Three rounds remain in the AFL Sydney competition with Manly-Warringah, St George and North Shore in the box seat for the minor premiership battle.
The AFL Sydney Match of the Week is between Pennant Hills and UNSW/ES at Mike Kenny Oval. It is hard to believe that both sides are coming off a loss as both started short-priced favourites last weekend.
Pennant Hills were hit by an injury plague to their top names but still had their chances against North Shore. They led at each change but were only kept to a solitary behind in the final term. Kieran Wright and Matt Thomas were best for the Demons across half-back.
They face another test this week albeit against a Bulldogs side losing their lustre. Inaccuracy woes hit the Bulldogs as they registered more scoring shots than Campbelltown at home last week but still lost by 37 points. With this said, Campbelltown looked the better side and moved the ball too easily through the middle.
A lot has been made of Dane Rampe’s absence in the midfield but they are also badly missing Sam Tagliabue in the ruck and Leigh Lavery up forward. Henry Mason is the lone target up forward and played well given those limitations last week while Hayden Nichols also took another step forward and was clearly best for the Bulldogs.
If ladder positions remain the way they are, these two will be playing off in an Elimination Final in week one of the finals.
Two form sides in Manly-Warringah and Campbelltown will play off at Weldon Oval.
The Wolves are desperate to keep hold of top spot and took another step forward towards that aim with a 71 point win over Sydney Hills. Hayden Washington kicked three with Jack Hawkins and Jacob Graham prominent.
Campbelltown are currently eighth but there is no doubt they are playing like a top five side at the moment. I witnessed them for the first time this year at Village Green last weekend and have to admit I was suitably impressed with the mix of youth and experience in the Blues lineup.
Amua Parika and Taran Etto are exciting and have class to burn while Cameron Desmond, Matt Edwins and David Linsen are experienced and had strong games against the Bulldogs. They could easily win their last three games such is the way they are playing currently.
North Shore will be buoyed by last week’s great win in Back to Bears Day but cannot afford a let down in a match where they will start strong favourites against Sydney University.
Returning big man, Sam Mason was superb with two goals in a best on ground performance while Sam Carruthers and Ron Wason are big names who came to the fore against the Demons.
Sydney University received their last rights against UTS in one of their most disappointing efforts of the season. They managed six goals over four quarters, after a shootout against Sydney Hills Eagles. They will be hard pressed against a good defensive unit that the Bombers possess, especially at home.
St George are arguably the team to beat at the moment and will keep their run going against Balmain. They were admittedly far from their best against Illawarra but got the four points all the same with a 65-point win.
Small midfielders Blake Guthrie and David Lycakis won their fair share of the ball and should do so again this weekend.
Balmain are experiencing some issues on and off the field at the moment and will be hard pressed turning it around this weekend against the Dragons.
Western Suburbs are still clinging onto hope of making the finals and will need a lot to go their way if they are to feature in September.
They received an armchair ride with Balmain’s forfeit last weekend and should be fresh for this Round.
They face last placed Illawarra who have showed they can be competitive in patches against good opposition but struggle to put in a four-quarter performance. Jeremy Daniher is the lead player and if he can be quelled, the Magpies are well on the way to victory.
The final game will have no implication on the finals race with Sydney Hills Eagles hosting UTS.
The Eagles’ defence has been questionable for most of the season and they will need to improve this part of their game and reduce their turnovers if they are to keep the score down against a Bats’ side with their tails up.
The Bats had a big 84-point win against Sydney University in what has otherwise been a disappointing season. With this said, they will start favourites this weekend.
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Last Modified on 08/08/2013 11:20
