After a weekend off with the Queens Birthday long weekend, AFL Sydney Premier Division action re-commences on Saturday with five intriguing matches to be played.
Top of the list is the match between Manly-Warringah (first) and Western Suburbs (third) at Picken Oval.
Manly-Warringah are currently unbeaten and rightly so, had a high representation in the Senior and Under 23 representative squads.
They continued their giant run with a 133-point smashing of cross-town rivals North Shore before the break.
Connor Pettersson returned from injury to star for the GIANTS as Brayden Fowler kicked eight goals. Fowler was named best on ground after the same haul last weekend for the Senior side against AFL Canberra.
Matthew Lemme should get the job on the hulking 20-year old in a battle that will be pivotal to the result. Lemme is a combative footballer- arguably the best full-back in the league- and is not one to shirk a sizeable task.
The midfield division led by Pettersson, James Brain and Anthony Robertson is the best in the competition, and will be keeping Western Suburbs coach Kevin Eynaud up late at night this week.
One thing in his favour is the predicted wet weather and the fact the game is at Picken Oval which are both aspects that should help his cause.
As well as this, Western Suburbs caused a seismic upset this time last year at Weldon Oval.
Such a result this weekend wouldn’t be as surprising given the Magpies’ current standing.
They disposed of a competitive UTS by 54 points away from home last weekend.
At the other end of the ground, the recent AFL Sydney captain Taylor Williamson is the Magpies’ main recruit up forward but has been getting good support this year, particularly from Brenton Mumme.
Matthew Round and Leigh Conway are their main drivers from the back half, so limiting their run and carry will be a primary focus for a Manly-Warringah side that prides themselves on pressure acts. A hopeful return for arguably the competitions best ruckmen in Kris Ericson would be helpful.
It should be a tightly fought affair- which says something given Manly’s dominance this year.
Danny’s Prediction: Manly-Warringah by 12 points
St George v UNSW/ES
St George sit dangerously in fourth spot and have a chance to further their claims with a home game against UNSW/ES at Olds Park.
They are flying under the radar somewhat which would suit coach, Terry Mudge, very nicely.
What is hard to ignore is the form of their young brigade.
Harrison Green was clearly the best for the Under 23 representative squad against the Black Diamond, while Tom has been prominent in the Dragons’ best since moving up from Illawarra.
Alex Wynn, Karl Merson and Bryce Addison were in the Senior squad, with the deceptively young Merson’s leadership skills one noticeable thing to come from the campaign.
Wynn is a handy goal sneak, with Daniel Napper and Nick Ryan kicking eleven goals between them in the 89-point demolition of Sydney Hills a fortnight ago.
The time is nigh for UNSW/ES to start turning narrow losses into wins. Given they have only won two games, their for & against percentage is handy at 86%.
Injuries have cruelled their campaign but good news is on the horizon with veteran and their heartbeat, Peter Kefalas due to return from long-term injury.
Another positive is the growth in prominence of Tim Cummins. The former Penrith Ram and brother of Australian cricketer, Patrick, kicked five goals in the three-point loss to Campbelltown.
Another loss could act as a death knell given that Sydney University (fifth) and North Shore (sixth) also play this weekend.
Danny’s Prediction: St George by 33 points
Sydney University v North Shore
This is arguably the most important match of the weekend with fifth spot the reward for the victor.
With St George eight points further ahead of fifth, and UNSW/ES four points behind, the weekend’s result is potentially season-defining.
Sydney University have come to a halt after a flying start. This was the microcosm of their match against Pennant Hills in their last start.
They led by four goals for the majority of the day, including at three-quarter-time, only to concede seven final quarter goals to go down by 11 points.
Their ball use in the back-half is something coach, Anton Turco will be working on with his side after it has been a weakness in recent outings.
Glen Smith and Sam Orton were good against the tough Demons outfit, while Evan Smith and David Johnson were strong in last week’s Under 23 representative match.
There would have been plenty of soul searching at Bomberland after North Shore’s shocker against Manly-Warringah.
A perennial finals side, they will limp in at best with only three wins to date.
Selby Lee-Steere is a vital player for the Bombers, as he is every week. Doug Hadden is another who can get off the chain but outside of this, there aren’t too many players who can break a game open.
Danny’s Prediction: Sydney University by 19 points
Pennant Hills v Campbelltown
There should be plenty of goals scored in this encounter at Mike Kenny Oval between two of the better attacks in the competition.
Both sides are coming off narrow wins before the June long weekend.
Pennant Hills came from behind to defeat Sydney University. It was the experience of Kieran Wright across half-back and Alex Goodall in the middle that saw the Demons overturn a four goal three-quarter time deficit.
James Dunn and Steve Wray are two youngsters in impressive form, whilst Matt Thomas is working his way back into the best players after a late start to the season.
Campbelltown kept their slim finals hopes alive with a strong second-half display against UNSW/ES.
Taran Etto would be handsomely leading his club’s Best and Fairest as he was again best aground for his side. Youngster Nathan Lomas again was strong for the Blues.
Danny’s Prediction: Pennant Hills by 35 points
Sydney Hills v UTS
The final game of the round is a bottom of the table encounter to be played at Bruce Purser Reserve.
UTS were up for their clash against Western Suburbs last start but after a strong first 15 minutes fell off the map and struggled to keep up with the finals-bound Magpies.
Sam Way was hard at it across half-back while Rawson Kirkhope was prominent winning plenty of the ball in the midfield.
Tom Sundberg is struggling to live up to the hype after his move from the VFL, with his side needing more of the ball in his hands.
They will have a chance in this match but are likely to start slight underdogs away from home.
Sydney Hills didn’t do their hopes for this one any favours after conceding a big score (164) against St George.
Even with Mark Skuse and Ken Ewen-Chappell, the Eagles struggled to stem the bleeding.
While their season has slipped away there should be still motivation for those aspiring to be part of their NEAFL outfit.
Danny’s Prediction: Sydney Hills by 12 points
Last Modified on 13/06/2014 08:21
