The forecast has blue skies embracing Sydney on Saturday afternoon ahead of Round 12 of the AFL Sydney Premier Division competition with some pivotal clashes which will impact finals chances for some sides.
UTS Bats vs Western Suburbs @ Trumper Park- 2.10pm
The Bats can maintain touch with the top five if they win their second game in a row, this time against equal bottom placed Western Suburbs.
Outside the top 5, UTS hold the best attack in the competition but need to improve if they want to play finals. This week could be the time to do it against an young Magpie outfit.
After some indifferent performances which should have led to a least a couple more victories, the Bats outfit showed that they didn’t want 2015 season to be a waste when defeating UNSW/ES in the Eastern Suburbs Derby last week by 28 points
Tom Larby (voted number 20 in AFL Sydney) has been best for his side in the opening half of the year. James Howard and Jason Fleming were strong last week and have the ability to take the game away from the opposition at any time.
Western Suburbs are looking to get their second win of the season after a good start against Sydney University last week but ultimately fell away.
There were some positive signs with a four goal to zero opening term last week against the Students and the Magpies will be looking to turn that start into a four quarter performance. Taran Etto (also in AFL Sydney’s Top 20 at number 17) continued his great season with another best on ground performance.
UTS did get the better of the Magpies in their last outing, despite the Magpies looking the better side, but the improving Magpies could be a chance to turn the result around.
Danny’s Prediction: UTS by 40 points
St George Dragons vs East Coast Eagles @ Olds Park- 2.30pm
The East Coast Eagles juggernaut rolls on with side dismantling last years Grand Finalists in consecutive weeks including Pennant Hills last week to the tune of 61 points.
The 61-point win saw them take a 4 point lead at the top of the ladder and you’d be a brave person to suggest that’s where they wont finish.
Blake Anderson was dominant last week racking up 30+ disposals from the back 50 and will be looking to continue on his recent good form. He worked well particularly with Trent Stubbs who had another strong game in the midfield.
The competition knows how strong their attack is but their defence led by Damian Charleston and Kieran Emery, has been the key to stopping opposition attacking thrusts and then setting the Eagles up going forward.
With Charleston out though, Kieran Emery or Ben Bourke will likely to get the job on Nick Ryan which will be a key match up.
St George are coming off the bye last week and will be well rested for this game
The Dragons will need their big guns to fire with Blake Guthrie, Alexander Wynn, Nathan Kenny and Nick Ryan needing to have big games if they want the four points
Danny’s Prediction: East Coast by 41 points
North Shore Bombers vs Sydney University @ Gore Hill Oval- 2.30pm
North Shore after a horrible first month of the year will be looking to continue on from their recent good showings when they host Sydney University at Gore Hill Oval.
The Bombers have had a tough ask the last couple of weeks taking on Pennant Hills and Manly Warringah but have pushed both sides all the way and the Students will need to turn up to play if they want the four points.
The Bombers have lost Selby Lee-Steere for the rest of the year which is a huge loss and will need other players to step up in his absence.
Sam Carruthers was again consistent in the midfield, with Sam Jackson providing a good contest in the ruck.
Sydney University maintained their spot in the top five with a good come from behind victory over Western Suburbs.
It was the youngsters who stepped up last week with Monty Krochmal, Allister Clarke and Alex Hawtin all playing well and will be wanting to continue that on this round
I can see the Bombers once again being competitive and pulling off the upset of the round.
Danny’s Prediction: North Shore by 1 point.
Pennant Hills Demons vs Manly Warringah Giants @ Ern Holmes Oval- 2.30pm
The final game of the round will be hosted by Pennant Hills when they return to the Ern and host rivals Manly Warringah which will also be Match of the Week.
Pennant Hills would have been disappointed with the margin blowing out late past 10 goals last week against the hard to stop East Coast side.
Cam Smith continued his good year across half back with another impressive performance last week. He will need to be at his best against a very dangerous Manly forward line.
The Demons will be hoping that Stephen Wray is available for selection this week as he kicked another two goals last week and looked dangerous whenever the ball was in his area.
Manly Warringah shook off their defeat to East Coast when they claimed the Bendigo Cup defeating North Shore by 33 points.
They will be looking to make it a not so happy day for the Demons after Pennant Hills ruined their flag unveiling in Round 2 when the Demons got the points in somewhat of an upset.
Brayden Fowler returned back to the scorers list last week with a bag of five and was joined by surprise packet Daniel Dickerson who also snagged five goals in the win. Fowler and Harrison Koch are unavailable this week and will be sorely missed.
This match shapes as a decider with the winner still a chance to claim the minor premiership if the Eagles (unexpectedly) slip up some point during the season.
Danny’s Prediction: Pennant Hills by 3 points
UNSW/ES- Bye
Last Modified on 10/07/2015 09:20
