With Western Suburbs bowing out last weekend, we are now down to four teams vying for the Premier Division premiership.
After Manly-Warringah had the weekend off, all sides will be in action this weekend.
Second Semi-Final (Saturday)- Manly-Warringah GIANTS vs Pennant Hills Demons at Henson Park
Many have this match pencilled in as the Grand Final preview but rest assured both sides will want a stream-lined passage through to the decider in a fortnight’s time.
A handful of GIANTS were at Blacktown last Saturday to watch the Demons narrowly prevail by 11 points over an improved St George outfit.
There are definite areas of improvement for the Demons who trailed heading into the last quarter and only gained the lead in the last ten minutes.
There is no doubt if you removed Alex Goodall, Pennant Hills would have lost. He was colossal in the midfield with his attack on the football, and kicked a crucial goal in time on in the final term. He was well supported by James Dunn while Zikman continued his good form in front of the sticks with 2 goals.
Their defence was again superb led by Lloyd Shepherd and Ben Urwin- both of whom kept the tall forward of St George to a solitary goal for the match. Shepherd will likely get the job on GIANTS ace and Stan Milton Medalist, Brayden Fowler this week in a duel that could decide the result.
Pennant Hills found it hard to score through their big men themselves. Steve Wray was kept goalless and Tim Scoular only managed one goal and was quiet. They definitely need more output if they are to stretch the GIANTS.
Manly-Warringah undoubtedly have the best depth in the competition. Every player plays an important role in what coach Leigh Brain has coined as “team defence.”
In a further boost, Anthony Robertson returned through their Reserves last weekend seemingly unscathed and could line up across half-forward.
Their backline is rock solid led by Wils Brassil, Jack Lynch and Jordan Weir. David Stroud is dangerous in a rebound capacity, alongside the under-rated Gareth Benbow and Angus Buncle.
It doesn’t stop there with the midfield equally good in attack and defence. Connor Pettersson has had another superb year and has been ably supported by James Brain. I have mentioned Callum Johnston before who has had a breakout season.
Lachlan Kilpatrick will also be on opposition coach, Chris Yard’s mind, after he claimed the Rod Podbury Medal for best afield in their Grand Final clash last year. He is a big game performer.
The winner of this match will deserve to earn premiership favouritism and a week off. The loser will play the winner of the St George-Sydney University clash on Sunday.
Danger Man- Manly-Warringah
Tyrone Armitage
It is hardly a surprise Armitage is mentioned here. He is an elite talent, the reigning Phelan Medallist, and rated as the top player in AFL Sydney by our expert panel and the punters. He has got off the chain against Pennant Hills in recent matches as a dangerous left-foot half-forward. Expect one of the Angel brothers to wear him like a glove.
Danger Man- Pennant Hills
Matt Thomas
Thomas was relatively quiet by his standards last week but has the game to match it with the best in the competition. Strong overhead for his size, he is also tough and will spend most of his time behind the ball. After missing almost half-a-season whilst overseas, he seems cherry ripe for a big next few weeks.
Recent Head-to-Head
Round 12- Manly-Warringah 10.8-68 def Pennant Hills 8.10-58 at Ern Holmes Oval
Round 2- Manly-Warringah 20.9-129 def Pennant Hills 5.9-39 at Weldon Oval
Danny’s Prediction
Manly-Warringah by 16 points- Despite being quite inaccurate in recent weeks, the GIANTS have been firing on close to all cylinders. Their game stands up in finals and should have too much class for the Demons who need to be at their best to get over the line.
First Semi-Final (Sunday)- St George Dragons vs Sydney University at Henson Park
This clash should also be a beauty between two evenly matched sides at Henson Park in an Elimination Semi.
The Dragons showed the punters they could mix it with the best but couldn’t get enough of a run to burn off Pennant Hills. One more goal when they had the lead in the final quarter could well have iced the game and seen them have a shot at a Grand Final berth.
Nonetheless, they understand there are areas for improvement. It has been mentioned before but they only managed one goal out of a tall forward on the weekend.
Their defence was their biggest positive with Andrew and Ben Sharp leading a strong backline effort. They looked quite assured with Rod Craig also keeping dangerous small forward, Sam Zikman to two goals.
Representative players, Bryce Addison, Alex Wynn (three goals) and Karl Merson were also prominent.
Sydney University have their tails up and will be more than a handful if recent match-ups are anything to go by.
They easily disposed of a poor Western Suburbs who turned the ball over with regularity last Sunday.
Players with NEAFL experience in David Johnson and Sam Sleigh were best for the Students in their 45-point victory.
Evan Smith led all-comers with five goals and teamed well with exciting prospect and reigning Under 18 Best and Fairest, Matthew Vicic.
Ruckman, Will Stratford is likely to miss with injury, joining Aron Everett on the sidelines. They appear stretched in this important role with utility, Glen Smith likely to take the centre bounces.
Danger Man- St George
Jordan West
Given Sydney University’s ruck woes, West plays an important role. The elite basketballer has the ability to play around the ground, as does Smith- so this duel will have an important bearing on the match. West has had a great back-end of the season and although slightly down last week, is a dangerous proposition for Anton Turco’s boys.
Danger Man- Sydney University
Sam Sleigh
Sleigh is a hard-at-it player capable of winning his own ball. He has arguably been the Students most-improved and has impressed many at the club with his development. He gets a high possession count each game and is a player the Students will look to for motivation. Went forward and kicked a goal as well last week.
Recent Head-to-Head
Round 15- St George 11.12-78 def. Sydney University 10.9-61
Round 7- St George 12.13-85 def. Sydney University 10.11-71
Danny’s Prediction
Sydney University by 3 points- The recent head-to-head record suggests there won’t be much in Sunday’s encounter. Sydney University seem to be building at the right end of the season and appear to have too many avenues to goal for the Dragons to counter.
Danny’s Short Shots
Division One
Balmain vs UTS
The winner of this clash will also book a Grand Final berth.
The two sides only played recently in the final round of the regular season albeit in somewhat of a dead-rubber with Balmain guaranteed of the minor premiership and UTS of a double chance. In a dire affair played in wet conditions, Balmain prevailed marginally.
Balmain have some class players in this division led by Luke Jarjoura. Jarjoura has a raking right foot and is imposing physically. Chris Bolt fits the same category and is arguably the most talented player in Division One. His battle will be whether he can make enough contests given his prodigious marking ability.
Brad Plug has Premier Division and Swans Reserves experience and will play mainly forward on the weekend, but given the big Blacktown surface he will need to come up the ground.
UTS were impressive in strangling Macquarie University of opportunities last week. They beat them in the key statistics with their big bodies wearing the Warriors down. The key will be if some players are willing to sacrifice their games to shut down some of the key Balmain players named above. The depth falls away somewhat outside of these players.
UTS have some capable players of their own. Andrew Davis has starred in the last month across half-forward and has a lot of experience.
Nick Morling dominated the ruck last week, while Harry Whiting and James Caica have tasted Premier Division this year and are players to watch.
Danny’s Prediction
Balmain by 11 points
Macquarie University v Pennant Hills
Macquarie University struggled under the pressure of finals football last weekend and will find the going tough again as they seek to avoid bowing out in straight sets.
Both sides are not familiar with September action in this grade in the last couple of years so whoever can handle the pressure the best will go a long way to claiming victory on Sunday.
Logan Mead has been in good form for the Warriors, while Mark Bishop was best in their loss to UTS last weekend.
At the end of the day it will come down to the best players by some distance at the Warriors in Dylan Brogan, Ryan Harris and particularly James Brackin who was below-par last weekend.
Pennant Hills knocked Holroyd-Parramatta out in somewhat of an upset. Their form has been up and down this year but with some key inclusions they could do some damage this finals campaign.
Patrick Witt has been superb in the last fortnight, while Luke Bilbe is a colossus up forward- he kicked five goals last week.
It might come down to the young talent at the Demons- with Theo Moraitis, Daniel Preen and Jesse Hare all going to be a big feature of their Premier Division side in the next decade.
Danny’s Prediction
Pennant Hills by 1 point
Women’s Division One Preliminary Final
UNSW/ES Stingrays vs Newtown Breakaways
An intriguing Preliminary Final looms in the top Women’s grade with the winner to face the unbeaten Sydney University in the Grand Final.
Newtown have the momentum having beaten a dangerous Macquarie University by six points. They have the competition’s leading goalkicker in Verna Iles amongst their arsenal.
Tobi Noble will also be a force to be reckoned with in the ruck.
UNSW/ES need to pick themselves up after not managing a goal in a dour affair against Sydney University.
They have struggled to get wins on the board in the last month.
They will still be a dangerous proposition given they boast arguably the League’s best women’s player in Courtney Gum and rising star, Maddy Collier.
Danny’s Prediction
Newtown by 5 points
Last Modified on 05/09/2014 07:42
