I have just noticed this.
I think this is a good call about HH. You say you are still at school; so it is a wonder that you know enough about Horan's play to be able to compare HH to him. Well done.
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PS - It was a pleasure to read a post by a schoolboy who knows how to link some coherent sentences together.
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Thanks Lee,
I only just saw this, but I appreciate the sentiments - and yes, Horan is one of my all-time favourite players... I find watching footage from when the Wallabies were "better" (i.e. result-wise and skill-wise) to be quite worthwhile.
A lot of my discussion up to this point has been centred around Riverview, and while I am admittedly a student there, I am by no means under the illusion that there isn't strength in the other teams.
I think (and to an extent hope) this will be the end-of-season standings next year:
1. Riverview
2. Scots
3. St. Joseph's
4. Kings
5. Shore
6. Newington
Allow me to explain.
Scots will obviously be a very strong unit this year - but due to the quality (and quantity) I suppose, of year 11 talent, I see 2015 as their big year, not 2014. I personally rate Angus Crichton and Taylor Deer as among the best backrowers in the GPS, if not the country; and I believe Guy Porter will be vying with Hutchinson for the most dangerous back next year. Where they will lose it, for mine, is upfront. Do not get me wrong, there are some incredibly talented forwards at Scots, and size/strength won't be an issue, but I simply can not see them being able to match the Riverview side, largely because of their inexperience and age. However, if Scots are able to prepare well, and follow the strength and conditioning programs that have obviously been very successful, anything is possible, and I wouldn't be surprised if their (likely) superior fitness causes a few upsets.
St. Joseph's at 3 - I was erring a bit about this selection, because their year 11 (going into year 12) cohort isn't amazing. I heard one coach (oddly enough not from my school) describe them as the weakest cohort to have ever gone through Joeys. Now, while I don't have the mileage to confirm this, it certainly seems as if they haven't been too strong. However, their year 10s, going into year 11, are a very great year. Not only have they decimated Riverview from As through to Gs consistently, they have repeated that level of success against most schools. Having been at the receiving end of some rather large score lines in this age group, I can personally attest to their depth and skill level. Like Scots, this will be a side building to 2015 success, and I see similarities between them and the 2013 Riverview side, who surprised many with their results in what was expected to be a development year. At the end of the day, one can simply NEVER ride off St. Joseph's, so don't be surprised if they finish the year with a few upsets, and maybe even a GPS title under their belt. Players to watch are Tom Wright and Jake Finnane.
Kings at 4 - This is another team with a strong year 11, but a year 12 who haven't impressed me too much. Like Joeys, Kings will always have a strong side, but I can't see them doing too much damage. Their fullback/potential fly-half James Kane is a superb player and probably has the best boot in the GPS.
Shore at 5 - Probably the most controversial choice, and one I had to think about for a while - perhaps one I will regret later. Up until earlier this year I always thought Shore were a serious chance for 1st or 2nd in 2014, but at the time I wasn't aware of the fact that the Clancys were graduating in 2013. Their departure made me reassess this time, and my conclusion is that, while they're strong, they don't have the depth to be a serious contender. While their year 11 (going into year 12) have always been fairly strong, the relative weakness of their year 10 (going into year 11) cohort will be their shortfall. Player to watch is definitely Jum Woodhill, likely candidate for higher representative honours (e.g. Aus. schoolboys), and coincidentally only the third forward in Shore school history to make the 1st XV in year 10.
Newington at 6 - Again likely to be controversial, but their year 11 (going into year 12) age group has to be the weakest XV Stanmore's produced since 2008. Having seen them repeatedly drubbed at the hands of the Blue and White, I simply can't see them posing much of a challenge. Conversely their year 10 (going into year 11) cohort are relatively strong, and I believe Cepesa and Kennewell will be two of the standout backs of the 2014 season.
Anyway, that's enough from me, merry christmas all.
