AIC Rugby 2016

[rugbyinsight]

I am looking forward to seeing how teams go this year. Does anyone know what time games will be played this year? i noticed an evident lack in atmosphere throughout last years competition due to the earlier kickoff i believe. My prediction for this years ladder is as follow
1. Ashgrove
2. Pats
3. Padua
4. Iona
5. Eddies
6. Peters
7. Lauries
8. Villa

please feel free to let me know your opinion

 

[Prince Henry]

I am looking forward to seeing how teams go this year. Does anyone know what time games will be played this year? i noticed an evident lack in atmosphere throughout last years competition due to the earlier kickoff i believe. My prediction for this years ladder is as follow
1. Ashgrove
2. Pats
3. Padua
4. Iona
5. Eddies
6. Peters
7. Lauries
8. Villa

please feel free to let me know your opinion

I feel Lauries will finish higher than 7th and have seen them rated as high as 3rd on this forum. Where did the SLC 15 and 16As finish last season? I sense they deserve a bit of respect and will certainly be a tough opponent for Ashgrove in this week's trial games. Significant pressure on Padua to go back to back and MCA to get a premiership after a relative drought in recent years.

 

[Fencesitter11]

Lots of trials this weekend....Lauries v Ashgrove; Villa v St Pats; Iona V Padua.....as season gets closer trials get more important.

 

[rugbyinsight]

I feel Lauries will finish higher than 7th and have seen them rated as high as 3rd on this forum. Where did the SLC 15 and 16As finish last season? I sense they deserve a bit of respect and will certainly be a tough opponent for Ashgrove in this week's trial games. Significant pressure on Padua to go back to back and MCA to get a premiership after a relative drought in recent years.

lauries have finished with the spoon the last 3 yearson and have typically struggled in the aggregate. I believe that the problem stems from their rugby program as a whole and I personally can't see them matching it against the big teams and even the sharp backlines of Iona and Peters. Marist are due for a premiership and its hard to believe that such prominent aggregate results hasnt turned into 1st XV premierships. For that reason I put them as the favorite due to their efficiency and dominance throughout the grades.
Pats I think could be a dark horse to take this thing out due to their typically aggressive style of play and tough forward pack. I am very interested to see how they go this year. Padua are of course going to be up in the mix with the stellar forward pack they have, I just dont think they will be quite as primmed as they were last year to win it. Iona I believe could have a real rocks or diamonds season. Their is a definite weakness in the tight 5 for them, however, I think the backline has enough points in them to win a few games. Eddies could also be boom or bust this season. I havent seen too much of them but I have heard they have a few handy backs. They could possibly finish higher but it all depends on consistency for them. Peter's as usual will have a good backline but weak forward pack I think. It all comes down to discipline for them and not to get carried away. Lauries i have already talked about and Villa and their rugby program will struggle this year.

 

[don't_go_latho]

lauries have finished with the spoon the last 3 yearson and have typically struggled in the aggregate. I believe that the problem stems from their rugby program as a whole and I personally can't see them matching it against the big teams and even the sharp backlines of Iona and Peters. Marist are due for a premiership and its hard to believe that such prominent aggregate results hasnt turned into 1st XV premierships. For that reason I put them as the favorite due to their efficiency and dominance throughout the grades.
Pats I think could be a dark horse to take this thing out due to their typically aggressive style of play and tough forward pack. I am very interested to see how they go this year. Padua are of course going to be up in the mix with the stellar forward pack they have, I just dont think they will be quite as primmed as they were last year to win it. Iona I believe could have a real rocks or diamonds season. Their is a definite weakness in the tight 5 for them, however, I think the backline has enough points in them to win a few games. Eddies could also be boom or bust this season. I havent seen too much of them but I have heard they have a few handy backs. They could possibly finish higher but it all depends on consistency for them. Peter's as usual will have a good backline but weak forward pack I think. It all comes down to discipline for them and not to get carried away. Lauries i have already talked about and Villa and their rugby program will struggle this year.

Lauries ran second in the aggregate last season and outside of the young 1st XV were extremely successful overall. This is their best 1st XV for probably 5 years. They have multiple players returning from last year including Dineen who will be in his third year of 1sts. Plus the age group that some viewed as one of the best at Lauries for a long time (before scholarships) are now in grade 11 and will contribute players to the 1sts. I think a Lauries premiership is still a year away but they will be definitely top 4 this year and it will be a good gauge to see where the Lauries rugby program is at after facing Ashgrove on Saturday.

 

[rugbyinsight]

Lauries ran second in the aggregate last season and outside of the young 1st XV were extremely successful overall. This is their best 1st XV for probably 5 years. They have multiple players returning from last year including Dineen who will be in his third year of 1sts. Plus the age group that some viewed as one of the best at Lauries for a long time (before scholarships) are now in grade 11 and will contribute players to the 1sts. I think a Lauries premiership is still a year away but they will be definitely top 4 this year and it will be a good gauge to see where the Lauries rugby program is at after facing Ashgrove on Saturday.

My apologies, I thought Padua finished second in the aggregate followed by Iona. There is no denying that experience counts for alot at 1st XV level. Were they able to retain their front row from last year? Or were they year 12s? They were quite impressive from what I saw from them last year.

 

[Fencesitter11]

Marist Ashgrove 1st XV v Cranbrook trial Sydney during Easter School holidays
1. Jayden Arndell
2. Aidan Fabris
3. Tom Rafter
4. Ethan McCall
5. Joe Gavin
6. Max Midgley
7. Nick Jenkins
8. Allan Wratten
9. Jaz Day
10. Issac DeFlavis
11. Charlie Renouf
12. Hayden Ryan
13. Ben Loff
14. Callum McCarthy
15. Ben Bucknell
COACHES
Mr J Fitzgerald
Mr P McIntosh

 

[The Ballkid]

I am looking forward to seeing how teams go this year. Does anyone know what time games will be played this year? i noticed an evident lack in atmosphere throughout last years competition due to the earlier kickoff i believe.

Here is the times for SPC home games (Field 1). I assume they are the same for all the schools. It is still very early but is an improvement on last year I suppose.

10:00am 9B
11:00am 9A
12.00pm 15A
1.00pm 2nd XV
2.15pm 1st XV
(Trial games are different times)

 

[wendpt]

lauries have finished with the spoon the last 3 yearson and have typically struggled in the aggregate. I believe that the problem stems from their rugby program as a whole and I personally can't see them matching it against the big teams and even the sharp backlines of Iona and Peters. Marist are due for a premiership and its hard to believe that such prominent aggregate results hasnt turned into 1st XV premierships. For that reason I put them as the favorite due to their efficiency and dominance throughout the grades.
Pats I think could be a dark horse to take this thing out due to their typically aggressive style of play and tough forward pack. I am very interested to see how they go this year. Padua are of course going to be up in the mix with the stellar forward pack they have, I just dont think they will be quite as primmed as they were last year to win it. Iona I believe could have a real rocks or diamonds season. Their is a definite weakness in the tight 5 for them, however, I think the backline has enough points in them to win a few games. Eddies could also be boom or bust this season. I havent seen too much of them but I have heard they have a few handy backs. They could possibly finish higher but it all depends on consistency for them. Peter's as usual will have a good backline but weak forward pack I think. It all comes down to discipline for them and not to get carried away. Lauries i have already talked about and Villa and their rugby program will struggle this year.

To say Laurie's typically struggles in the aggregate is incorrect. Prior to 2010 they did not finish outside of the top 3. The period between 2010-2015 was Teh worst in its proud history so needs to be put in context. The program is back on the improve as evidenced by last season but it has a long way to go to repair the damage. Laurie's sits only second to Ashgrove in terms of premierships in TAS/AIC.

 

[Aicfooty90]

Fairly convincing win from Marist at Lauries this afternoon. Fairly sloppy though from both sides even for a trial match.

Lauries strong throughout the first half, however just simply fell apart throughout the second. Could be a threat to some teams if they manage to pull together a full performance.

Marist played well considering notable absentees in McCall, Rafter, Renouf and Loff.. Backline looked although they were struggling to put their set piece together - Wrattan playing at 12 (surely you'd have him playing back row throughout regular season). Forwards dominant for majority of the match.

Strongest MCA performances: De Flavvis, Midgley and the hooker for Marist (Fabris?).

 

[Prince Henry]

Ashgrove scored 8 tries by my count and converted only one (the last 2 goals missed from virtually in front). Lauries definitely competitive in first half and trailled only 12-0 at the break. In the first half, SLC's midfield tested the two big centres (agree that Wrattan is not a centre) from Ash who struggled laterally in defence a few times.

When given an opportunity in the second half, the back three for Ashgrove showed lightning pace and evasion. Their last try was a 70m effort after a loose ball was kicked through by Lauries down Ashgrove's left flank. After a quick shift, the movement was finished with the right winger's blinding speed and two ins and away to beat his opposite number and then the fullback.

Ashgrove's forwards were industrious without being spectacular and their lineout will improve when McCall returns. Overall, they look a strong outfit across the park and with several certain 1st XV selections to return, will be a force this year.

 

[Robo barb]

Ashgrove scored 8 tries by my count and converted only one (the last 2 goals missed from virtually in front). Lauries definitely competitive in first half and trailled only 12-0 at the break. In the first half, SLC's midfield tested the two big centres (agree that Wrattan is not a centre) from Ash who struggled laterally in defence a few times.

When given an opportunity in the second half, the back three for Ashgrove showed lightning pace and evasion. Their last try was a 70m effort after a loose ball was kicked through by Lauries down Ashgrove's left flank. After a quick shift, the movement was finished with the right winger's blinding speed and two ins and away to beat his opposite number and then the fullback.

Ashgrove's forwards were industrious without being spectacular and their lineout will improve when McCall returns. Overall, they look a strong outfit across the park and with several certain 1st XV selections to return, will be a force this year.

I believe the wingers name is Tyson cooper by hearing around his a brilliant player hopefully they keep him in the first side

 

[xxxx]

Padua got over Iona to the tune of like 6 try to 3, in the 1st.
Padua has some size about them and do look a good team, which looked to be playing well below par yesterday with out doubt will be better.
IMO they will be close to the top of the table come season end.
Padua do seem settle on their selections where they didn't give any shadow much game time. Whereas Iona certainly used the game as a opportunity to have a look at some other players, with some of Iona stronger players only playing limited time.

Best on field for both teams where the two 12s.

 

[rugbyinsight]

To say Laurie's typically struggles in the aggregate is incorrect. Prior to 2010 they did not finish outside of the top 3. The period between 2010-2015 was Teh worst in its proud history so needs to be put in context. The program is back on the improve as evidenced by last season but it has a long way to go to repair the damage. Laurie's sits only second to Ashgrove in terms of premierships in TAS/AIC.

To say Laurie's typically struggles in the aggregate is incorrect. Prior to 2010 they did not finish outside of the top 3. The period between 2010-2015 was Teh worst in its proud history so needs to be put in context. The program is back on the improve as evidenced by last season but it has a long way to go to repair the damage. Laurie's sits only second to Ashgrove in terms of premierships in TAS/AIC.

Unfortunately what happened 10 years ago has no bearings on the outcome of today's games. In the past 3 years in particular, the 1st XV has struggled, and so has the college's aggregate compared to recent times.

 

[Kyle MIller]

Has anyone heard anything about the other trial games from the weekend? News on Iona and Pats?

Not much happening within the Iona rugby world at the moment! Although I am led to believe that Iona will have a few more players back this weekend from injury when they take on a red hot Ashgrove team. It will be a big testament to the Iona team as they really held in with Padua for the first half. Something good to see will be Iona's backs taking on the lighting fast backs of Ashgrove. If Iona stands a chance this weekend there 15, 12, 11 and 14 will have to play to their full potential.

 

[Jacob Sproule]

Who look to be the top no.10's for the upcoming season. Rank from 8 to 1 for each school??

 

[Kyle MIller]

Who look to be the top no.10's for the upcoming season. Rank from 8 to 1 for each school??

1. Ashgrove
2. Peter's
3. Patrick's
4. Padua
5. Villa
6. Laurie's
7. Iona
8. Edmunds

These are my top 8 flyhalf's so far for this season. Considering what I have seen in the trials the top 4 are on another level compared to the bottom 4 flyhalf's.

 

[Jacob Sproule]

1. Ashgrove
2. Peter's
3. Patrick's
4. Padua
5. Villa
6. Laurie's
7. Iona
8. Edmunds

These are my top 8 flyhalf's so far for this season. Considering what I have seen in the trials the top 4 are on another level compared to the bottom 4 flyhalf's.

Yeah shot bruv, Padua's 10 couldn't clear it past the 22m line and Villas 10 was far from special from what I've seen. How easily you seem to forget that Iona's backline carved up Padua every time they touched the ball. Ashgrove and Peters seem like they will be strong. It will be interesting to see if Ashgrove can keep up with Iona this weekend.

 

[rugbyinsight]

Yeah shot bruv, Padua's 10 couldn't clear it past the 22m line and Villas 10 was far from special from what I've seen. How easily you seem to forget that Iona's backline carved up Padua every time they touched the ball. Ashgrove and Peters seem like they will be strong. It will be interesting to see if Ashgrove can keep up with Iona this weekend.

Personally I can see Iona taking to Ashgrove in the backs but I think the forwards will struggle. I think Ashgrove is too well rounded

 

[Aicfooty90]

Personally I can see Iona taking to Ashgrove in the backs but I think the forwards will struggle. I think Ashgrove is too well rounded

Would have to agree. Wrattan played #6 all last year for MCA firsts but they trialled him at centres on the weekend against Lauries.. He's definitely not a centre so could be a weakness for MCA.. fairly sure he was just filling a hole left by Renouf though.. If he returns id be happy to say Ashgrove to get home comfortably. Back 3 for Ashgrove to be to quick