With five rounds remaining, question marks still remain over each of the top five positions on the ladder. There is a battle between Manly-Warringah and Pennant Hills for the all-important minor premiership and first weekend off, St George and Western Suburbs for third, and as it would now appear Campbelltown and Sydney University for the last finals place.
At least three matches this weekend will have direct ladder implications, and there should be no holding back given next weekend is a general bye for Premier Division teams.
Pennant Hills (2nd) v St George (4th)
The commentator’s curse hit St George last weekend after yours truly built up the fact the Dragons had won seven on the trot. They were disappointing at best in their annual Back to St George Day against Western Suburbs, eventually losing by 40 points.
The signs weren’t too great the weekend before against North Shore, which may suggest they are starting to tire much in the way Port Adelaide is at the moment after a great start to the season.
Among the players to have hit a submerged rock recently is Karl Merson. Merson, by his own lofty standards, has been below par in the last month. They also missed their hard working skipper, David Lycakis in the middle last week, but is likely to return for this big encounter.
Dominic Killworth has by contrast been strong in recent times through the middle and is starting to find another gear. Jordan West has been noticeable in the ruck after coming back from his college basketball stint.
Their opposition won a scrappy encounter last weekend away to UTS. Fresh from their loss in the top-of-the-table encounter with Manly-Warringah, the Demons were in control throughout yet didn’t need to hit top gear.
Matt Thomas is starting to return to his best after a delayed start to the season. He found plenty of the ball in the midfield and offers great upside for the rest of the season. Another in this boat is Tom Edmonds, who kicked three goals out of the midfield.
Lloyd Shepherd is the form defender in the competition at the moment and bathed the UTS key forwards last Saturday. His job will be to quell spearhead, Nick Ryan.
Pennant Hills have more options up forward, with Sam Zikman kicking five in a forward pocket, with Matt Carey and Ranga Ediriwickrama each kicking two goals in standout performances. Then you have Steve Wray who kicked three goals to take his season tally to 38.
The Dragons’ press will need to be at its best, but its up forward where the biggest question marks lay at the moment.
Danny’s Prediction: Pennant Hills by 14 points
Western Suburbs (3rd) vs Sydney University (5th)
Western Suburbs rediscovered their mojo last weekend in their important win over St George. The win currently puts them in third- giving them the opportunity to retain a double chance in the finals.
The battle will be to maintain their level of performance with the unpredictable Sydney University travelling to Picken Oval this Saturday.
The Students generated 42 scoring shots and kicked their biggest score of the year against the lowly Hills Eagles at home. Aron Everett and Dom Vincent (five goals) were dominant in the victory which was helped by a 10-goal-to-two second half.
It will be interesting to see how their youngsters hold up in what is another big game given they could lose their grip on a finals berth if they lose and Campbelltown knock off UNSW/ES. I am looking to Lachlan Maples and Sam Sleigh to have big games to help the Students kick a winning score.
The Magpies have plenty of experience in key positions. Matthew Lemme (full-back) and Taylor Williamson (key forward) are linchpins at either end of the ground.
Players who also have been around the block in Tim Lambert and Andy Eurell have slipped under the radar but give Kevin Eynaud flexibility as potential swing-men.
The Magpies have the home ground advantage and the big game players to maintain third place.
Danny’s Prediction: Western Suburbs by 23 points
Campbelltown (6th) vs UNSW/ES (7th)
It is definitely the last chance saloon for UNSW/ES this weekend as they make the long trek out to Monarch Oval as they aim to displace Campbelltown from sixth.
The Bulldogs didn’t do themselves any favours by registering their biggest loss of the season (and conceding the most points in a game) against the ladder-leaders, Manly-Warringah.
While they lose a solid performer in Dave Batten (cheekbone), word is they are set to gain Jordan Foote from the victorious Under 18 RAMS side at the National Championships. Foote has speed to burn and will be given the licence to run on the open expanses of Monarch.
Tim Cummins played his best game for his new club, kicking four goals. Alex Henderson could also hold his head high in the loss, holding Brayden Fowler to two goals, showing he is one of the best key defenders in the local competition.
Campbelltown pose a different proposition. There is no obvious key tall target up forward like a Fowler or Cummins. Their modus operandi is to run and carry, making them pretty to watch when they get a good chain going, but also frustrating when the opposition pressure becomes overbearing.
They ran rampant last weekend, running away with their match against North Shore last weekend after quarter-time to prevail by 41 points.
Brenton Somerville was best for the Blues, as well as the usual suspects in David Linsen and Jeconiah Peni.
They know their patch of turf very well and should be able to expose the depth of UNSW/ES if they are near their best.
Don’t expect a high scoring encounter.
Danny’s Prediction: Campbelltown by 11 points
UTS (9th) vs North Shore (8th)
Both of these sides endured harrowing losses last weekend in must-win matches.
Given their history, a close match is expected. UTS have the recent wood on the Bombers- winning two of their last three clashes (average 12 point margin), including a 27-point win earlier this year.
It would be hard to jump on their bandwagon if you were at Waverley Oval last weekend though.
They continually broke down between centre and half-forward, with Pennant Hills reigning supreme all over the ground.
Adrian Morley was industrious, while Josh Maddox is a workhorse and constantly in his side’s best players.
North Shore didn’t fair much better last weekend in their loss to Campbelltown. Injuries have cruelled their campaign with their lack of depth exposed in some must-win matches.
In a positive, Jimmy McKenzie was best for the Bombers and was named the AFL Sydney Rising Star nominee for this round.
Both sides mathematically have a very slim chance of making the finals- hence a win is quintessential to keeping that dream alive.
Danny’s Prediction: UTS by 4 points
Sydney Hills Eagles (10th) vs Manly-Warringah (1st)
The toughest ask awaits the Eagles this weekend when they host premiership favourites, Manly-Warringah.
The Eagles were in it at half-time against Sydney University but couldn’t fire a shot in the second half- an all too familiar tale this season.
Manly-Warringah have loftier ambitions and showed they weren’t willing to take their foot off the pedal in their win over UNSW/ES.
This weekend presents a good opportunity for Brayden Fowler to get back to some goal kicking form after a quiet last month.
Throw in the likes of Armitage, Brain, Pettersson and up-and-comers like Johnston and Thurgaland, and you can see why the GIANTS are dominant again in 2014.
Danny’s Prediction: Manly-Warringah by 67 points
Last Modified on 18/07/2014 10:55
