Battle of the South West

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Written by Sam Zikman

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Camden Cats vs. South West Sydney Blues

Platinum Division, 2pm at Fairfax Reserve, Harrington Park

Local rivalries don’t get much bigger than Camden Cats and the South West Sydney Blues. The two undefeated Platinum Division teams will reignite their budding rivalry when they do battle at Fairfax Reserve in Harrington Park on Saturday. South West Sydney currently 1^st, 7-0 with 505% and Camden currently 2^nd 7-0 with 313% have not shared the field since last season’s Platinum Division Grand Final. On that occasion, it was the Blues who triumphed in their first season as a merged entity (South West Magpies and Campbelltown Blues) to claim the Premiership over the Cats by 23 points. Camden themselves have had a wild journey over recent season coming down from Premier Division to rebuild their program, which they have certainly started to do.

On the park in 2023, both clubs have begun to develop impressive resumes; South West Sydney have charged through their opponents this season having their closest matches for the season in Round 1 vs. Sydney University (44-point win) and Penrith Rams in Round 4 (38-point win) along with comfortable wins against Macquarie University, Southern Power, North Shore, and Balmain. The Blues have been well serviced by key offseason recruits Kyle Delvin (North Shore) and Michael Collins (Western Magic) along with consistent strong performances from 2022 Premiership players Baily McParland, Kerwin Stewart, Phil Spratt and Bryon Coles.

For Camden their season has been going from strength to strength following a close contest against a much-improved Parramatta Goannas outfit in Round 3 (20 points win) the Cats are rounding into ominous form defeating Southern Power, Balmain, North Shore and Macquarie University comfortably over the last month to set up this undefeated clash with the Blues. Camden has built a fantastic list since commencing their platinum footy journey in 2022, with key players Zach Zafosnik, Jarrod Coomby, Mitchell Sapiatzer and Riley Fream having fantastic starts to the 2023 season. The group was further strengthened with the addition of Jordan Ware (Penrith Rams) as a mid-season transfer, Ware was named in the Cats best vs. North Shore in Round 6 and slotted two majors in the victory vs. the Warriors last weekend.

A few key questions ahead of Saturday;

1. Can anyone contain Jaden Gilheany? The forward presence for the Cats has been on fire in season 2023 kicking a league leading 21 goals from his 7 matches.
2. Who will win the midfield contest? The contest between the Blues McParland & Devlin vs. the Cats Sapiatzer & Ware will go a long way to determine the winner

And that sets up this cracking contest in Platinum Division, the sun will be out, the temperature (between the teams at least) will be hot and the stakes will be high. Whoever walks off the pristine Fairfax Reserve surface victorious claims top spot and a deserved position as Premiership favorites in Platinum Division.

For those who can make it out to Fairfax will not be disappointed, one of the best grounds in the league with plenty of perfect places to set up for a great day of Platinum Division footy.

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