Pennant Hills
Current Position: 1st (10 wins, 3 losses – 181.37%)
The Run Home: Balmain (H), North Shore (A), UNSW/ES (H), Sydney University (A), St George (H),
Analysis
Pennant Hills are currently the form side with eight wins on the trot. Like all top five sides bar Manly they face three sides that hold finals spots at this stage. The easiest match seems to be this weekend’s clash with Balmain. They are arguably the best structured side with key players in form on every line and a good midfield division led by Alex Goodall. Ranga Ediriwickrama is the X-factor and will be key on the wide expanses of Blacktown come September.
Prediction
1st – 14 wins, 4 losses
It’s not controversial I know but Pennant Hills should continue their merry run. UNSW/ES and St George are probably the big two matches given North Shore’s current injury list.
Manly
Current Position: 2nd (10 wins, 3 losses – 158.82%)
The Run Home: Illawarra (H), Sydney Hills Eagles (A), Campbelltown (H), St George (A), North Shore (H)
Analysis
This season’s big surprise packets have come through a tough month in a fairly good position. Yes, they have fallen back to the pack and lost top spot but now have two soft games to regroup before a tough final three games, two against finals bound teams. They have continued to accelerate through the leadership of Anthony Robertson and Tyrone Armitage and have benefitted from the development of Harrison Koch and Wils Brassil in particular.
Connor Pettersson’s return in the lower divisions over the past fortnight suggest he will be back in the seniors shortly and will be a huge addition to an already strong midfield.
Prediction
2nd – 14 wins, 4 losses
I see them just missing out on top spot due to percentage. They should be able to easily dispose of Illawarra and Sydney Hills before a tough end to the season. At least two of the last three games are at home. Even more exciting is the fact that their local derby with North Shore will be a live rubber.
UNSW/ES
Current Position: 3rd (10 wins, 3 losses – 156.30%)
The Run Home: St George (H), Campbelltown (H), Pennant Hills (A), North Shore (A), Sydney Hills Eagles (H)
Analysis
UNSW/ES have been up and down but sit in a nice position to defend their title again this year. Have at times struggled to cover the absence of Dane Rampe and Leigh Lavery but possess some dangerous weapons in Max Collett and key forward Henry Mason. Rhys McAlister has a high opinion of his side and the astute playing coach looks to have his charges fired up for another tilt judging by last week’s come from behind win against Manly.
Prediction
3rd – 14 wins, 4 losses
They could easily go through the next five games undefeated and sit atop the ladder but it is more likely they will drop one game along the way. St George are breathing fire at the moment and will be a dangerous prospect, as are Pennant Hills and North Shore. Either way they should go deep in finals.
St George
Current Position: 4th (10 wins, 3 losses – 155.19%)
The Run Home: UNSW/ES (A), Illawarra (A), Balmain (H), Manly-Warringah (H), Pennant Hills (A)
Analysis
St George after a slow start have accelerated their way into not only finals but premiership contention with some fine wins against lofty opponents. Jason Saddington will be available after being unavailable for chunks of the year due to state coaching duties and should spearhead a potent forward line comprising Nick Ryan and Alex Wynn. Blake Guthrie is much improved in a midfield that has recently gained strong-bodied Dominic Killworth, while Jordan West has made a big difference in recent weeks.
Prediction
4th- 13 wins, 5 losses
You can only love how St George is building its list. Their match this weekend with UNSW/ES will have a big say whether they get a double chance this finals series. Their final two matches are also tough and will require an in-form and fit list.
North Shore
Current Position: 5th (10 wins, 3 losses – 148.09%)
The Run Home: UTS (A), Pennant Hills (H), Sydney University (H), UNSW/ES (H), Manly (A)
Analysis
North Shore have been hit by the injury bug in the middle third of the season after starting like a house on fire to establish a great ladder position behind Manly. As said before, they will rely on the youth of Davis, Hadden and Hayres to give them a point of difference. Ron Wason and Daniel Roberts are pivotal at either end of the ground, as will be the Fitzgerald brothers.
Prediction
5th – 13 wins, 5 losses
The Bombers need to start building some form but they should comfortably make the finals. Face two bogey sides in the next fortnight in UTS and Pennant Hills. A tough run home and one where they can’t afford to have any passengers.
Other Contenders outside the top five
Western Suburbs
The Magpies have made a decent run at the finals this year but have fallen outside the top five after a tough month and a half despite wins against UNSW/ES and Manly.
They have the softest run home of any side with no matches against top-five opponents, but need results to go their way being three wins and percentage behind fifth-placed North Shore.
Sydney University
The writing is on the wall for Sydney University despite sitting on equal wins with Western Suburbs. The Students have been much improved this year after struggling with the transition to NEAFL last year.
They will be favoured to win their next two games but will find the going tough in the last three weeks against North Shore, Pennant Hills and Campbelltown.
Last Modified on 25/07/2013 09:54
