The wait is almost over with the 2015 BLK AFL Sydney competition set to commence with a bang on Friday night with some blockbuster matches scheduled.
UTS vs UNSW/ES (Friday 7.30pm at Henson Park)
In a first, the season opener will be a Friday night match between rivals UTS and UNSW/ES at Henson Park. The match will be broadcast live again this year courtesy of Digital Sports.
Wind back the clock a year, it was UNSW/ES that somehow got the chocolates courtesy of a massive last quarter to see them run over the top of the Bats by 3 points. It signalled the start of a dour year for the Bats whilst the Bulldogs inevitably fell short of a finals berth in the final game of the regular season.
UTS have instigated change in the off-season, most notably in the coaching ranks with Nic Fosdike returning to the AFL Sydney scene as head coach. He formerly steered Balmain to a Premier Division Grand Final appearance and obviously comes from a high quality environment in the past as a player with the Sydney Swans.
Josh Maddox is a bit of a Fosdike clone with his unassuming nature on the football field. In a year of inconsistency, he was a shining light for the Bats. They have bolstered their forward line with the elusive James Howard set to complement leading goal kicker and small forward, Adam Baker, as well as Michael May. Tom Zilm is another key for the Bats more so in the defensive half.
It will be interesting to see the Bats’ brand under Fosdike.
The winds of change have also gone through the Bulldog kennel, with Daniel Lynch replaced by one of their favourite sons in Josh Parmenter. Parmenter has been with the club since 2010 after transferring from the Farrer league and made an impact with the Village Green boys in a small forward role, highlighted by a 2012 premiership.
They have lost a lot of experience through Peter Kefalas (retired) and Troy Luff (Balmain) in particular. I would expect a lot more run and flair from the Bulldogs if they rejuvenate their list with their talented pool of youth.
James Pascoe will play a pivotal role regardless of where he plays- more than likely in the forward line given their lack of tall options.
I can’t see either side blowing the game open so another low-scoring arm-wrestle may eventuate in the night air at Henson.
Danny’s Prediction: UNSW/ES by 10 points
East Coast vs Manly-Warringah (Saturday 2.10 at Kanebridge Oval)
It promises to be a big day at Kanebridge Oval (formerly Bruce Purser Reserve) marking the naming of the new ground and the return of East Coast’s senior side to the Premier Division competition.
Add to that they are hosting the two-time defending premiers, Manly-Warringah, they will be keen to put a stake in the ground.
Despite losing a host of players, East Coast still have the nucleus of a dominant side that should make a big impact in finals action this year.
My season preview noted Jack Dimery’s influence off the back flank, right through to the experience and class of Jamie Vlatko and Scott Reed up forward.
It will be worth the trip out to Kanebridge alone to watch Reed go head-to-head with reigning Stan Milton Medallist, Brayden Fowler. Fowler will likely be marked by Ben Bourke- a highly regarded young defender.
Both sides will pride themselves on contested possessions and two-way running. It has been a recipe for success for Manly-Warringah and it is clear from their recruiting that it is a style they don’t intend of swaying away from.
Jake Monk and Jack Parker are two youngsters who have an opportunity to make a name for themselves this season. Calum Johnston is another who will see more time in the middle.
It will be intriguing to see how both sides stack up.
Danny’s Prediction: East Coast by 7 points
North Shore vs Western Suburbs (Saturday 2.30 at Gore Hill Oval)
The time is now for Western Suburbs to make a charge at the premiership. They faded disappointingly in the back-half of the season to fall out at the Elimination Final stage to Sydney University.
They have a mature list and have added to their roster with mature talent suggesting they want success in the next couple of years. Paul Bevan could well prove to be the recruit of the year if he leads by example on the field under Kevin Eynaud who continues on as coach.
There was a bit more verve to the Magpies attack last year with Brenton Mumme superb especially early in the year. A fully-fit Josh Zoppo this year could make a big difference in the absence of Taylor Williamson who was the main target at centre-half forward.
North Shore had a year to forget last year with injuries crippling their year. With this said, they didn’t have the list to take out the title even if they had their full compliment.
They have proven to be a work-man-like side who will need to find their attacking flair under new coach, Gareth Lawson. Daniel Roberts has featured in a number of pre-season games and is likely to head up the forward line again. He is a presence but he will need help if they are to kick a winning total on a weekly basis.
Ted Strudwick only managed eight games last year and will be important likely off half-back. Dale Fitzgerald and Chris Murphy line up beside Ron Wason in an impressive defensive unit.
Western Suburbs came out of the blocks strongly last year with a 90-point win over Campbelltown, something they will be hoping to replicate on Saturday, which will be difficult on the Bombers home deck.
Danny’s Prediction: Western Suburbs by 20 points
Pennant Hills vs St George (Saturday 6.30pm at Mike Kenny Oval)
The final game of the weekend is set to be a tightly fought affair between two sides who have played out some classics in recent times.
It was Pennant Hills who knocked St George out in the Preliminary Final courtesy of a strong final five minutes in an epic encounter.
St George will be hell bent on revenge and arguably start this match as favourites given the quality of their roster. They have added Matt Petering who by all accounts is a jet and should find plenty of the football in the midfield, alongside returning club captain, Blake Guthrie.
Nick Ryan and Paul Sain will be crucial this year up forward if the Saints are to make the next leap into a Grand Final appearance.
They have also added some youth into their roster with some of the best up-and-coming players around the regional scene, such as Jayden Rymer. Some of these players will have stop-start seasons with TAC Cup commitments.
Pennant Hills will need to allay any fears they cannot cope without their best two players in Lloyd Shepherd (key defender) and reigning Phelan Medallist, Alex Goodall (midfield).
They have a number of cusp players ready to take their opportunity such as Theo Moraitis and Daniel Preen. They will be praying that Aaron Crisfield doesn’t kick any black cats as he tries to avoid injury to fill the void left by Goodall as a bullocking midfielder.
Danny’s Prediction: St George by 21 points
Last Modified on 09/04/2015 15:06
