I watched the Churchie v Nudgee match and as a Nudgee Old Boy I think Churchie put in an admirable effort, particularly in defence which shut down a lot of the Nudgee options in the backline. The match could have gone either way actually.
Nudgee lacked a bit of variation in attack but this might have been influenced by a few changes made to the backline due to injuries that upset the decision making, particularly when under pressure from Churchie's rushing defence.
Nudgee's forwards seemed to dominate once they got the rolling maul marching forward and I think it was this aspect of their game that got their noses in front in the end. Both team's line outs were unreliable and I believe this is Nudgee's biggest vulnerability. Its been inconsistent all three of their games this season and so they need to tighten this up.
Number 15 (Pritchard) for Churchie had a huge impact on the match and nearly won it for Churchie towards the end of the match. He had the biggest influence on the game from either team in my opinion.
I think Nudgee is beatable noting that BBC, Terrace or State High would need to be at their best to knock them off. Terrace at home v Nudgee might be an opportunity for them to make history by rising to the occasion, but I think State High is probably the biggest threat, albeit I understand the game is on Ross which is difficult for visiting teams, particularly when Nudgee is sniffing a Premiership. The atmosphere there is palpable when they're in the hunt (this time for the 45th) and the support really notches up at the campus and also amongst the Old Boys and parents during this period. You can feel the energy bouncing off the Renaissance buildings surrounding Ross Oval so they won't give up there easily without one hell of a fight.
BBC seem to be grinding away also so this will also be a close one but I'm not sure where the game will be played. If its at Toowong then it will be a close one.
I don't think BGS will be an easy game either for Nudgee and they will provide some healthy competition to the boys on Ross.
This is a very interesting and competitive season so far and there's plenty to be decided yet before anyone can confidently say who will win this year. It wouldn't be controversial to suggest Nudgee will be fancying their chances after facing three difficult opponents but I agree with one of the other posts that Churchie have provided a blue (and grey) print for how to put Nudgee under pressure.
Nudgee lacked a bit of variation in attack but this might have been influenced by a few changes made to the backline due to injuries that upset the decision making, particularly when under pressure from Churchie's rushing defence.
Nudgee's forwards seemed to dominate once they got the rolling maul marching forward and I think it was this aspect of their game that got their noses in front in the end. Both team's line outs were unreliable and I believe this is Nudgee's biggest vulnerability. Its been inconsistent all three of their games this season and so they need to tighten this up.
Number 15 (Pritchard) for Churchie had a huge impact on the match and nearly won it for Churchie towards the end of the match. He had the biggest influence on the game from either team in my opinion.
I think Nudgee is beatable noting that BBC, Terrace or State High would need to be at their best to knock them off. Terrace at home v Nudgee might be an opportunity for them to make history by rising to the occasion, but I think State High is probably the biggest threat, albeit I understand the game is on Ross which is difficult for visiting teams, particularly when Nudgee is sniffing a Premiership. The atmosphere there is palpable when they're in the hunt (this time for the 45th) and the support really notches up at the campus and also amongst the Old Boys and parents during this period. You can feel the energy bouncing off the Renaissance buildings surrounding Ross Oval so they won't give up there easily without one hell of a fight.
BBC seem to be grinding away also so this will also be a close one but I'm not sure where the game will be played. If its at Toowong then it will be a close one.
I don't think BGS will be an easy game either for Nudgee and they will provide some healthy competition to the boys on Ross.
This is a very interesting and competitive season so far and there's plenty to be decided yet before anyone can confidently say who will win this year. It wouldn't be controversial to suggest Nudgee will be fancying their chances after facing three difficult opponents but I agree with one of the other posts that Churchie have provided a blue (and grey) print for how to put Nudgee under pressure.