Written by David Redden
WOMEN'S UNDER 20S:
In Women's Under 20s Finals action at Rosedale Oval over the weekend, Sydney University (1) dominated an inaccurate UNSW-E5 (the Bulldogs kicked 1.10) at Rosedale Oval, running out victors by 53 points. UNSW-ES will play Manly Warringah in the Preliminary Final after the Wolves accounted for Pennant Hills by 59 points at Rosedale Oval.
The Preliminary Final between the Bulldogs & Wolves will commence at 1.00pm this Sunday at Bruce Purser Reserve.
WOMEN'S DIVISION ONE:
In Womens Division One Finals action at BISP 1 on Saturday, North Shore eliminated Manly Warringah in straight sets after securing a hard-fought 12-point victory.
The Bombers, who only just qualified in fourth place in the last round, will now play Randwick City in the WD1 Grand Final this Saturday at BISP 1.
WOMEN'S PREMIER DIVISION:
There is no way anyone in Sydney football could have predicted the high drama that eventuated in BOTH Sydney WPD semi-finals over the weekend at BISP. The word “extraordinary” is over-used, but that is the perfect word to describe the simply astonishing events on Saturday and Sunday.
First to the Second Semi-Final on Saturday, between Minor Premiers Manly Warringah and North Shore, played in a squally breeze that made kicking and scoring difficult.
After a riveting four quarters (and after Manly missed several shots at goal down-breeze in the final term), a late Bella Clarke behind, that hit the goalpost from 2 metres out, produced a 2.7.19 each draw. Exhausted players set in for a wild last 5 minutes each way.
Crucially, North Shore kept Manly scoreless in the first period of extra time, with Manly kicking down-breeze. Remarkably, the only score in the entire 10 minutes of extra time was from North Shore rover Lucy Yates, who, in the second period of extra time, kicked a grubber kick from 35m out that took a leg-break and went through for a goal. Final scores in an instant classic were North Shore 3.7.25 to Manly Warringah 2.7.19.
Two superb tackles in the last stages of the game summed up a defensive master class from BOTH teams. Lauren Bull and Kara Selvarajah, themselves in the discussion for the most improved players in all of Sydney Womens football, executed last gasp, thrilling tackles that stopped certain goals as the enthralled crowd watched on in amazement. Both Bull & Selvarajah came from over 15m away to make their superb, last-ditch tackles.
Yates was the only multiple goal-kicker with 2 majors.
North Shore’s best players were Zoe Clubb, Lucy Yates, Abbey Martin, the simply outstanding Selvarajah, Sophie Kavanagh, and Lily Sullivan. Manly Warringah was best served by equal best-on-ground Chloe Davis, who produced the defining game of her career with a magnificent performance in keeping Adrienne Keeffe goalless. Other Wolves players to shine were Kenya Fahey, the wonderful Bull, Ashleigh Carter, a basically unmarked Holly Wickham, and Ava Barraclough. Of note were two injuries late in the game, from the same incident, that saw Martin carried off with a leg injury and Davis injuring her left shoulder.
Then, to Sunday’s entertaining First Semi-Final, played in perfect conditions between traditional rivals Sydney University and UNSW-ES.
After the Bulldogs led by 11 points in the 14th minute of the final quarter, Sydney University somehow lifted late, kicking the last 2 goals of the match via forwards Hayley Kenzler and Molly Gibbs, and snuck home by a solitary point. Final scores in a superb, free-flowing game of football were Sydney University 7.3.45 to UNSW-ES 7.2.44.
This game ebbed and flowed dramatically throughout an epic four quarters. With key players Maryanne Harley (Sydney Uni) and representative stars Gabby Eaton and Emily Conlan (UNSW-ES) watching on injured, scores were 5.2.32 apiece at three-quarter time, then the Bulldogs kicked the first two goals of the final term to lead by 12 points with approximately 10 minutes left.
The Bulldogs could be considered unlucky after giving 110% all day, but credit to Sydney Uni for finding a way to victory so late into the fourth quarter.
Sydney Uni, led superbly by the evergreen Amanda Farrugia and skipper Lucy Gilfedder, came home like a steam train to secure a famous, epic victory.
Gilfedder, crucially, was superb up forward, kicked 4 goals to lead all goal kickers. Senna Gulden, who was injured in a big clash right at the end of a pulsating match, Rebecca Privitelli and Taylor Smith kicked 2 goals each for UNSW-ES.
Sydney Uni’s best players were the ageless Farrugia, Molly Cameron, Mimi Pullinger, Lily Race, Arachi Park, and Evie Bowie. UNSW-ES was best served by Privitelli, Gulden, Francesca Ryan, Eliza Vale, Sera Kaukiono, and Shelby Koh.
Sydney University now head to the Preliminary Final against Manly Warringah at Bruce Purser Reserve this Saturday.
MEN'S UNDER 19.5 DIVISION ONE:
In Men's Under 19.5s Division One Finals double-header action at BISP 1 on Saturday, Sydney University defeated Manly Warringah by 20 points in the First Semi-Final. North Shore defeated UNSW-ES by 29 points in the Second Semi-Final.
In the Preliminary Final this Saturday at Bruce Purser Reserve, Manly Warringah plays North Shore for the right to play Sydney University in the Grand Final.
MEN'S DIVISION ONE:
In Men's Division One Finals action at BISP 1, North Shore defeated Sydney University by 29 points in the Second Semi-Final on Saturday. In the Elimination Final on Sunday, Parramatta eliminated Camden in straight sets with a comprehensive 5-goal victory, despite the Goannas kicking 5.15.45 in perfect conditions.
In the Preliminary Final this Saturday at Bruce Purser Reserve, Sydney University plays Parramatta for the right to play North Shore in the Grand Final.
MEN'S PREMIER DIVISION:
A polished performance from North Shore saw them qualify for yet another Grand Final with a 28-point victory over Sydney University in the Second Semi-Final on Saturday at BISP. Final scores were North Shore 13.11.89 to Sydney University 9.7.61.
After an entertaining 9-goal first quarter, the Bombers put the foot down in the second term, and they led by 33 points at the main break. Sydney University stuck manfully at their task in the second half, kicking 5 goals to 4, but North Shore held firm for what was, in the end, a comfortable victory.
In the absence of the injured Matt Buskariol, Cooper Donald, Luke Giacometti, late replacement Thomas Meacham and Max Thomas all kicked 2 goals each for North Shore. Alex Witherden kicked 3 goals for Sydney Uni, assisted by veteran Lachlan Keeffe, who chimed in with 2 majors.
North Shore’s best players were Ned Campbell, Nicholas Pavlou, Thomas Drum, Nicholas Brewer, Sean Netting, and Thomas Hitchens. Sydney University was best served by Sam Barkley, Witherden, Nathan Tang, Keeffe, Hugo Blacker, and Michael Nettheim.
A resurgent Manly Warringah defeated a dogged South West Sydney Blues in a terrific First Semi Final on Sunday at BISP 1. Final scores were Manly Warringah 13.15.93 to South West Sydney 12.4.76.
The two teams played fast, free-flowing football in the first half, with a ten-goal first quarter followed by a close, tough second term punctuated by poor kicking from the Wolves. The Blues led by 2 points at the main break. The Wolves crucially kicked 3.5 to 1.0 in the third term; then the two sides kicked 4 goals each in the final term on a warm and glorious afternoon at BISP 1.
The game can be summarised by the effective shots on goal – Manly had 28, whilst South West Sydney had 16. This highlights Manly’s effective midfield and a great performance from veteran full-forward Trent Dennis-Lane.
Dennis-Lane kicked 7 goals in a match-defining effort for Manly Warringah. Youngsters Conrad Blackwell-Smith and Guy Jenkin kicked 2 goals each for the Wolves. Jerome Lawrence played a lone hand up forward for South West Sydney in the absence of Nic Dunshea and Eddie Keogh, kicking 4 goals for his Blues.
Manly Warringah’s best players were Blackwell-Smith, Dennis-Lane, Aiden Adams, Guy Jenkin, William Jenkin, and Mackenzie Allen, who has been simply brilliant across Manly’s 2 finals so far. South West Sydney was best served by Kyle Veerhuis, Edward Cole, Kain Flynn-Duncombe, Matthew Belbasis, Matthew Storey, and Jerome Lawrence.
Manly Warringah now head to the Preliminary Final against Sydney University at Bruce Purser Reserve this Saturday.