UTS v Pennant Hills at Waverley Oval – 2:10pm Saturday
Despite only two wins from their opening five matches, UTS have proved this year they are a side that oppositions can no longer take lightly and Pennant Hills certainly shouldn’t be doing that this weekend. After pushing one of the heavyweights in Manly-Warringah two weeks ago, last weekend they chalked up their second win of the year with a hard fought 14 point win over an improving Western Suburbs. They had plenty of unavailable players and it could be argued that Western Suburbs had the better of the play for large parts of the match however the Bats showed this year they can compete for four quarters and they hit the scoreboard when it mattered most.
The Bats defensive game has been the big improvement under new coach Nic Fosdike with the side averaging just 61 points conceded per game if you take out the East Coast result. They will be tested this week by the young, developing Pennant Hills key forwards in Theo Moraitis and Daniel Preen who would surely excite the Demon’s faithful as they could well be the dominant forward line for the next decade. Last week the Bat’s managed to keep the Magpies goalless until the third term! While they haven’t kicked a really big score themselves outside of the opening round demolition of UNSW/ES, there is potential to do so with a livewire forward line including Scott Tregoning and representative squad member Tom Larby along with Adam Baker and Daniel Breese.
Pennant Hills come into this match off the back of what must have been a surprise, and disappointing draw against Sydney University. After a blistering start to the season with some big name scalps, the Demons appear to have dropped away the past three weeks where they have struggled to put scoreboard pressure on their opposition with just 17 goals across these games. Positively though, the backline led by ever green veterans Kieran Wright and Seb Parker who have been in vintage form have held strong with 51 points being the highest score conceded across these three weeks.
Despite being back at Waverley Oval and the Demon’s form being inconsistent of late, the task should be too big for the improving Bats against Pennant Hills good blend of experience as well as youth and speed in what should be a tight match.
Tip: Pennant Hills by 17 points
North Shore v St George at Gore Hill Oval – 2:30pm Saturday
After a promising start to the year when they knocked of the then fancied Magpies, its been a disastrous season in terms of results for North Shore and this weekend shapes as a must win match if they want to figure in September. They come into their match against the Dragons following their biggest loss of the season against the red hot East Coast Eagles however this is more a sign of the premiership favourites credentials as the Bombers wont be the last side to feel their wrath. Despite their position on the ladder there are positive signs for the Bombers with the young talent stepping up each week led by McKenzie, Lomas and Jalloh.
Where they really need improvement is up forward with the side only managing five goals in their past two weeks, admittedly against the Eagles and rival’s Manly-Warringah. What they would give for a key forward in the Daniel Roberts mould right now. The fact that key position defender Daniel Schacher sits second on the goal scoring ladder for the club highlights their struggles in the forward half.
St George on the other hand certainly haven’t set the world on fire yet however do appear to be enjoying flying somewhat under the radar. Sitting at 2-3 and outside the top 5 on percentage, they have arguably had the toughest start to the season having now played the current top 4 sides. The next month, starting Saturday they play all sides below them and have a great opportunity to propel themselves up the ladder.
Nick Ryan has been in great form this year and his versatility has really assisted the St George forward line and he should be prominent this week. The likely return of Alexander Wynn will be a boost for the young talented side while Blake Guthrie’s season has been building nicely which has been rewarded with representative squad selection.
Despite some poor results at Gore Hill where they have failed to win in a number of years, the Dragons should be far too strong for the Bombers.
Tip: St George by 45 points
Manly-Warringah v Sydney University at Weldon Oval – 2:30pm Saturday
The Giants juggernaut continues to roll on in 2015 and the reigning Premiers have layed a strong platform for the defence of their Premiership. Of most concern for oppositions, and Sydney University this weekend, is the return to goalkicking form of the reigning Stan Milton trophy winner Brayden Fowler. After 5 goals in his opening 3 matches, Fowler has kicked bags of 4, 7 and 5 in recent weeks to reinforce his status as the preeminent key forward in the competition. The emergence of Jackson Pola-Smith as an alternative target up forward will ensure the Sydney University defenders including Jake Swarts and Glenn Smith will have their work cut out this weekend.
What allows the Giants forwards the opportunity to mark and goal however is their midfield engine room led by captain Connor Pettersson who is having a season to remember. He along with the usual suspects of James Brain and Anthony Robertson and the addition of NEAFL player Damien Bonney make it a potent midfield.
After opposition clubs touted them as one of the sides to beat, Sydney University have almost flown under the radar once the season got underway however they have only lost the single game and their draw with Pennant Hills last week certainly will be noticed. The Students bat deeper than almost any club in the ruck stakes and the very under rated Manly-Warringah defensive group will have to be right on their game to stop the very strong Students forward line of Elkington, the very exciting Jaffer-Williams and Ollie Wetzlar who between then have kicked 24 goals this year!
The game could be won in the midfield with the young Students on ball brigade of Krochmal, Vella and co up against the bigger bodied and experienced Giants and while an upset isn’t out of the question, the Giants should have the answers in a tight one.
Tip: Manly-Warringah by 13 points
Western Suburbs v UNSW/ES at Picken Oval – 2:10pm Sunday
Without doubt this is the toughest match to predict as both sides have had extreme mixes of form so far this season.
It might be a stretch to say the Magpies have mixed form considering they are 0-5 however they have shown glimpses of form and were arguably the better side last week in their tight loss to UTS. Their achilles heal so far has been their inability to kick a winning score which is surprising when they boast the likes of Jake Ross, Josh Zoppo, Brenton Mumme and swingman Paul Bevan. Amazingly they are only averaging 6 goals per game which gives a pretty clear indication of why they aren’t winning games. Last week it was ultimately their inaccuracy that cost them their first victory and they hurriedly need to fix this if they want to figure in finals football. History is against them to do so but on paper they have the team to do it and the signs of gelling are there.
Youngster Ryan Speed who is this weeks Rising Star was impressive, as was Bevan who got plenty of the football across halfback early before looking like he may get them across the line when he went forward in the second half. His influence cannot be underestimated. The Cameron Gordon – Tarran Etto combination in the middle is one that is settled and UNSW/ES will need to be aware of. Tim Widmer has been a rock in the ruck so far this year for the Bulldogs and his battle with Gordon will be important in the outcome of this match. If the Bulldogs can get first use through Jeremy Daniher in particular they would feel confident of applying scoreboard pressure from their forwards in Ryan Farrelly and the impressive youngster Jordan Lampi.
Form fluctuation has been the Bulldogs big problem this year and in recent outings before the bye they were very competitive with the more fancied St George and Pennant Hills and if they bring that endeavour to this match they will prove difficult to toss. Outside of their sole win against North Shore, coach Parmenter would probably say his side haven’t put together a four quarter effort and that consistency is vital this week.
For the Magpies, this game is as big as it gets and it particular forward target Jake Ross needs to lead from the front.
It’s a difficult one, but you would suggest the Bulldogs would start slight favourites in this match but back at Picken, this could be the Magpies opportunity to claim an upset to get their season rolling and get their first ‘W’ of the year.
Tip: Western Suburbs by 9 points
Last Modified on 22/05/2015 10:30
