AFL Sydney Premier Division teams return to the park for the first time in three weeks this weekend with Manly-Warringah still on top, narrowly ahead of other premiership contenders in Pennant Hills and East Coast Eagles.
Sydney University vs East Coast Eagles @ Henson Park 5pm
Our attention firstly turns to the AFL Sydney Match of the Week against two heavyweights in local AFL circles.
Sydney University, as a club, are arguably enjoying their best season- with both their NEAFL (fifth) and Premier Division (fourth) sides in finals positions.
It is easy to see why with the depth of talent building year-on-year within the club and a number of ex-AFL players setting the standard for other grades to follow.
They play a structured and grittier style of game in Premier Division that means their defence is strong but they also don’t kick massive scores. They have only managed to break the ton once this year.
Their last game wasn’t one that would be proud of either- a 55-point loss to ladder leaders, Manly.
There is potential for growth though. Lachlan Maples, Sam Sleigh and Alex Hawtin provide drive from the backline.
East Coast unbelievably boast the best attack and defense (and by some distance too) but sit third on the ladder- courtesy of their after-the-siren loss to Manly in Round 1.
This looms as somewhat of a danger game given the lack of game time for most of the squad. With this said, a large number of stars featured in the AFL Sydney Representative side that played last week.
Andrew McConnell was superb in this game with five goals in a Best on Ground showing. His combination with Trent Stubbs will need to be nullified given both are goal kicking midfielders.
Spencer Krochmal will have his hands full against the best ruckman in the competition in Eagles’ big man, Andrew Browning.
With the match being played at 5pm, the more slippery conditions should suit the Students but they will need to lift a level to challenge the Eagles.
Danny’s Prediction: East Coast by 18 points
St George Dragons vs UTS Bats @ Olds Park
St George will be favoured at home against the ever-improving UTS on Saturday afternoon.
UTS have a much improved spine with the additions of Ben Nethersole (full-back) and Tom Larby (centre half-forward or back).
Nic Fosdike has the side playing well to a game plan but they still lack the four-quarter consistency and the skills across the board to challenge the top sides.
Adam Baker’s return should alleviate some of the pressure on Larby to kick a winning score.
Jason Fleming and Jordan Law are the two dangerous midfielders that are also getting better with game time for the Bats.
St George are just poking along at the moment. At 3-3, their percentage needs a facelift despite their last start six-goal win against North Shore.
Blake Guthrie was one of Sydney’s best at last week’s Interleague fixture and the Saints faithful will be looking for him to get plenty of the ball, as well as Nathan Kenny.
Nick Ryan is still the main goal kicker in a very young forward line.
I can’t see there being much in this one.
Danny’s Prediction: St George by 9 points
Manly-Warringah GIANTS v Western Suburbs Magpies @ Weldon Oval
The GIANTS continue to sit at the summit of the AFL Sydney ladder, a position they are well accustomed with and shouldn’t let go of after Saturday.
They have strength across every line. Jordan Weir and Harrison Koch are reliable defenders alongside Gareth Benbow who is one of the best small defenders in the competition.
Brayden Fowler managed another bag last Saturday to show he is hitting his straps heading into the middle half of the season. He has found a reliable foil this year in Jackson Pola-Smith across centre-half forward, which was maybe a slight flaw for the premiers last year.
Connor Pettersson and James Brain are industrious and set the standard for the GIANTS to follow on a week-in, week-out basis. A possible return from one of their favourite son’s this weekend may be on the cards also... stay tuned!
Western Suburbs have been most disappointing out of any AFL Sydney side to date given their talent.
With this said, it is in many respects a new side with the amount of new additions to the side, but they are starting from a long way back.
Paul Bevan needs more assistance around the ground, with better delivery to key forward Jake Ross the key for the Magpies to kick a winning score.
Danny’s Prediction: Manly-Warringah by 41 points
UNSW/ES Bulldogs vs North Shore Bombers @ Village Green
The final game of the weekend will be played on Sunday between the sides seventh and last on the ladder.
Fair to say, both sides are in a “rebuild” as evidenced with the amount of young blood on both rosters.
UNSW/ES really lack a forward line and have done so since their premiership success in 2012. They have averaged 43 points in attack in their last four matches, and 29 in the last two matches at Village Green.
Regardless of who you are playing, they are pretty sobering statistics.
Jordan Lampi has been a shining light since his transfer to the club as a long-kicking young left-footer. Kane Latham is also seeming more settled in the midfield.
North Shore have leaked more points than any other this season- at an average of 104 points/game.
Alex Jalloh has been noticeable across half-forward and if they had all of their Under 18 RAMS players available on a weekly basis, they would win more games but it just isn’t happening for the club rich in history.
UNSW/ES won their Round 2 clash by 67 points, and while I am tipping them to win, given the woes of both attacks it may be closer than many predict.
Danny’s Prediction: UNSW/ES by 4 points
Last Modified on 12/06/2015 10:51
