Rnd 9 Preview – Unpredictability the only certainty

Written by Michael Shillito.

 

After a week off over the long weekend, we’re back in action on Saturday with another big round of footy.

This weekend takes us to the half-way mark of the home and away season, and it’s a tight ladder so every team is still in the race for finals if they can string some wins together. The opportunity to make an impact is there this weekend.

 

North Shore vs. Pennant Hills

A massive game at Mortgage Choice Oval will put traditional rivals North Shore and Pennant Hills up against each other.

It’s a big day for North Shore, with the Bombers holding their annual Back to Bears Day where some of those who have worn the black and red in seasons past, will return to the club. This match will also mark the the last Premier Division clash at Gore Hill before work begins on resurfacing and redeveloping the ground.

On the field, it is a critical game for both teams, as it may have a great influence on how the ladder shapes up at the end of the season.

North Shore currently sit in third place, with four wins from seven games so far this season.

Last start saw them return to the winners list, but they had to hang on for dear life after a determined second half by Wests.

There is some good firepower in the Bombers’ line up. Look for Wayd Blackburne on the forward line, who has a knack for pulling out goals from tight angles. Another to watch is Teddy Strudwick, after an injury-plagued start to the season, he is now fit and firing.

A disappointing loss to Manly last week sees the Demons a game behind the Bombers – a gap they will be looking to bridge this week.

The experienced hands of Aaron Crisfield continue to serve the Demons well, while Jesse Hare has impressed every week.

The Demons haven’t always produced their best footy this season, but their potential every week can never be disputed.

North Shore knocked Pennant Hills out of last year’s finals, so the Demons will have a point to prove, and will go all-out to put things right this time. Expect a closely-fought match in this one.

 

Western Suburbs vs. Manly Warringah Wolves

Two clubs that sit outside the top five but aren’t far away from the finals race will face off at Picken Oval when Wests host Manly.

The Magpies may  only have two wins so far, but they have been close several times and lost a few nail-biters.

Their last game saw a great second half where they came agonisingly close to knocking off North Shore – another outing which showed they are not far away from being up there with the best in the competition.

Dan O’Connell will be one the Wolves will need to keep quiet, he has had plenty of the ball in recent weeks. Charles Ford is also looking like he is moving into some strong form.

Manly’s season is starting to build some momentum, with the Wolves having wins in their last two starts to move within percentage of the top five. They looked very impressive in getting past Pennant Hills last start, and this is the sort of game they need to replicate that form.

Keep an eye out for Sam Wicks, whose form is rising. Anthony Robertson is also looking impressive, with plenty of experience to draw on.

Both sides would find four points valuable here, keeping them within reach of the top five. With the stakes so high, this will be a desperate scrap where neither side will want the other to get any easy touches.

 

Sydney University vs. St George

A clash between two sides with high ambitions of being in contention at the business end of the season, will be fought out at Sydney Uni No. 1 Oval as Sydney University host St George.

Sydney Uni have surged to top spot on the ladder, only dropping one game during the season so far. They have had their share of NEAFL-listed players to draw on, and in their last start dominated against the Eagles.

Austin Lucy will not be playing this week, but the likes of Will Stratford and Micael Fogarty will be looking to maintain their impressive form of recent weeks, and the Dragons will have to work hard to keep them quiet.

The Dragons dropped to fourth on the ladder after going down to UNSW-ES at their last start. But in this topsy-turvy season, where the form is so hard to pick, they are within range of the front-runners.

Dom Michalak has played well every week, while Alex Wynn features in the Dragons’ list of best players on a regular basis. They are just two of the names the Students will need to keep quiet.

The Students have deserved their status as ladder leaders, but the Dragons will be fired up to keep themselves within easy reach of the top three. We suspect that the Dragons will put up some stiff resistance against the Sydney Uni juggernaut.

 

UTS Bats vs. UNSW Eastern Suburbs

It’s a clash between the two eastern universities as UTS host UNSW Eastern Suburbs at Waverley Oval.

A four-game losing streak has seen the Bats in unfamiliar territory at the bottom of the ladder at this half-way mark of the season. But there is too much talent in the UTS list for them to stay there for long.

Keep an eye on the likes of Sam Nethersole, Jack Macklin and Scott Jansen who can give the Bats the drive they need in their quest for a momentum-changing result this time round.

UNSW Eastern Suburbs have emerged as genuine contenders this season. The Bulldogs sit in second spot, and confidence is rising in their camp.

There is some exciting talent making their way through the Dogs, with Nick Blakey being the latest to establish himself in senior ranks, kicking a bag of goals and taking best-on-ground status last game.

Jack Buckley is another to watch, with the Bats surely knowing they need to keep them quiet.

The Bulldogs are in form and confident. The Bats will need to lift to take the win this time, but with the home ground advantage and the knowledge that it’s now or never, the Bats will be determined to lift for this one and get their season back on track.

 

East Coast Eagles – bye

East Coast Eagles have the bye this week. The defending champions have not had everything go their way this season, sitting on three wins from eight games. This weekend is for the Eagles to regroup as there is still some hard work to come.

It’s another round where the stakes are high, and if the form from this season so far is any indication, there’s a good chance of more upsets with plenty of unpredictability. The ladder by the end of the round could look very different to how it does now.