RRR, any early predictions for ISA round 1
Yeah I'll take a crack...
Now that the trials have been run and won, it’s now time to start making some bold predictions about the comp proper. I’ve put my predictions down below but I have to say, I think this season there will be a very big gap between the best and the rest. Whilst that may seem a little gloomy, it does open up some intriguing match ups and the race for the middle section of the ladder will be hotly contested.
Auggies
It certainly feels like this year’s ISA Championship will be a bit of a victory lap for St. Augustine’s. Their form in reaching the semi-final at the SANIX Championship, coupled with an all-conquering trial season leaves me to think that they are clear favourites. They just simply do things faster and with more skill than the opposition – any opposition – they’ve faced this year. But it’s not all smooth sailing…
You can imagine a scenario where “Davo” has his 18th on a Friday night and then the boys are faced with a long trip to Hogwarts or have to trundle up the road to Oxford Falls to face a Pius team with a point to prove. You get the feeling that it will only be Auggies that can defeat Auggies this year.
The keys to victory – enjoy the season and play your game. Beware suspicious invitations to Friday night gatherings!
Oakhill
Whilst not as flashy as their beachside rivals, Oakhill have gone about their business in a workman like way this year and their discipline has seen them beat more fancied opponents. The loss to Shore would have hurt, but, in hindsight, may have stung them into action. If anyone is going to defeat Auggies, it’s them – BUT – they will have to do so away from home. A tough task in anyone’s language.
The keys to victory – don’t believe the hype, everyone is beatable and discipline is king!
St. Pius X
What value do you place on trial wins and losses and does the strength of your opponent help or hinder you preparation? Pius come into this season with 4 solid wins. Where their opposition top of the pack? No. Does this matter? To be honest, I don’t think so. Learning how to win games is an important skill and 4 on the bounce tells me that Pius are ready to take the next step in their progress. The matches against Pats and Kinross will most likely determine their season but their first up game against Stannies away could derail the whole operation. But these guys have been here before, and they know what to do.
The keys to victory – forget the past and play like you know you can
Kinross
I’m torn between Kinross and Pats for the fourth spot. Their trial form was pretty darn good and I think the doldrums of their previous years could well be behind them. I suspect the first round against Pats could be the making or breaking of both of them - it will be a fascinating game. Having watched these guys a few times on years past, I always felt the game plan was right but the execution wasn’t. Have things changed this year? Only time will tell
The keys to victory – everyone will underestimate you at their peril. Have confidence in yourselves
St. Pats
A pretty rough trial season is the inverse of Pius. Tough games against Barker and Knox are only of value if you can remain in the hunt. I’m happy to say last week’s game against Barker is probably not an accurate reflection of where they are at but by the same token, they should have put up more of a fight than what they did. The backline is quality and is spoken of ad nauseum. But we all know where games are won and lost. Will the engine room have enough firepower to secure sufficient ball? If so, they'll win more than they lose. If they dont, then it's going to be a long season.
The keys to victory – guerrilla tactics are the order of the day. Avoid arm wrestles and power struggles
Stannies
I still don’t know if 6th place is an accurate reflection of where these guys are at. Could be much higher or much lower. At the start of the season their promising runs against Joey’s 3rds and Scots suggested that they were in for a good season. But the successive losses to Barker, Cranbrook and Waverly do not auger well. I wonder if the close loss to Waverley has had a negative impact on their season.
The keys to victory – remember your early season form. It wasn’t a fluke – you can do it again.
Gregs
Placing Gregs in 7th place is the low hanging fruit of schoolboy rugby tipping. It’s never as easy as that though is it. Solid wins against Shore 3rds, Aloys and Trinity bode well. But trying to compare like for like, we see that whilst Greg’s got the wins, it was only just and the margins aren’t as great as others. As always, they will present a very big challenge to all who play them, particularly out at Gregory Hills and they are well capable of the upset.
The keys to victory – keep the game plans simple and easily executable and magically watch as visiting teams start to panic if they haven’t scored points on you by half time.
There it is - some fearless predictions. Keen to hear what everyone else thinks and the very best of luck to all ISA boys. The association has had a very good start to the season and I hope everyone fulfils their potential.
