You would have thought with the wet weather last weekend that it would have created some close, hard fought matches. Think again.
In a weekend where only six matches (4 Premier Division and 2 Womens Division One) were able to be played, Premier Division produced the most lop-sided round since Round 13 last year.
The closest result was 35 points, with the average margin being 81 points. It shows the middle to lower tier teams have a fair way to catch up with the usual suspects of Pennant Hills, Manly-Warringah and returning giants, East Coast.
Two of those likely to contend for the premiership feature in AFL Sydney’s Match of the Week courtesy of Digital Sports.
Pennant Hills v East Coast @ Mike Kenny Oval, Saturday @ 6.30pm
The Battle of the Hills would take some effort to outdo the Manly-East Coast cliffhanger but the Saturday night encounter promises to be an intriguing one between two long-term rivals.
Pennant Hills have dominated recent encounters due to East Coast playing their first grade side in the NEAFL, in a match where both sides will fancy their chances.
There is no doubt Pennant Hills have had the toughest opening of the season. With this said, they have handled it with aplomb- beating St George, Manly-Warringah and Western Suburbs; all finalists from last year.
In their traditional ANZAC Day encounter, they were at their defensive best. They restricted the Magpies to one goal in the opening half, and had enough zip in attack to reach 100 points.
Matt Carey continued his stellar start to the season with a best on ground, four goal display at Picken Oval. The 28-year old was well supported by Damian Dell’Aquila who any side would love to have given his ability to get the job done week-in, week-out. He will have his work cut out this week against the stellar Eagles midfield.
Given the loss of Alex Goodall and Matt Thomas, Michael Talbot has been more than a handy replacement- again named amongst the best for the Demons.
The biggest task for Pennant Hills will be thwart the Eagles attacking prowess. The Eagles have scored 100 more points in attack than the Demons in three matches this year, averaging over 120 points a game so far.
Adam Nixon and Dan Witt are the key position defenders who will be marking a forward line possessing Jamie Vlatko, Scott Pierce and Scott Reid. These three are big men and not their only avenues to goal. Reed is in some doubt after leaving the field injured last week but is expected to play.
Trent Stubbs has been the leading player in the competition to date and again starred in the Eagles massive 122-point win over UTS. Watching the match, you couldn’t help but be impressed by his hands and attack on the ball, with his skills a level above. His left foot running goal from outside 50 will feature among the goals of the year.
Aaron Drinkwater was superb in the midfield with his bullocking work a feature, while Jack Dimery amassed over 40 touches on the wing.
Blake Anderson could play his first game for the Eagles after coming across from the West. Anderson has been around the scene at WAFL and WAAFL level for many years. With Claremont he made his name as a small defender but don’t be surprised to see him up the ground at East Coast.
It is a side with minimal chinks and maximum talent at this level but Pennant Hills have met every challenge to date. Can they rise again for their biggest test so far?
Danny’s Prediction: East Coast by 11 points
St George v UNSW/ES @ Olds Park- Saturday @ 2.10pm
St George, coming off the bye, will start strong favourites against the enigma that is UNSW/ES at home.
The Dragons were made to work for their first win for the season against Sydney University in their last encounter.
They have again a well-rounded side that has compensated for the loss of Karl Merson (East Coast) with Blake Guthrie and Matt Petering, both of whom will take their time before having a big impact. Petering is likely to miss this weekend after flying back for a sojourn to Victoria.
Their defence has added tall youngsters Nicholas Tait and Daniel Tomlins. Both are tall and well-built types who should get better with experience in the top grade. Tomlins has big wraps on him after dominating junior football in the South. Michael Milner leads the defensive set-up which also boasts representative player, Bryce Addison.
Their youth is prevalent across every line and UNSW/ES will be looking to exploit this as they aim to bounce back from an 109 point defeat at the hands of Manly-Warringah.
There weren’t many positives from the match for a side that looked set to lay down the gauntlet at home to the GIANTS who were coming off a loss.
Jeremy Daniher again led the way as a work horse in the middle while Jordan Lampi continued his rise in Premier Division. Alex Henderson restricted Brayden Fowler to two goals.
Danny’s Prediction: St George by 31 points
Manly-Warringah v North Shore @ Weldon Oval @ 2.30pm
The pressure is on North Shore to keep in touch with the top five after a 1-2 start to the season.
They have performed badly against Manly-Warringah since the GIANTS admission to Premier Division in 2013, and it has co-incided with a slippery dip down the ladder (2nd to 7th last year).
North Shore were in with a shot last week after a poor display against UNSW/ES the week before. They led Sydney University at half-time and were within two goals at three-quarter time, only to slip away when the whips were cracking to lose by 35 points.
Dale Fitzgerald off a half-back flank for the Bombers might get a shutdown role on one of the prominent Manly-Warringah midfielders this weekend.
Matt Eddy continued his comeback to Premier Division football after a long layoff, while Alex Jalloh and Sam Carruthers provided some spark.
Manly-Warringah on paper don’t look as ominous as previous seasons but showed who was still boss after their thumping win over UNSW/ES.
Jackson Pola-Smith after showing glimpses of his class against Pennant Hills the week before was cleaner for longer and kicked six goals at the crucial centre-half forward position, replacing Hayden Washington.
Some question marks remain over Brayden Fowler who seems to have the yips in front of goal at the moment.
In a positive sign for the GIANTS some different names featured among their best on the weekend. Tom Beckett was dynamic off the bench, while Tom Pyle impressed as a tall option in the ruck.
Danny’s Prediction: Manly-Warringah by 42 points
UTS v Sydney University @ Waverley Oval- Saturday @ 2.10pm
We might have to start calling it the Ladies Day curse with wet weather again set to affecting UTS’ biggest day of the year with it having to be changed/
Rewind to this time last year, it was wet but the football was definitely entertaining with a draw being the end result.
Sydney University head into the match with a win under their belts albeit in unconvincing fashion over North Shore.
Olly Wetzlar played a key part in the victory, with three goals as a key forward. Aron Everett also impressed in his first game of the year.
UTS have a lot to prove after being smoked by East Coast. The second week bye seemed to do them no favours as they were well and truly out worked and out enthused by the Eagles.
Their skills were not good enough to break the manic Eagles’ pressure and defensive press, something which Nic Fosdike will be working on this year.
Jordan Law was everywhere for the Bats, while Tom Larby while possessing an indifferent kicking technique, was more than useful in stemming the tide when deployed as a half-back.
In some good news, Jack Watts may debut for the club this week. He would be familiar with the Sydney surroundings having played a key role up forward for the VAFA in their representative win over AFL Sydney a few years at Blacktown.
Danny’s Prediction: Sydney University by 19 points
Western Suburbs—Bye
Last Modified on 30/04/2015 21:59
