2009 SWAFL Round 1 Preview More than six months has passed since Grand Final Day and everyone is anxious with anticipation so lets preview the four matches all held at Mahoney on Saturday April 18. It looks like four mouth-watering matches to commence season 2009. Home teams are mentioned first. Game 1: St. George Dragons vs Sydney University Bombers. (9am) This game sees last years 4
th and 5
th placed teams battle out each other in the opening game of the 2009 season. St. George has changed its jumper to the traditional red and white following the mens club decision to say goodbye to the Adelaide Football Club as well as changing mascots from Crows to Dragons. Coaching support for both teams changed in the offseason with Gary Slowgrove taking over St. George matching wits of the combination team of Kellie Nolan and Penny Stringer at Sydney University. Preseason guide was of limited value in assessing St. George with a lot of their players committed to summer sports whilst Sydney University were certainly impressive against Belconnen, Newtown and the Bondi Shamrocks in trial matches considering that they are fielding quite a few new players to SWAFL. The game will be won
in who controls the midfield as both teams have solid half-back lines.
Head to Head: Played 7, Sydney University won 7, St George 0
Game 2: Newtown Breakaways vs Bondi Shamrocks (11am)
This game sees the most successful coach in the competition Jamie Robertson back in charge of the Newtown Breakaways. along with original player Sarah Groube, matching wits with the newest team in the competition. Newtown have acquired a couple of experienced players who looked very solid in their trial matches. The Bondi Shamrocks under Lisa Roper on the other hand seems to have high aerobic fitness levels which may suit their style of game. One of the highlights will be the goal shootout of full-forwards Marie Keating (Bondi) and Bec Burridge (Newtown). It will be interesting to see the skill and experience of Newtown vs the raw talent of the Bondi Shamrocks. The team that controls the rucks and clearances from the centre square/ballups and stoppages will be the team that wins.
Head to Head: have yet
to play officially Game 3: Macquarie University Warriors vs UNSW/Easts Stingrays (1pm) This game sees the other newest side in the competition after a six year absence take on one of the foundation clubs. In a battle of the Universities, the Warriors under captain/coach Belinda Harrison take on the Stingrays. In the Warriors case, jelling a team with numbers and skills will be their biggest challenge and they definitely looked work-person like in their first trial match against the Bondi Shamrocks. Ben Porter coached Stingrays side also contained
some new players new to the league and getting their skills to reflect their skilful players will be their biggest challenge. Against St. George in their trial match Easts showed a lot of character against a squad that was settled from last year. The team that will win is the one with a full squad and bench available and the bigger desire to work for their win.
Head to Head: Played 3, UNSW/Easts won 3, Macquarie University 0.
Game 4: Western Wolves vs the Balmain Dockers (3pm)
The Grand Final rematch sees Premiers Wests take on Balmain in the last match of the day. I am not sure how reliable the Michelle Daley Shield was as an indicator as both sides did not have their full squad for selection. However Wests were clearly dominant in the Shield game, with Georgia Woodyard one of the tallest rucks in the league with Natalie Redford (Newtown). Wests ability to reinvent itself always surprises me but I know one thing, when you come against a Jason King coached side, your team needs 120% skill, determination and commitment to win the match. Once again the midfield battle will be the key focus on both sides. Last year apart from one match, the scores were fairly
close between the two sides. Can Balmain Coach Darren Morrow get the Dockers over the line? A mouth watering prospect to hang around!
Head to Head: Played 22. Wests 17, Balmain 5, (excludes 2005-06 seasons as no records kept of individual matches).
Last Modified on 09/04/2009 15:06