Well, it's been a while. However, Rookie's match previews are returning this week.
Let us begin.
Scots vs Newington @ The Death Star
Having lost to Riverview last round, the increasingly more difficult-to-predict outcome of Scots' season has only gone ahead and done just that. The Stormtroopers seem to be unable to maintain consistency, something which is oh-so-important at this point of the season. Coming off that ugly loss, Emperor Lambert will surely do his best to strike order into his troops as they attempt to defend their Death Star, and, quite literally, their castle. On the other end of the spectrum, Newington are coming off a tough loss themselves. On this occasion, it was at the hands of the Shoremen. The Wookies of Stanmore Int'l will jet over to Bellevue Hill on a mission to topple the Death Star in attempt to keep themselves away from the bottom of the ladder (and possibly to chat up some of the Scots mums).
Newington were very clearly gutted after their loss to Shore in their own backyard. Unfortunately for them, they just weren't able to go for the 70 minutes to finish the job after laying an immaculate foundation in the first half. The Wookies of Stanmore will be hungry to put Scots to the saber this Saturday afternoon in front of their entire Empire. If they can play like how they did against Shore in that first half, only this time for 70 minutes, I believe Newington certainly have what it takes to topple the Galactic Empire. Looking for a Rodwell masterclass.
Members of the Scots camp must be scrambling to figure out a way to make sure they win the competition, which is still possible. The issues that have plagued Scots for the duration of the season can be boiled down to simply two things: consistency and teamwork. While Scots have had some success in recent weeks, the team still looks as though they play like a team of individuals. They've always had the players, but the players haven't had each other. This, in turn, has led to a lack of consistency being produced. Riverview were the better team last week, helped by ill-discipline from Scots which has likely cost one of their star players some time. This clash is a must-win battle if Scots want any chance at tasting GPS glory in 2024. Can they pull it together for Saturday? I fear as though Newington may outclass them.
Wookies to destroy the Death Star and take home some trophy wives 7+
Kings vs Riverview @ Castle Greyskull
While it may not be the match of the round in the eyes of many, this clash is certainly a mouth-watering one. The Jesuits will travel West to Parramatta to take on the Church of England on the pristine lawns of White Oval. Both teams will have their tails sky-high after coming off hugely confidence-boosting wins against Scots and Joeys respectively. Can Riverview topple Tony George's knights away from their precious swamp?
Riverview's win over Scots further emphasises the fact that all teams can beat each other on their day. Riverview played an excellent game of rugby and prevented Scots from even coming close to looking like being in control, let alone winning the match. Grover has clearly been the premier scrumhalf of the competition and has often been the one to steer his team (who play like a team, might I add) to victory. I expect a fast-paced game plan from the View boys as they hope God favours Catholicism on Saturday afternoon.
Kings can take as many bows as they want until Saturday afternoon after their careful, yet ruthless, deconstruction of the Joeys juggernaut at the fortress of Hunters Hill. It seems as though they had the cattle dogs wrapped around their fingers from the get-go as they took full control of the match almost instantaneously. Riverview will still be a challenge, however, and Kings will be smart not to let the excitement of the last round get to their heads. In saying this, do I believe Kings will defend North Parramatta from the creatures of Lane Cove? Something tells me that this Riverview team, who are still in with a premiership chance, may just have a little bit more to play for.
Jesuits to crack the shield 7+
Shore vs Joeys @ Stirling Bridge
Here we are. The match of the round. The premier GPS rugby side for the last century, going up against a team that went 5 years without a competition win until 2022 in a match that will guarantee the winner a hand on the trophy. I don't the Gods of AAGPS Rugby could have written us a better script. I would describe it as a David and Goliath situation, although Shore have looked like the better team over the last fortnight of matches. It is safe to assume that the dark days of Shore Rugby are well and truly over. Northbridge will be packed to the brim with old boys (as it will be Old Boys Day on Saturday), parents, girls, dogs, and the Hawker stand may even be entirely filled by Shore boys with many not being able to even find a seat. There is one thing, however, that I fear may happen on Saturday. That one thing is that I feel as though there will not nearly be enough pies to go around. Disastrous. Joeys have looked mediocre at best these last few weeks. Their attack seems stale and predictable, while their defence seems to need tightening, with Kings putting 40 on them last week. In going off reputation, though, if there is one team that can halt Shore, it's the men from Hunters Hill.
After two consecutive weeks of disappointment for Joeys, the drawing board will surely be copping a lot of ink. As previously mentioned, Joeys performances over the last fortnight have struck me as bland and uncharacteristic. They have been far less threatening with ball in hand and their defence hasn't been up to scratch. If Joeys are able to find the same form they had attained early in the season, then the task for Shore all of a sudden becomes a hell of a lot bigger. With the loss of Logan, Joeys must ensure they are not dominated at the breakdown by Shore's big men. In saying this, Joeys will bring a fight, no doubt about it. If they end up losing, it won't be by much.
What an opportunity for this group of Shoremen. Famously, or infamously depending on how you approach this statistic, Shore have not tasted GPS glory in Rugby since 2006. Even then, that premiership was shared with Joeys and Riverview. If that result happened today, it would mean that half of the competition would have a premiership to their name. The last time that Shore won a premiership outright, was in 1969 when Jika Travers was the coach of the First XV. 55 years. Shore came into this season as premiership hopefuls, but a lack of consistency early in the season led to questions about their ability to deliver on the hype. Since their tight loss against Joeys at Hunters Hill, Shore have put the pedal to the metal and delivered some outstanding performances, putting them on top of the ladder as of this week and with a very genuine chance of finally attaining that elusive silverware. With the majority of the crowd certainly on their side, and a team fuelled by the best pies in the GPS, I remain optimistic that Shore will get the job done against Joeys in an excruciatingly tight one.
Shore, are you ready ready? Yes, they are ready ready.
Boaters to storm the field after the game 3+
