AFL Sydney: 60+ male and female talents to shine on grand final weekend at Blacktown
With 10 grand finals to take place across a huge weekend of AFL Sydney action, the male and female stars are set to shine. We take a look at 60+ talents who are ready to make their mark on the big stage.
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A massive weekend of 10 grand finals across AFL Sydney divisions takes place at Blacktown International Sportspark on Saturday and Sunday.
Some of the best male and female talent in the state will be on show across many divisions, and we take a look at those players who can help their teams to premiership glory.
JUMP TO:
Saturday Fixtures (Men Div 3, U19 Div 1, Prem Women, Prem Men, Men Div 1) - Sunday Fixtures (Women Div 3, Women Div 2, Women Div 1, Men Div 2, Men Div 4)
SATURDAY GAMES
MENS DIVISION 3
ANTHONY BRAWN
Pennant Hills Demons
Forward
Played his 400th game for the club in 2024 and like a good wine, keeps getting better with age. Will no doubt play an important role in the forward line.
JYE DURKIN
Pennant Hills Demons
Midfield
In his 3rd season having come from a rugby background, he has led the way with his attack on the footy. Has been a big reason for the team coming together as one both on field and off field.
MARCUS RICKERBY
Pennant Hills Demons
Defender
Athletic defender who has put in the hard yards during the year that is seeing him play career best football. Will provide great run out of the back half.
ANDREW GOODIESON
UNSW-ES Bulldogs
Defender
Andrew and his family are what makes the club great, they’re true fabric of UNSW-ES Bulldogs. He is tough as nails, an honest hard worker who will always roll up his sleeves to help with whatever needs to be done. A commander in the backline and often the springboard for goals.
EDDIE LEWIS
UNSW-ES Bulldogs
Utility
Eddie is the quietly confident happy go lucky kind of player every side needs. Knows his job and delivers in spades every single time, often making it look easy. His talent and knowledge of the game has assisted in multiple coaching roles.
HARRY DUNSTAN
UNSW-ES Bulldogs
Midfield
Harry is the surprise packet in the team, you’re never quite sure what you will get. He’s speed is his weapon and he’s dangerous around the goals. Rotates through the midfield in short but usually damaging bursts.
UNDER 19 DIV 1
MAMADOU FAYE
Sydney University
Ruck
Brings a dominant presence in every contest that is integral to keeping the game on their terms.
VASILI MALEMPRE
Sydney University
Wing
His speed and agility on the field makes him a force to be reckoned with as a running threat who can go all day.
DAEMON LAKATOS
Sydney University
Forward
Lakatos is an important player that can get himself in key positions and hit the scoreboard at the most vital times.
COOPER DONALD
North Shore Bombers
Midfield
A very classy player in the midfield who racks up possessions and makes difficult things look easy.
MAX TOOHEY
North Shore Bombers
Forward/Ruck
Has done well in the Premier Division games he has played this year and makes everyone in the U19’s walk taller. Is an inspirational leader who can play as a tall forward or back. Also backs up in the ruck. Very clean hands and a strong overhead mark.
JARVIS HEMMINGS
North Shore Bombers
Midfield
Lives, eats and breathes footy. Loves bringing others into the game. Very classy mover and ball user and can be expected to have an impact as a key midfielder.
PREMIER WOMEN
AMELIE PROSSER-SHAW
East Coast Eagles
Midfield/Wing
Amelie is a young star whose running power allows her to cover the ground and find the footy at will. Had a dominant preliminary final, kicking three goals and will enjoy the wide open expanses of Blacktown in the grand final.
RYLEE MCGARTLAND
East Coast Eagles
Full forward
Rylee is as dangerous around goal as any and can kick them from anywhere. A quieter preliminary final in which she only managed one goal means a big one on grand final day is on the cards. She demands the ball and is often the main target up forward.
SUMMER HALL
East Coast Eagles
Midfield
Summer had a quieter qualifying final when she was struck down with illness but blew the game wide open with a dominant display in the preliminary final. Her burst of speed and power from the contest is hard to contain and is one of the barometers for the Eagles.
ELISE WALLACE
Manly Warringah Wolves
Half Back Flank
Elise is new to the game in only her second year of Aussie rules. She has cemented her position in the backline and has become extremely important to the structure and performance of that group. Her strength over the ball and ability to spoil the strongest forwards in the competition make her a valuable member of the squad and appreciated by her teammates.
HOLLY WICKHAM
Manly Warringah Wolves
Wing
Holly has improved immensely this year due to her involvement with the Swans and the love of playing with her club. Holly brings a touch of class out on her wing, while having significantly grown the defensive elements of her game. Holly is very dangerous anywhere in the forward line as she has a knack if kicking goals from anywhere. She is well respected by her teammates who enjoy being on the end of her silky skills.
LAUREN BOURGEOIS
Manly Warringah Wolves
Centre Half Forward
Lauren has returned to the Prems team this year and given them a real focal point in the forward line. Her contested marking has proven a thorn in the side of many an opposition team and her follow up and work rate are second to none. Her rucking ability is also a real asset deep in the forward line. Lauren brings a hunger for success and a love of her teammates to each game she plays.
PREMIER MEN
NICK MARSH
Manly Wolves
Defender
‘Marshy’ is not just the backline general, he also effectively locks down key position players from the opposition. He’s rarely beaten and regularly sets up forward thrusts for the Wolves.
WILL SMIT
Manly Wolves
Midfield
‘Smitty’ is one of the best two-way runners in the game. A silky-smooth mover with a weapon of a leg, he sets up his teammates regularly but can also drift forward and hit the scoreboard too.
TOM SHELDRICK
Manly Wolves
Forward
‘Shelly’ is a real presence no matter where he plays. Can take a contested mark but is equally at home on the lead. He’s also a great decision maker for a big man and looks to get others involved around him.
NED CAMPBELL
North Shore Bombers
Midfield
The recently crowned two time Phelan Medal winner. A local junior who glides around the field like a luxury sports car. Has super smooth ball skills. Will get plenty of opposition attention on the day, but is very hard to stop. Too much attention on Ned risks letting others in a very strong midfield unit off the chain.
FRASER THURLOW
North Shore Bombers
Full Forward/Ruck
Fraser Thurlow
Ex AFL and VFL listed. Is a powerful player who can also get off the deck, making him very hard to stop. Is an excellent overhead mark. Backs up in the ruck and is very hard to beat. Can be expected to hit the scoreboard.
JAKE VEALE
North Shore Bombers
Half Back
A former Phlelan Medal winner. Local junior but has played seniors in the SANFL and in the VFL. Plays off half back and regularly delivers long range and pinpoint kicks that set up the offence. Super fit and a great mentor to younger players.
MENS DIVISION 1
MARCUS VALASTRO
Sydney University
Ruck
Dominant big man who is a presence at ruck taps and around the ground with his intercept marking. A leader among the group who will give 100 per cent effort all day.
ANTON DENMARK
Sydney University
Wing
Has a relentless work rate around the ground see him rack up many possessions in attack and defence. Is an important player to the structure of the side.
WALTER ROBERTS
Sydney University
Half Forward/Wing
A clean and classy player who can hit the scoreboard and has plenty of time with the ball in hand while also being an aerial and contested threat.
NICK HILL
North Shore Bombers
Forward
Very smooth and skilful. Has played plenty of good Premier Division games and only narrowly misses that team for this weekend. Has a great tank and good hands that make him a difficult match up for most sides. Can hit this scoreboard. Kicked six in the elimination final against Pennant Hills.
HARRY EDWARDS
North Shore Bombers
Defender
Harry Edwards
Super dependable tall back. Can play tall or small and is very rarely beaten. Has a great pair of hands and took the match saving mark in last year’s grand final. Earning him the nickname Leo Harry.
SIMON HOMSANY
North Shore Bombers
Wing/Midfield
Came from WA at the start of the year with good WAFL experience. Was a fixture in their Premier Division team before a shoulder injury derailed his season. Is back to full fitness now and is starting to find his best form. Will run all day and has a penetrating left foot. Will start on the wing, but will almost certainly go into the middle, which he loves.
SUNDAY GAMES
WOMENS DIVISION 3
LAURA ALLSOPP
South West Sydney Blues
Midfield
Laura is the captain of the Blues and leads by example. Very tenacious and competitive midfielder who loves a contest.
SHARON FREEMAN
South West Sydney Blues
Forward
Sharon is a small forward who hunts the football and is a very clever player. Quick and nimble and loves to kick goals
KASEE MCILVENNY
South West Sydney Blues
Utility
Kasee can play any utility role across the ground. She excels in attack, defence, mids or the wing. When she is on her game – watch out. She is exciting to watch.
LYDIA HOLT
North Shore Bombers
Forward
A mature player with a strong physical presence and a great goal sense. An on field leader and motivator. A big target up forward and the teams highest goal kicker this season.
KAIA RAINER
North Shore Bombers
Wing
An instinctive winger who can run all day. A great defensive mindset and the ability to run deep into the backline to help the defence clear the ball.
SOPHIE ELSMORE
North Shore Bombers
Defender
A cleaver defender who often plays the ‘spare’ in the backline. Reads the play well and coordinates the defence behind the ball.
WOMENS DIVISION 2
SHANNON HUNTLEY-WEI
Camden Cats
Defender
Fresh from a best on ground performance in the grand final qualifier, Shannon is the ultimate competitor. Her refusal to be beaten, combined with her quick acceleration and powerful kick, allows her to get from contest to contest and drive the team forward generating crucial momentum out of defence.
GEMMA BARTOLILLO
Camden Cats
Midfield
Best on ground in last year’s division three premiership, Gemma is a classy midfielder who has exceptional ability to find time and space where there is none. Her composure and skilful use by both hand and foot set the team up to attack the opposition from any area of the ground.
MONIQUE PRICE
Camden Cats
Forward
Monique is a tenacious key forward who leaves everything on the field. Known for her elite overhead marking and exceptional hands in contested situations, Monique’s relentless efforts both up the ground and close to goal make her a nightmare matchup for opposition defences.
WOMENS DIVISION 1
ELLA CUSACK
Randwick City Saints
Midfield
First year player, taken to the game like a duck to water. Ella has a very high work rate both on training paddock and game day, silky skills, she’s a smooth mover around the ground and proven clearance winner at a stoppage. The team feeds off her efforts and are confident knowing she’s out there with them.
AINE O’KEEFE
Randwick City Saints
Half Back
Strong physical player off the half back line, a rugby convert who only started playing footy in 2023. Áine protects the half back line like it’s her first born and gives the whole team confidence. Viewers are likely to see plenty of rebounds off the half back line from Áine.
GRAINNE ARCHBOLD
Randwick City Saints
Midfield
A second-year player converted from Gaelic football, she’s worked extremely hard at learning her footy skills and role as a staple in the saints midfield, she can run all day. Gráinne loves a hard ball get, you’ll see her winning the ball at a contest, even if the odds are against her then come storming out of a pack leaving her opposition in her rear-view mirror
KATHERINE MCRORY
Randwick City Saints
Forward
Another second year player converted from Gaelic football, focused and a very high work rate at learning and improving her game, Katherine is very quick and great user of her body in a one-on-one. A small forward who has developed strong overhead mark and a proven goal scorer, bound to see her sneak a goal or two whether that be from a set shot or on the run on Sunday
AOIFE BYRNE
Randwick City Saints
Midfield
First year player from Irish Rugby, very hard focused trainer which transfers onto the field. You’ll see Aoife at the bottom of a pack using her body to win the ball and clear the pack.
GRAINNE NOONE
Randwick City Saints
Half Back
Solid defender who can play anywhere on the field, smaller in frame and stature but has taken on some of the biggest and tallest players. Another first year player with Gaelic football and Camogie background, competitive is her middle name and won’t shy away from anything. The team feel like they’re in safe hands knowing she’s there holding down the defensive line.
ELOISE CAREY
UTS Bats
Midfield/Rover
Eloise has been a key midfield player in division one and has been recognised for her footy skills and IQ by playing just as many games in Prems. She is a hard working rover who has the ability and skill to take on players. Her delivery into the forward line has set up many goals along with bagging a few for herself from long range. She has an awesome work ethic and will go hard all game. The Bats are expecting Eloise lift to the occasion in the grand final and is a good chance of a best on ground appearance.
RIVER REID
UTS Bats
Forward/Half Forward Flank
River is an exciting young talent, at only 17 years of age and playing her first season of senior football. She has elite skills whether by hand or foot. The team will be looking to get the football in her hands this weekend because she’s got a bag of tricks when it comes to goals and they expect to see some impressive goals from her again this weekend.
ELLY JENKINS
UTS Bats
Backline/Half Back Flank
Elly has been one of their key defenders all season. Her attack off the Half Back line has been game changing. Elly adds voice, experience and footy IQ to know when to take the game on or play it safe. Elly has delivered outstanding performances in the finals series so far. She stands up as a senior player on the field and no doubt will create excitement off the half backline this weekend.
MENS DIVISION 2
DOMINIC MICHALAK
Southern Power
Half Back
The recipient of the Snow Medal for the best and fairest of the division. A silky player off the half back that uses his height to courageously intercept mark. He’s a great runner using pace to break the lines using his pinpoint ball skills to find a teammate.
HAYDEN WALLIS
Southern Power
Full Forward
After kicking 47 goals and taking out leading goal kicker for the division. Hayden is an agile full forward, who’s aerial work has produced some great marks. If the ball hits the ground he uses his pace to break free of defenders, scoring goals at will.
CHRIS DAVIDSON
Southern Power
Midfield
The captain of the team, he leads by the front with pure heart and determination. Using his strong frame to get a contested ball, breaking tackles left and right. But skilful enough on the outside to hit his targets.
JEREMY SHUMACK
North Shore Bombers
Midfield
A wrecking ball in the midfield coming off an outstanding season. A big lad who likes to take players on and use his size. Will run all day.
MILES BARRITT
North Shore Bombers
Midfield
A midfielder who has played plenty of higher level footy. Has exquisite skills by hand and foot on both sides of his body and makes great disposal decisions. A very classy and smart player.
TOM WORLEY
North Shore Bombers
Midfield
A hard-running, big bodied midfielder. Very hard to stop once he gets moving. Breaks lines and gives the side a lot of drive.
MENS DIVISION 4
HUGH AFRICA
St George Dragons
Wing
Was the best on ground for the Dragons in the preliminary final. Hugh consistently shows toughness and plays above his size. Look out for his speed and tenacity on Sunday.
TYLER SCOTTON
St George Dragons
Wing/Forward
Brings plenty of speed to the side and has a booming right boot. Is the vice-captain of St George and is always good for a goal per game.
MATTHEW KNIGHT
St George Dragons
Midfield
A raging bull in the midfield and you can be Knight will be at the bottom of every pack. Is never afraid to make a tackle or win the hard ball when needed.
MICHAEL SIEDERS
Hawkesbury Jets
Key Forward/Utility
A local Hawkesbury junior, former captain and the club’s spiritual leader, on and off the field.
‘The Flying Mullet’ provides a strong presence up forward with his contesting marking and pressure acts, and will look to stamp his authority on the game early.
NED MORGAN
Hawkesbury Jets
Half Back Flank
A local Hawkesbury junior and son of 1993 Hawkesbury premiership hero Andrew. ‘Netflix’ has blistering speed and safe hands off the back flank, with a dangerous long range leg that can find the goals at the other end.
JACK BURNS
Hawkesbury Jets
Midfield
The winner of the Armstrong Medal for best and fairest in the division. An elite on-baller who has attracted heavy attention this finals series, and opposition do so at their peril in the big game. Can tear a game to pieces with the ball, and defensively stands taller than his opponent.
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