NSW AAGPS 2024
- Thread starter Joker
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The Cleaner
Ted Fahey (11)
Thought about doing some of my own match previews last week but didn't get around to it. However, there's no time like the present.
Joeys v Scots @ Heaven's Pasture
This is certainly a mouth-watering matchup. The Stormtroopers of Bellevue Hill travel away from their Point Piper mansions, luxury vehicles and real housewife mothers into an area that would typically be out of their comfort zone to take on Joeys in their very own backyard.
Scots will be disappointed with their result against The Kings School last weekend having been preseason favourites. They will certainly have a point to prove this time around. Emperor Lambert will make sure his troops are well prepared. If the big names come out firing off the back of their forward pack, Scots could well and truly run away with this. Only time will tell us if Scots has decided that their money is better spent developing their new Student Centre Castle over their prestigious Rugby program.
Joeys will have their tails up after last week's win against Newington. Then again, do they ever not have their tails up regardless of the previous week's result? The men from Hunters Hill are always in with a chance and they know it. Any man would be a fool if they ever ruled Joeys out of the contest. Joeys have already shown us that they are a force to be reckoned with once again this season. They will be oh so incredibly hard to stop at Fortress Pasture.
Joeys to repel the Galactic Empire 10+
Riverview v Newington @ The Swamp
The Wookies of Stanmore will be aiming to bounce back from their disappointing outing last week as they journey across the harbour to The Swamp where they will take on the Red-Hot Jesuits and their army of loyal... creatures. That would be an accurate way of describing the Riverview First XVs fanbase. Had this game been played only a couple of weeks ago, I would've predicted a different outcome to what I think might transpire this Saturday.
Newington are a team that are making it increasingly harder to predict the outcome of their 2024 season. To predict how Newington will perform against Riverview this weekend would be like predicting a coin toss. You really just don't know what will happen. However, the Wookies will certainly be looking to cause a boilover and silence the loud and proud creatures that reside in the wooden grandstand adjacent to Riverview 1A.
Riverview might just be the most confident team in the AAGPS currently. A statement was made last week at The Swamp when God favoured Catholicism over the Church of England. Riverview reminded us all that trials are trials, the competition is the competition, and boys with raspy voices are always the best ones to lead the warcries. With a solid forward pack and some good pace in the backs, they will be hard to stop at home. Combined with a loyal army of supporters proudly singing The Galilee Song, Riverview are an awesome chance to go 2-0.
Jesuits to send the Wookies back whimpering 12+
Shore v Kings @ Stirling Bridge
This is the matchup that Henry VIII envisioned when he created The Church of England. Kings will make their way from Parramatta, to the Range Rover/BMW/Mercedes/Audi-filled car park at Northbridge where they will attempt to knock over the Shoremen and announce to the competition that they are not a team worth writing off. With smiling Shore Mums serving the best meat pies in the GPS, spectators at Stirling Bridge can be sure that they will be in for a great afternoon of Rugby with Kings boys and Shore boys exchanging warcries in The Hawker Stand. Do the Kings boys get to travel to Northbridge in first class like their Headmaster does?
Kings will be confident after clashing heads with preseason heavyweights, Scots, with neither team able to emerge victorious. With Shore facing reality against Riverview last weekend, Kings may see this as an opportunity to kick them while they're down and springboard their own season. This team will want to emerge from the shadows of last year's premiership-winning team and show the AAGPS that they can win a second consecutive title. Only time will tell us if Kings are contenders or pretenders.
Shore and its Blue and White Army looked almost as dejected as if the tuckshop had been closed down indefinitely after snatching defeat from the jaws of victory against Riverview last week. The silence was deafening as Shore went into the match as big favourites. However, do not make the mistake of writing them off after the first round. Shore's legions in 2024 are not reflective of years gone by prior to 2022 (Daimon "Nudge" Pin deserves a special mention here). This team is still as classy as previously shown and with an army of Shoremen fuelled by meat pies in The Hawker Stand, as well as the chanting of the famous "banana" chant, downing Shore at Northbridge will be a big ask this Saturday afternoon.
Shore to behead Kings in true Protestant fashion 8+
Joeys v Scots @ Heaven's Pasture
This is certainly a mouth-watering matchup. The Stormtroopers of Bellevue Hill travel away from their Point Piper mansions, luxury vehicles and real housewife mothers into an area that would typically be out of their comfort zone to take on Joeys in their very own backyard.
Scots will be disappointed with their result against The Kings School last weekend having been preseason favourites. They will certainly have a point to prove this time around. Emperor Lambert will make sure his troops are well prepared. If the big names come out firing off the back of their forward pack, Scots could well and truly run away with this. Only time will tell us if Scots has decided that their money is better spent developing their new Student Centre Castle over their prestigious Rugby program.
Joeys will have their tails up after last week's win against Newington. Then again, do they ever not have their tails up regardless of the previous week's result? The men from Hunters Hill are always in with a chance and they know it. Any man would be a fool if they ever ruled Joeys out of the contest. Joeys have already shown us that they are a force to be reckoned with once again this season. They will be oh so incredibly hard to stop at Fortress Pasture.
Joeys to repel the Galactic Empire 10+
Riverview v Newington @ The Swamp
The Wookies of Stanmore will be aiming to bounce back from their disappointing outing last week as they journey across the harbour to The Swamp where they will take on the Red-Hot Jesuits and their army of loyal... creatures. That would be an accurate way of describing the Riverview First XVs fanbase. Had this game been played only a couple of weeks ago, I would've predicted a different outcome to what I think might transpire this Saturday.
Newington are a team that are making it increasingly harder to predict the outcome of their 2024 season. To predict how Newington will perform against Riverview this weekend would be like predicting a coin toss. You really just don't know what will happen. However, the Wookies will certainly be looking to cause a boilover and silence the loud and proud creatures that reside in the wooden grandstand adjacent to Riverview 1A.
Riverview might just be the most confident team in the AAGPS currently. A statement was made last week at The Swamp when God favoured Catholicism over the Church of England. Riverview reminded us all that trials are trials, the competition is the competition, and boys with raspy voices are always the best ones to lead the warcries. With a solid forward pack and some good pace in the backs, they will be hard to stop at home. Combined with a loyal army of supporters proudly singing The Galilee Song, Riverview are an awesome chance to go 2-0.
Jesuits to send the Wookies back whimpering 12+
Shore v Kings @ Stirling Bridge
This is the matchup that Henry VIII envisioned when he created The Church of England. Kings will make their way from Parramatta, to the Range Rover/BMW/Mercedes/Audi-filled car park at Northbridge where they will attempt to knock over the Shoremen and announce to the competition that they are not a team worth writing off. With smiling Shore Mums serving the best meat pies in the GPS, spectators at Stirling Bridge can be sure that they will be in for a great afternoon of Rugby with Kings boys and Shore boys exchanging warcries in The Hawker Stand. Do the Kings boys get to travel to Northbridge in first class like their Headmaster does?
Kings will be confident after clashing heads with preseason heavyweights, Scots, with neither team able to emerge victorious. With Shore facing reality against Riverview last weekend, Kings may see this as an opportunity to kick them while they're down and springboard their own season. This team will want to emerge from the shadows of last year's premiership-winning team and show the AAGPS that they can win a second consecutive title. Only time will tell us if Kings are contenders or pretenders.
Shore and its Blue and White Army looked almost as dejected as if the tuckshop had been closed down indefinitely after snatching defeat from the jaws of victory against Riverview last week. The silence was deafening as Shore went into the match as big favourites. However, do not make the mistake of writing them off after the first round. Shore's legions in 2024 are not reflective of years gone by prior to 2022 (Daimon "Nudge" Pin deserves a special mention here). This team is still as classy as previously shown and with an army of Shoremen fuelled by meat pies in The Hawker Stand, as well as the chanting of the famous "banana" chant, downing Shore at Northbridge will be a big ask this Saturday afternoon.
Shore to behead Kings in true Protestant fashion 8+
I enjoyed this. To think a decade of lunacy has created such talented prose. Feeling proud.
#bringbackIggy
The Cleaner
Ted Fahey (11)
Brilliant!
Grip 'n Rip
Allen Oxlade (6)
Stunner effort !
HailMaryEnthusiast
Stan Wickham (3)
Anyone got an predictions for the 3rd XV comp, pretty sure this week is final week of trials
-HME
-HME
Wait for ItsNotPink. He does a great job.
Ok, here goes my next installment
Shore v Kings @ Stirling Bridge
Things getting serious at Northbridge
One scores an unexpected draw, the other a very controversial loss. To the delight of the Cattlemen of the great red western plains, Kings were very pleased with sharing the chocolates against Scots. But it was at the after game function we saw the Kings boys come out on top as the mothers were run off their feet passing round trays of Wagyu Ribeye and Foie Gras Cheesesteak, Richard Nouveau mini-Burger and the Von Essen Platinum Club Sandwich (pinched earlier by year 7 boys from unguarded Scots picnic baskets). But even with this culinary victory, Kings were surprised with their performance. This weekend they will looking to surprise the lower north shore Anglican rabble. Shore is coming off the unexpected loss and they too will also be keen to get the conquest back on track. This week the emergency grief counselors have been working their magic to rebuild their fragile “buckets of destiny”. Kings may now view themselves as the great disruptor of season 2024. Taking one point from the game also meant Scots were denied points which could prove disastrous at season’s end. Kings will do what they do best. That is to carry the air of invincibility into the match, supported by students who carry swords and wear capes, and use what weapons they have to grind the Shoremen down. It won’t be pretty but neither was their mummy’s last attempt at making Duck Pâté en Croûte and Huntsman Pie.
Playing at their spiritual home, filled with excellent meat pies, rock hard cricket pitches, howling southerlies and lunatic supporters, Stirling Bridge provides an enticing backdrop for this titanic battle between these great synods. The Shore supporters of course will dominate the half-finished grandstand and I feel a huge tunnel of bannermen and archers will take the field to provide support in slaying the invading interlopers from the west. It has been said that Shore may have had a case of the stage fright last week. Being seen as a favourite is a heavy harness to bear, even harder when it has been at least a generation since this halter has been on their shoulders. They will want to reassure the Northbridge faithful with a complete performance. Stick to the basics, retain the ball, stronger tackle in packs, sauce on the sausage and always say thank you at the canteen to the lovely ladies. Will the Shoremen defend their home ground against these western invaders? Will the Parramatta cattle trample the army of the Sydney Diocese and demolish all the food in the canteen? Will the famous meat pie or dodgy BBQ be served by the lovely Shore mothers? How will be hairdressers of Mosman handle the influx of Shore mums getting a hairdo inspired by Kate Middleton? These questions and more will be answered this weekend.
Northmen by 10 Medieval pies.
Shore v Kings @ Stirling Bridge
Things getting serious at Northbridge
One scores an unexpected draw, the other a very controversial loss. To the delight of the Cattlemen of the great red western plains, Kings were very pleased with sharing the chocolates against Scots. But it was at the after game function we saw the Kings boys come out on top as the mothers were run off their feet passing round trays of Wagyu Ribeye and Foie Gras Cheesesteak, Richard Nouveau mini-Burger and the Von Essen Platinum Club Sandwich (pinched earlier by year 7 boys from unguarded Scots picnic baskets). But even with this culinary victory, Kings were surprised with their performance. This weekend they will looking to surprise the lower north shore Anglican rabble. Shore is coming off the unexpected loss and they too will also be keen to get the conquest back on track. This week the emergency grief counselors have been working their magic to rebuild their fragile “buckets of destiny”. Kings may now view themselves as the great disruptor of season 2024. Taking one point from the game also meant Scots were denied points which could prove disastrous at season’s end. Kings will do what they do best. That is to carry the air of invincibility into the match, supported by students who carry swords and wear capes, and use what weapons they have to grind the Shoremen down. It won’t be pretty but neither was their mummy’s last attempt at making Duck Pâté en Croûte and Huntsman Pie.
Playing at their spiritual home, filled with excellent meat pies, rock hard cricket pitches, howling southerlies and lunatic supporters, Stirling Bridge provides an enticing backdrop for this titanic battle between these great synods. The Shore supporters of course will dominate the half-finished grandstand and I feel a huge tunnel of bannermen and archers will take the field to provide support in slaying the invading interlopers from the west. It has been said that Shore may have had a case of the stage fright last week. Being seen as a favourite is a heavy harness to bear, even harder when it has been at least a generation since this halter has been on their shoulders. They will want to reassure the Northbridge faithful with a complete performance. Stick to the basics, retain the ball, stronger tackle in packs, sauce on the sausage and always say thank you at the canteen to the lovely ladies. Will the Shoremen defend their home ground against these western invaders? Will the Parramatta cattle trample the army of the Sydney Diocese and demolish all the food in the canteen? Will the famous meat pie or dodgy BBQ be served by the lovely Shore mothers? How will be hairdressers of Mosman handle the influx of Shore mums getting a hairdo inspired by Kate Middleton? These questions and more will be answered this weekend.
Northmen by 10 Medieval pies.
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The Chairman
Phil Hardcastle (33)
Putting that English teaching degree to beautiful use I see Joker.
The Chairman
Phil Hardcastle (33)
Expectations are high all around it seems
Some will have to deal with the great reality of dissapointment sooner or later...
Some will have to deal with the great reality of dissapointment sooner or later...
Last one.....
MATCH OF THE ROUND.
St Joseph’s College v Scots College @ Les paturages du ciel
Venue to some of the greatest religious battles since the troubles in Northern Island, “Les paturages du ciel” gleams in its serene beauty as the cherubim and seraphin nurture a playing surface fit enough for the next great battle between the Archangel Michael's XV and Lucifer's Black Riders XV at the end of time. Till then we have this to entertain us.
The Cattle Dog Catholics v the Protestant Dark Empire once again stride onto “the best rugby playing surface in Sydney” (R. Deans 2012). History shaking games such as the miracle of time from 1981, Old Boys watering squad in 1994 all played under challenging circumstances with dodgy scoreboard clocks and accessible (slang used by low IQ schoolboys)s firing off mid game. (Ask Subbie about this) Long time readers know of my history with the squid squeezers and the awesome days I spent in the Mansion Road classrooms, in fact 14 of them. Those golden days were the Mondays after Cattle Dogs beat the Storm Troopers. This was when I would collect on my bets from my students. Remember I taught a secret Catholic curriculum which included gambling. These tasty winnings I would then share with the SJC 1st XV. Simple times back then, no Michelin star Black Watch café. (still damn good coffee)
BTW.....book still available. We won in court!
The imperial guard of Lord Camembert had an unexpected result last weekend. A disturbance in the force was felt across Sydney. The sound of 1000 bagpipes suddenly silenced. A blip that no one ever saw just like that pesky vent on the first Death Star. The high priests of the Sithism have this week reminded the team of their belief that a real, dynamic force can be subjugated through various practices. (Make of that what you will.) Many at the game said the team did not live up to expectations and could play a lot better. Expectations were high. But Scots were starved of space to express these skills borne from “the dark side”. Kings did a great job of disrupting the Scots party. Many a set of hubcaps were stolen by local kids, and picnic baskets raided all put the Scots community off. Most of all, Kings showed us that Scots do not like being harried and being forced to make decisions quickly. All you need to do is go to dinner with them at Catalina and see how long it takes to order the wine.
Joeys, though, are the gold medal champions of harassment on the field (and off, but that's another story). Swarming like seagulls on hot chips, the dogs seem to engulf their prey if possible and commit more men to the breakdown hoping to scrounge a turnover. Like the days of old, speed is being utilised out wide with dynamic 11, 13 and 14 causing damage if given a whiff of open space. Even on the thinner runways of Stanmore, the Joeys lads found space to move. The slick interplay between the backs and forwards created space. The Joeys forwards are smaller beasts than most, but with a high level of fitness and ball playing skill, they aim to become the complete player. Joeys love nothing more than to bring down an Imperial Walker wherever possible. The thunder as they crash to the ground only provides more incentive to apply the offensive defence method championed by the late Minister for Defence, Br. Bede. Joeys would be wise not to give the Scots outside speeders possession in open ground. Scots have deadly weapons, but can they figure how to use them? A tantalising game awaits as does the delightful “Rower” at the BBQ and a cold beer at full time @“Jacks”
Joeys by 14 carpet bagger steaks
MATCH OF THE ROUND.
St Joseph’s College v Scots College @ Les paturages du ciel
Venue to some of the greatest religious battles since the troubles in Northern Island, “Les paturages du ciel” gleams in its serene beauty as the cherubim and seraphin nurture a playing surface fit enough for the next great battle between the Archangel Michael's XV and Lucifer's Black Riders XV at the end of time. Till then we have this to entertain us.
The Cattle Dog Catholics v the Protestant Dark Empire once again stride onto “the best rugby playing surface in Sydney” (R. Deans 2012). History shaking games such as the miracle of time from 1981, Old Boys watering squad in 1994 all played under challenging circumstances with dodgy scoreboard clocks and accessible (slang used by low IQ schoolboys)s firing off mid game. (Ask Subbie about this) Long time readers know of my history with the squid squeezers and the awesome days I spent in the Mansion Road classrooms, in fact 14 of them. Those golden days were the Mondays after Cattle Dogs beat the Storm Troopers. This was when I would collect on my bets from my students. Remember I taught a secret Catholic curriculum which included gambling. These tasty winnings I would then share with the SJC 1st XV. Simple times back then, no Michelin star Black Watch café. (still damn good coffee)
BTW.....book still available. We won in court!
The imperial guard of Lord Camembert had an unexpected result last weekend. A disturbance in the force was felt across Sydney. The sound of 1000 bagpipes suddenly silenced. A blip that no one ever saw just like that pesky vent on the first Death Star. The high priests of the Sithism have this week reminded the team of their belief that a real, dynamic force can be subjugated through various practices. (Make of that what you will.) Many at the game said the team did not live up to expectations and could play a lot better. Expectations were high. But Scots were starved of space to express these skills borne from “the dark side”. Kings did a great job of disrupting the Scots party. Many a set of hubcaps were stolen by local kids, and picnic baskets raided all put the Scots community off. Most of all, Kings showed us that Scots do not like being harried and being forced to make decisions quickly. All you need to do is go to dinner with them at Catalina and see how long it takes to order the wine.
Joeys, though, are the gold medal champions of harassment on the field (and off, but that's another story). Swarming like seagulls on hot chips, the dogs seem to engulf their prey if possible and commit more men to the breakdown hoping to scrounge a turnover. Like the days of old, speed is being utilised out wide with dynamic 11, 13 and 14 causing damage if given a whiff of open space. Even on the thinner runways of Stanmore, the Joeys lads found space to move. The slick interplay between the backs and forwards created space. The Joeys forwards are smaller beasts than most, but with a high level of fitness and ball playing skill, they aim to become the complete player. Joeys love nothing more than to bring down an Imperial Walker wherever possible. The thunder as they crash to the ground only provides more incentive to apply the offensive defence method championed by the late Minister for Defence, Br. Bede. Joeys would be wise not to give the Scots outside speeders possession in open ground. Scots have deadly weapons, but can they figure how to use them? A tantalising game awaits as does the delightful “Rower” at the BBQ and a cold beer at full time @“Jacks”
Joeys by 14 carpet bagger steaks
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Curious why so many are keen on Shore this year, Preseason form? Seems like Newington could also have an impact if they play to their strengths, view showed great heart and composure. All seems pretty even across the 6 schools which is a good thing for the comp…
Hey @Joker I actually had: Joeys 10+, Riverview 12+, Shore 8+
All good my friend as I appreciate that you're still doing this for the forum despite being very under the weather.
Apologies. This is why I publish the tips for this scenario.
Glad we can catch these.
Thank you for the support. Keeping this thread ticking provides some healing for me.
KOB1987
John Eales (66)
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