Last weekend saw no major surprises after the long weekend break with the favourites prevailing.
With that said, there is a logjam in the Premier Division ladder with only Manly and North Shore basically assured of a finals berth if they continue their strong early season form.
This weekend shapes as a cracker with a number of even contests between sides near each other on the ladder.
One of these is St George and North Shore at Olds Park. It is a big day for St George who officially open their clubhouse facilities and celebrate their 20th year premiership reunion.
Regardless of these two facts, they have plenty to play for as they entered the top five courtesy of their three-goal win over Campbelltown.
The Missing Persons Unit received some tip-offs as St George were non-existent in the opening quarter as Campbelltown kicked six opening quarter goals to no score. From there St George wrestled back control, only conceding two more goals with Michael Milner and Rising Star for this round, Jesse Mudge impressing.
North Shore are a much more damaging opponent but have been lucky not to be penalised for their inaccuracy in the last fortnight. Mick Malthouse blamed a full moon when Carlton’s kicking went array but I wouldn’t expect Jon Hayres to come up with a similar excuse for his Bombers who have kicked 28.44 against two of the bottom five sides.
Sam Mason is an imposing forward and kicked six on the weekend to be best alongside Evan Davis and developing big man, Justin Walsh.
It will be a battle of the universities at Village Green with UNSW/ES taking on Sydney University.
To say Sydney University need a win would be an understatement as they slip further down the ladder. They have won two of their last seven and only beaten one side above them on the ladder (Western Suburbs) after an impressive start to the year.
Last weekend they battled manfully and were within a sniff of ladder leaders, Manly at three-quarter time only to fall short by 67 points. Etiosa Okunbor made a positive impression after coming down from NEAFL. Glenn Smith has also been consistent in the last month.
UNSW/ES had a successful trip down to Wollongong on Sunday, kicking away in the second half to win by 79 points. Henry Mason is the clear target down forward and was well supported by the improving Jack McKinlay and Adam Gulden who is such an important player for the Bulldogs given his outside run.
The Bulldogs should win too many one-on-one contests and could advance to third if Pennant Hills slip up.
Speaking of Penno, they are in many people’s Grand Finals predictions. Those who saw their performance against Western Suburbs last weekend would not have exactly jumped on the bandwagon but they got the job done. A seven-goal second quarter was the main difference between the two sides in a scrappy and uninspiring clash at Picken Oval.
Ranga Ediriwickrama is a class unit and showed glimpses of brilliance with three goals for Penno when it was tight. Outside of that, it was an even display with Cameron Smith and Stephen Wray playing well. Dan Witt does not get the plaudits he deserves for his role off half-back.
This weekend they host UTS in what promises to be another physical encounter.
The Bats were far from their best as well against the last-placed Sydney Hills Eagles, despite leading by seven goals at three-quarter time only to prevail by 13 points.
Fair to say, if they produce a similar effort they will be swamped by the Demons. Luca Miceli will be a key in the ruck after a strong game last weekend. Daniel McFarlane and James Caica will also be important for the Bats who currently sit in sixth on percentage.
Manly-Warringah also celebrate a big day with their official opening of the Weldon Oval clubhouse against Western Suburbs.
The Wolves continued their unprecedented winning streak with their big win over Sydney University on the weekend.
Reports are the smile hasn’t been wider on Leigh Brain’s face and it could get wider with the expected return of gun midfielder, Connor Pettersson in the next fortnight. Hulking forward David Kovacevic who lit under Division One last year is also expected to return before the end of the season.
He might struggle to get a run though as Tom Farrelly and Hayden Washington kicked ten goals between them. Angus Buncle would have a fair shot at knocking off the likes of Tyrone Armitage and Anthony Robertson in the Club Best and Fairest given his form of late.
Western Suburbs are battered and bruised and enter the match with plenty of injury clouds. They didn’t have a fit man on the bench after their clash with Penno, and have to wait another couple of weeks before key forward Josh Zoppo returns from a dislocated elbow. Marcus Linsen and Levi Sands played injured and will be asked to go around again. Their causes were also not helped when Matt Eurell was reported and subsequently given a two-week holiday.
It will be one of the club’s famous victories if Kevin Eynaud can get his boys over the line against the undefeated Wolves.
It has been a tough season so far but one of Illawarra or Sydney Hills will be smiling come Saturday afternoon if they register their first win at North Dalton Park.
Both sides have showed they can be competitive in stages just not over four quarters.
Illawarra were even with the Bulldogs at quarter-time but gradually slipped away. The likes of Jacob Brookfield and Ryan Wells represent the way forward for the Lions but it is clear they need more depth and avenues to goal.
Sydney Hills have been well served by club veterans Ryan Fitton and Mark Skuse this season as they blood their impressive youngsters in the senior grades. It shows the marked difference from a senior contested brand of football compared to Under 18s which is more free-flowing.
The final game of the weekend will be played on Sunday at Henson Park between the sides ninth and tenth on the ladder in Campbelltown and Balmain respectively.
Campbelltown must wonder what they have to do to get a win as they have been so close yet so far in recent weeks.
Following on from his Paul Kelly Cup form, Neil Brunton has been re-signed by the club for another season in what is a massive coup to the club. He is the most important person going forward and one has to like how he has formed a competitive squad given their apparent lack of depth if their Division Three and Under 18 outfits are the barometer.
Bryce Joynson had another strong game in the loss to St George while Taran Etto is one of the talented youngsters coming through that would have the Blues faithful expecting improved results going forward.
Balmain are a different proposition, not so much youth but a handful of talented individuals who are expected to do the bulk of the work each week. They were close enough to North Shore at three-quarter time but couldn’t get the big scalp.
It will be a big test of character to see how Balmain finish the season given they have fallen from Grand Final appearances for each of the last two years.
Last Modified on 20/06/2013 12:49
