NORTH Shore Bombers have played out their second draw of the AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division season, after finishing all-square with fellow title contenders, Manly Warringah Wolves. The heavyweight clash at Gore Hill had the Wolves leading for the most part, but ultimately a three goals to nil final term saw the home side pick up two points in the 4.6 (30) apiece game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Manly has been the team to beat this season since going down to the UNSW-ES Bulldogs in Round 1, and flew out of the blocks with the opening two goals of the game in the first term through recruit Brooke Bailey<\/a>. The Wolves had lead 15-0 at quarter time, and it took until the final five minutes of the half for North Shore’s Sophie Kavanagh<\/a> to strike. The celebrations were short lived as Peggy Stanbury <\/strong>responded for the Wolves, and the visitors took a 16-point lead into the main break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The third term was for the most part an armwrestle, with only a goal to Amelie Rigney<\/strong> with seven minutes to play making it a game-high 22-point lead. However from that point on, it was all the Bombers as they peppered the goals in the final five minutes, but could only manage four behinds. They cut it back to three straight kicks, but would need be accurate in the final term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That they were, as the Bombers piled on three goals to nil, including back-to-back majors to Adrienne Keeffe<\/strong> who hauled her side to the line and ensured that the red and black would at least bring home two points, putting them back on level terms with the rest of the competition after an earlier season draw with Sydney Uni. It also meant that the Wolves’ percentage became less relevant with the draw – other than the Students – and moved to 10 games unbeaten and still at two points clear on top of the ladder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite still a way to go in the season, the finals are essentially set with a massive 20-point gap between fifth and sixth in a top-five finals season. The big watch will be who earns a double chance, and who finishes in the elimination spots with just six points separating the first placed Wolves from the fourth placed Bombers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a return from an ankle injury, Heidi de Saxe<\/a> remained AFLW recruiters what she is capable of, racking up 24 disposals, eight clearances and seven tackles in a standout performance for the Bombers alongside Kavanagh (21 disposals, four clearances, eight tackles, four inside 50s and a goal) and Lucy Yates<\/a> (21 disposals, four clearances and seven inside 50s) who continued their fantastic seasons. Over-ager Lila Micheletti<\/a> was also busy with 17 disposals, three marks and three tackles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Holly Wickham<\/a> put up 24 touches as well, alongside six marks and six inside 50s, while Bella Clarke<\/a> (20 disposals, seven marks) and Lauren Bull<\/a> (17 disposals, seven marks) were targets around the ground. Hannah Woolf<\/a> had six clearances to go with her 19 disposals, while Bailey’s two majors from 10 disposals were the best of the forwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The other three games were fairly comprehensive as UNSW-ES Bulldogs edged two points closer to the Wolves with an 8.12 (60) to 3.1 (19) triumph over St George Dragons at Henson Park. Senna Gulden<\/a> and Taylor Smith<\/a> booted 4.10 between them in days that could have even been bigger up forward, while Sarah Brenton<\/strong> (18 disposals, four clearances) tried hard for the Dragons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sydney University also easily put away Parramatta Goannas to remain in third, securing a 9.10 (64) to 2.3 (15) result at home. The Students actually had one less clearance than the Goannas (23-24) but a whopping 29 more inside 50s (44-15) winning the outside battle comprehensively with 36 uncontested marks to 17 and finding 19 targets inside 50.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Amanda Farrugia<\/a> and Saskia Johnson <\/strong>were again the best, combining for 66 disposals, eight marks, 10 clearances, 13 tackles and 16 inside 50s in the win. Megan Mifsud<\/a> (24 disposals, 10 clearances and a goal) was the main reason why the Goannas had the upper hand at the coalface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the other clash, UTS Bats smashed the battling Pennant Hills Demons, 17.11 (113) to 1.0 (6) at Waverley Oval to move 20 points clear inside the finals spots. Elly Rudd (23 disposals, five clearances, four inside 50s and a goal) and Olivia Morris<\/a> (22 disposals, four clearances, seven inside 50s and a goal) were among six players with 21 or more disposals, including Brianna-Lee Wade<\/strong> (four goals from 10 marks), Melanie Bertuna<\/a> and Piper Khouri<\/a> (both two goals from 21 touches). Remy Ally <\/strong>and Ava Clegg<\/a> each had 17 disposals for the Demons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\nAROUND THE GROUNDS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n