East Coast Eagles v UTS Bats

Bruce Purser Reserve, Saturday 12:10pm

Our Men’s Premier Division season gets under way at Bruce Purser, with a clash between the Eagles and the Bats. For both, it’s been a long wait for success. The Eagles last competed in finals in 2018, with the Bats having not been a part of playoff action since 2016. But both have hopes of moving up the ladder in 2026, and the campaign to be big improvers starts right here.

Wooden spooners for three years in a row from 2022 to 2024, the Eagles climbed off the bottom last year and managed four wins. It’s been a long rebuild for the Eagles, but now is the time to consolidate and make the move up the ladder. The club has been a powerhouse in Women’s footy in recent years, but now it’s time for the blokes to step up. It’s still a very young list, but there’s more experience in it now; and the lessons learned in recent years will be put to the test as the months of 2026 unfold.

As always, there’ll be plenty of new faces in the UTS lineup for 2026. After just five wins in 2025, they’re hoping for an improved showing this season. The potential is there, but can they step up when the game gets tight and find a way to get across the line? There were times last year when they were in a winning position, even against strong opponents, but couldn’t get it done at the critical moments. The foundations are there, but must be built on this season.

Last year these teams split their meetings, with the Eagles getting up by 18 points at Bruce Purser in round 2; but the Bats turned the tables with an 11-point result at Waverley in round 14. The Eagles have the home advantage this time, and need to make it count. For both clubs, the dream is to challenge for the finals; and it’s hard to see both of them getting there. That makes games like this of crucial importance. To hit the ground running and get the season off to a flying start will give confidence that the team is heading in the right direction. It’s only one game, but momentum can build from that. It’s so much more than the four points on offer.

 

Inner West Magpies v North Shore Bombers

Picken Oval, Saturday 1:00pm

North Shore’s premiership defence takes them first up to Picken Oval for a match-up against Inner West Magpies. The Bombers were super-impressive last season in the games that mattered; and they’ll be looking to repeat that performance when the business end of 2026 comes around. But they have to make the finals first, and the Magpies will be doing everything they can to ensure the first hurdle will be a challenging one.

The Magpies were unable to replicate their finals appearance of 2024, winning just one game last season to finish with the dreaded wooden spoon. But a new season wipes the slate clean, and it’s a fresh beginning for the Magpies. A new coach with AFL experience, new players and a new hope and optimism. It will take time for the game plan to fully come together; but a credible performance here would go a long way towards building hope for the future.

Back to back premierships and going for the three-peat; North Shore have been the benchmark in recent years. There’s no shortage of exciting young players coming through the ranks, with hopes of replenishing the lineup with each passing season. They’re the hottest of favourites here; but they can’t afford to rest on their laurels. There’s a job to be done and they need to be focused on getting the points here.

North Shore were untroubled in the two meetings between the two clubs last year; winning by 114 points at Gore Hill in round 6 and by 71 points at Picken Oval in round 16. It would be a boilover if the wooden spooners knocked off the premiers in the opening round; but not unprecedented. East Coast stunned UNSW-ES in the opening round just a couple of years ago. The Bombers can’t afford to take this one lightly; while the Magpies will be determined to put up a competitive performance. If the home side can give the Bombers a run for their money, it will give plenty of reassurance that they’re headed in the right direction.

 

South-West Sydney Blues v Pennant Hills Demons

Bob Prenter Reserve, Saturday 1:00pm

One of the more intriguing opening round fixtures will take place at the new look Bob Prenter Reserve on Saturday as South-West Sydney plays host to Pennant Hills. The new clubhouse looks a treat, a Premier Division standard venue; while the vast expanses of the ground surface remains to test the fitness of our running players and the distance of our longest kicks. It’s a game to watch; and you don’t have to miss a moment of the action if you tune your device to Streamer. [link – https://streamer.com.au/match/6005 ]

This is only the fifth year of South-West Sydney’s existence in its present form; the third at Premier Division level. But the Blues went forward in leaps and bounds last year as they made their way into the finals, knocking off Sydney Uni in the Elimination Final to finish in fourth place. The platform is laid for future success, but the challenge is to build on that platform and take the next step and become genuine contenders. To pass that test, this is the sort of game they need to take by the scruff of the neck and get the job done.

It’s rare for Pennant Hills to miss out on the finals, but they fell agonisingly short last year; when they were depending on another result which went the wrong way by less than a goal. Expect to see the Demons galvanised into action in 2026 as they look to return to the business end of the season. A slow start to 2025 meant they were playing catch-up in their efforts to move up the ladder; so this time round they’ll be looking to hit the ground running and clock up some early competition points.

The Blues had the edge over the Demons in 2025, winning by 68 points at Mike Kenny in round 11 and then by 74 points at Rosedale in round 17. But this time the Blues won’t have Trent Cotchin and Brandon Ellis as guest players; they’ll be relying on their own list. And there’s plenty of ability in that list, ready to make the next step. While the Demons, always a club that does the one-percenters well, have the determination to make up for the disappointment of last year. This game could be pivotal to the outcome of the season for both clubs; and there probably won’t be much in it.

 

Sydney University Students v St George Dragons

Mahoney Park, Saturday 1:20pm

We’re on the banks of the Cooks River for our clash between the Students and the Dragons. Sydney Uni, after a fifth-placed finish least year, are aiming to move up and become genuine premiership contenders in 2026. St George’s aim for 2026 is to break a four year finals drought and return to playoff action. For both clubs, a strong start will help them in achieving their 2026 campaign.

After a promising start last season, Sydney Uni fell into a mid-season slump and their place in the finals wasn’t wrapped up until the final round of the regular season. Since winning the 2020 premiership, the Students haven’t finished in the top three; but the blue and gold hoops have high hopes of a move upwards. With a strong junior pathway, bolstered by some handy recruits, they’re fired up and ready to go.

St George struggled in 2025, winning just four games in an eighth-placed finish. It was a season that didn’t live up to the high standards the Dragons set for themselves, and they’ll be going all-out to put things right in 2026. They’ve trained hard, re-set the game plan, brought some new faces into the club. And now it’s time to put those plans into action and lay the groundwork for a run up the ladder this season.

The Students got the job done both times the teams met last year; firstly by 44 points at Olds Park in round 3, and then by a whopping 105 points at Sydney Uni No 1 in round 9. We’re not at the campus this time, but the Students are the home team; and they’ll be keen to make their advantage count. There’s a long season ahead; one game doesn’t make or break a season. But it’s a momentum builder, and creates confidence that the team is in a good position to achieve their goals for the season. Four competition points hits the ground running; and both clubs will be battling hard to get the season off to a flying start.

 

Manly-Warringah Wolves v UNSW-ES Bulldogs

Weldon Oval, Saturday 2:30pm

In last year’s Preliminary Final, UNSW-ES got out to a shock half time lead before the Wolves fought back in the second half to make their way into the Grand Final. Now the Wolves and the Bulldogs meet again in a game which will tell us plenty about the likely fortunes of both clubs in this new season. The stakes are high, it’s a game to keep an eye on; and if you can’t get over the Spit Bridge to Weldon, make sure you tune in to Streamer and you won’t miss a thing. [link – https://streamer.com.au/match/6006 ]

By any measure, the Wolves had a good season last year. Top of the ladder after the regular season, and thanks to that Preliminary Final heart-stopper, they were a part of Sydney footy’s showpiece game and there was only a kick in it at the long break. The Wolves were unable to keep up with a red-hot North Shore in the second half, but the vibe from Weldon this season is they can go one better. Once again they’ve assembled a strong lineup, and got some good juniors who will make their way to Seniors this year. This is their first big test for 2026, and they’re ready.

UNSW-ES bounced back from a disappointing 2024 to make the Preliminary Final last year; and were so close to the Grand Final. There’s a few changes to their lineup, a couple of key departures; but still plenty of quality in the Bulldogs side this season. Weldon away is a tough draw to start the season, but a strong showing here will put them in good stead for the season ahead.

Last year the Wolves had the edge over the Bulldogs, winning all three meetings between the two sides. A 25-point win at Weldon in round 4 was followed up by a 24-point result at Henson in round 10; and then the thriller in the finals. With the home ground advantage, the Wolves will go into this one as favourites. But these are two teams with strong finals ambitions; up for grabs is not just the four points the winner gets, but four points the loser doesn’t, and a key psychological edge. Plenty to play for here, and with two strong teams on the field, this should be a cracker.