Sydney University v St George
With August upon us, you can almost taste finals actions. Well that is the case for four sides, with Sydney University in the box seat to claim fifth spot ahead of a pack of three teams a game and a half behind.
They can all but seal an Elimination Final berth against St George at home this Saturday in what is the AFL Sydney Match of the Round.
Sydney University are coming off a great win away from home against Western Suburbs. It was a great day for the club with their Division Two side also winning a top-of-the-table encounter against the Magpies.
They got out of the blocks well with a six goal opening quarter, with the wind, and never looked back against a side placed third on the ladder.
Jacob Swarts grew in billing as a key defender as he shut down Wests linchpin, Taylor Williamson. Aron Everett is the form ruckman in the competition at the moment and his battle with the well-credentialled Kris Ericson was a battle within itself.
Their balance is becoming a strength, as is their ability to execute the game plan set by coach, Anton Turco. They have ball winners in Sam Sleigh and Harry Dobson who was superb on return from his Under 18 NSW/ACT RAMS duties. Dobson is likely to miss however due to the RAMS playing their final game this weekend in the TAC Cup.
Mr Versatile, Glen Smith bobbed up with three goals against the Magpies, and along with MJ Figg will attract the key defenders from St George.
Defence is something the Dragons will be looking to work upon as well as their clearance work- both areas that let them down against Pennant Hills a fortnight ago.
The Demons created 31 scoring shots in a 47-point win- 14 of those scoring shots coming in a lop-sided final quarter.
St George (chasing down Western Suburbs who currently hold the final double-chance) looked tired with the question begging whether the long season has taken its toll on the young bodies. The proof will be in the pudding whether they will be good for the run at the pointy end of the season.
Jordan West has also been superb in the ruck since his return to Australian shores and his battle with Everett will be pivotal to the result on the condensed Sydney University deck.
Nick Shaw and Alex Wynn are X-factors for the Dragons, while they will also need a big game from the big-bodied Karl Merson who returned to form against the Demons.
It is a flip of the coin job, with plenty to play for both sides.
Danny’s Prediction: Sydney University by 5 points
Pennant Hills v UNSW/ES
Pennant Hills will start strong favourites at home against UNSW/ES this weekend.]
The Demons, as mentioned above, continued their great run of final-quarters this year with a blitzkrieg against St George. It goes to show the amount of firepower they have when they have ball in hand.
Sam Zikman is building as the most dangerous small forward in the competition, with another haul of five goals.
The back-half were superb for the Demons, as they have been recently, with Kieran Wright, Lloyd Shepherd and the underrated but heavily experienced, Seb Parker not allowing the Dragons to have multiple goalkickers.
They still have a chance, albeit a very slim one, of claiming the minor premiership, but are a game and percentage behind Manly-Warringah.
UNSW/ES must cause an upset to keep their small finals chances mathematically alive.
They did what they needed to do a fortnight ago with a resounding 71-point win against Campbelltown at Monarch Oval- undoubtedly their best of the year.
It was young talent time, with Alex Foote best aground with six goals.
RAMS representatives and draft prospects, Abe Davis and Jordan Foote were noticeable with strong performances but both are likely to miss this weekend due to TAC Cup commitments.
This will make their small mountain an even harder one to climb against an seasoned outfit this weekend.
Danny’s Prediction: Pennant Hills by 24 points
Western Suburbs v North Shore
Western Suburbs have a chance to bounce back from their below-par showing in their last start at home against North Shore.
They were always behind the eight-ball against the Students to show they severely missed skipper, Brenton Mumme and hard nut, Lindsay Scown in the midfield.
In their absence, they were like seagulls to a chip but this allowed Sydney University to create space and have free men out the back.
Structurally there are a few things that experienced coach, Kevin Eynaud will need to address.
Leigh Conway and Matthew Round were very quiet, going to show they are a barometer for the Magpies.
Taylor Williamson was also quiet, and lacks a reliable ally with fellow tall forward, Josh Zoppo missing through injury.
North Shore need to take advantage of this and surprised many with their ability to score- registering their second 100+ score this season against the Bats in an 11-point win.
They sit equal on points with UNSW/ES and Campbelltown and need plenty of luck to go their way if they are to play finals.
With this said, you can never accuse them of a lack of effort- with this match sure to feature plenty of contested duels.
Maybe, just maybe, they might be a chance of causing an upset but it would appear unlikely.
Danny’s Prediction: Western Suburbs by 31 points
UTS v Manly-Warringah
It is hard to see UTS going close to Manly-Warringah at Trumper Park this weekend.
The week off may do the battered Bats bodies some good after their loss to North Shore- a game where they were within touch at each break, and led at quarter-time.
A highlight was Adam Baker who kicked 7 goals to take his season tally to 34. Usual suspects, Tom Sundberg and Josh Maddox were best for the Bats alongside Baker.
Injuries appear the only thing at the moment that can stop the GIANTS, that along with complacency.
News during the week was that arguably their best player, Anthony Robertson is due to return from a broken leg for week one of the finals. Defenders, Jack Lynch and David Stroud are likely to return for the Bats’ clash, if they aren’t strong enough already.
UTS will try and make this a scrap on a smaller deck at Trumper but the class of Manly-Warringah will prevail over four quarters.
Danny’s Prediction: Manly-Warringah by 70 points
Sydney Hills Eagles v Campbelltown
The final game of the round will be played at Bruce Purser Reserve, with the most on the line for Campbelltown who still harbour a slim hope of making the finals.
It was a soul-destroying loss for the Blues against UNSW/ES last start, as a win would’ve kept them half-a-game behind the Students.
Instead, they were smashed after quarter-time with their inconsistency frustrating to all given their potential talent.
They should get back on the winners list against the last-placed Sydney Hills who were soundly beaten by Manly-Warringah to the tune of 88 points at home last time they went around.
Danny’s Prediction: Campbelltown by 22 points
Last Modified on 01/08/2014 08:16
