Garry Owens
Alan Cameron (40)
Terrace a bit hard done by perhaps - def a couple of boys that on pure talent probs should have been there .
My understanding is that Ashgrove have several forwards out injured in the 9A's, on top of losing two other forwards to BGS since last year.
As a result the Ash 9A's pack is under-strength but the backs look pretty good. Still, Villa should start favorites v Ash at home in the last round.
Terrace a bit hard done by perhaps - def a couple of boys that on pure talent probs should have been there .
There is pressure on Ashgrove though, who have been the biggest chokers in the AIC at First XV level for a number of years. Sheehan is a big addition to this Lauries team who didn't play in the trial at flanker. Has the ability to keep the 7 from Ashgrove quiet.
Just can't see SLC getting up, I wish them well - but I think MCA will have the goods - no choking from this team - but should be closer than some pundits suggest. Ash are the deal this year - no doubt - they will go through undefeated.So Ash is the team really under pressure tomorrow, not SLC?
Well, here are the reasons why I'm inclined to disagree:
- SLC have no shot at a premiership unless they win, whereas Ash can afford to drop a game;
- Ash have very strong First XV's coming through over the next couple of years, but if SLC don't grab a share of the title this year god knows when they'll next be in contention;
-Ash have well and truly outperformed SLC so far this year, and look the better team on both form and paper;
- home crowd/Old Boy's day just adds to the pressure on SLC to perform, in the back of their minds will be the possibility of performing poorly on the big stage.
I still think SLC can win, but realistically Ash will probably have to have an ordinary day for that to happen. That's a possibility, but I know that the Ash coaching staff have been building/preparing for this particular game for the last 10 months with the pre-season trial used as a training run only, so the boys will almost certainly come out ready to go.
Emosi's likely return tomorrow will help Ash as well, even if he only plays a half.
It will be an interesting game, if SLC get up they will deserve all of the plaudits.
I agree Galloper, I'm sure those out Ashgrove way haven't forgotten that Lauries, Villa, Peters, Iona, Eddies and Padua have all won an outright premiership since Ashgrove last did so though? And anything less than an undefeated premiership this year would be considered a failure? Those who have been following Lauries this year are used to watching error ridden, I'll disciplined performances so anything above that will be considered a bonus.So Ash is the team really under pressure tomorrow, not SLC?
Well, here are the reasons why I'm inclined to disagree:
- SLC have no shot at a premiership unless they win, whereas Ash can afford to drop a game;
- Ash have very strong First XV's coming through over the next couple of years, but if SLC don't grab a share of the title this year god knows when they'll next be in contention;
-Ash have well and truly outperformed SLC so far this year, and look the better team on both form and paper;
- home crowd/Old Boy's day just adds to the pressure on SLC to perform, in the back of their minds will be the possibility of performing poorly on the big stage.
I still think SLC can win, but realistically Ash will probably have to have an ordinary day for that to happen. That's a possibility, but I know that the Ash coaching staff have been building/preparing for this particular game for the last 10 months with the pre-season trial used as a training run only, so the boys will almost certainly come out ready to go.
Emosi's likely return tomorrow will help Ash as well, even if he only plays a half.
It will be an interesting game, if SLC get up they will deserve all of the plaudits.
So Ash is the team really under pressure tomorrow, not SLC?
Well, here are the reasons why I'm inclined to disagree:
- SLC have no shot at a premiership unless they win, whereas Ash can afford to drop a game;
- Ash have very strong First XV's coming through over the next couple of years, but if SLC don't grab a share of the title this year god knows when they'll next be in contention;
-Ash have well and truly outperformed SLC so far this year, and look the better team on both form and paper;
- home crowd/Old Boy's day just adds to the pressure on SLC to perform, in the back of their minds will be the possibility of performing poorly on the big stage.
I still think SLC can win, but realistically Ash will probably have to have an ordinary day for that to happen. That's a possibility, but I know that the Ash coaching staff have been building/preparing for this particular game for the last 10 months with the pre-season trial used as a training run only, so the boys will almost certainly come out ready to go.
Emosi's likely return tomorrow will help Ash as well, even if he only plays a half.
It will be an interesting game, if SLC get up they will deserve all of the plaudits.
I agree Galloper, I'm sure those out Ashgrove way haven't forgotten that Lauries, Villa, Peters, Iona, Eddies and Padua have all won an outright premiership since Ashgrove last did so though? And anything less than an undefeated premiership this year would be considered a failure? Those who have been following Lauries this year are used to watching error ridden, I'll disciplined performances so anything above that will be considered a bonus.