Hello all. Just my weekly thought of the season thus far as well as my predictions for this weekend. My honest opinions can come off as harsh, and before reading do note that I do not intend on offending any readers or players.
Feel free to quote me with any queries or if you strongly disagree or agree.
Newington
Would have to be my front runners at the moment. Bye first round, an impressive victory over supposed heavyweights Kings in round 2. Was not in attendance but have heard only good things about the game. All in all they should be happy with where they are at.
Players to keep an eye on:
- The little fullback has impressed me as a dangerous ball runner. Do not know too much about him, but when i did watch the team play it seemed he did more damage than the big 12.
- The 13, Tane also impressive with his size to go with his footwork. I think it couldn't hurt if he passed a little more, but certainly no complaints with him in the 13 jersey.
- Captain Pryer-Lees leading the team well. Seems to be a good leader. Always goes forwards and has a mount of experience at first XV level.
Questions for the Newington people:
- Are there any injuries?
- And is it possible for a team list for round 3?
Joeys
In my eyes the team to be talking about so far this year. Such a fantastic victory in round 1 over arch rivals Riverview. We have all read about it and i dont mean to reiterate but it was one of the best team performances by a schoolboy side i have seen in a long time, especially in the forwards, coming up against a noticeably bigger and more individually talented forward pack.
To the disappointment of many they did not back it up, with a shock loss to Scots. I dont know how with Scot's weakness being there forwards. And Joeys themselves making such a clear statement the week before with there displayed dominance up front.
Players to keep an eye on:
- The prop, Piggy, or whatever they call him. Has the ability to shred through other forward packs as soon as the ruck defence gets a little lazy.
- Kay, the fullback. A class fullback/footballer who was robbed of representative selection this year. Can play 9,10,12,15 all sufficiently. I would want him on the bench for my Aus schoolboys team, but thats just me.
- Both Joeys wingers. Extremely fast, noticeable acceleration or speed off the mark. Are good at getting on the outside of defenders.
As for the match up, between these two. I would say the Newington home ground advantage will get them through, however not with ease. Only by 10 points or less. Should be the game of the round. Good luck to both teams, rip in fellas!
Riverview
Not the start to the season they were hoping for. You know what they say, 'its harder to defend a championship than to win one'. Good win over Grammar. Showing more teamwork. Not too much to say about them after round 2. All will be revealed this saturday afternoon.
Players to keep an eye on:
- Obviously the two class backrowers Whiteley and Dempsey. Being the 6 and 8 for schoolboys not write up is needed. However it will be vital that they don't take on responsibility for the whole team. It is the full XV that will have to perform if View are to come away with the Win this weekend. But these two being two of the best ball running forwards in schoolboy rugby this year. Task is at hand for the Scots boys to contain them.
- Rorke, the big second rower. Again no write up needed. Two years in the schoolboys jersey. To ad to his size, his fitness is his best asset I think. Continuously getting over the ad line for the boys in blue and white. Will not stop tackling either.
- Redden, the 13. An underrated player in this competition. Can cause damage. Was apart of the 2011 winning team. Confidence has grown, expecting big things from him. Like Tane, it would not hurt for him to pass a little more.
Questions for the Riverview supporters:
- Injury updates?
- Team list for the weekend?
Scots
Well, they stunned us all with a victory over joeys in round 2. Not many would have picked that! Credit to the scots forwards who managed to hold back the joeys pack. I will never fully understand how as joeys forwards showed such dominance the week before, but it is what it is. Well done to the scots forwards.
In my eye it is scots that have the best backline. (yes, better than newington). The forwards will decide the fate of there season, if they can do what they did to joeys, consistently they are real contenders.
Players to watch:
- 15, Kellaway, to me the best back in the comp. Has proven himself this year no doubt. Outstanding at all levels from school to Aus. Somehow to be contained, will not be easy. The queenslanders struggled to do so, same with the Joeys boys, after watching his try on youtube.
- 12 and 10. We all know them. Will both have to fire consistantly.
2010 i think they beat joeys in the final trial, then found themselves going down in round 1. 2011, the match of the season last year, they lost after beating joeys sometime before. Was it arrogance? Overconfidence? Who Knows? Will it happen again?
Truthfully i think yes. Riverivew at home, in front of a home crowed. Should get up by 15+. Big call I know. Only time to tell. Dempsey to be man of the match. Due for a big game.
The hardest one to pick now is which game to attend!! View vs Scots or New vs Joeys ?!?!?!
Shore
Like scots, began there season with an upset, cannot comment much further as i am yet to watch them play. After gathering the Win against Grammar ill be sure to watch them play as soon as possible.
Players to watch:
- Pulver.. i guess. Having an amazing season. Not a whole lot of ball running 9's these days. This i would say from speaking to people and reading reports, would probably be his best asset. Was good at nationals for combined states.
Grammar
Hopefully continue to improve, good luck to them. I think they only thing they will be winning anytime soon are the HSC ranks. Keep trying though boys! I did here about their draw with riverview in the 16A's. A new era ??
Shore 45+
Kings
Not happy people at this time. A much needed bye. Hopefully for their sake spent training. Was at neither of there two losses. What did go wrong for them?
Bye, and then grammar. Good break. Followed by View, Joeys then Scots. A tough run home for them. They will have to be prepared. You would think out of title contention. But you can never be too sure. Some stuff to figure out there. It will be interesting to see how they hit back though.
Players to watch:
- 14 (i think) Jones. Good ball-runner. Very dangerous. Get him more ball. Move him to 15 maybe?
- Randle. As tough as they come. Keeps on going, disregarding his size and constantly throwing himself at defence.
- 13, foketi. Dangerous with ball in hand. Get it too him in space?!
Thanks for reading. Sorry if i got a bit carried away. Do comment/question?
Goodluck to all teams this weekend. Hopefuly no injuries and may the best teams win!
John Dale.
