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Desmond Connor (43)
SIRU Finals Week Two:
We head to Yanco this weekend after some great footy matches in Wagga on Saturday. The forecast looks gloomy for the weekend with possible showers and a maximum of 12oC at Yanco on Saturday. The fields at Murrumbidgee College drain quite well so a bit of water won’t be a problem although it may cause a few issues as far as handling errors go.
PREMIER DIVISION:
First Grade @ 3:30pm on Ground 1:
Albury v Wagga City
In what were two really tough matches last week, these two teams both played their hearts out for two very different results. The Steamers played valiantly for 80mins to lose by a point while the City Men manned up for 80mins against a proud Waratahs outfit – similar effort for two very different results.
City and the Steamers will come into this match with two completely different motivations – Albury have been knocking for a few years now while City have risen from the ashes this season. Looking at past form really counts for nothing as these two both have to pick themselves up and get straight back into the tough stuff this weekend but the past few seasons have to count for something don’t they? Albury have been in the top 4 clubs in the zone for at least 5 years while City have been in a similar position at the other end of the spectrum.
The Steamers will be sweating on Ben Walker’s availability as he is central to their chances this season, likewise they need an able replacement for Scott Hannaford who will miss this week with a groin strain. In what is good news for City fans, Wagga City seem to have escaped their game relatively injury free. At this time of year, having a settled line-up will be a huge bonus leading into this match.
Ex Brumby Runner Jason Lagaali has been a revelation since his return from an extended holiday and will be a key figure in this match if the Steamers centres cannot contain him this weekend. From all reports Jason was a central figure in the Boiled Lollies win over their long-time rivals Waratahs last weekend. Interestingly Jason's brother Eddie has headed to the Gold Coast this weekend for a 21st Birthday Party... ... ...
Both teams have the luxury of having fresh reserves on the bench as neither team’s second grade team are taking part in the matches at Leeton. I think depth could be a factor in this match as Albury’s reserve grade team fared much better than Wagga City in the Premier Division. Another key factor on this match will be counter attacking ability as I think both teams will try to kick to the corners and force the other team to work their way out from inside their own 22m. This tactic will also bring kick return and fitness into the frame as well – who has the extra fire for these last games?
For me, this game will be all about mental strength. Albury were gutted last year after losing to CSU in week one, and would love nothing more than to make the GF in what is surely a swansong season for a core group of their players. City have a similar problem in that they need to shake off the scars of past defeats and believe that they can bag a win this week in order to prove their doubters wrong.
I’m not a gambling man but am willing to bet that this match will be a lot tighter than their previous encounters this season.
Second Grade @ 12:15pm on Ground 1:
Waratahs v CSU
This is a rematch of the 2011 Grand Final but these two teams appear to have slipped a little from the lofty heights of last year when they both managed to belt Minor Premiers Ag College before facing off in the Grand Final. There will be plenty of talent on show at this match as both teams have some handy operators in their ranks.
Waratahs possibly have the edge in the forwards, but may be found wanting out wide in terms of pace. CSU will have plenty of heart but may lack some experience when it matters as they are generally a reasonably young team.
FIRST DIVISION:
First Grade @ 1:45pm on Ground 1:
Coota v Tumut
In the end, Tumut put some decent points on the Blacks last week but I think it will be a different story this week as Coota look to get into the GF for the third straight year in First Division. In the other First Division match, Cootamundra were their own worst enemy against a solid Yabbies outfit and will be keen to take every opportunity they can this week. Although they didn’t get the win last week, they did score enough points to be in the hunt but just couldn’t find that killer blow when it counted.
This match will be reasonably even in the forwards as both packs have enough experience in the pack to know how to play these sort of games. Will Reynolds, Jock Mason and Captain Coach Tim Graham will be central to the Bulls go forward in this match. On the Tri Colours side of the fence, Phil Carter and Alex Hardie will lead their pack from the front.
While Tumut do not have any big names in the backline they have managed to get the job done during the course of the season. Cootamundra will be hard to stop in the backs though with the likes of Bob Scott, Graham Hardie and Co keen to stamp their authority on the match. These two players will be key to getting a win here this weekend and I’m sure they are up for it!
Defensively, both these teams really enjoy manning up and this will be a focal point for players and spectators alike as these teams put plenty of effort into this area of their game.
Looking at this game from afar and having seen them both run around last weekend, I would expect to see a torrid forwards battle played generally up the middle of the field with Cootamundra looking to unleash Bob Scott and Graham Hardie while the Bulls will want to keep Cootamundra defending in their own half and will look to force turnovers and focus on a strong forwards game from within the attacking 22m zone.
Second Grade @ 12:30pm on Ground 2:
Young v Griffith
This is a difficult match to preview as I haven’t seen much of either team this year. I know that the Yabbies have been blooding plenty of youngsters over the last two seasons due to their strong junior club (which has a lot to do with Luke Eldridge’s efforts) and I hope this bears some fruit for these players. As Griffith have not had the best season in First Grade there will be a number of players who are eligible for Second Grade this week and they will probably get a run given that the match is in the MIA.
Third Grade @ 11:00am on Ground 1:
Ag College v City
Following their 12 all draw with Waratahs, Aggies come up against Wagga City in an effort to get all three grades a jersey on Grand Final Day. I wonder what City will have to say about that? My mail says that there is plenty of support for the City Thirds and that they will be on song this weekend. Having said that, they have their work well and truly cut out for themselves!
Under 17’s @ 1:45pm on Ground 2:
Griffith v Young
As per the First Division Second Grade match, I haven’t seen much of these two teams this season. This match is a rematch of the 2011 Under 17’s Grand Final that was one of the matches of the day last year. Admittedly, there is not the same level of firepower on show this year, but these young blokes will throw the ball around and put on a good show at every opportunity.
We head to Yanco this weekend after some great footy matches in Wagga on Saturday. The forecast looks gloomy for the weekend with possible showers and a maximum of 12oC at Yanco on Saturday. The fields at Murrumbidgee College drain quite well so a bit of water won’t be a problem although it may cause a few issues as far as handling errors go.
PREMIER DIVISION:
First Grade @ 3:30pm on Ground 1:
Albury v Wagga City
In what were two really tough matches last week, these two teams both played their hearts out for two very different results. The Steamers played valiantly for 80mins to lose by a point while the City Men manned up for 80mins against a proud Waratahs outfit – similar effort for two very different results.
City and the Steamers will come into this match with two completely different motivations – Albury have been knocking for a few years now while City have risen from the ashes this season. Looking at past form really counts for nothing as these two both have to pick themselves up and get straight back into the tough stuff this weekend but the past few seasons have to count for something don’t they? Albury have been in the top 4 clubs in the zone for at least 5 years while City have been in a similar position at the other end of the spectrum.
The Steamers will be sweating on Ben Walker’s availability as he is central to their chances this season, likewise they need an able replacement for Scott Hannaford who will miss this week with a groin strain. In what is good news for City fans, Wagga City seem to have escaped their game relatively injury free. At this time of year, having a settled line-up will be a huge bonus leading into this match.
Ex Brumby Runner Jason Lagaali has been a revelation since his return from an extended holiday and will be a key figure in this match if the Steamers centres cannot contain him this weekend. From all reports Jason was a central figure in the Boiled Lollies win over their long-time rivals Waratahs last weekend. Interestingly Jason's brother Eddie has headed to the Gold Coast this weekend for a 21st Birthday Party... ... ...
Both teams have the luxury of having fresh reserves on the bench as neither team’s second grade team are taking part in the matches at Leeton. I think depth could be a factor in this match as Albury’s reserve grade team fared much better than Wagga City in the Premier Division. Another key factor on this match will be counter attacking ability as I think both teams will try to kick to the corners and force the other team to work their way out from inside their own 22m. This tactic will also bring kick return and fitness into the frame as well – who has the extra fire for these last games?
For me, this game will be all about mental strength. Albury were gutted last year after losing to CSU in week one, and would love nothing more than to make the GF in what is surely a swansong season for a core group of their players. City have a similar problem in that they need to shake off the scars of past defeats and believe that they can bag a win this week in order to prove their doubters wrong.
I’m not a gambling man but am willing to bet that this match will be a lot tighter than their previous encounters this season.
Second Grade @ 12:15pm on Ground 1:
Waratahs v CSU
This is a rematch of the 2011 Grand Final but these two teams appear to have slipped a little from the lofty heights of last year when they both managed to belt Minor Premiers Ag College before facing off in the Grand Final. There will be plenty of talent on show at this match as both teams have some handy operators in their ranks.
Waratahs possibly have the edge in the forwards, but may be found wanting out wide in terms of pace. CSU will have plenty of heart but may lack some experience when it matters as they are generally a reasonably young team.
FIRST DIVISION:
First Grade @ 1:45pm on Ground 1:
Coota v Tumut
In the end, Tumut put some decent points on the Blacks last week but I think it will be a different story this week as Coota look to get into the GF for the third straight year in First Division. In the other First Division match, Cootamundra were their own worst enemy against a solid Yabbies outfit and will be keen to take every opportunity they can this week. Although they didn’t get the win last week, they did score enough points to be in the hunt but just couldn’t find that killer blow when it counted.
This match will be reasonably even in the forwards as both packs have enough experience in the pack to know how to play these sort of games. Will Reynolds, Jock Mason and Captain Coach Tim Graham will be central to the Bulls go forward in this match. On the Tri Colours side of the fence, Phil Carter and Alex Hardie will lead their pack from the front.
While Tumut do not have any big names in the backline they have managed to get the job done during the course of the season. Cootamundra will be hard to stop in the backs though with the likes of Bob Scott, Graham Hardie and Co keen to stamp their authority on the match. These two players will be key to getting a win here this weekend and I’m sure they are up for it!
Defensively, both these teams really enjoy manning up and this will be a focal point for players and spectators alike as these teams put plenty of effort into this area of their game.
Looking at this game from afar and having seen them both run around last weekend, I would expect to see a torrid forwards battle played generally up the middle of the field with Cootamundra looking to unleash Bob Scott and Graham Hardie while the Bulls will want to keep Cootamundra defending in their own half and will look to force turnovers and focus on a strong forwards game from within the attacking 22m zone.
Second Grade @ 12:30pm on Ground 2:
Young v Griffith
This is a difficult match to preview as I haven’t seen much of either team this year. I know that the Yabbies have been blooding plenty of youngsters over the last two seasons due to their strong junior club (which has a lot to do with Luke Eldridge’s efforts) and I hope this bears some fruit for these players. As Griffith have not had the best season in First Grade there will be a number of players who are eligible for Second Grade this week and they will probably get a run given that the match is in the MIA.
Third Grade @ 11:00am on Ground 1:
Ag College v City
Following their 12 all draw with Waratahs, Aggies come up against Wagga City in an effort to get all three grades a jersey on Grand Final Day. I wonder what City will have to say about that? My mail says that there is plenty of support for the City Thirds and that they will be on song this weekend. Having said that, they have their work well and truly cut out for themselves!
Under 17’s @ 1:45pm on Ground 2:
Griffith v Young
As per the First Division Second Grade match, I haven’t seen much of these two teams this season. This match is a rematch of the 2011 Under 17’s Grand Final that was one of the matches of the day last year. Admittedly, there is not the same level of firepower on show this year, but these young blokes will throw the ball around and put on a good show at every opportunity.
