Club
UTS
Key players
It could well be a couple of new players to the club who hold the key to the Bats season. Fergus Watts comes to the club after being on two AFL lists and if he is a regular will make a big impact in Sydney. The other is Thomas Sundberg from Caulfield Grammarians in the VAFA. Only three years ago, he was selected on the ball in the VFL Team of the Year and wasn’t far from AFL football so his presence in the middle will be pivotal. Mitchell Hall was great last year through the middle of the ground and will be looking to back his big year up while Fergus Adamson was among their most consistent down back.
Star on the Rise
The Bats are well known to have a ‘more mature’ list than all other clubs so there aren’t too many about however one youngster who really caught the eye last year was Morgan Davis. A local product, Davis last year made the jump to regular Premier Division player and was regularly among their best and is one who will no doubt impress again in 2014.
Strengths
Without doubt the Bats strength is their bigger bodies and they use this to their benefit, in particular against some of their younger opponents. The bigger bodies and experience can be seen as a real positive but as seen below it can also work against them.
Weaknesses
Not having an Under 19 team makes it tough for the Bats to attract younger players and this is seen in their list. While they do have bigger, stronger bodies, they really could do with an injection of youth. Outside run would be of huge benefit for the side and one they must consider should they want to take the next step into Premier Division finals. One thing last year that held them back was continuity with a handful of changes week in week out to the side so a settled team is a must. Fifty-seven players went through the Premier Division side which is well above average.
Season defining month
It goes without saying that the Round 1 clash against Eastern Suburbs arch-rivals UNSW/ES is a big opening game for the Bats however if they are to make their first Premier Division finals appearance its the top sides they need to knock off and between Rounds 12 -15 they face three of these sides along with Campbelltown who will be in the same boat. Its the Blues first up and its a must win for both sides if they are to be genuine finals contenders. Things then really get serious when they host the top three after last years home and away season. First up is last years runners up and the most tipped side for this year in Pennant Hills followed by a tough road trip to North Shore. The Bats can claim to be the Bombers bogey side after recent encounters so they will back themselves to register a win here. They then round out the month back at Waverley against arch rivals and reigning Premiers, Manly-Warringah. A minimum two from four in this stretch is a must if they want to play finals.
Notable Transfers
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INS
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Name
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Surname
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Association From
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Club From
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Thomas
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Perks
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South Australian Amateur Football League (SAAFL)
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Prince Alfred OC
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Hugh
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Perks
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South Australian Amateur Football League (SAAFL)
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Prince Alfred OC
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Rupert
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Pedler
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AFL Queensland
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Bond University AFC
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Levi
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McCusker
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AFL Sydney
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Manly Warringah Wolves
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Charles
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Fish
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AFL North Coast Seniors
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Grafton Australian Rules Football Club
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Adrian
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James
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AFL Cairns
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Cairns Saints
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Liam
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Harper
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Wimmera Football League
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Nhill & District Sporting Club
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Max
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Moffatt
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Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA)
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Old Geelong
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Jonathan
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Corbett
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AFL Canberra
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AINSLIE FOOTBALL CLUB
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Carlin
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Rookes
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AFL Sydney
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Macquarie University
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Matthew
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Strempel
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Eastern Football League (EFL)
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East Ringwood
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Kieron
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Hewitt
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AFL Sydney
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Balmain
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Benjamin
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Reynolds
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AFL Sydney
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Manly Warringah Wolves
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Phillip
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Howell
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Southern Football League (Vic)
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Cerberus Football Club
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Charles
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Shaw
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AFL Sydney
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Sydney University
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Fergus
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Watts
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Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA)
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University Blues
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Thomas
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Sundberg
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Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA)
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Caulfield Grammarians
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Nicholas
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Morling
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Central Wheatbelt Football League
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Bencubbin
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Sam
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Canavan
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AFL Darling Downs
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University Cougars
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Ben
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Regan
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AFL Sydney
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UNSW/ES Bulldogs
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Harold
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Sleigh
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AFL Canberra
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Anu
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Samuel
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Fleming
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Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA)
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PEGS Football Club
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Nicholas
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Ingall
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West Australian Football League (WAFL)
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Swan Districts
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Dean
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Ipaviz
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West Australian Amateur Football League (WAAFL)
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Mt Lawley
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Michael
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Lebbon
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South Australian Amateur Football League (SAAFL)
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Adelaide University
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Ashley
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Loxton
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AFL Sydney
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Sydney Hills Eagles
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Adam
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Baker
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Western Region Football League (WRFL)
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Yarraville Seddon Eagles
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Fergal
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McManus
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Central Midlands Coastal Football League
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Jurien Bay Football Club
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Kieran
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Roberts
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Hills Football League SA
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Ironbank Cherry Gardens Football Club
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Scott
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Robertson
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AFL Sydney
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Randwick City Saints
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Nicolas
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Kerber
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South Australian Amateur Football League (SAAFL)
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Goodwood Saints
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Gregory
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Smith
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South Australian Amateur Football League (SAAFL)
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Pembroke OS
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Joseph
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Giorgio
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South Australian Amateur Football League (SAAFL)
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Scotch OC
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Conor
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Blight
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Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA)
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Caulfield Grammarians
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Scott
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Leeson
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AFL North Coast Seniors
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North Coffs
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Joshua
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Carey
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AFL Sydney
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UNSW/ES Bulldogs
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Daniel
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Edwards
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AFLSC Seniors
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Kiama AFC
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James
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Eginton
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AFL Sydney
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UNSW/ES Bulldogs
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Tim
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Tankard
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AFL Sydney
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UNSW/ES Bulldogs
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Notable Outs: Michael Atkinson (Manly Warringah), Luke Hendricks (Swans Districts – West Australian Football League(WAFL))
Predicted finish – 5th
2013 was a disappointing year for the Bats after falling just a game short of finals in 2012 and they are certainly out to atone for that. As has become the norm in the off season, the Bats have been very active in the player market and have seemingly recruited better than ever this year and will be bullish about their chances. On paper they do appear a genuine finals contender but how the new side gel remains their key. Under new coach and club legend Alan Kymantas they have their best chance to make finals and while a tough ask, they could well be there.
Last Modified on 19/03/2014 11:24
