The Observer
Peter Burge (5)
The boys doing their HSC must really be knuckling down!
NSW AAGPS 2025 (banter and commentary)
- Thread starter Joker
- Start date
The Chairman
Arch Winning (36)
Shore unchanged I believe. For reference.
Edit: Baxter out.
1. Jarrett
2. Garner
3. Hamilton
4. Sidwell
5. Frape
6. Stock
7. Leahy
8. Clout
9. Greig
10. Bassingthwaighte
11. Hockey
12. Francis (c)
13. Wendt
14. D'Almeida
15. Callaghan
Last edited:
footyhead10
Frank Nicholson (4)
Why is Armarti playing 3rds when he was in the 1sts in 2024 for shore
footyhead10
Frank Nicholson (4)
How are your hsc studies going mate
twister29
Jimmy Flynn (14)
No one knows… Hopefully he can show them what he is worth tomorrow. I think Hamilton and Jarrett are 2 very strong picks so it’s a bit tricky.
The Chairman
Arch Winning (36)
RuthlessRucker303
Bob McCowan (2)
@The Chairman ,In conversions, I happened to notice Garling twice, did it mean to say Grover? Not having a dig, Love the work though.
Regards RR
The Chairman
Arch Winning (36)
Yep will correct. Gs got switched around!
The Chairman
Arch Winning (36)
The Chairman’s Match Preview
Shore vs Newington @ The Bridge.
High Court Hearing No. 2025/R8B
Shore School v Newington College
“All rise. Court is now in session.”
Judges Presiding: Mr. M Ticehurst (SHORE), Mr. B Herring (NEWINGTON)
Welcome, members of the jury, GPS faithful, and silent, agitated supporters in the Hawker Stand.
(Sidenote how incredible is AI image generation!)
We return to the courtroom for one final blockbuster case.
This is Shore v. Newington.
This is The Verdict Match.
And now after weeks of cross-examinations including some shaky testimony, and upsets in chambers… the entire competition awaits this trial with a keen eye.
Exhibit A: The Case File
The last time Shore visited the feared Stanmore Court, they were out-briefed, out-thought, and out-played. The judge barely sat down before the dynamic Newington prosecution of King (10) and Anitela-Tsioussis (12) filed an urgent motion for destruction and it was passed without second thought.
Jury vote: 47-5.
Put frankly a landslide conviction.
But, since then, the prosecution has been out of form. Newington are 0–5 since that fateful match. Their case has unraveled in cross. Witnesses have crumbled under pressure. Even the once-flawless Grantham (15), long considered the Black-and-White Bar’s lead silk, has been left asking questions of his own counsel, losing his standing as the head of conversions to M.Palmisani of St. Joseph's Firm.
So now we return to the chamber. Not for retrial but for more of a reckoning.
Exhibit B: The Defence Bench
Shore School enter battered but unbeaten in spirit.
A familiar face is missing from the defence's benches. Baxter (2), the ever-reliable hooker and leader of the scrum committee, is absent as his broken wrist leaving a gaping hole at No. 2 for the Blue and White. In his place, comes Garner (2) from the 2nd XV Bar. Keen and with something to prove, he may be subject to a baptism of fire, but this is the Firsts. Some can and some cannot. The courtroom will watch his every throw-in like it’s CCTV footage in a murder trial.
The Defence Attorney Bassingthwaighte (10) was clinical last week against Scots. He was direct in argument, clever in delivery, and had some flair that Shore's prosecutors have lacked for so long. Alongside him, Callaghan (15) ran the backfield like the nifty operator he is, with a few argument sidesteps that got him out of trouble keeping his case alive.
Whispers in the chamber suggest that Clout (8) is managing an ankle injury. But let’s be clear now: this is a man who will play on until the jury delivers its final verdict, not an argument from an external source.
And now, with the stakes at their peak, Shore must answer one big question:
Can they finally win a case?
Exhibit C: The Prosecution Reassembles
For all their recent stumbles, Newington remains dangerous. In King (10) they have a legal general. A man who orchestrates field position like a closing barrister destroys witness credibility, and with a bloody lot of flair. In Grantham, they have the points. 82% off the tee, trailing only Palmisani in the GPS stats. If there is a penalty within 45m, the three points will be tabled and approved. He is under question, but numbers are numbers.
The prosecution’s wildcard this week is the Makasini (13) Positioning Act. A bold midweek legislation which moves their electric Wests Tigers-contracted winger into the 13 jersey. It’s daring. It’s out of the ordinary. A gamble? But if it pays off? Shore may find their midfield flooded with problems including subpoenas.
Let’s not forget the Newington forwards. They were instrumental in the previous blowout. But lately, they’ve faced some big questions. Some have stood up, some have not. Selectors still circling like hawks around them will add a bit of fire as well. Momentum will be everything.
Key Witnesses
Garner (SHORE)In his long awaited-debut as a courtroom specialist, he must ensure the lineout doesn’t collapse like it has previously. Can he carry the weight of argument at set-piece time?
King (NEW)
His vision last time was second to none. But after five losses, does he still control the narrative? Can he fire up the TARDIS and take us back to that murder at Stanmore?
Clout (SHORE)
Injured and limping but undeterred. Metres are needed, and there is only one man you can go to in order to gain easy carries.
Makasini (NEW)
He’s no longer standing on the wing giving opening remarks. He’s at 13, he is in the hot seat, and expected to drive the attack through the centre of the pitch. A scary figure moves closer to the stand.
Grantham (NEW)
If the trial goes long, it may be his boot that swings the verdict. He doesn’t miss often. This match though will require perfection.
The Jury Deliberates
Shore: Playing for pride, redemption, and that elusive first win.
Newington: Playing to regain a reputation and revive a stalled case.
Can Shore finally break through? Or will the Black-and-White thrive once more.
Chairman’s Verdict
Based on the evidence presented...If Clout holds, and the new-look midfield rebukes the onslaught of the Makasini cross-examination…
If Bassingthwaighte controls territory and Garner gets easy lineout ball...
And if Callaghan delivers a firey and elusive closing statement from the backfield...
Then I believe the Defence has a case.
Final Score Prediction:
Shore 43 – Newington 38
Verdict: SHORE wins. Case closed.
This is not a rehearsal anymore. It’s the final hearing.
So win the jury in the rain. Be smart, calculated and play eyes up testimony.
Court adjourned.
The Chairman rests.
twister29
Jimmy Flynn (14)
Nothing but gold as usual @The Chairman
Jakeburner65
Ted Fahey (11)
Kings in the wet I reckon. Their natural 9-man game and impressive forward pack will suit conditions. Mind you both Joeys and Kings have probably the best all weather grounds.
I say this as a very new Joeys supporter, being in reality a supporter of Riverviews premiership chances
Outstanding!!!
Rugbynbeers
Tom Lawton (22)
think the whole kings community would be hoping he doesn’t return, the old boys union in particular has not been a fan.
Wet weather all day. How will the grounds handle it?
Kings- Outside of the hallowed turf of Hunters Hill, the cattleyard of Castle Grey Skull has excellent drainage and good playing surface. Last time Joeys played here in the wet they didn't adapt and Kings upset them. The massive pack will be an advantage today as long as they kick for position and then let the big boys do the work (aka. The British & Irish Lions) Joeys will need to move the big fellas around and hope the cattledogs can jackle a few breakdowns.
Shore- What a wet and miserable place it can on days like this. With the ground so open and exposed the rain may turn the centre square into an iced rink. Only the presence of the lovely Shore mothers and the legendary Shoe Pie (2025 AAGPS Pie of the year nominee) make this bearable. If the wind gets up, then Stirling Bridge becomes tornado alley and anyone running north will have a massive advantage. I think Shore will have too much passion on their battleground
Scots- Let this number sink in...$60 000 000+ spent on a vanity project were the building is not even open yet. A designated Old Boys section with bar takes up valuable learning space. Then look at the aquatic centre outside that they call main oval. They should call it "the main pool." The Dark Lord should really not build an edifice to his ego and fix the bloody oval. Local council parks have better playing surfaces. Disgrace and embarrassment.
Riverview swamp monsters will see this as a home game and should wrap up the premiership today.
Kings- Outside of the hallowed turf of Hunters Hill, the cattleyard of Castle Grey Skull has excellent drainage and good playing surface. Last time Joeys played here in the wet they didn't adapt and Kings upset them. The massive pack will be an advantage today as long as they kick for position and then let the big boys do the work (aka. The British & Irish Lions) Joeys will need to move the big fellas around and hope the cattledogs can jackle a few breakdowns.
Shore- What a wet and miserable place it can on days like this. With the ground so open and exposed the rain may turn the centre square into an iced rink. Only the presence of the lovely Shore mothers and the legendary Shoe Pie (2025 AAGPS Pie of the year nominee) make this bearable. If the wind gets up, then Stirling Bridge becomes tornado alley and anyone running north will have a massive advantage. I think Shore will have too much passion on their battleground
Scots- Let this number sink in...$60 000 000+ spent on a vanity project were the building is not even open yet. A designated Old Boys section with bar takes up valuable learning space. Then look at the aquatic centre outside that they call main oval. They should call it "the main pool." The Dark Lord should really not build an edifice to his ego and fix the bloody oval. Local council parks have better playing surfaces. Disgrace and embarrassment.
Riverview swamp monsters will see this as a home game and should wrap up the premiership today.
Jakeburner65
Ted Fahey (11)
Not so sure. I am very nervous about this match. Wet weather is the great equaliser, Scot’s oval one of the worst in the wet. Pair that with a recent trend of Scots home games being officiated ‘interestingly’ and View have a big banana peel to avoid today.