Hmmmmm.. tips for 2014??
Early days yet G&G aficianados but the swirling mists in my crystal ball have cleared enough for me to make these comments.
1. The current state of affairs in terms of the GPS rugby season almost stand as a conspiracy by southern unions to prejudice Qld performance at National carnival level and by extension, the GPS premiership race. Training and playing at National standard before building a proper base for it through trials and training and competition matches is patently ridiculous. The only benefit I see this year is that teams can contest GPS trials as whole school entities, not barbarian style trial sides. Best wishes to all terams for an injury free trials period.
2. I rant like this as point 1 because it throws the whole competition open if injuries are taken in the National competition. BBC and maybe Churchie are a great example of having a season cruelled by this sort of injury a year or so ago respectively.
3. I think Churchie are going to be hard to beat with great depth across the field and some real excitement machines like Perese and Ponga. the size of BBC's forward pack is frightening. Does it have the mongrel will be a key question this season. 4. This said, Churchie's aspirations hinge on their performance against two key bogey sides for them- TSS and BBC, both of whom have scuttled Viking hopes in the last 4-5 years. Both games are played away this year for Churchie which seasons those contests even more enticingly. NC are thought of as Churchie's great rival but the last two times NC have won the cup, Churchie have beaten them on Ross Oval to take the edge off their seasons. I'd suggest NC need to worry about Churchie, not the other way around but that game will be another humdinger.
5. I can not see any of the rest upsetting much for this top 4 although I would never discount IGS to muck something up for someone just for the sheer hell of it.
6 In conclusion, I foresee ( at this stage) a top 4 shootout between ACGS, TSS, BBC and NC with any team capable of winning on their day. I won't tip a winner, it's too close to call at the moment but I will say do not be surprised at a 3 way tie. You heard it here first.