So with the trials all done and dusted, I thought I'd take a crack at making some predictions for the coming ISA season. I have seen none of these teams in action and are going off scores only. Will be interesting to revisit this at season's end. I have scores from most matches but there are some gaps so apologies there. If you know the outcome let me know.
Oakhill
Trial record -
22-31 Barker | 33-5 Trinity | 24-43 Knox | 7-52 Shore | 40-40 Waverly |
A pretty tough trial season with Oakhill playing some heavy hitters in first grade. A look at the trial form is telling... This team can score tries but they're not great at stopping them. A comfortable win against Trinity is offset by big scores against Shore and Knox. If they can can fix their defensive frailties, they will be a tough team to beat
Prediction: There or thereabouts
St. Augustines
Trial Record -
0-82 Shore | 7-48 Newington | 0-20 Joeys 2nds | 12-12 Riverview 2nds | 14-17 Kings |
Don't let the Shore scoreline fool you. Shore appear to be having a big resurgence this year and good for them. They've handed out a number of those results over the past few weeks. Trial form would indicate the days of Auggies belting teams by cricket scores could be at an end. I dont believe that this is a bad thing to be honest. Competitions thrive when there are multiple teams with genuine belief that they can win and Auggies coming back to the pack a bit will help the competition as a whole. I suspect they'll still be a tough assignment each week - especially at home.
Prediction: A tight season for them with a great game to be had against Oakhill
St. Patricks
Trial Record -
17-14 Trinity | 47-0 St. Aloys | 34-26 Cranbrook | 21-21 Joeys 2nds | 19-12 Shore 2nds |
A fascinating pre-season from Strathfield and begs the question of what's more important - getting beaten by harder teams or carrying winning momentum into your season opener. Whilst not the toughest pre-season road, a win is a win and Pats have had plenty of them against competent opposition. It's been a while since Edgar St has carried this form into a season and when you add to that their traditional strength of playing at home and you see a Pats team that will be stronger than anything they've had in a number of years. Its often said you cant have a national competition without a strong Sydney team to hate and I feel the same for Pats. Is this a false dawn or a return to the glory days of the 90s?
Prediction: A genuine challenger this year
St. Pius
Trial Record -
unknown | 5-27 Cranbrook | 13-24 Trinity | 25-8 Aloys | 7-46 Kings 2nds |
Trial form would indicate it's going to be a tough year at Chatswood. A strong showing against Aloys is confidence building but the loss to Trinity would sting. Like most schools, it will be interesting to see the impact of Covid on the Pius program. Will the boys be back again this season or will there be other priorities. Trawling through the other forum posts, it was pleasing to see a number of junior Pius teams racking up some big scores. This augers well for the future. Perhaps if there are people on the inside there at Pius you can report on how things are going in the Rugby program.
Prediction: A tough season for the blue and gold but they'll defend Oxford Falls well
St. Stanislaus
Trial Record -
40-14 Aloys | 29-22 Grammer | 15-49 Scots | 14-74 Barker | 18-48 Riverview 2nds |
After getting out to a strong start against Aloys and then a close win against Grammar, Stannies appeared to have stalled somewhat with a heavy losses to Scots and Barker. This weekend's loss to Riverview 2nds will be a biter pill to swallow. It will be interesting to see what kind of Rugby form has been maintained through two years of playing local club teams (as I'm led to believe happened during Covid). Trial form would indicate that they are not as strong as in year's past. But we all know that Stannies at home is a tough ask on any day of the week so look to them to be the wrecking ball of every teams title aspirations.
Prediction: They'll improve as the season goes but will struggle against the better teams
Kinross Wollaroi
Trial Record -
unknown | 10-31 Joeys 3rds | unknown Barker 2nds | 15-12 Grammar | 17-22 Cranbrook |
The worst intel I have on any ISA team so my apologies to the Orangemen there. If anyone can assist with the gaps above that would be great. Trial form doesnt look great with this limited info. A loss to Joeys 3rds and Cranbrook are telling but the win over Grammar would be confidence building. Again, two years in the wilderness over the hill may be a good or bad thing so here's hoping that they are getting quality numbers in the lower grades. I dont see them troubling the scorers too much against the better teams but as we all know, anything is possible when all teams feel they have a fair and equitable chance of winning games and this is true for Kinross.
Prediction: A mid table result for them would be well received.
St. Gregs
Trial Record -
21-66 Cranbrook | unknown | 14-7 Joeys 3rds | 10-31 Trinity | 22-20 Aloys |
I see a tough season ahead for Gregs - I dont think we can interpret the trial form any other way. A big loss to Cranbrook would have been unsettling and whilst the close wins against Joeys 3rds and Aloys would be welcome relief, the loss to Trinity is probably the best barometer of where they are currently at. The stronger ISA teams easily accounted for Trinity and Aloys and I think Gregs will struggle with the tougher teams this season. Playing them at home is always a tough ask for the visiting teams so - as always - expect a rough ride out at Campbelltown.
Prediction: They'll acquit themselves ell (as they always do) but will struggle against Brookvale and Castle Hill.
So what are your thoughts? What's the inside running on your team?