Written by David Redden
WOMEN'S UNDER 20:
In Womens Under 20s action, the first Sydney Uni Derby saw Sydney Uni (1) defeat Sydney Uni (2) by 25 points at University No.1 Oval. Pennant Hills accounted for UTS by 22 points at Mike Kenny Bottom Oval, Manly Warringah thrashed South West Sydney by 72 points at Bob Prenter Reserve, and UNSW-ES defeated North Shore courtesy of a forfeit. Parramatta had the Bye.
WOMEN'S DIVISION ONE:
In Womens Division One action, Sydney University belted East Coast Eagles by 10 goals at University No.1 Oval, undefeated Manly Warringah defeated Randwick City by 5 goals at Pioneers Park, Newtown hung on for a thrilling 3-point win over an inaccurate North Shore at Mahoney Park, and UTS accounted for Southern Power by 27 points at Waratah Oval.
WOMEN'S PREMIER DIVISION:
Undefeated UNSW-ES continued their brilliant start to the 2026 season with a 92-point thumping of Parramatta at Henson Park. Final scores were UNSW-ES 14.8.92 to Parramatta 0.0.0.
The Bulldogs kicked 5 goals in the first quarter and completely shut the Goannas down over 4 quarters, in another excellent defensive performance ahead of a Representative General Bye next Saturday.
Gun forward Rebecca Privitelli was unstoppable for the Bulldogs, kicking 9 of the Bulldogs’ 14 goals. Taylor Smith chipped in with two majors for UNSW-ES.
UNSW-ES’ best players were Privitelli, Summah Joyce, Francesca Ryan, Abby Cunningham, Eliza Vale, and Smith. Parramatta was best served by Tayliya Noack, Zara Stanford, Sienna Stanford, Lilly Dummett, Montana Doubell, and Khobi Devine.
St George made history with their first-ever victory over East Coast Eagles in Women’s Premier Division, running out victors by 12 points. Final scores were St George 4.5.29 to East Coast Eagles 2.5.17. The Dragons have been steadily improving since promotion to Premier Division, and this victory represents a significant milestone for the Olds Park faithful.
The Dragons set up their win with a first 4-goal first half, and they led by 17 points at the main break. East Coast dug deep and kept the Dragons to 4 behinds in the second half, but St George’s back 5 held firm as the Eagles kicked only 1.3.9 in the second half.
Chantelle Ladner was the only multiple goalkicker in the match, kicking 2 goals for the Dragons.
St George’s best players were Eloise Carey, Ruby O'Dwyer, Sophie Higgs, Madeleine Holden, Sarah Brenton, and Charlotte Bulmer. East Coast Eagles were best served by Erin Naden, Renee Tomkins, Nellie McMillan, Grace Simonsen, Chloe Arndt, and Claire Sievwright.
UTS thrashed Pennant Hills by 124 points at Mike Kenny Oval. Final scores were UTS 18.16.124 to Pennant Hills 0.0.0.
The Bats kicked 9 goals in each half in a consistent performance that gained significant percentage and leapt them into third place, courtesy of an amazing draw at Sydney University No.1 Oval.
Full-forward (and former Demon) Brianna-Lee Wade kicked 6 goals for UTS. Ella Parker kicked 3 goals for the Bats and three players (Gemma Casiglia, Laura Donoheo and Sam Wightwick) all chimed in with 2 majors for a dominant UTS outfit.
UTS’ best players were Emma Keane, Parker, Olivia Morris, Wade, Taylah Canobie, and Alysha Burnett. Pennant Hills were best served by Stephanie Este, Eliza Michie, Amelia Bennett, Kate Quadrio, Charlotte Reynolds-Nutt, and Lillian Ward.
Sydney University and North Shore played out a thrilling draw at University No.1 Oval. Final scores were 6.3.39 apiece.
North Shore led by 6 points at the main break, and then the 2025 Grand Finallists were locked at 4.3.27 each at the final break. North Shore led by 12 points midway through the final term, but then goals from Lucy Gilfedder and Jessica-Lee Urquhart had the two teams level again with 4 minutes to play. Neither side could score in the final minutes in a nail-biting end to a simply amazing game of football.
Urquhart, Gilfedder and Emma Walsh kicked 2 goals each for the Student. Adrienne Keeffe kicked 2 goals for North Shore.
Sydney University’s best players were Saskia Johnson, Ashley Dribbus, Arabella Hendriks, Urquhart, Gilfedder, and Natalia Waterson. North Shore’s best players were not available at the time of writing.
MEN'S UNDER 19.5 DIVISION ONE:
In Men's Under 19.5 Division One action, Pennant Hills thrashed UTS by 64 points at Mike Kenny Oval, St George pipped East Coast Eagles by a solitary point despite kicking 4.11, and Manly Warringah annihilated South West Sydney by 126 points at Bob Prenter Reserve. UNSW-ES defeated Inner West Magpies by 10 goals at Henson Park. The Sydney University vs North Shore scores were not available at the time of writing.
MEN'S DIVISION ONE:
In Men's Division One action, Camden defeated St George, North Shore defeated Sydney University by 19 points in an entertaining, high-scoring game a University No.1 Oval, and Manly Warringah defeated South West Sydney by 39 points at Bob Prenter Reserve. Parramatta defeated UNSW-ES by 55 points at Henson Park. Pennant Hills had the Bye.
MEN'S PREMIER DIVISION:
South West Sydney rocketed to first place on the Men's Premier Division ladder with an impressive 39-point victory over Manly Warringah at Bob Prenter Reserve. Final scores were South West Sydney 15.8.98 to Manly Warringah 9.5.59.
On the back of a dominant performance in the ruck from the rapidly developing Uchenna Egbu, the Blues kicked 13 goals to 7 after quarter-time in a professional display on the vast expanses of Bob Prenter Reserve.
Both sides had crucial players missing, so this composed win from the Blues is a pivotal moment in their brief history in Premier Division.
4 Blues players kicked 2 goals each; Eddie Keogh, Bailey-Dean Latanis, Max Lower and gun midfielder Luke Parkinson. Phelan Medallist Kale Gabila and Kaden Harbour kicked 2 goals each for the Wolves.
South West Sydney’s best players were the magnificent Egbu, Lower, Parkinson (who may have a particularly significant role to play next Saturday at the historic Manuka Oval), Liam Burns, Angus Langley and key backman Callum Burns. Manly Warringah was best served by Lachlan Behagg, Gabila, Ky McGrath, Tyler Sheehan, Lachlan Hunter, and Oliver Rojo.
UNSW-ES accounted for Inner West Magpies by a comfortable 75 points at Henson Park. Final scores were UNSW-ES 19.8.122 to Inner West Magpies 7.5.47.
After a relatively low-scoring first half, the Bulldogs led by 21 points at the main break. UNSW-ES then kicked 14 goals to 5 in the second half to romp to a crucial victory, given that both North Shore and Manly Warringah dropped points at University No.1 Oval and Bob Prenter Reserve, respectively.
Luke Swan kicked 6 goals for UNSW-ES. Archer Dunstan chimed in with 3 majors for the Bulldogs, and Charlie Burgess-Hoar and Luke Moloney both kicked 2 goals for the Bulldogs in their impressive win. Ryder Eberhard and Max Fasolo kicked 2 goals each for Inner West.
UNSW-ES’ best players were Harrison Dyson, Swan, Ben Scala, Marcus Lippett, Ethan Elliott, and Luke Moloney. Inner West Magpies were best served by Kevin Clark, Fasolo, Thomas Saad, Fintan Butler, Ki Currie, and Alexander Touma.
St George opened their account for season 2026 with hard-fought 17-point victory over East Coast Eagles at Kelso Park North. Final scores were St George 11.10.76 to East Coast Eagles 8.11.59.
The Dragons set up their win with a 5 goal to 2 second quarter and headed into the main break 18 points in front. East Coast pegged back their lead to 11 points at the final change, but the Dragons kicked 3 goals to 2 in the fourth quarter to register a morale-boosting home win.
Hunter and Roman Pickett kicked 3 goals each for the Dragons. Experienced key forward Marshall Poynter kicked 3 goals for the Eagles.
St George’s best players were Nathaniel Mckenzie-Hicks, Joshua Nicholls, Jack Druery, Kian Todd-Bonselaar, Cave McKnight, and Roman Pickett. East Coast Eagles were best served by Lyndon Hupfeld, Brady Mackay, the remarkably consistent Jacob Jones, Scott Brown, Baylee Jones, and Angus Edwards.
The surging Pennant Hills Demons shook up the Men's Premier Division ladder with a convincing 49-point win over the previously undefeated UTS Bats at Mike Kenny Oval. Final scores were Pennant Hills 14.14.98 to UTS 7.7.49.
Under second year coach Jason Blakemore, the Demons have shaken off a lethargic and disappointing 2025 season with a great start to 2026.
The Demons won every quarter in a dominant performance. The Bats stuck to their task but were well-beaten in every facet of the game.
Small forward Oscar Irwin kicked 4 goals for the Demons. Nick Hey and Josh Stern continued their outstanding start to the season with 3 goals each for Pennant Hills. Ash Backlund kicked 2 goals for UTS.
Pennant Hills best players were Xavier Russell, Charles Allison, Oscar Irwin, Cooper Lee, Joshua Stern, and Ben Lamb. UTS was best served by James Higgins, Justin Ryan, Matthew O'Hanlon, Nick McGill, Ash Backlund, and Lachlan McNamara.
In yet another wonderful game of football, a late, late Lachlan Keeffe goal saw Sydney University somehow escape with a thrilling 3-point win over a surging North Shore at University No.1 Oval. Final scores in a highly entertaining and exciting game were Sydney University 19.8.122 to North Shore 18.11.119.
What a game this was. The Students led by 11 points at quarter-time, then North Shore put the foot down in the second quarter, kicking 7 goals to 3 as they headed to the change rooms 10 points in front.
The Students then came out flying in the third quarter, kicking 7 goals to 1 to lead by 22 points at the last break. The Bombers then came home with a wet sail to actually lead by 3 points in the 25th minute. Keeffe’s goal in the 28th minute of an exhilarating, combined 11-goal final term was the final act in a simply brilliant game of Premier Division football.
Former Brisbane Lion and West Coast Eagle Alex Witherden kicked 8 goals for the Students in a magnificent display, with 2 of those goals crucially coming in the fourth quarter. Brayden Pilot kicked three goals for Uni, with Rory Barkley and Keeffe chipping in with 2 goals each for the Students.
North Shore goalkickers and both Best Player lists were not available at the time of writing.