IT WAS another lob-sided weekend in the AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division as the closest of the four matches stood at 49 points, and the average winning margin was 68.5 points across Round 8. The losing sides combined for just 2.4, in a round that truly separated the finals-bound teams from the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The gap between fourth and fifth place has grown exponentially with the North Shore Bombers leaping past UTS Bats into fourth with a 98-0 victory. It was the shock result of the weekend, not because of the result itself, but rather the manner in which it was dealt given many tipped it to be the closest of the quartet of matches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
North Shore Bombers 14.14 (98) def. UTS Bats 0.0 (0)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It was a dominant showing from the Bombers who put the Bats to the sword at Gore Hill Oval, racking up 50 points by half-time and falling just shy of the ton when the final siren sounded. There were no surprises with the bests as Sophie Kavanagh<\/a> (22 disposals, four marks, six clearances, five tackles, nine inside 50s and a goal) and Lucy Yates<\/a> (24 disposals, two clearances, six tackles and four inside 50s) both starring in the victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The goals were shared around with Lily Sullivan<\/a> (three) leading the way, while over-agers Lucinda Watson<\/a> and Lila Micheletti<\/a> both impressed as they played their second game back from Sydney Swans Academy duties. For the Bats, Hannah Cerezo<\/strong> (21 disposals, four marks and seven tackles) was the top ball-winner, while Olivia Morris<\/a> cracked in with 14 tackles from 15 disposals, four marks and four clearances in the loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n East Coast Eagles 0.0 (0) def. by UNSW-ES Bulldogs 10.8 (68)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In a similar story to the earlier game, the Bulldogs flexed their muscles with a commanding 68-point win over the rebuilding Eagles. The ladder-leading undefeated Dogs did not have it all their own way, but were impenetrable on defence, keeping East Coast scoreless at Blacktown. The Eagles had no answers for Dogs ruck Sera Kaukiono<\/a> (29 disposals, 29 hitouts, 13 clearances, and six tackles) who was a clear best on ground, while Hayley Stanford<\/strong> (23 disposals, five clearances and eight tackles) was also impressive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the goal front, it was experienced forward Rebecca Privitelli<\/a> who added three more goals to her season tally, clunking three contested marks from six total, and having 14 disposals along the way as well. Meanwhile for the Eagles, the likes of Nellie McMillan<\/strong> (24 disposals, three marks, six clearances and six tackles) battled hard around the middle, while Renee Tomkins<\/a> had eight spoils and laid nine tackles to go with her 19 touches and four marks, often bravely defending under siege.<\/p>\n\n\n\n St George Dragons 1.4 (10) def. by Sydney University 10.9 (69)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sydney University kept St George goalless until teh last term, and by that stage the game was well and truly over. The Students continued their great form this season to get out to a commanding lead and still win all four quarters, with a great team effort. Amanda Farrugia<\/a> (33 disposals, three marks, six clearances, eight inside 50s and three goals) was a dominant standout, while Saskia Johnson<\/strong> (28 disposals, five marks, three tackles and three inside 50s) rode shotgun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sydney University spread out the load with Swans Academy bottom-ager Madison McCarthy<\/a> also among the better players, kicking two goals in the win. Maryanne Harley<\/strong> (eight clearances from 25 disposals) and Jessica Lee Urquhart<\/strong> (three goals from six touches and three marks) others to make an impact. For the Dragons, they got smashed in disposals, but actually won the clearances (26-25), despite no player having more than three individually. Eloise Carey<\/strong> (14 disposals, two marks) had the most touches, while Gabriela Waechter<\/a> came back from Academy duties to record 10 touches and lay five tackles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Parramatta Goannas 1.0 (6) def. by Manly Warringah Wolves 8.7 (55)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In the final game of the round, an early goal to Goannas top-ager Brea Trevitt<\/a> could not stop Manly Warringah Wolves running rampant in a 49-point victory at Gipps Road Ovals. Trevitt levelled the scores at one stage in the first term, but from there it was all the Wolves, piling on the last seven goals of the game and the Goannas did not score again. Ashleigh Carter <\/strong>(26 disposals, six marks – two contested – and four inside 50s) was the top ball-winner, while Chloe Davis <\/strong>(24 disposals, three marks and four inside 50s) also did well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Roxi Beuzeville<\/strong> and Zoe Ellis <\/strong>combined for 34 disposals and 10 clearances to be the prime movers around the ball, while Kaitlyn Manning <\/strong>made the most of limited chances with two goals, the only multiple goalkicker in the match. Trevitt was lively with 11 touches and two tackles, while the likes of Montana Doubell<\/a> (20 disposals, six marks and six tackles) and Megan Mifsud<\/a> (19 disposals, three marks, three clearances and five tackles) were again standouts in a tough loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n