The first of the AFL Sydney Grand Finals get underway this weekend with the Division Five and Women’s Division Two trophies to be handed out.
Division Five – UTS Bats vs UNSW/ES Bulldogs @ 3pm @ Blacktown ISP
A rematch of the 2nd Semi Final two weeks ago sees the UTS Bats taking on the UNSW/ES Bulldogs for the Division Five Premiership.
The Road So Far
UTS
The Bats have been the dominant side in 2015. After losing their first game of the year, UTS have now won their last 13. Their wins have been ultra impressive with 10 victories by 80 points or more with six of those wins being by 100 points or more. A 203 point win in Round 15 against Balmain was the Bats biggest victory for the year.
UNSW/ES
The Bulldogs were the early ladder leaders in Division Five after winning their first five games before a loss to Penrith in the Round 4 Wet Weather catch-up game. A hiccup in the middle of the year where they lost two straight games didn’t stop the Bulldogs as they marched towards September. The Bulldogs biggest win also came against Balmain in Round 8 where they defeated the Tigers by 182 points.
Previous Matchups
UTS lead the ledger between the two sides two to one in 2015. UNSW/ES claimed the four points against the Bats in Round 1 with a 35 point win at Trumper Park. The Bats turned the tables around in Round 11 with a 33 point win at Village Green. The Bats also won their most recent meeting in the 2nd Semi Final as they progressed to the Grand Final with a 31 point win.
Key Players
UTS
James Hedrick – A pocket rocket forward has had another great year up forward kicking 33 goals from 11 games including a best of six in Round 10. Was a premiership winner with the Bats in 2014.
Lucas Wesney – Wesney is in his first year of AFL but has slotted into the Bats forward line with ease. The forward has been outstanding, only being held goalless on one occasion and has kicked three or more goals in 8 games.
UNSW/ES
Jake Reid – The pint sized midfielder adds class to the Bulldogs engine room. Has the ability to run all day and knows where the goals are kicking nine in 2015. Is a reliable performer being named in the best 12 times from 17 games.
John Hook – The Bulldogs big forward has been a strong target all year. Finished in 2nd position in the Division Five goal kicking ladder with 46 goals. Went through a spectacular patch of form in August kicking 20 goals in four games.
Prediction
The Bulldogs are the only team to defeat the Bats this season and will take confidence from that but the Bats have defeated any challenges who have come their way and I can’t see anything changing.
UTS by 14 points
Gosford Wildcats vs Penrith Ramettes @ 9am @ Blacktown ISP
After some cracking final series games in the Women’s Division Two, both Gosford and Penrith have emerged from the pack to have one hand on the premiership cup.
The Road So Far
Gosford
After being predicted to finish in fifth place at the start of the year, the Wildcats used that as motivation in 2015 to show the experts they were wrong. After dropping their first game of the year, the Wildcats went on a five game winning streak before being defeated by Auburn at Mona Park. The Wildcats only lost the one more game for the rest of the year, to Manly Warringah in Round 10, to claim the minor premiership. A four point win against Auburn in the 2nd Semi Final granted them a Grand Final berth.
Penrith
Premiership favourites at the start of the year, the Ramettes had a slow start to the year with wet weather postponing their first two games. They finally played their first game in May and started well winning three of their first four games. The Ramettes then surprisingly lost three of their next five games putting their finals position in jeopardy. They recovered from that winning their next four leading into finals to finish fourth. Wins in the finals against Blacktown, UTS and Auburn have them in good shape for the big dance.
Previous Matchups
Gosford have been too good for Penrith so far this year winning their two previous matchups. A hard fought seven point win in Round 5 for the Wildcats showed the competition they would be a premiership contender. In Round 11, the Wildcats repeated the result with a 32 point win at the Greygums Oval.
Key Players
Gosford
Amy Hessell – Hessell will be an important player for the Wildcats this Saturday with her versatility giving coach Simon Berry plenty of options to where she should play. Hessell is a NSW/ACT representative in 2015 and can play forward, back or in the ruck.
Meg Lawrence – A part of the AFL Sydney representative side in 2015, Lawrence will use her strong hands and precise foot skills push her side to victory on Saturday. The Ramettes will need to stop her winning the ball inside 50 as she has proven she can be dangerous in front of goals.
Penrith
Nikki Perrett – The reigning Women’s Division Two Best and Fairest has again had a fantastic year. ‘Killer’ will be very important around the stoppages in getting the Ramettes moving forward. Her tackling pressure will be play an integral part in the result.
Renee Tomkins – The Ramettes ruck has had a quality final series. Her tap work to feed the Ramettes midfielders has been excellent the last three weeks. Tomkins also kicked the winning goal last week in the Preliminary Final win and will be looking to be the match winner once again.
Prediction
The Wildcats have surprised all in only their second season of AFL and will be well rested after a week off. The Ramettes have done it the hard way from the Elimination Final and have momentum on their side leading into the weekends match.
Gosford by 3 points
Last Modified on 10/09/2015 22:05
