There are two weeks to go in the Premier Division competition and this weekend we will see a repeat of the Qualifying Final with the victor to meet Manly-Warringah in the Grand Final.
All of the following matches will be played on Sunday at Blacktown International Sports Park.
Premier Division
Pennant Hills Demons vs St George Dragons
St George will fancy their chances of causing an upset after having their Qualifying Final match in the palm of their hand.
Leading heading into time on in their match a fortnight ago, the class and experience of Pennant Hills came to the fore as they claimed a 11-point win.
St George take winning momentum into their re-match having defeated a plucky Sydney University by 21 points last weekend at Henson Park.
They seemed to have the match in their control, leading by 32 points at the main change, before a resurgence from the Students saw them take a four point-lead at three-quarter time.
To the Dragons credit, they regained their composure and controlled the flow of possession in a manic final quarter. Bryce Addison played one of his best games of the season while Andrew Sharp led the defence manfully.
Nick Shaw provided much needed outside run and is a player who has come on this season for Terry Mudge. Dominic Killworth was a notable inclusion and made a difference especially in the final quarter.
Steve Wilsen is the heart and soul of the side and my thoughts continue to go back to his scrambling goal to Pennant Hills which turned the momentum St George’s way in their last clash.
Pennant Hills almost, almost booked their berth in the Grand Final- falling to all-conquering Manly-Warringah by three points in an epic duel in heavy conditions.
It was a true contested clash and no doubt there would have been a few sore bodies on Sunday- but they will gain a small benefit from an extra day’s break.
Damian Dell’Aquila was a workhorse like always in the midfield, while the skill of Kieran Wright and Matt Carey almost got them over the line.
Worryingly though was that they only managed one goal and five scoring shots in total after quarter-time.
Danger Man- Pennant Hills
Alex Goodall
Goodall was best afield a fortnight ago against the Dragons. He was hard as nails and won plenty of the ball against the young St George midfield. If I was Terry Mudge, I would put big-bodied Killworth on him and give him the task of shutting him down. Getting first supply in the midfield is the key to limiting the impact of danger forwards; Sam Zikman, Stephen Wray and Ranga Ediriwickrama.
Danger Man- St George
Bryce Addison
Sharp comes to mind with his defensive work across half-back but Addison is more damaging with his use by hand and foot. He made the Senior Representative side this year and is tough for a young fella. Can rotate through the midfield as well as playing forward where he averages over a goal a game. It will be interesting to see how Mudge uses Addison on Sunday.
Recent Head-to-Head
Qualifying Final- Pennant Hills 11.11-77 def St George 9.12-66 at Blacktown
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 11 points- St George are getting closer to knocking off Pennant Hills but you have to think the Demons are mentally tough enough to bounce back from last week’s narrow loss. They again will win the pressure moments in a tight contest.
Danny’s Short Shots
Division One
UTS vs Macquarie University
The winner of this clash will also book a Grand Final berth against minor premiers, Balmain.
Can Macquarie University stop the influence of the big-bodied UTS spine? Nick Morling and Andrew Davis were dominant in their corresponding clash a fortnight ago where UTS ran rampant in the second half to ease to a 25-point win. Peter Le Breton will play a key role here for Macquarie University.
UTS will be hoping to remove the gremlins of their last quarter showing against Balmain last weekend. They couldn’t be separated at three-quarter-time but Balmain were better when it mattered most and finished 25 point winners as well. James Caica looms as the dangerous forward after kicking three in this match and has noted Premier Division experience.
On the flipside, Macquarie University were lucky to get through against Pennant Hills after overturning a two-goal deficit at the last change to finish two-point victors.
They are likely to miss James Brackin in a big loss. Whether they rely too much on Brackin is debatable but Sunday is a good chance for the Warriors to prove otherwise.
UTS’s negating efforts will probably now turn to Ryan Harris in the likely absence of Brackin. Angus Rodgers, who kicked two goals last week, will also be important for the Warriors.
Danny’s Prediction
UTS by 9 points
Under 19 Division One
St George vs Manly-Warringah
All signs point to the Dragons here but you can never discredit a GIANTS side, especially this one which has overcome all the odds.
The GIANTS have impressed all after their promotion from the Under 19 Division Two competition, and with injuries up the grades, they were still able to finish fourth after the regular season. They kept their run going after a nail-biting one-point win over UNSW/ES in the first week of the finals.
St George finished minor premiers but played like anything but last weekend against North Shore. They only managed two goals for the game from eleven scoring shots and it will be more of a mental battle to bounce back this week.
Simon McGrillen and Kuiam Anu have both played enough Premier Division games to suggest they are good players at this level. Brayden Kilpatrick and goal sneak, Jacob Stek will also be charged with improving St George’s output on the scoreboard.
There is no doubt Tom McCaffrey and Jack Parker are the main men for the GIANTS. Both will be part of the GIANTS Premier Division side for the next decade if they hang around. Matt Bell is also a classy player in the under-age competition.
Danny’s Prediction
St George by 13 points
Under 19 Division Two
Western Suburbs vs Penrith
Speaking of mental games, it will be intriguing to see how Western Suburbs react on the field after their win was overturned on Monday after it was deemed they fielded an ineligible player in their original win over Moorebank.
As such, they have another chance to book a rematch against Moorebank in the Grand Final but a confident Penrith who have the benefit of the week off.
Penrith spanked an under-manned Macarthur by 108 points in their Elimination Semi Final. Jacob Field and Zac Pianta will be pivotal if they are to cause an upset.
The versatile Vasili Romanas has tasted Premier Division football this year and his partnership with key forward, Ben Zoppo can see Western Suburbs home here.
Danny’s Prediction
Western Suburbs by 20 points
Last Modified on 12/09/2014 11:43
