Round 4, 2026 Preview - AFL Sydney Premier Division

UTS Bats v UNSW-ES Bulldogs

Trumper Park, Saturday 10:30am

Bats – 3^rd. Played 3, Won 3, Lost 0, 184.29%. Streak – W3

Bulldogs – 6^th. Played 3, Won 1, Lost 2, 102.02%. Streak – L1

It’s an early start for our Eastern Suburbs derby, with Trumper Park hosting its first Premier Division fixtures for the year as the Bats play host to the Bulldogs. The Bats are flying high, three wins on the trot giving them a share of the ladder leadership. But this will be a test against a UNSW-ES side that’s already dropped two games and needs a win here to get back into the top five.

It’s been many a long year since the Bats started the season with three straight wins; but they achieved that feat last week at Waverley Oval with a comfortable 59-point win over Inner West. Spearheaded by five goals from Ash Backlund, and with James Warton, Henry Bosse and Josh Lee prominent around the ground; the Bats raced away from the Magpies early and even though they took their foot off the gas in the last quarter, the game was already comfortably won. They’ve already claimed the scalp of one university rival this year, and the Bats would underline their status as the competition’s big improvers if they can claim another.

2026 has had its challenges for the Bulldogs so far, and they dropped their second game for the season at Henson Park last week when they went down to North Shore by 73 points. The Bombers got the early jump and the Bulldogs never looked like getting back into the contest. Byron Middleton, Noah Harper and Will Spencer kept the work rate up, but the Bulldogs weren’t able to keep up. One win from three games and the Bulldogs’ season is at the crossroads; and they can’t afford to drop another one here.

Things are looking up at the Bats, and so far they’ve given every indication that this year will be different from the disappointments of the past. But this game will test how strong their improvement is. You can expect to see plenty of desperation from the Bulldogs; they will be determined to bounce back from last week’s result, and a 1-3 start to the season would leave them vulnerable. This will be a tough test, but if the Bats can get through this one, the AFL Sydney world will have to sit up and take notice.

Manly-Warringah Wolves v East Coast Eagles

Weldon Oval, Saturday 1:00pm

Wolves – 7^th. Played 3, Won 1, Lost 2, 92.52%. Streak – L2

Eagles – 10^th. Played 3, Won 0, Lost 3, 26.96%. Streak – L3

Manly return to Weldon Oval this week desperate for a win. The Wolves, Grand Finallists for the last two seasons, haven’t had the start to the season they were looking for; with two straight losses seeing them drop out of the top five. This week they take on an East Coast side who will be even more desperate, yet to open their 2026 account and looking to bounce back from a couple of heavy defeats.

The Wolves haven’t yet clicked into top gear in 2026. They fell over the line against UNSW-ES in the season opener, but back to back losses against Pennant Hills and Sydney Uni see them fall to seventh. Last week was a thriller at Sydney Uni No 1. The final quarter was a shootout, five goals apiece; but when the final siren sounded, the Wolves were an agonising five points short. Trent Dennis-Lane landed four goals; while Oliver Rojo, Mackenzie Allen and Byron Laws were prominent around the ground. It had been an entertaining match, but the Wolves missed out on the points. One win from three games isn’t the start to the season they wanted; and if they are going to be Grand Final contenders again this year, they need to get the job done this week.

It hasn’t been a great start to the season for East Coast. Three losses to start the year, all of them by big margins. Last week they went down to Pennant Hills by 99 points, scoring just one goal in each quarter and never getting any sort of momentum going. Marshall Poynter, Lyndon Hupfeld and Ben Roughan tried hard, but the Eagles were never able to get into the contest. This week will need a more sustained effort, working to string some goals together in order to put more pressure on their opposition.

Manly have been a force in the last couple of years, but haven’t yet hit that sort of form in 2026. It’s coming, but hasn’t happened yet. They can’t afford to let the season get away from them; and it’s games like this one that can kick-start the season. But the Eagles can’t just lie down and give them the win. After big losses in the last two weeks, the time to hit back is now. Backs to the wall, it’s time to come out swinging. This is a game for two clubs who have higher expectations than what they’ve shown so far. But for one of them, this is the game that can give them the re-assurance that their 2026 campaign is back on track.

Inner West Magpies v Pennant Hills Demons

Picken Oval, Saturday 1:10pm

Magpies – 8^th. Played 3, Won 0, Lost 3, 48.04%. Streak – L3

Demons – 4^th. Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1, 172.73%. Streak – W2

ANZAC Day at Picken Oval is always a special event. Inner West Magpies for several years have made this event their own, with a moving tribute to those who have fought for our country. The annual match against Pennant Hills is always well attended, and the Magpies always pull out the stops to make the occasion one of the biggest days on the AFL Sydney calendar. And this will be no exception. Picken Oval is the best place to catch the action; the next best is where you have a good internet connection and can put your device onto Streamer. [link - https://streamer.com.au/match/6096 ]

On the field, the Magpies have some work to do. Three losses to open the season leaves them at risk of falling behind the playoff contenders. Last week at Waverley they fell way behind against UTS; and despite a five-goal fightback in the last quarter, went down by 59 points. Finnegan Ritchie, Max Fasolo and Lachie Tiziani battled hard against the odds, but it was another day when the Magpies weren’t able to keep up with their opposition. But now they return home for the first time since the opening round. A new day, a new challenge and a need to find something special on the field to mark the occasion.

After dropping their opening game, the Demons have won two on the trot and built up some handy momentum. Last week at Bruce Purser, the Demons got off to a flying start with a six-goal opening term and went on to record a 99-point win. Oscar Irwin and Nick Hey each landed four goals; while Josh Stern, Xavier Russell and Irwin were ball magnets around the ground. The Demons go into this match with good form, but need to keep doing what they’ve done for the last two weeks. There’s no time to ease off now.

This won’t be easy for the Magpies. The Demons go into this game on the back of two big wins, with a spring in their step and a feeling that they’re heading in the right direction. But one lapse can see it all come unstuck; and the Demons know all too well that this is a danger game. The Magpies have matched up well against the Demons in recent years, and they’ll be determined and desperate. A full four-quarter effort is required here.

South-West Sydney Blues v Sydney University Students

Bob Prenter Reserve, Saturday 1:00pm

Blues – 2^nd. Played 3, Won 3, Lost 0, 201.99%. Streak – W3

Students – 5^th. Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1, 121.01%. Streak – W1

Three from three, a healthy percentage and looking good. It’s been a great start to the season for South-West Sydney and hopes are high. But here is a chance to see how far the Blues have developed this season. This game will test them. Sydney Uni have been one of the stronger clubs in this league for several years now, and after a thrilling win last week, they’re ready to make an impact.

The Blues have got their season off to a flyer with three win on the trot; the last coming in style at Kelso Oval last week when they recorded a 101-point win over St George. It started with a six-goal burst in the opening term, and the goals kept coming all afternoon. Five of them came off the boot of Luke Parkinson and four from Nick Dunshea; with Parkinson joining Liam Burns and Josh Croft among the Blues’ best. So far so good for the Blues. But the Students will be a tougher test, and this will give us an indication where the Blues are at for 2026.

Meanwhile Sydney Uni boosted their record to 2-1 with a cliff-hanging win over Manly at the Campus last week. In a high-scoring game, the first where both have scored over 100 for a few years, the last quarter turned into a shootout with each team kicking five goals. But it was the Students who were holding the parcel of victory when the music stopped; taking a five-point thriller. Lachlan Keeffe landed four goals; while Nathan Tang, Sam Barkley and Alex Witherden were prolific ball-winners. They were in the firing line plenty of times against a strong opponent, but found a way to get it done. And standing up under pressure will be an important tool in their armour again this week.

If the Blues can get the job done this time, extend their record to 4-0 and claim the scalp of Sydney Uni; it will send the message to the rest of the league that this is a South-West Sydney side that’s capable to matching it with the best the league has to offer. Capable of having a shot at the title. But Sydney Uni will be tough. Some big names, they’ve been here before and know how to pull off the wins when the game gets tight. For both teams the message is clear; get through this game and come away with the points, and you’re well set for the season ahead. It’s a high-stakes encounter.

North Shore Bombers v St George Dragons

Gore Hill Oval, Saturday 2:00pm

Bombers – 1^st. Played 3, Won 3, Lost 0, 354.76%. Streak – W3

Dragons – 9^th. Played 3, Won 0, Lost 3, 30.96%. Streak – L3

Three from three for North Shore, and the reigning premiers are looking impressive in the early rounds of the season. Now they return home to Gore Hill for a meeting with a St George side that is yet to sing the song this season.

North Shore go into this game on the back of a 73-point win over UNSW-ES at Henson Park last week. The Bombers got the early jump and there was no way for the Bulldogs to get back into the contest as the Bombers won every quarter. Mitch Rogers, Jarvis Hemmings and Luke Robertson were superb for the Bombers as they turned on another impressive display. Now they’re at home, the hottest of favourites; but favouritism means nothing once the ball is bounced. It’s all about getting the job done.

It’s a different story for the Dragons. Three losses to start the season, the last being a 101-point result against South-West Sydney at Kelso. Nathan McKenzie-Hicks, Hunter Flower and Hunter Pickett battled hard, but the Dragons couldn’t muster the firepower to keep up with a rampant Blues lineup. And now they’ve got the tough away trip to Gore Hill. Backs to the wall, the odds against them; they need to come out swinging and turn every play into a ferocious contest. It’s the only way.

It would be an upset if the Dragons could prevail here. The Bombers are undefeated, the Dragons winless, on the Bombers’ home ground. But upsets can happen. The Dragons need to come into this game with self-belief and contest everything; putting the Bombers under pressure. A determined scrap will give the Dragons a chance. But that’s what it will take. If the Dragons can’t pressure the Bombers here, this will be a long afternoon for them.

Parramatta Goannas v Pennant Hills Demons

Gipps Road Oval, Saturday 12:20pm

Goannas – 7^th. Played 2, Won 0, Lost 2, 6.88%. Streak – L2

Demons – 9^th. Played 2, Won 0, Lost 2, 0.00%. Streak – L2

It’s a fair statement to say that these are two teams that desperately need a win. They’ve only played two games each, but the Goannas have only scored two goals so far while the Demons are yet to score. 0-2, very poor percentages; but here is a chance to put a competitive performance together and have something to show for it on the scoreboard.

The Goannas did manage two goals against UTS at Waverley last week, but still went down to the Bats by 82 points. Cindy Lam and Sierra and Zara Stanford never stopped putting the effort in; but it wasn’t enough to prevent another heavy defeat. But they will have identified this week’s game as one they need to lift for; a chance to put the past behind them and get a result on the board. But it’s essential to show up on the day and get the job done.

Pennant Hills were unable to draw a flag from the goal umpires last week when they went down to East Coast by 81 points at Bruce Purser. Ava Clegg, Amelia Bennett and Makayla Blaza battled hard against the odds but weren’t able to generate any scoreboard pressure and the search for that elusive score goes on. This week is that opportunity, to not just grab any score but to obtain one big enough to challenge for the game. Now is the time, the prize is there; but they need to reach out and take it.

Last year’s Women's Premier Division comp had a massive gap between the top six and the bottom three, and nothing that’s happened so far this year suggests that gap has narrowed. But when teams in that bottom three play each other, opportunity knocks. Nothing will boost the morale more than getting a win on the board. Singing the song will feel so good. But only one team will get to do that. For the other, it will feel like another season of toil without reward. When the winnable games come, it’s time to stand up and take the points on offer. The team that can rise to the occasion will enjoy this one.

UTS Bats v UNSW-ES Bulldogs

Trumper Park, Saturday 12:50pm

Bats – 4^th. Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1, 253.13%. Streak – W1

Bulldogs – 1^st. Played 3, Won 3, Lost 0, 328.30%, Streak – W3

Eastern Suburbs bragging rights are on the line in this clash between two teams that look to be on the way up in 2026. The Bulldogs are the only team still undefeated this season, while the Bats have won two already and are looking good. Plenty of rising talent on display in a game where both teams will be pumped for the occasion.

The Bats go into this game on the back of a comfortable 82-point win over Parramatta. Beth Martini, Olivia Morris and Taylah Canobie were superb for the Bats as they went through their paces and put on a convincing display. They’ve got the job done in two games already, but this is one that will test where they are at. If they can end the Bulldogs’ winning streak here, they’re right up there with the top contenders for this year’s title.

After only three weeks, only one team remains undefeated; with UNSW-ES sitting undefeated on top. They got there last Saturday when they overcame defending premiers North Shore by 13 points at Henson Park. Three unanswered goals in the first quarter gave the Bulldogs a handy lead, and they were able to hold the Bombers out for the remainder of the game. Eliza Vale, Sera Kaukiono and Rani Sossai were outstanding as the Bulldogs outlined their credentials as one of the competition’s leading contenders. Replicate a performance like that, and it will take something special from the Bats to knock them off.

This is a game to keep an eye on. There’s no shortage of up-and-coming talent looking to make their mark in the game, and a local rivalry game playing to be in the top echelons of the ladder is where reputations are made and broken. If the Bulldogs can remain undefeated, staying on top of the ladder, the Bats will have a fight on their hands to stay in touch with the ladder leaders. But a UTS win would make an extremely congested group at the top of the table. There’s a long way to go this season, but putting premiership points on the board now will be immensely valuable as the long winter weeks tick by.

Manly-Warringah Wolves v East Coast Eagles

Weldon Oval, Saturday 3:30pm

Wolves – 3^rd. Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1, 278.26%. Streak – W2

Eagles – 6^th. Played 3, Won 1, Lost 2, 97.37%. Streak – W1

These teams played in the 2024 Grand Final. The highly-anticipated re-match in 2025 at Weldon turned out to be the game that never was. But it’s been mainly dry this week, the surface at Weldon is open and in good condition; and these two rivals with winning form behind them will be taking to the field on Saturday.

Manly returned to the form that took them to last year’s minor premiership when they were 33 points too good for Sydney Uni at the Campuslast week. The Wolves got the early jump and although there were only two goals in it at the long break, the Wolves always looked to have the game under control. Andrea Roditis, Bella Clarke and Peggy Stanbury were superb for the Wolves as they played their best football so far this year and showed the league that they’re still a team to watch.

East Coast put their two losses in the first two rounds behind them at Bruce Purser last week as they held Pennant Hills scoreless to record an 81-point win. Rylee McGartland booted four goals; while Skye Southern, Jess Whelan and Chloe Arndt were prominent around the ground. The Eagles haven’t found their best form yet, they’re still well short of peak performance. But the run against Pennant Hills enabled them to click into gear and build some momentum into their system. Something they’ll need this time round. Weldon is a tough away trip, and the Eagles can’t afford a slow start against the Wolves. The game started to come together against Pennant Hills, but needs to be translated to a higher level this week against a tougher opponent.

These are two clubs with a strong record in Women's Premier Division in recent seasons. Regulars in the finals, playing off for premierships. Neither has struck their best form yet, but the season is still young. But a win here will get four valuable competition points, and signal to one of their rivals that they are a team to watch in 2026. It could be very tight among the top six in the battle for finals positions; and taking the points in a game like this could be the difference. Neither team will want to pass up this opportunity.

North Shore Bombers v St George Dragons

Gore Hill Oval, Saturday 4:20pm

Bombers – 2^nd. Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1, 320.69%. Streak – L1

St George – 8^th. Played 2, Won 0, Lost 2, 3.55%. Streak – L2

North Shore’s premiership defence hit its first hiccup last week when the Bombers went down at Henson Park. Now they return home to Gore Hill to take on a St George team coming in off the bye and in desperate need of a more competitive performance than we saw in the first two weeks of the season.

After big wins in their first two games, the Bombers suffered their first loss for 2026 when they went down to UNSW-ES by 13 points. Falling behind early, the Bombers were never able to make up the deficit. Ella Daniel, Sophie Kavanagh and Izzy McLeay kept working hard all day; but the Bombers were never able to click into the devastating form that saw them dominate their first two matches. Now they return home for a clash with the Dragons, and will be looking to this match to re-discover their best form.

St George haven’t yet had the opportunity to put any momentum in their season. A loss, a week off, a loss and then a bye last week. Now they’re back in action. Their last start was in round 2 against UTS at Kelso; where despite the determined efforts of Jasmine Baily, Charlotte Gilmer and Ash Lestrange, the Dragons were held to a single goal and went down by 69 points. But now they’re back in action and have some games in a row coming up. Now is the time to create momentum, to come out firing every week and put the opposition under pressure. And it starts right here, on the road against a highly-fancied opponent.

The Bombers, back on their home synthetic, will be keen to bounce back here; and the Dragons are going to have to find something special from within themselves to stop them. But find that something special they must. One goal in their first two games isn’t enough to remain sustainable at this level. It’s only by finding means to attack and getting a score on the board that their fortunes can turn around. They can’t afford another blowout.