Written by David Redden
WOMEN'S PREMIER DIVISION:
Reigning premiers North Shore methodically dismantled Parramatta at Gipps Rd Oval, eventually running out winners by 94 points. Final scores for North Shore 13.16.94 to Parramatta 0.0.0.
North Shore kicked five goals in the first quarter and went on with the job over the final three terms, despite a good performance from Parramatta's inside midfielders, who tackled their hearts out all day.
Adrienne Keeffe kicked four goals for the Bombers, with Ava Thomas and small forward Lucinda Watson both chipping in with two majors each.
North Shore’s best players were Sophie Kavanagh, Charlotte Tidemann, Keeffe, Heidi de Saxe, Matilda Eder, and dominant ruck Ella Daniel. Parramatta was best served by Megan Mifsud, Tayliya Noack, Sally Toohey, Caitlin Connaughton, Megan Ashford, and Sienna Stanford.
A magnificent third quarter from UNSW-ES, in which they kicked 6 goals to Manly Warringah’s one behind, was the catalyst for a massive Round 1 victory at Weldon Oval. Final scores were UNSW-ES 8.6.54 to Manly Warringah 2.3.15.
The Bulldogs lead by three points after a low scoring first half but then rocketed away in a dominant third quarter performance. The Bulldogs have clear aspirations for a top three finish and finals action well into September based on this out staining away victory.
Gun recruit Rebecca Privitelli kicked three goals for the Bulldogs, with Abby Cunningham chipping with two majors for UNSW-ES. Lauren Bull and Zali Currie kick Manly’s only two majors.
The Bulldogs best players were Emma Haley, Amaia Wain, Aimee Whelan, Imogen Baldassarre, Privitelli and Ash James. Manly was best served by skipper Ashleigh Carter, Sabrina Zochling, Brooke Bailey, Lauren Bull, Holly Wickham, and Ava Barraclough.
UTS produced a professional performance in defeating East Coast Eagles by 37 points at Bruce Purser Reserve. Final scores were UTS 7.12.54 to East Coast Eagles 2.5.17.
A mere 9 points separated the sides at half time, but UTS kicked four goals to three behinds in the second half in an ideal start to their season.
Ella Parker and Zimbra Hussain kicked two goals each for the Bats, whilst Sky Southon and Ammie Vamah kicked East Coast’s only goals.
The Bats’ best players were Hannah Cerezo, Gabriella Stanwix, Hussain, Siena Visentini, Olivia Morris, and Parker. East Coast was best served by Nellie McMillan, Jess Whelan, Erin Naden, Nelly Thomas, Vamah, and Kahli Gilchrist.
Sydney University demolished St George by 94 points at Mahoney Park. Final scores were Sydney University 13.16.94 to St George 0.0.0.
The Students Led by 38 points at half time and went on with the job in the second half, as the Dragons simply had no answer to a powerful Uni outfit.
Forwards Lucy Gilfedder and Molly Gibbs kicked four goals each for Sydney University.
Sydney Uni’s best players were Lily Race, Arabella Hendriks, the returning Emma Juneja, Ashley Dribbus, Gibbs, and Georgina Gough. St George’s best players were not available at the time of writing.
MEN'S UNDER 19.5 DIVISION ONE:
In Mens Under 19.5 Division One action, UNSW-ES defeated Manly Warringah by 16 points at Weldon Oval, Sydney University thrashed St George by 75 points at Mahoney Park, UTS prevailed by 12 points over East Coast Eagles at Bruce Purser Reserve, Pennant Hills demolished South West Sydney by 95 points at Bob Prenter Reserve, and North Shore romped to a 92-point victory over Inner West Magpies at Picken Oval.
MEN'S DIVISION ONE:
In Mens Division One action, UNSW-ES belted Manly Warringah by 59 points at Weldon Oval, Sydney University defeated St George by 27 points at Mahoney Park, with the two sides combining to kick 7.31 in the match, Parramatta defeated North Shore by 2 points in a thriller at Gipps Rd Oval, and Pennant Hills just managed to scrape home by 5 points over South West Sydney at Bob Prenter Reserve.
MEN'S PREMIER DIVISION:
UTS defeated East Coast Eagles by 65 points at Bob Prenter Reserve. Final scores were UTS 17.16.118 to East Coast Eagles 8.5.53.
UTS led by 4 goals at the main break, then kicked 5 goals to none in the third quarter to put the game away nice and early. The Bats will be pleased in kicking 17 goals to 8, especially away from home at the large expanses of Bruce Purser Reserve.
Ed Palmer, Blake Tabe, and Ben Lenarduzzi all kicked 3 goals for the Bats. Veteran Zach Jones kicked 3 goals for East Coast, with Jacob Jones and Marshall Poynter chipping in with 2 majors each for the Eagles.
Best players for UTS were John Boylan, Henry Gosse, James Warton, Lachlan McNamara, Palmer, and Joshua Lee. East Coast was best served by Mitchell Bradley, Nathan Penna, Lyndon Hupfeld, Jones, Johns, and Reeve Simmons.
North Shore commenced their quest for a rare “threepeat” with a 95-point demolition of Inner West Magpies at Picken Oval. Final scores were North Shore 22.16.148 to Inner West Magpies 8.5.53.
After an entertaining 16-goal first half, the Bombers lead by 20 points at the main break. North Shore then kicked right away, kicking 13 goals to one in a dominant second half display.
Experience Jackson Nelson kicks 6 goals for North Shore, whilst lively small forward Felix Rogers and Luke Giacometti kicked 4 majors each for the Bombers. Lachlan Tiziani kicked 4 goals for Inner West, with veteran full forward Ben Zoppe and Zachary Sandlant chipping in with 2 majors each for the Magpies.
North Shore’s best players were Angus Loebel, dual Mulrooney Medallist Guy Richardson, Jake Veale, Rogers, Nelson, and Pierce Roseby. Inner West was best served by key recruit Finnegan Ritchie, Jonty Inglis, Max Fasolo, Bililign Robertson, Tiziani and Zoppo.
In a tough, attritional fixture at the huge expanses of Bob Prenter Reserve, South West Sydney overcame poor shooting and a superb tackling display by Pennant Hills to defeat the Demons by 21 points. Final scores were South West Sydney 9.14.68 to Pennant Hills 7.5.47.
In a low scoring game, the Blues led by 2 points at the final break, kicking a below-par 4.12.36 in the first three quarters. Running with a slight breeze in the final stanza, The Blues kicked five goals in the final term to put away at gallant Pennant hills.
Key utility Luke Parkinson kicked 2goals for the Blues including two on the last quarter, whilst small forward Bailey-Dean Latanis kicked 2 goals for South West Sydney, showing his value to the side. Skipper Mitchell Blow, spending most of the game up forward, kicked 2 majors for the Demons.
South West Sydney’s best players were Jerome Lawrence, Kyle Veerhuis, Khy Gibbs, Coby Hilton, Callum Burns and Josh Thomas. Burns in particular was magnificent across half-back. Pennant Hills was best served by Aidan Russell, Blow, Joshua Stern, Cooper Lee, Charles Allison, and Phelan Medallist Stephen Wray.
Sydney University demolished St George by 90 points at Mahoney Park. Final scores were Sydney Uni 20.17.139 to St George 7.5.47.
The Students simply raced out of the blocks three in the first quarter, setting up a dominant 35-point lead. Uni led by 61 points at half time and went on with the job, showing they have eyes on a top three finish in 2026.
Hugo Blacker kicked 6 goals for Uni, whilst ex GWS giant Lachlan Keeffe kicked 5 goals on debut. Tall forward Brayden Pilot chipped in with 4 goals for the Students. Hunter Pickett kicked 2 goals for the Dragons.
Sydney University’s best players were Hugh Sienkiewicz, Harrison Podmore Taylor, Pilot, Connor Kent, Blacker and Felix Rugge-Price. St George was best served by Kian Todd-Bonselaar, Dominic Soffe, William Mazor, Matt Saunders, Jack Logan, and Pickett.
In a simply superb round one fixture at Weldon Oval in Curl Curl, Manly Warringah produced a typical fourth quarter comeback in edging out UNSW-ES by 12 points in a wonderful game of football. Final scores were Manly Warringah 13.11.89 to UNSW- ES 11.11.77.
After an even first quarter, the Bulldogs went it at half time leading by 19 points, with a huge upset on the cards. The Wolves edged themselves to within 12 points at the final break and then kicked away with a 5 goal to 1 last quarter in front of the faithful at Weldon Oval.
Veteran Trent Dennis-Lane proved the match-winner for the Wolves, kicking 8 goals in a magnificent display at full forward. Jacqun Mifsud shone for the Bulldogs in kicking 4 goals.
Manly Warringah’s best players were Dennis-Lane, Lachlan Price, Aiden Adams, Oliver Rojo, Taine Wright, and Lachlan Behagg. UNSW-ES was best served by Jake Sutton, Harrison Dyson, former Newcastle City star Conor Haswell, Noah Harper, Byron Middleton, and Luke Swan.