With eight sides in the Under 19s Division Two competition in 2015 including a number of new sides, the competition looks wide open for the taking.
With many teams tight with numbers in this competition, results could be varied throughout the season meaning picking the team to beat is quite difficult.
After a Grand Final loss in 2014, Moorebank will be looking to go one better this year. Moorebank will look to continue their form from 2014 where they were ranked second in both points for and against and if they can do that, they will be hard to beat.
Penrith made finals last year but will be aiming to make the big dance this year and claim the premiership. They appear to be one team with a good depth of numbers coming through and if they can keep the same group of kids together as they had last year, they could be one of the teams to watch. Jacob Field is one player to watch for the Rams this year.
Last years premiers Western Suburbs will enter season 2015 full of confidence and must be a strong chance of going back to back in 2015. Last year there was a heavy reliance on a number of their top age players (Ben Polley and Vasili Romanas in particular) so the question will be how they replace these key players. After finishing third in the Hart Medal in 2014, Thomas Kannan could be one of those keys to the Magpies having another successful year.
Balmain return to the Under 19’s competition in 2015 which is a great effort from the club. The Tigers are very much an unknown quantity but with strong links with Glebe and Drummoyne juniors in particular you could expect them to pick up a few handy recruits to ensure the side is a finals threat.
Southern Power will be looking to improve on their disappointing six win, 5th place finish in 2014. Starting last year as one of the competition favourites, they struggled for consistency. The shining light last year was undoubtedly 2014 Hart Medallist Andrew Denoon. How much the Under 19’s see of Denoon remains unknown with him a good chance to play mainly senior football. The Power will rely on their top age players to be able to carry the side to a few victories.
Holroyd Parramatta would have been disappointed with not winning a game in 2014 and will be out for redemption in 2015. After fielding a young side last year, the Goannas will be hoping another year of improvement will see them push for finals this year. The Goannas have been the biggest players in the transfer market this off season with a huge influx of players to the club so a much stronger showing is expected.
Campbelltown have taken over from Macarthur Giants and will be looking to follow on from the Giants success last year where they played finals. If they can keep the same group of kids, Campbelltown could be the surprise packets of the year.
Pennant Hills will be entering a second Under 19s side into the Under 19s Division Two competition this year. It is always hard to tell how a second under 19s side will go but if the Demons can get good numbers through the system which it appears they will, they could cause a few upsets during the year.
Danny’s Predictions
1. Moorebank
2. Penrith
3. Balmain
4. Western Suburbs
5. Holroyd Parramatta
6. Southern Power
7. Campbelltown
8. Pennant Hills
Last Modified on 25/03/2015 17:34
