Sydney Subbies 2025

[Here To Do]

I was thinking 1v4 and 2v3 and then a GF. But I’m all for this as Mosman and Convicts have also played a lot of games but haven’t had the success of the other 4.
Also presents opportunity for a great match up. LCOI beat Hills 22-21 last weekend so should be a cracker.

Why not the following. Friday nights under lights.
Week 1.
Mjr Semi- 1 v 2
Mnr Semi- 3 v 4

Week 2
PF- Looser of Mjr v Winner of Mnr
Bowl GF- Mosman v Convicts

Week 3
Plate GF- Looser of PF vs Looser of Mnr
Halligans cup GF- Winner Mjr vs Winner PF

Probably don’t need the extra games in week 2 and 3 but nice to have a couple of games each week in the lead up to the other Finals

The main thing for me was not adding unnecessary games and rewarding teams who have already performed

Colleagues VI are the clear "top" team in the comp: most wins 7-2 and equal-most 9 games (tied with Convicts II), on 35 points.
The next best team, Kings II, have the second most wins 6-1, second-most 7 games and 29 points.

Then there's a bit of a gulf, with LCOI only having 1 BP in their 5-1 record over 6 games for 21 points, but Hills III are right behind them thanks to a draw, with a 4-2-1 record from their 7 games and 20 pts.

You could also throw a Maccabi II v UNSW V game in there (both 4 GP with 1-3 records) but I've thrown Mosman VI and Convicts II a bone for their 8 and 9 GP respectively, despite Mosman's 1-7 record and Convicts' 0-9.

I'm not a fan of going "well, we want a 4 team finals so we're going to make clear leaders in Colleagues play a team 15 points down with a much worse record" - to me, those matchups above make the most sense to find the true "champions".

Also important is that teams have played fairly recently - Colleagues VI have played all but 2 rounds, INCLUDING the bye against Manly Savers, Kings, LCOI and Hills have also been very active and Hills have already booked a full bill of games for the coming weeks.

Having a look at the draw, Maccabi haven't played since the end of May so maybe UNSW V need a new opponent, but unfortunately there are no other clubs that have at least 4 games for them to meet ATM.

Over the next few weeks, I reckon we'll see a few changes to the above, but that's how things stand IMO ATM.

 

[parkfootyenthusiast2]

Been focused on the Lions but what a few weeks it's been in Div 3.

Hornsby upset Knox on a double point round then upset Beecroft convincingly, have firmed into real contenders seemingly out of nowhere in the last few weeks.

Hills beat Beecroft then almost got pipped by LCOI. A great side on their day, can be inconsistent.

LCOI came very close to upsetting Beecroft and Hills, so they're on the rise also, though cannot make finals any longer.

Knox benefits from Back 2 Back weeks against Blacktown, with one being double points, to remain in the 4, but they're shaky and need some troops back, starting this week.

 

[parkfootyenthusiast2]

Div 3, Round 12 Predictions:

Blacktown @ Beecroft: Nothing to see here, Beecroft needs a get right game and this will be it. Blacktown a much easier poposition on the road, the real watch here will be if they can hold their discipline and avoid fireworks with a feisty Beecroft outfit. Beecroft by 30.

LCOI @ Knox: LCOI is on the rise and almost knocked off the two competition heavyweights, playing Knox at Knox 1 at the school with a chance to do it again. Word on the grapevine is Knox is getting a lot of it's injured/europe troops back this week. They've desperately missed them, so on that basis, I'll take Knox by 12.

Hornsby @ Hills: Easy game of the round. Hornsby on an absolute tear at the moment having dismantled Knox and Beecroft, if they want to the 3peat of finals contenders they'll get their shot against Hills at Yattenden this weekend. Hills themselves also beat the previously undefeated Beecroft a few weeks ago, but then almost got shocked by LCOI. Tough one to call,the red hot Hornsby or the always solid Hills? Give me Hills by 3 given they're at home, but really no idea here

Yours,
PFE2

 

[Pfitzy]

Would be interesting to look at Hornsby's personnel and see what changed recently - last year they were class across the paddock, and although I think the Colts expansion stretched them, there are still a lot of good players around MTO.

 

[Pfitzy]

Div 5 predictions for Round 12:

Epping v Harlequins - Quins seem to have hit their straps the last few weeks and will look to cement a top 4 spot with a win over Rams at Sommerville. Should be a good game.

Valley v Maccabi - they were missing a few last week at our place, but Valley will be back to numbers and too strong for the travellign Maccabi as they seek a minor premiership.

Redfield v Canterbury - after also being down a few personnel last week, ROBRs should be back to form with what I expect to be a big win over Berries.

Raptors v Renegades - we're missing 10 front rowers at this point and about 30 players in total this week after a few season-ending injuries in the last month. Hard to see us giving Raptors too much trouble at PVH. Given the shortage of props, I might even add a couple of caps to the total but Sunday will suck!

 

[Odyssey_Park the 2nd]

Looks to be another forfeit in the Beecroft vs Blacktown 2s game this week. Not sure from who yet but you’d assume Beecroft based off ladder position.
Tough if true for Blacktown with 2 clubs in 2 weeks choosing to forfeit against them.
The end of the season is catching up with a lot of clubs fast, for all those out there wanting 18 rounds we are seeing a lot of clubs like over the finish line.

 

[Pfitzy]

Looks to be another forfeit in the Beecroft vs Blacktown 2s game this week. Not sure from who yet but you’d assume Beecroft based off ladder position.
Tough if true for Blacktown with 2 clubs in 2 weeks choosing to forfeit against them.

Especially as it is one more round against Hills and then a week off for the Lions test. Not ideal prep.

 

[Pfitzy]

Renegades have had to forfeit 2s against Raptors tomorrow. Simply don't have the numbers with over 30 injured, working, or away for what is the last weekend of school holidays for the Dad crowd, or other events for some of the non-Dad crowd (girlfriends with no respect for the rugby calendar are to blame). A few are sick with whatever this latest lurgy is - I had it a couple of weeks ago and I'm still recovering.

That includes 13 front rowers. I don't know that we've ever had that many front rowers to be absent in the first place.

 

[footy_footy]

Renegades have had to forfeit 2s against Raptors tomorrow. Simply don't have the numbers with over 30 injured, working, or away for what is the last weekend of school holidays for the Dad crowd, or other events for some of the non-Dad crowd (girlfriends with no respect for the rugby calendar are to blame). A few are sick with whatever this latest lurgy is - I had it a couple of weeks ago and I'm still recovering.

That includes 13 front rowers. I don't know that we've ever had that many front rowers to be absent in the first place.

Unfortunately seems to be a bit of a trend at the moment. Disappointing for the volunteers that are working OT to get teams on the field every week but sometimes there simply is nothing you can do but concede. Tough state of play for all clubs to operating in and particularly as the end of the season approaches and various teams have no finals prospects it can be very difficult to motivate people.

Can only imagine there will be stacks of players in Brisbane for the test this weekend. How are Sydney Irish faring!? Waverley and Petersham also have a pretty large UK contingent that could be in their red jerseys this week!

 

[Odyssey_Park the 2nd]

@Pfitzy do you think the break after next week will help you get guys back? It’s another tough road trip to Harlequins but then a week off before finishing off at home might be tough to rally the guys.

Ever since COViD there have been a number of reasons given why players interest drop off throughout the year. But ultimately when you aren’t in finals contention it’s a tough sell to get guys to show up and finish the season. That’s not having a go at the people running the club but just a comment on the modern player. No longer is it about doing it for the club etc

 

[Pfitzy]

@Pfitzy do you think the break after next week will help you get guys back? It’s another tough road trip to Harlequins but then a week off before finishing off at home might be tough to rally the guys.

I think we should be OK for numbers for next week.

From what I know of the comms chatter we've got a dozen injured (half of those out for the season in the last month), 8 at work, 5 away (snow and/or school hols), 6 with other family commitments this weekend, a handful are crook. One guy suspended with another half a dozen AWOL for the last few weeks so couldn't really be counted as "in".

It's just one of those weeks.

Harlequins might end up being a bus trip which helps with attendance

After that a week off and then prepping for Old Boys Day on the #fieldofdreams against Berries should see us get a healthy turnout.

We're no hope of making finals so probably the last game of the year unless some boys want to play Halligan Cup the week after.

 

[Odyssey_Park the 2nd]

Harlequins might end up being a bus trip which helps with attendance

Is there a theme for the bus trip?

 

[parkfootyenthusiast2]

Looks to be another forfeit in the Beecroft vs Blacktown 2s game this week. Not sure from who yet but you’d assume Beecroft based off ladder position.
Tough if true for Blacktown with 2 clubs in 2 weeks choosing to forfeit against them.
The end of the season is catching up with a lot of clubs fast, for all those out there wanting 18 rounds we are seeing a lot of clubs like over the finish line.

2 clubs in 3 weeks their 2's got a nice double points win over Knox on Saturday (who forfeited the Barker replacement game week fixture the week prior)

 

[parkfootyenthusiast2]

That’s not having a go at the people running the club but just a comment on the modern player. No longer is it about doing it for the club etc

Still plenty of these blokes around, unfortunately just not at the numbers their used to be. Amazing what a difference having a good handful of them in each grade can do for club culture, full benches for teams and general vibe. Clubs have to do everything to keep these guys around, they're an endangered species but they're the true blood of a park footy club

 

[Odyssey_Park the 2nd]

Still plenty of these blokes around, unfortunately just not at the numbers their used to be. Amazing what a difference having a good handful of them in each grade can do for club culture, full benches for teams and general vibe. Clubs have to do everything to keep these guys around, they're an endangered species but they're the true blood of a park footy club

Fully agree. These are the guys who carry clubs. They may not be the 1st grade superstars but they’ll have the boots on all day and be ready to go

 

[EddieJones1985]

Div two tips

Pats Vs Forest
Forest edge this one in a tight contest - 22-19 Forest

Uni Vs Briars
I think Briars continue their winning streak ways and get a big statement win over uni - 32-24 Briars

Irish Vs Shammies
This one could be heavily affected by who has traveled to Brisbane for the rugby. Another tight one but Petersham will get the win - 24-10 Petersham

 

[Pfitzy]

Is there a theme for the bus trip?

I tend to leave that to the players - was Hawaiian shirts for the bus home from Burrows.

 

[Odyssey_Park the 2nd]

After a forfeit from Colleagues 2 interesting to see Hornsby lining up against Gordon’s 4th Grade Colts tomorrow. Good on Hornsby for getting a game but again we wonder why Gordon are allowed to have enough for 4 grades of Colts at this time of the year when numerous clubs in the area are crying out for a colts side or even more numbers…

 

[Scrums'N'Bars]

Do People do teams of the year here? Would love to see one for Kentwell cup.

 

[Pfitzy]

Do People do teams of the year here?

Only if they want to start a fight