/a> quiet, but Stanbury stood up to fill the void.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For the Bombers, Lucy Yates<\/a> starred, racking up a remarkable 31 disposals and 11 clearances, working hard all around the ground. She laid four tackles and six inside 50s in a losing team, while off-season recruit Sophie Kavanagh<\/a> (16 disposals, six tackles and four inside 50s) was terrific once again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Things went from bad to worse for Pennant Hills Demons in a battle of top-against bottom when the red and blue suffered a 167-point loss to UNSW-ES Bulldogs on the weekend. Despite being on the road at Mike Kenney Oval, the Bulldogs had 235 disposals and kept the Demons to just 84 total for the match, as well as only conceding two inside 50s during the 25.17 (167) to 0.0 (0) shellacking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ex-AFLW forward Rebecca Privitelli<\/a> had video game numbers of 27 disposals, 15 marks (seven contested) and 7.6 in the win, while it is not every day a player of Emily Conlan’<\/strong>s stats (20 disposals, eight marks (two contested) and seven goals) would not be best on ground. Hayley Stanford (22 disposals, five clearances, four tackles and six inside 50s) was impressive from the midfielders, while ex-Swans Academy member Taylor Smith<\/a> also kicked six goals from 15 disposals and four marks. Amelia Bennett (14 disposals, six clearances and eight tackles) worked tirelessly through the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In another one-sided result, Sydney University picked off Parramatta Goannas to the tune of 14 goals, winning 13.12 (90) to 1.0 (6). The win marked the Students’ third, leaping up to third spot over the Bombers and now boasting a percentage of 347.76.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Saskia Johnson<\/strong> (33 disposals, four marks, four clearances, four tackles and three inside 50s) worked well with veteran Amanda Farrugia<\/a> (30 disposals, four marks, seven clearances, seven tackles, five inside 50s and a goal). Lucy Gilfedder<\/strong> booted 4.4 from 20 disposals, five marks (two contested) in the win. AFL Sydney Under 22 representatives Megan Mifsud<\/a> and Montana Doubell<\/a> were in the best once more for the Goannas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the other match – which was the second closest result of the weekend – UTS Bats cruised to a 14.5 (89) to 5.2 (32) win over St George Dragons. The Dragons are getting more competitive with experience, but the Bats continue to be a danger side this season, and the 57-point win moved them to 3-2 for the year and eight points clear inside the top five.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Zoe Bush (21 disposals, four marks) had the most touches on the ground, while the likes of Olivia Morris<\/a> (19 disposals, four clearances, six inside 50s and two goals) and Ella Parker<\/a> (18 disposals, three marks and three goals) were able to hit the scoreboard multiple times. Jasmine Baily <\/strong>(17 disposals, three marks, three clearances, five inside 50s and two goals) was a shining light for the Dragons in defeat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n