It was like a parting of the seas last weekend, not just in terms of the wild weather that lashed Sydney, but also in terms of the upsets that has opened up what previously looked like a set top five.
All in all, we saw the previously undefeated Manly-Warringah knocked off at home, and Campbelltown, North Shore and UTS wins that gave them a chance of replacing Sydney University in the last finals placing.
The biggest game of the season to date will be played at Ern Holmes Oval this Saturday between the top two sides on the ladder in Pennant Hills and Manly-Warringah. A win for either side given their 10-1 record to date would go a long way to sealing top place and the first weekend of the finals off.
Manly-Warringah’s eight-point loss to St George at home came after an inconsistent performance where they were lucky to knock off Sydney University.
They are the hunted this year and even more so this weekend with Pennant Hills looking to overturn their very poor display in their previous outing in Round 2 where the GIANTS prevailed by 90 points in a non-event.
What was evident last weekend was that the GIANTS lacked a reliable alternative to leading goalkicker, Brayden Fowler who only kicked one goal. The Dragons were able to double-team Fowler with a lot of the forward entries slowed down courtesy of their good work in the midfield.
Their mantra is quick ball use and it will be a big part of Chris Yard’s game plan with Damian Dell’Aquila and Alex Goodall two of the form players able to play in the midfield.
The Demons have their own artillery with Stephen Wray (named recently in the top 20 players currently in AFL Sydney) kicking five goals in their rampant 58-point win over Western Suburbs.
It proved to be a decent hit-out for the Demons where they were able to take their foot off the pedal given their six-goal three-quarter time lead.
The game should attract a strong crowd in the return to the Ern, one where I am tipping the Demons to take first place off the GIANTS for the first time this season.
Danny’s Prediction: Pennant Hills by 19 points
Sydney University vs UNSW/ES
Another pivotal game will be played at Village Green this Saturday with one side clinging onto a finals place while the other is trying to claw their way towards one.
Sydney University lost a tense affair against Campbelltown by 6 points. Behind for most of the day, the Students were held goalless in the final quarter with the wind adding extra havoc on what is a ground with a stark difference to their smaller home deck.
The Village Green surrounds will be more to their liking. Aron Everett was strong for the Students last week as again was Glen Smith.
Lachlan Maples has impressed since his introduction to the Premier Division line-up.
UNSW/ES were always one step behind the Bats last Sunday despite leading at one stage in the final quarter. There would be no final quarter heroics unlike their duel earlier this season as they went down by 11 points.
Now six competition points behind the Students, a loss would almost mean curtains for their season. As noted in previous articles, they have hardly been blown out of the water this year but struggle to hit the scoreboard.
It would be great to see them free up the corridor given the run and ball use skills of Hayden Nichols and the emerging Alex Foote.
Expect a desperate Bulldogs side this weekend in what could well be another low scoring affair.
Danny’s Prediction: Sydney University by 11 points
Campbelltown vs UTS
This match features two sides coming off upset wins and while neither will enter the top five with a win, they can go mightily close.
Campbelltown posted arguably their best win of 2014 with a win over Sydney University. This weeks Rising Star nominee Nathan Lomas has been a find this year across the back-half, while Taran Etto has gone to the next level.
These players are generation next for the Blues as they still harbour hopes of a long-awaited return to finals action.
The outside run of Paul Green and Jeconiah Peni could well decide the result.
UTS have enjoyed some success in the last month and look much improved. For a side that looked like they were going backwards and could finish on the bottom of the ladder, they now could well be a danger in the finals.
They haven’t gone away from their brand of tough football with a lot of inside players on their list.
Kaizaad Mehta has been the Bats best player in the last fortnight and was best afield last week. Damon Collina looks like Jane and is playing like Tarzan at the moment. Leigh Meyrick also shows he is worthy of a top grade spot when available.
This could go either way with a good start pivotal on the wide expanses of Monarch.
Danny’s Prediction: Campbelltown by 11 points
St George vs North Shore
St George posted their best win in recent memory against all the odds away from home against the dominant side in the competition last weekend is a low scoring affair- something against the norm for the third best attack.
Coach Terry Mudge will be looking for this to act as the barometer as opposed to suffering a letdown against an opponent they should defeat easily.
The win came on the back of a strong defensive display with former Southern Power leader, Rod Craig superb in a roaming role across the defensive 50.
Dominic Killworth has also jumped up in his contribution while the return of ruckman, Jordan West was a fillip for the Dragons.
North Shore became more dominant in a potential danger game away to Sydney Hills. The five goal win sees them two competition points behind Sydney University.
Veteran full-forward Daniel Roberts has come back into the Premier Division side and turned back the clock with a five-goal showing in a match that only generated 13 goals.
Selby Lee-Steere vindicated his worth with a strong showing around the ground and will be all-important if North Shore are to scrap into the finals.
Danny’s Prediction: St George by 50 points
Western Suburbs v Sydney Hills Eagles
The final game of the round will be played at Picken Oval between fourth-placed Western Suburbs and bottom-of-the-ladder Sydney Hills Eagles.
It was hardly a flattering performance by the Magpies last weekend against Pennant Hills in what was a good opportunity to show their worth.
They have won one of their last three matches and in that time have only averaged 54 points in attack.
Levi Sands was best for the Magpies last week and is starting to hit his straps after an inconsistent start to the season.
Matthew Lemme and veteran, Stephen Hudson lead through their actions and are great examples for the younger Magpies to follow.
Sydney Hills couldn’t conquer the wind as they only managed one goal in each quarter against the wounded Bombers.
Josh Cass and Aaron Savage are two of the better players in the Eagles line-up and must have good games this weekend if they are to be any chance.
Danny’s Prediction: Western Suburbs by 44 points
Last Modified on 04/07/2014 08:34
