We have reached the business end of the season with all grades now in the midst of finals.
Matches this weekend will be played at Blacktown (Premier Divisions) and Henson Park (Lower Divisions).
The focus in our preview section will be on the two Premier Division matches to be played.
Qualifying Final (Saturday)- Pennant Hills Demons vs St George Dragons at Blacktown International Sports Park
A task awaits St George this Saturday if they are knock over the ever-consistent Pennant Hills outfit to book a clash with Manly-Warringah next weekend.
All the statistics point to Pennant Hills. They have won their last six in a row by an average of 64 points. Their closest match was a 35-point win against Sydney University in the penultimate round.
Entering their eleventh consecutive finals campaign the Demons ability to re-generate and blood new talent has to be applauded.
They have strength on every line with an experienced backline led by evergreen Seb Parker and former Phelan Medalist, Kieran Wright. Lloyd Shepherd is arguably the best key defender in the competition.
The midfield battle is where St George have to step up to the plate.
David Lycakis and Karl Merson are young leaders but have the bodies to be able to withstand the hard-nosed Alex Goodall and possibly Aaron Crisfield who has been unable to get into a gallop due to injury but is the type of player Pennant Hills need if they are to be successful this finals campaign.
Hopefully it is not a case of déjà vu for St George. The Dragons finished the regular season third in 2013 and lost to Pennant Hills in the Preliminary Final by 21 points. The jury is still out whether this year’s list is better than last year.
As mentioned in previous articles, the area for improvement is on the scoreboard for the Dragons. They will be headlined by Jason Saddington and Nick Ryan but there will be a reliance on the midfield to win the ball to prevent the Demons from rolling back. In their two encounters this year, the Dragons have only managed 10 goals in total.
Danger Man- Pennant Hills
Ranga Ediriwickrama
Ediriwickrama is the X-factor again for the Demons. He was close to best afield against Sydney University and played more time in the midfield. The Demons will look to get him on the outside and he also has the ability to go forward and kick goals in general play.
Danger Man- St George
Alexander Wynn
Earned his spot in the Senior Representative team through his performances with St George over the last year and a half. Has played 17 games and kicked 15 goals this year. Wynn has speed and the ability to turn the game St George’s way.
Recent Head-to-Head
Round 14- Pennant Hills 14.17-101 def St George 7.12-54 at Olds Park
Round 5- Pennant Hills 8.13-61 def St George 3.13-31 at Mike Kenny Oval
Danny’s Prediction
Pennant Hills by 29 points- Too much class over the ground and they have too many seasoned players for St George to be able to counter.
Elimination Final (Sunday)- Western Suburbs Magpies vs Sydney University at Blacktown International Sports Park
The final match of the weekend will be a do-or-die Elimination clash between two sides out of form.
Western Suburbs admittedly were resting troops but only managed to get over last-placed UTS in the dying stages, and Sydney University couldn’t even manage a goal against the dominant Manly-Warringah.
Will it be Jekyll or Hyde that turns up to Blacktown on Sunday?
The Magpies have been out of touch for a few weeks now, headlined by their surprise loss to UNSW/ES, but have the class and experience to make an impact. You have to look only as far as Matthew Round and Leigh Conway- both rated as in the top 20 AFL Sydney players. Throw in Lindsay Scown whose hard-at-it style fits in well with the Magpies brand of play.
Levi Sands and Yannick Milligan-Saville will need big games in the back half as rebounding players to allow Western Suburbs to kick a winning score. Up the other end, all eyes will be on Taylor Williamson as the key forward but he needs more support from fellow big men Andy Eurell and especially Brenton Mumme who has faded in terms of scoreboard impact. Jacob Swarts who beat Williamson in their last encounter should get the job again on the Magpies linchpin.
Sydney University will benefit from the return of a number of players who missed last week due to NEAFL commitments. These players will make a big difference.
Aron Everett is likely to line-up against Kris Ericson in a salivating ruck duel. Both were influential in their last match which Sydney University won with better adherence to the game plan.
It should be a lesson learnt for Western Suburbs to prevent Sydney University getting on the outside through Sam Sleigh and talented youngster, Harry Dobson. Alex Dyson is another who can be dangerous- as well as key forwards Evan Smith and Olly Wetzlar.
Danger Man- Western Suburbs
Matthew Round
Round has a good record at Blacktown having led Balmain from fifth to a Grand Final berth in 2012. Takes the game on and provides a lot of drive from half-back and through the centre. Closing down the space will be the key for Sydney University here.
Danger Man- Sydney University
Harry Dobson
Dobson got off the chain in their previous encounter with his ability to go forward and kick goals. Dobson is a strong athlete with the ability to use the football very well. He is highly regarded within the Talented Player Program and the Under 18 RAMS squad.
Recent Head-to-Head
Round 14- Sydney University 13.15.93 defWestern Suburbs 9.9.63 at Picken Oval
Round 6- Western Suburbs 14.8.92 def Sydney University 14.7.91 at Sydney University Oval No. 1
Danny’s Prediction
Sydney University by 11 points- With the class of cattle coming back, Sydney University look a bit more settled across the field. It looks like Western Suburbs have run their race after a promising start to the year.
Danny’s Quick Hands
Division One
Macquarie University have come from the clouds to finish the Division One season in second place. Agile tall James Brackin holds the key to their chances in September. They play UTS who are always a feature in this grade. They were beaten by Balmain in a hard-fought wet weather game last week. They are a tall and physical side but questions still remain as to whether they have enough good ball users to hit the scoreboard consistently.
In the Elimination Final, Holroyd-Parramatta will start favourites over the up-and-down Pennant Hills. The Demons have surprised many with the performance of their Reserve Grade side. Jordan Pidgeon will relish the open spaces of Blacktown and will require close attention.
Division Two
Fresh from their promotion from Division Three, could Blacktown make it two premierships in succession? They are coming home with a wet sail and soundly defeated the fancied Western Suburbs last week. A sterner test awaits in a fresh Sydney University who should benefit from their Premier Division side playing on the same weekend.
Western Suburbs could go out in straight sets against Manly-Warringah who led the first few rounds of the season.
Division Three
Randwick City after the disappointment of losing the Grand Final last year are in the box seat to claim the first Grand Final berth but face Penrith who were impressive in disposing of Nor-West last weekend.
Nor-West should account for Sydney University in the Elimination Semi Final but there are never any guarantees in finals matches.
Division Four
Wollondilly have been somewhat of a Cinderella story in their first season in AFL Sydney (formerly South Coast). They will be hard pressed to defeat UTS in the opening match at Henson Park on Saturday.
In the Elimination Semi, Sydney University features again against UNSW/ES.
Division Five
The only game is this grade will be played on Sunday at Henson Park between Nor-West and Blacktown. As noted above, the Magic have a lot of momentum as a club at the present time and could well cause a minor upset against Nor-West who will be smarting from their 11-point loss also to Penrith last week.
Under 19 Division One
There is some exciting talent running around in this competition. St George finished minor premiers and enjoy the weekend off along with North Shore (second). As such, UNSW/ES will start slight favourites against Manly-Warringah who have beaten the odds to make finals fresh from winning the Under 19 Division Two competition. It is uncommon especially in the under-age competition for this to occur. Interestingly, despite finishing third, UNSW/ES boasted a percentage of only 86% at the end of the regular season.
Under 19 Division Two
It is great to see the Macarthur Giants make the finals after struggling in their inaugural season as a partnership (a co-joined side of Camden and Campbelltown players). They will start underdogs against Penrith Rams who have been more competitive after dropping back from the top under-age competition.
Women’s Division One
It will be a battle between the top two sides of the regular season on Saturday at Blacktown. Sydney University will start strong favourites after going through the season undefeated. They are meticulous in their planning and preparation so UNSW/ES would need something out of the box to claim the upset.
In the Elimination Semi played beforehand, Newtown have enjoyed a better season and will fancy their chances against Macquarie University who have made a good fist of the season after dominating the Division Two competition last season.
Women’s Division Two
In the only game in this grade, Wollongong will carry the hopes of the area in their clash against the Penrith Ramettes. Southern Power have been the dominant side this year but Wollongong appear next in the queue having only dropped three games this year, including a devastating 3-point loss to the Power in the Qualifying Semi. The Ramettes after have been impressive and knocked off a dangerous Shamrocks outfit last weekend by 18 points.
Last Modified on 29/08/2014 09:18
