Round 5 saw East Coast assert themselves as the competition favourites, while Manly-Warringah and Pennant Hills limped to wins.
You don’t win premierships in May but just ask Fremantle, it is a good opportunity to create some breathing space to manage your list when others are fighting tooth and nail for a finals berth.
St George vs Manly-Warringah- Olds Park @ 2.10pm
If you asked St George where they would like to be at the moment, you couldn’t imagine them saying fifth. Their activity over the off-season suggests they are pressing for a premiership in the next couple of years, as they should.
They have talent on their list but they were well and truly overwhelmed by the mature bodies of East Coast on the weekend.
After their 119 point loss, there would have been some soul searching for the Dragons this week. The job doesn’t get any easier against reigning premiers, Manly-Warringah this weekend.
There is history on the Dragons side which should give them confidence. They won their previous encounter, an upset 8-point win in Round 11 last year- as part of a seven-game winning streak.
It was hard to see many winners on the weekend but Nathan Kenny is class across half-forward. Matt Petering also showed glimpses of his class which should see him vie for a Representative guernsey.
Manly-Warringah were lucky to get away with the four points against UTS last week. They were well and truly jumped by the Bats, but ultimately their class got them home courtesy of a 12 goal to five second-half.
James Brain was industrious in the midfield in arguably his best game of the year. Brayden Fowler was also a shining light up forward with seven goals and didn’t get too far up the ground on the small confines of Trumper Park.
A loss could see the Dragons drop to seventh.
Danny’s Prediction: Manly-Warringah by 31 points
Pennant Hills vs Sydney University- Mike Kenny Oval @ 2.30pm
Sydney University have quietly gone about their business in a pretty handy month where have only played one side currently in the top five. That will change this weekend when they face their biggest test yet against Pennant Hills.
They flexed their muscle last weekend, completely destroying an insipid Western Suburbs after quarter-time to close out 82-point winners.
They look well-balanced across all lines this year and will be keen to assert themselves against a worthy opponent.
Glenn Smith showcased his consistency again with a best on ground showing. Yarran Jaffer-Williams was an excitement machine up forward with four goals, as was Ben Hawtin (three goals).
Callum Kennedy and Aron Everett (when in the side) is more than useful one-two combination in the ruck.
Pennant Hills were poor with their skills last weekend by their own admission and will need to kick it up a gear on a big day for the club- with it being Ladies Day.
Tim Scoular played his first game for the year and normally adds versatility across half-forward, but was named at full-back last week.
Cameron Smith goes under the radar but forms part of a potent midfield and defence that only conceded three goals on one of the smallest grounds in Sydney.
The corresponding clash last year was more than competitive with Pennant Hills coming home strong in the penultimate round.
An upset could be on the cards.
Danny’s Prediction: Pennant Hills by 10 points
East Coast vs North Shore- Kanebridge Oval @ 2.10pm
As Dwayne Russell would say, East Coast were “scary good” last weekend.
While Danny can’t attest to liking Dwayne’s commentary, it was a pretty apt description of the Eagles in action as they feasted on a St George carcass at their home nest.
They have depth and talent wherever you look.
Stuart Turner should be an automatic representative selection on the ball, and James Ford continues to kick bags as he tries to catch up to leading goalkicker and team-mate, Trent Stubbs, who is pretty handy himself when ‘resting’ across half-forward.
It’s a mountain to climb for North Shore who had the bye last week. The week before that was one to forget, not managing to hit double figures against Manly-Warringah in poor conditions.
It is hard at the moment to see where their goals can come from with no genuine target up forward.
Only having one player nominated in the representative squad (Ted Strudwick) shows they lack A-grade talent not just up forward, but all over the ground.
It is hard to see anything other than another percentage-boosting win for the Eagles.
Danny’s Prediction: East Coast by 75 points
Western Suburbs vs UTS- Henson Park @ 7pm
The final match of the Premier Division weekend doubles as the AFL Sydney Match of the Week between two sides desperate to keep in touch with the top five.
Western Suburbs have been nothing short of disappointing so far this season.
Many had them pencilled in for the upper echelons of the ladder but currently it looks like they are viewing it upside down given they are winless after five rounds.
Last weekend was maybe their worst showing in some time, with a big loss at the hands of the side that ended their finals hopes last year- Sydney University.
Depth is a massive concern despite the top end talent including players like Paul Bevan, Jake Ross, Josh Robinson and Taran Etto.
With this said, coach Kevin Eynaud is still confident and believes that the side is starting to gel given the late transfer of a number of Campbelltown Premier Division players.
It’s a risky approach but they still harbour hopes of finals and beyond.
Watching UTS last week, they are definitely much improved.
They are playing with purpose and more importantly, structure, which are essential ingredients at this level.
Ultimately they couldn’t pull off the game plan for four quarters against Manly-Warringah but gained a lot of respect in the process.
They need to win these games and will enjoy the night time air at Henson, they smashed UNSW/ES and pushed Sydney University all the way in similar timeslots.
Jack Watts straightened them up and he was prolific in the first half with rep defender, Harrison Koch on him with a couple of great contested marks. His absence along with Jordan Law’s this weekend will hurt.
Ben Moyle is leading from the front in the midfield this year, and will again look for support from the likes of well-credentialed Jason Fleming.
Danny’s Prediction: UTS by 9 points
Bye: UNSW/ES
Last Modified on 15/05/2015 09:08
