This year's competition is still wide open I think. Though the fact that the only unbeaten CAS side was easily accounted for by Joeys the week before the start is a concern. Especially as Joeys has had a couple of losses over in GPS land.
The CAS side will want to have a good scrum and size. They will also want mobility. I think the forwards could be the issue for CAS. Especially with some of the injuries to some front rowers.
The backs are less of a concern, as there is some quality there. That said the GPS backs will be very potent.
I am not sure whether the selectors will go for combinations, best players in position or just best players in the side. I am not a fan of picking players out of position unless they are immensely superior to the correct positional player they would be displacing.
I get the idea that the chosen CAS side will be quite a bit stronger than any of the separate sides. Any school getting more than five players in will consider themselves quite lucky. (I will probably be proven seriously wrong there...)
As for this weekend, when it would appear that finally the winter sports will be played in something approaching winter weather. And for those into patterns and so on an interesting round. One plays two, three plays four and five plays six. If Cranbrook was playing at home all the sides ranked with an odd number would be playing away.
Barker versus Aloys. Both sides are struggling, but this should be a competitive, entertaining and open game. I would lean towards Barker at home, but if Aloys are at full strength, the quality of some of their backs should be influential.
Waverley vs Cranbrook. Injuries could determine this match. Cranbrook look to be on a roll and they appear to be a well balanced side. If they can nullify the attacking prowess of Waverley a definite chance. But Waverley is always hard at home. No idea.
Trinity vs Knox. Knox have struggled at Summer Hill and with potentially 4 CAS 1XV players in the Trinity side Knox will have a struggle on their hands. Especially if Knox are mentally off their game after last week. However, Knox has some class in this side, are fit well balanced in attack and defence. They definitely have greater depth. I think Knox should win this, but will underestimate Trinity at their peril.