Spot on and good luck to all teams hopefully no injuries in the last round - it’s been an enjoyable and close competition - BBC lucky to get the win last week saved by an ankle tap and a few great defensive efforts really.
I have watched the TTS V NUDGEE in the wet on Jack “ Loss” oval tonight and between the 51 and 57 minute mark TSS scored three tries to completely over run NUDGEE in the 60 min trial. The facts are the NUDGEE forwards were out petrol and regularly late to the breakdown and could not go with the obvious fitness of the TSS pack. A second observation was their line out which was an glaring weakness. I don’t think it’s improved much.
Dial forward to last Saturday, and BBC put the accelerator down at the 50 min mark, and it was all over. NUDGEE bought on reserves and obviously had improved match fitness since TSS, but once again the forward pack looked out of juice around 50 min , and were called on to defend their line in the last 10-20 minute, with that kitchen sink being thrown at them. They defended valiantly but took big punishment from the waves of BBC raids right on the line. I was tired just watching them.
With tomorrow being the next game (Friday) they have only had 6 days rather than the usual 7 to nurse their bumps and bruisers and a big game like last Saturday would suck a lot of nervous energy in the lead up, the tough game ,a hard season and largely a pointless game against Churchie tomorrow . In their minds , last week was the grand final and they lost so ,might not be ON for the game.
Churchie on the other hand has a lightweight, very fit and mobile and possibly the best drilled forward pack in the competition. They took both TSS AND BBC ( in the wet) to the line , proving more than a handful. We will put Gt down as one of those days, but they have handled the IGS pack with ease, and I cannot name another pack that gave them trouble.Tomorrow it will be 27 degrees, but 30 plus on main oval with moisture evaporating. My reading is , if ACGS can stay in the game early and absorb the initial NUDGEE onslaught, the 50 min mark will prove the test for NUDGEE and I will predict seeing hands on hips and knees,cramps in hamstrings, and last to line outs from the big forward pack.
The NUDGEE pack are not to be trifled with, but they are No energiser bunnies. The Churchie back loose three are fast and super fit , and in the Liam Wright , David Pocock mould. The School has demonstrated they can produce them. That’s a massive psychological advantage they will have when the clock ticks 50 min.
If those three, can starve the NUDGEE backline, and the big Churchie centres get off the defensive line fast and hassle the questionable hands, of the NUDGEE mid field, they maybe able to nullify Nudgees obvious pace on the wings/flanks.
Knowing the temperature and humidity tomorrow, I think fitness will be a test, and if NUDGEE can put a cricket score on CHURCHIE after what they went through against BBC 6 days ago, I think they will definitely deserve second, cos it won’t be that easy.
If however Churchie win, I think Like last year they will be classed the dark horses , finishing either Joint Premiers or 2nd with Southport. Have a think about that.
