The AFL Sydney Premier Division competition re-commences this Saturday and Sunday after the long weekend hiatus.
Manly currently sit atop Premier Division with an unbeaten record, something they are favoured to maintain when they travel to Sydney University this Saturday afternoon in AFL Sydney’s Match of the Week.
Time will tell whether the break came at a good time but their form was irrepressible heading into the break. A handful of their stars were in action during the two representative fixtures and performed well.
Tyrone Armitage was in the thick of the action in the Senior squad that faced Cairns, while fellow midfielder, Anthony Robertson continued his halcyon season with best on ground honours away against the hard-bodied Riverina side. Harrison Koch was also impressive off half-back.
Sydney University were inconsistent at best the last time they played at home against North Shore. They need to use the ball better going forward if they are to challenge on the small confines of the No. 1 Oval against a strong contested side.
North Shore sit one win behind Manly and should remain within touch after their clash at home against the struggling Balmain.
The Bombers were not at their best against the last-placed Sydney Hills Eagles a fortnight ago in coasting to a 44-point win. Jared Shattock has been arguably their form player this season, while Dale Fitzgerald and Zach Manley have been consistent.
Balmain had a host of representative players play last weekend despite their standing on the ladder. It shows the depth isn’t there and it has showed in their inconsistent array of performances this season. They challenged UNSW/ES but have been handed big losses on both occasions against Manly.
Selby Lee-Steere will poll well in the Phelan Medal but needs more support outside of Leigh Conway and Matthew Round.
Campbelltown sit outside finals reckoning in ninth but will again be competitive this weekend against St George who themselves sit outside the top five. Both sides are better than their ladder positions suggest and have a big month to turn their fortunes around.
Campbelltown were well-represented by Amua Parika and Matthew Edwins in the Senior representative fixture against Cairns. Paul Green was superb as a small forward in the Development squad against Riverina, while Mitchell Hogan played a strong lock-down job in the back-half.
This is the start of a good side which Neil Brunton has to work with.
St George are a side that should be in the top-five at the end of the season despite a tough start to the season.
Nick Ryan is a key to their fortunes up forward for the rest of the year. Blake Guthrie and David Lycakis have long futures in Sydney football in the midfield, while Paul Sain showcased his unbelievable potential but needs to be more consistent for Terry Mudge.
Many eyes will be on the result of this clash.
Potentially the best match of Saturday’s smorgasbord is Western Suburbs against Pennant Hills at Picken Oval.
Both sides sit inside the five with Pennant Hills third and Western Suburbs fourth equal on wins.
It is the start of a tough month for the Magpies and they have been much better this year under Kevin Eynaud. Rory Miller and Matt Eurell are hitting the scoreboard while Levi Sands and Marcus Linsen adding further steel to the side.
Pennant Hills were in ominous touch before the general bye with their last win their best of the year against defending premiers, UNSW/ES.
It is not surprising they are performing well when you look at their spread of names.
Aaron Crisfield, Matthew Carey, Luke Bilbe and Kieran Wright are those hitting form and they have a good stable of players who are flying under the radar in Nick Campbell, Matthew Thomas and Tim Wales.
The first game on Sunday sees UTS host Sydney Hills Eagles at Henson Park.
UTS are starting to hit their straps but have a few decent sides above them on the ladder if they are to force their way into the finals race.
They have had a long break like St George as their last game was washed out. Time will tell whether this works to their advantage or disadvantage. Tom Zilm and David Lavender have been impressive for the Bats this season.
Sydney Hills battled manfully against the second-placed North Shore after quarter-time. They are rightfully pumping youth through their Premier Division list with Tate Dimech best a fortnight ago.
The final game sees another side in Illawarra still looking to register their first win of the season against UNSW/ES at North Dalton Park.
They will be hoping for an improved showing in front of their home fans after being flogged by twenty goals in their last outing against Western Suburbs.
Nathan Wright and Thomas Green have been a couple of shining lights in a disappointing season to date.
UNSW/ES hit another speed bump and sit just on the cusp of the top five after their loss to Pennant Hills. They need more from their midfielders and talls with Hayden Nichols and Ryan Plant best for the Bulldogs. With this said, they should return to the winner’s list in a comfortable fashion this weekend.
Last Modified on 14/06/2013 10:17
