Round 16 - Final Competition Round
PREMIER DIVISION
Aggies (2) v CSU (4) This could be a real scrappy affair, the surface at Beres Ellwood is not holding up well and could determine some key points on Saturday. This clash is traditionally a very passionate game because it allows bragging rights at the uni, however Aggies already have the wood on CSU this season. CSU will welcome the return of Paul Hood for this clash and Aggies will want to atone for their belting by Tahs a few weeks ago. The Reddies put together a solid second half performance against Tahs last weekend and will want to extend this for the full 80mins on Saturday. I haven’t seen Aggies for a few weeks, but would expect their forward pack to be firing on all cylinders. The interesting matchup will be between Paul Hood and Dan Moloney (opposing 5/8’s), Shoody is a very experienced 10, while Dan is still learning the ropes (particularly in these tight games). Pete Armstrong on Jack Burey will also be one to watch, as Pete (Aggies) is the standout 9 in the zone, with Jack the up and comer, also Joe ‘Forever Young’ Tora vs Dave Armstrong will be great to watch as they are two physical players who lead from the front. If it rains here Friday night, this game is anyone’s.
Griffith (5) v RARC (6) It’s fitting that these guys are playing each other in the final round. This game has no bearing on the final four, and is a good opportunity for both teams to tough it out against each other and see where they stand. Griffith took a full strength team to Albury last week and limped home with their tails between their legs, meanwhile RARC hosted Aggies and got belted for their efforts. If you were a gambling man, it’s hard to go past Griffith at home, but considering their season is over, they may struggle to find the numbers to man up against the RARC.
Tahs (1) v Albury (3) MATCH OF THE ROUND Grudge Match, plain and simple, these guys can’t stand each other and there’s plenty to play for in this one!! Albury are ramping up for the finals, and if they want to win the GF, they will have to beat Tahs (at some point) to do it. Tahs looked to have improved after belting Aggies, but just didn’t fire against CSU last week. Albury 5/8 Justin Wheatley and Fullback Jim Lollback have a sweet kicking game between them, but will want to be accurate if they kick to Dan Selmes and Jack Meagher and risk the counter attack. This game will be won in the forwards as both teams have a solid driving maul, and will look to capitalise on this strength when they are 15m or less from the try line. The maul will be used to set up a strong attacking base for both teams as they look to let their backs run riot. Will Pat Barrett’s hammie get through the warm up this week, will Jayden Stanton melt under pressure, should Xavier Chigwidden be wasted at 9? These are questions that Tahs need to be asking before Saturday, while Albury will want to make sure that Justin Wheatley, Matt Cook and Jim Lollback are on fire in the backline, because they’ll need to be to get up this weekend. The more I think about this match, the more great matchups I see. . . #15 - Selmes v Lollback, #10 - Stanton v Wheatley, #1 - Roche v Nixon, #7 - Francis v Levett, #13 - Meagher v Cook. This really will be a great game, I can’t wait for it!!
FIRST DIVISION
Tumut (3) v Leeton (6) Tumut will relish having a home game before they go on the road for the finals, after their muddy affair at Cranfield Oval last week, I reckon the Bulls will be stoked to be at home. The return of the Graham brothers has helped Tumut and they should continue to build on their form running into this match. Leeton have a tough task, this is their biggest road trip of the year, and they have to do it in the final round. Dave Sinclair will use this match as a final send off for his boys as they start their pre-season on the bus trip back to the Skull Cave.
Coota (2) v City (5) Coota shouldn’t take City lightly in this one, although City haven’t fulfilled their potential this year, they will want to avoid the wooden spoon in this one. The forwards battle should be fairly even, Coota’s backrow may have the edge here particularly with the likes of Alex ‘Axle’ Hardie making good yards around the park. Coota’s final home game of the year will be a big one and they’ll be out to belt City to prove that they have the muscle to win the GF. City can score points when they put their minds to it, but they just don’t seem to have the patience or game plan required to win games.
Temora (1) v Young (4) Bill McCrone was finally able to crack a smile when his boys put it over City last week. The Tuskers have been frustrated since Bill’s injury and having Josh Breust and Casey Jordan fire last week was an encouraging sign for the boys coming into finals time. Young need to match it with Temora to show Tumut they mean business for next week, particularly in the forwards. Michael McGee will have to lead from the front and it will be a good showdown between him and Temora’s Adam Manning in the forwards.
