Take one look at the AFL Sydney ladder and you could think the top five is all but set, however dig a little deeper and there is a chance UNSW/ES could displace Sydney University in fifth place.
I may have said this a bit recently but to keep their hopes alive they must, and I mean must, defeat Western Suburbs at home on Saturday afternoon in the AFL Sydney Match of the Week.
They are currently a game and a half behind the Students, but have a much easier run home than the Students who could realistically lose both games against the top two sides in Pennant Hills and Manly-Warringah.
UNSW/ES won a shootout last weekend by 11 points at home against North Shore. They trailed marginally at each break but a five goal final-quarter saw them home.
Jeremy Kiel was a shining light with four goals, while the experience of Peter Kefalas and the evergreen Troy Luff shone through when the match was on the line. Tap ruckman, Spencer Krochmal earned a Rising Star nomination and has been prevalent in the last fortnight.
Western Suburbs will be bemoaning their second half against the ladder leaders in Manly-Warringah, which now sees them likely to finish four and feature in an Elimination Final.
Behind by five points at the main break, they failed to retain their poise afterwards to fall short by 43 points. Kris Ericson won the ruck duel while Yannick Milligan-Saville and Levi Sands again showed their progression and are close to A-grade players when you are rating the top talent in AFL Sydney.
The small deck at Village Green adds another dimension to this clash- it will be interesting to see if another open encounter eventuates.
Western Suburbs won their previous encounter at Henson Park by 25 points but despite my prediction, don’t be surprised if UNSW/ES’s desperation, and the emotion surrounding Club Captain Peter Kefalas’ last every Premier Division home game results in a narrow win.
Danny’s Prediction:
Western Suburbs by 18 points
Pennant Hills v Sydney University
Both sides are likely to finish as they are but there is still plenty of motivation ahead of the match between 2nd and 5th at Mike Kenny Oval.
As mentioned Sydney University can control their own destiny and cement finals with one more win in the last fortnight. With their NEAFL side now out of contention, a few fringe players could be likely to drop back ahead of an exciting finals campaign where they could do some damage. Harry Dobson is one that falls into this category.
Pennant Hills are again in a position just behind Manly-Warringah on the standings. They have had a pretty uninterrupted campaign and will likely finish second given the GIANTS are a game ahead and boast a superior percentage.
The Demons ran away in the second half against a better Campbelltown outfit to claim a ten-goal win last week. Ted Widmer surprised many with his six goal haul but it goes to show the attacking ability and flexibility within the Demons ranks.
Matt Thomas is under-rated and will need close attention as a genuine ball-winner. Kieran Wright (defence) and Ranga Ediriwickrama (forward) are classy ball users at either end of the ground.
Sydney University had a much easier time of it against the struggling UTS at a neutral venue in Blacktown last start.
Evan Smith and young gun Olly Wetzlar kicked twelve between them. Together, they form part of a potent forward line and will attract key defenders on Saturday.
Throw into the mix Mitchell Thompson who came back from the NEAFL to be best on ground and you can see the cavalry at the Students disposal.
With the predicted wet weather on Saturday, this could be slop which might be won on the inside with contested possessions a bigger KPI than it already is.
Danny’s Prediction:
Pennant Hills by 17 points
North Shore v St George
St George moved into third a game clear of Western Suburbs and they will be expected to consolidate that standing ahead of their trip to Gore Hill.
They racked up a big 91-point win against Sydney Hills on the weekend with the Dragons having eleven individual goal kickers, including Jason Saddington (two) who is back after finishing his TAC Cup coaching commitments.
It will be their midfield that will hold the key in September with Ben Jones and Dominic Killworth charged with leading the middle third.
North Shore were in a position to claim a slight upset against UNSW/ES but ultimately couldn’t kill the game off with the Bulldogs always in a position to strike.
Doug Hadden’s return helped the Bombers and his run and carry is something the Bombers have lacked because they can match it with the top sides in contested battles.
Their corresponding clash not that long ago was a fizzer so hopefully there is more excitement for the spectators this weekend.
Danny’s Prediction:
St George by 25 points
Manly-Warringah v Campbelltown
Manly-Warringah can all but seal the minor premiership with a win against Campbelltown at Weldon Oval on Saturday.
The GIANTS as you would expect are flying and the toughest decision that coach Leigh Brain will have to make is to who to potentially drop with the likes of Anthony Robertson not far from a return. The second hardest will be what part of Blacktown he will choose to sit at to watch Week One of the Finals.
They disposed another worthy challenge in the Magpies last weekend but they will be somewhat disappointed with the fact they once again kicked more behinds than goals.
Lachlan Kilpatrick is back in full swing after a long-term injury and was superb on the weekend. Connor Pettersson was also strong, while Ryan Wearne and Angus Buncle don’t get much accolades but are highly rated internally for their ability to execute their roles.
Campbelltown would have been happy to half-time against Pennant Hills but couldn’t stay with the run away Demons after the main break.
With a number of their players representing Papua New Guinea at the International Cup, they are likely to take a below full-strength side to Weldon.
Don’t expect the GIANTS to do them any favours.
Danny’s Prediction:
Manly-Warringah by 66 points
UTS v Sydney Hills Eagles
The final match is a bottom-of-the-table affair with both sides playing for pride.
Better times should be ahead for the Eagles, with a host of stars set to rejoin their Premier Division with the announcement their NEAFL side will be wound up at the end of the season. Until then, they are set to claim the unwanted wooden spoon.
Aaron Savage and Steve O’Connor are good players at this level and will stretch the Bats who have been disappointing in 2014.
It would probably be a battle of three between Justin Kenna, Scott Tregoning and Rawson Kirkhope for their Best and Fairest honour.
The home ground factor should tip the ledger in UTS’s favour.
Danny’s Prediction:
UTS by 13 points
Last Modified on 15/08/2014 09:38
