Written by David Redden
WOMEN'S UNDER 20s:
In Womens Under 20 action, North Shore defeated UTS by 35 points at Gore Hill Oval, UNSW-ES thrashed South West Sydney by 30 goals at Henson Park, Sydney University (2) just edged out Pennant Hills by 3 points at University No.1 Oval, and Sydney University (1) comfortably accounted for Parramatta by 56 points at Bat and Ball Oval. Manly Warringah had the bye.
WOMEN'S DIVISION ONE:
In Womens Division One action, North Shore hammered UTS by 79 points at Gore Hill Oval, Manly Warringah defeated Southern Power by 35 points at Waratah Oval, Newtown Breakaways kept East Coast Eagles scoreless in winning by 50 points at Mahoney Park, and Randwick City defeated Sydney University by 22 points at Pioneers Park.
WOMEN'S PREMIER DIVISION:
North Shore thrashed Parramatta by 75 points at Gore Hill Oval. Final scores for North Shore 12.10.82 to Parramatta 1.1.7.
The Bombers were never seriously threatened in a professional performance, keeping Parramatta scoreless over the first three quarters as they gained valuable percentage in a remarkably close Top 5.
Abbey Martin referred returned to form with three goals for the Bombers. Emma Ferrante and League full-forward Adrian Keeffe chipped in with two majors each for North Shore.
Northshore's best players were Charlotte Tidemann, Georgina Maher, Sophie Kavanagh, Ferrante, Martin, and Ella Daniel. Parramatta was best served by Kayla McGinty, Brea Trevitt, Caoimhe Hogan, Ashley Gray, Megan Mifsud, and Marley Rhodes.
Manly Warringah tracked competition leaders UNSW-ES with a resounding 70-point victory over St George at a damp Weldon Oval. Final scores were Manly Warringah 13.7.85 to St George 2.3.15.
The Wolves were rampant in the first half, kicking 10 unanswered goals in a devastating first half performance. The Dragons, to their credit, made the second half much more interesting kicking 2 goals to Manly’s 3 in a much closer contest.
The Wolves, after an early stumble, sit in second place on the Womens Premier Division ladder and are well-placed for yet another finals campaign deep into September.
Isabella Rudolph kicked 4 goals for Manly Warringah, including two from the “Steven Johnson” pocket that set the crowd alight. Skipper Ashleigh Carter, Bella Clarke, and Peggy Stanbury all chimed in with 2 goals each for the walls. Gabriela Waechter kicked two goals for St George.
Manly Warringah’s best players were Jayme Saggers, Clarke, dual Mostyn Medallist Hannah Woolf (in a notable return to form for the talented rover), Chloe Davis, inspiring skipper Carter, and Rudolph. St George was best served by Waechter, Ashleigh Lestrange, Ruby O'Dwyer, Sophie Higgs, Sarah Brenton, and Chantelle Ladner.
In a game played in wildly fluctuating conditions at a well-presented Waverley Oval, UTS were made to work hard by East Coast Eagles before the Bats ran out 27-point winners as the rain drenched the Eastern Suburbs. Final scores were UTS 5.12.42 to East Coast Eagles 2.3.15.
UTS set up their victory in the first half, letting by 26 points at the main break. Only poor shooting, converting four shots out of a possible 13, kept East Coast in the game. In a very wet second half, vehicles dug deep as each team could only manage one goal apiece in the gloomy conditions.
UTS consolidated third position on the ladder, which they needed as they have an upcoming bye and have North Shore and Sydney University breathing down their necks.
The 7 goals in this fixture were kicked by 7 individual goal kickers, highlighting how tough goals were to come by on a wet afternoon at Waverly Oval.
UTS’ best players were the outstanding Taylah Canobie, Olivia Morris, Hannah Cerezo, Beth Martini, Marnie Robinson, and Gabriella Stanwix. East Coast Eagles were best served by Nellie McMillan, player-coach Renee Tomkins, Chloe Arndt, Skye Southon, Kahli Gilchrist, and Erin Naden.
Sydney University belted Pennant Hills by 158 points at University No.1 Oval. Final scores were Sydney University 24.16.160 to Pennant Hills 0.2.2.
The Students kicked 13 goals in the first half and 11 in the second as they made a serious increase to their percentage, with percentage likely to separate Uni & North Shore at the end of the season.
Molly Gibbs had a huge day out for Sydney Uni, kicking 6 goals. Vice-captain Lucy Gilfedder chimed with 4 majors of her own as the hosts poured more misery onto the struggling Demons outfit.
Sydney Uni’s best players were Amanda Farrugia, Frances Walsh, Gibbs, Madison McCarthy, Allie Smith, and Mimi Pullinger. Pennant Hills were best served by Charis Zacharias, Caitlin Gurney, Zoe Winn, Greta Clatworthy, Ava Clegg, and Louise Fisher.
MEN'S UNDER 19.5 DIVISION ONE:
In Mens Under 19s Division One action, UTS and East Coast Eagles played out a thrilling 8.10.58 draw at Waverley Oval, Sydney University defeated Pennant Hills by 19 points at University No.1 Oval, UNSW-ES thumped South West Sydney by 127 points at Henson Park, Manly Warringah defeated St. George by 43 points at Weldon Oval, and North Shore thrashed Inner West Magpies by 110 points at Gore Hill Oval.
MEN'S DIVISION ONE:
In Mens Division One action, Manly Warringah defeated St. George by 29 points at Weldon Oval, North Shore comfortably accounted for Parramatta by 65 points at Gore Hill Oval, and Sydney University defended Pennant Hills by 47 points at University No.1 Oval. Camden had the bye.
MEN'S PREMIER DIVISION:
In a tough, attritional game at Henson Park, South West Sydney came from 18 points down at quarter-time to defeat UNSW-ES by 20 points. Final scores were South West Sydney 7.13.55 to UNSW-ES 5.5.35.
The Bulldogs kicked 3 goals to none in a solid first quarter. After quarter-time, the Blues kicked 7 goals to 2 in a superb defensive display from the competition leaders.
5 UNSW-ES players kicked 1 goal each. Matt Ronan kicked two goals for the Blues.
South West Sydney’s best players were Liam Burns, Edward Cole, Phelan Medal hopeful Luke Parkinson, Ronan, Sullivan O'Dwyer, and Thye Hamilton.
Manly Warringah defeated St George by 71 points at Weldon Oval. Final scores were Manly Warringah 18.9.117 to St George 7.4.46.
The Wolves were jolted out of their slumber after quarter-time, with St George leading by 7 points at the first change. Mainly then kicked 16 goals to 4 in the remaining three quarters as they careered away to a solid victory in the wet conditions at Curl Curl.
The Wolves are a completely different side when Trent Dennis-Lane is stationed at full forward. Dennis--Lane kicked 8 goals in yet another excellent display on home turf. AFL Sydney forward Zac Youlten kicked 4 goals as he provided able support to Dennis-Lane. Hunter Pickett and Mac Winchester kicked 2 goals each for the Dragons.
Manly’s best players were Oliver Rojo, Dennis-Lane, Kaden Harbour, Barry O’Connor, Lachlan Kilpatrick, and Nathanael Newman. St George was best served by Cave McKnight, Dominic Soffe, Nathaniel Mckenzie-Hicks, Joshua Nicholls, Hunter Flower, and Liam Taylor.
UTS returned to the winners’ circle with an emphatic 82-point win over the struggling East Coast Eagles at a rainswept Waverley Oval. Final scores were UTS 19.17.131 to East Coast Eagles 7.7.49.
The Bats kicked 11 goals to 2 in the first half as their running game and slick movement proved too much for the Eagles. The Eagles tripled their score in the fourth quarter as they saved some face, with UTS slightly taking the foot of the pedal in the final 30 minutes as they coasted to victory.
Considering the conditions (it rained for the entire four quarters), UTS provided some scintillating football at times, despite Eagles ruckman Scott Brown dominating the ball-ups all day. For the first time in many seasons, the Bats are entitled to look toward September. Next Saturday sees a decisive test for UTS – they have North Shore at Gore Hill, one of AFL Sydney’s toughest away trips.
Ash Backlund and Blake Tabe kicked 4 goals each for UTS (Backlund would have almost reached double figures had he had his kicking boots on). Lachlan McNamara, a star for AFL Sydney a week earlier at Manuka Oval, chipped in with 3 majors for the Bats. Key Eagles forward Marshall Poynter kicked 3 goals from limited opportunities.
UTS’s best players were Backlund, James Warton, McNamara, Lewis McCormack, Nick McGill, and Tabe. East Coast Eagles were best served by Angus Edwards, Jacob Jones, Lyndon Hupfeld, Jesse Eldred, Poynter, and Brady Mackay.
A brilliant defensive display from Pennant Hills, combined with diabolical shooting from hosts Sydney University, saw the Demons thrash the Students by 67 points at University No.1 Oval. Final scores were Pennant Hills 14.9.93 to Sydney University 2.14.26.
The Demons had this game won at half-time, leading 8.6.54 to 0.8.8 at the main break. Pennant Hills increased their lead each quarter in a superb display from Jason Blakemore’s men.
The rapid turn-around in the Demons results over 9 months has been a remarkable sight. They have taken huge strides towards a September finals run with consistent, sustainable footy, all whilst missing injured League fullback Mikey Carroll.
Gun forward Nick Hey kicked 4 goals for the Demons, assisted by Oscar Irwin, Angus Lee, and Josh Stern (2 goals each).
Pennant Hills were best served by Charles Allison, Angus Lee, Mitchell Blow, Stern, Liam Everett, and Phelan Medallist Stephen Wray. Sydney University was best served by Wilson Baade, Beau Mathews, Oscar Bosnjakovic, Lucas Newman, Ricky Meyrick, and Hugh Sienkiewicz.
North Shore quite simply overwhelmed Inner West Magpies at Gore Hill Oval, eventually running out victors by a huge 158 points. Final scores were North Shore 25.26.176 to Inner West Magpies 2.6.18.
The Bombers kicked exactly 88 points in each half as they showed absolutely no mercy toward the struggling Magpies. This huge score could be important as the season heads into late August, with the Bombers now lying in 4th place with a competition-best percentage of 252.21, ahead of a monster 3 v 4 clash with UTS this Saturday at Gore Hill Oval.
On a day where goals were shared around, Matt Buskariol and Nick Robinson kicked 5 majors each for the Bombers. Patrick Bolger and representative star Cooper Donald added 3 goals each for a rampant North Shore.
Norths Shore’s best players were Nicholas Pavlou, Max Proud, Donald, James Tidemann, Robinson, and Buskariol. Inner West Magpies were best served by Samuel Butler, Lachlan Tiziani, Daniel O’Connell, Max Fasolo, Ryder Eberhard, and Jonty Inglis.