Southern Power
Current Position: 1st (10 wins, 2 losses)
The Run Home: Penrith (A), UNSW/ES (A), North Shore (H), St George (A), Holroyd Parramatta (H),
Analysis
With the promotion of Manly to Premier Division, many believe this is Southern Power’s year. The team boasts talent across all lines including last years Snow Medal winner in ruckman Andrew Craig, while older brother player / coach Rod, also a Snow Medal winner sets them up from defence. They also have arguably the best player in the competition in Stuart Brierty who is just electric. Perennial leading goal kicker winner Alan Fritsch has not been sighted since early in the year so the Power would be hoping he returns for finals and if so they would prove very hard to beat.
Prediction
1st – 15 wins, 2 losses – 88%
The Power appear to have a good run home and are unlikely to drop another game before finals although they face a tough road trip to Penrith this week while a final round home game against Holroyd Parramatta will be a good test and potentially a Grand Final preview. On their day are the team to beat.
Holroyd Parramatta
Current Position: 2nd (9 wins, 4 losses)
The Run Home: Macquarie University (H), Penrith (A), St George (A), Sydney Hills (H), Southern Power (A)
Analysis
The Goannas have been a team building nicely over the past couple of years and have had a nice injection of some youthful stars in the likes of Jordan Pidgeon, Adam Byrne and Under 18 player Aiden Bell to compliment the older, more experienced heads in the side. Ben Rogers is one of those and is another player who could put his hand up as a candidate for the competitions best player and has been exactly what the side needed up forward kicking 41 snags for the year so far. The ability for the Goannas midfield to get the ball forward to the cagey Rogers will be a big factor during the finals.
Prediction
3rd – 13 wins, 5 losses – 72%
The run home for the Goannas looks to be among the toughest of those sides still in finals contention and could ultimately go a long way to determining their chances of raising the flag come September. That said, after an upset loss a few weeks ago to Pennant Hills they are in good form again with victory over the highly fancied UTS and a thumping win last week, their biggest of the season, and they will be a real player in this years finals series
St George
Current Position: 3rd (8 wins, 4 losses)
The Run Home: UNSW/ES (A), UTS (A), Holroyd Parramatta (H), Southern Power (H), Pennant Hills (A)
Analysis
St George, after being promoted this season after winning the 2012 Division Two flag, have performed admirably this year and have proved worthy finals contenders. They do rely heavily on the older brigade in Demir, Raper, Richmond, Stevens and forward target Shineberg however a good smattering of youth makes them a formidable side. The strong position of their Under 18 team who are likely to go deep in finals will likely test their depth but with other youngsters in Harrison Brooks and Daniel Annor now part of their core a deserved finals birth is not out of the equation.
Prediction 4th – 10 wins, 7 losses – 59%
You could say St George have been the surprise packet of the season to date but that probably wouldn’t be fair to UNSW/ES who have also exceeded expectations in 2013. Whether the Dragons can make finals though remains to be seen as they have to endure a very tough run home with all 5 games against quality opposition. Their percentage of 94% is very low however providing they don’t slip up this weekend or in the final round against Pennant Hills I see a finals position for them.
UTS
Current Position: 4th (7 wins, 4 losses)
The Run Home: North Shore (H), St George (H), Sydney Hills (A), Macquarie University (A), Penrith (H)
Analysis
The Bats haven’t quite hit their straps in 2013 yet – partly due to their rain interrupted season, with a number of upset losses mixed with some impressive victories, most notably an 8 goal mauling of favourites Southern Power. That said they still sit comfortably in 4th and always step up comes finals time and with their precise list management a very strong finals side is expected. It will be the usual experienced suspects leading the charge for the Bats in Shaun Silver, Barry Holland and co while the likely inclusion of Leigh Meyrick for finals is a huge in for the side.
Prediction
2nd – 12 wins, 4 losses – 75%
With the Bats senior side now out of contention you can expect those still eligible for Division One to filter back and this should lead to a very strong back end to the year. They have a good run home and an undefeated final five rounds is not unexpected which should see them take 2nd position on the ladder and set themselves up for a real run at claiming the flag.
UNSW/ES
Current Position: 5th (8 wins, 5 losses)
The Run Home: St George (H), Southern Power (H), Pennant Hills (A), North Shore (A), Macquarie University (H)
Analysis
As mentioned earlier, the Bulldogs have been a real surprise packet this year and are much improved on previous seasons. Most judges had them much further down the ladder but some great victories over UTS, Mac Uni and Penrith twice see’s them in the top 5. Led by Ryan Farrelly up forward, Ben Zieschang and the evergreen Troy Luff the side have played consistent football for most of the season. With the Bulldogs Premier Division side looking to go back to back the question will be if there is enough depth to compete with the more fancied sides.
Prediction
5th – 10wins, 8 losses – 56%
Outside of their home clash with Southern Power next week it is a reasonable run home for the Bulldogs with some very winnable games. This weeks match against St George is huge and if they can knock the Dragons over they can almost put one hand on a finals birth. While we are tipping they will only win two of their remaining games this should be enough for them to claim 5th position.
Penrith
Current Position: 6th (7 wins, 6 losses)
The Run Home: Southern Power (H), Holroyd Parramatta (H), Macquarie University (H), Pennant Hills (A), UTS (A)
Analysis
Its fair to say that its been a disappointing season to date for Penrith who are another side who have really mixed form. Josh Shephard has been an absolute standout for the side and is certainly enjoying his new surroundings at Greygums after moving across in the off season. Tall Tim Cummins who returned this year is also clearly one of their best however it appears the absence of Dale Chivas has really hurt the Rams. His leadership and ability is hard to replace. Chivas has managed one game in recent weeks so if he is able to play the remainder of the season it could see a change in fortunes for the side.
Prediction
Equal 6th – 9 wins, 9 losses – 50%
Certainly no easy run home for the Rams with clashes against the big 3 as well as a potential mini elimination final against Macquarie University. Barring upsets across the competition, the loser of this match will almost certainly have their fate sealed while the winner will still need to rely on results to make finals. Unfortunately I think it will be a task too hard and Penrith will finish a disappointing equal 6th, 1 win outside finals.
Macquarie University
Current Position: 7th (6 wins, 6 losses)
The Run Home: Holroyd Parramatta (A), Sydney Hills (H), Pennant Hills (H), Penrith (A), UTS (H), UNSW/ES (A)
Analysis
The Warriors are a much better side than their current ladder position suggests. After a disappointing 2012 the Warriors are a much stronger side this year and have generally taken care of sides they are expected to beat however its the top sides that have troubled them with their sole victory over one of the genuine chances being Southern Power. With the super consistent Dylan Brogan leading the midfield brigade and the versatile James Brackin making a big impact on his return, the team should be genuine premiership contenders but just need to make the 5 to see that come to fruition.
Prediction
Equal 6th – 9 wins, 9 losses – 50%
Its an interesting run home for the Warriors with some very winnable games. The result of the Round 16 clash with Penrith could well be the defining moment of their season where the loser can all but start preparing for their Mad Monday. On form you would expect Holroyd Parramatta to get the points this weekend basically leaving the side needing to win all remaining matches to snatch a finals position, something which might just be out of their grasp. If they were able to sneak into finals however they would certainly be a dangerous side to meet.
Pennant Hills
Current Position: 8th (5 wins, 7 losses)
The Run Home: Sydney Hills (A), North Shore (A), Macquarie University (A), UNSW/ES (H), Penrith (H), St George (H)
Analysis
Being another reserve grade side competing against some first grade sides always makes it difficult however the Demons have been a revelation this year with dramatic improvement compared to last year. Their back to back wins over UTS and Holroyd Parramatta were superb and signalled they were no longer easybeats. Super consistent player coach Jason Clarke leads by example while young Nick Baglin is a real livewire up forward and is one of the most dangerous small forwards in the competition. The side however just lacks the depth of those above them on the ladder to consistently threaten the big guns.
Prediction
8th – 7 wins, 10 losses – 41%
Pennant Hills would need to win all remaining games to be a finals chance which based on their recent form is not completely out of the question however I would expect to be an order too tall. Despite the likelihood of missing finals it would still be seen as a successful season for the Demons who have shown great improvement this year.
Last Modified on 26/07/2013 09:15
