#SIRU2014 Round Ten Preview:
Strap yourselves in folks; the rollercoaster is about to rock and roll for the next two weeks of the competition. You’ll need a CPA accreditation to work out all the possibilities in that mid-table bunch on the ladder. For the simpler fan, the easy solution is for their team to win games – it’s about the only way that a number of teams can secure their place in the Premier Division!
I've softed out and tipped two matches of the round this week as it’s just too hard to separate the importance of the two games that I have picked. Whilst all the games are important, it’s very nearlyGrand Final stuff for the four clubs involved in this week’s Matches of the Round!
Temora (9) v CSU (2)
While the Tuskers are not in the hunt for the Premier Division, they have put in some solid efforts and come very close to bagging some big scalps during the regular season. CSU should be wary of the boys from T-Town this week and will need to work hard to bag a win out at Temora Recreation Ground.
Waratahs (1) v City (8)
These two traditional rivals will be looking for points in this one for different reasons. City need competition points to make the Premier Division while Tahs will have their eyes on the Minor Premiership.
Pressure will be on Curgenven and Wrafter to show their skills against Stanton and Binks in the backline. James Curgenven has been impressive with his kicking prowess while Jayden Stanton has been hitting his straps at the right stage of the season. Hamish Wrafter and Matt Binks need to slot into their clubs again after some time off recently.
Jake Eaglesham will have his work cut out for himself playing against Rambo Lagaali in the backrow in what will be a highlight for the punters at Conolly Park. Will Dave Armstrong play a role this week?
Deni v Albury (3) – 2nd Grade Only
Griffith (7) v Young (5) – Match of the Round
Who would have thought that Griffith would be coming 7th at this stage of the competition? Sportsbet would be paying some good odds to anyone who could have tipped that one! Likewise, no punter would have had the Yabbies in 5th position either!
In all seriousness, this match will be a cracker. The Yabbies have been able to get out of jail on a number of occasions this season which will make the Blacks concentrate for the full 80mins.
The Blacks have got firepower across the park but the Yabbies have obviously found something within to grind it out for the match and get away with some close wins. From what I have seen of these teams this season, this match could well be decided by the benches. Griffith have fallen the past two weeks and won’t be keen on another loss this weekend, particularly not at home.
Leeton (10) v Coota (11)
Pride is on the line this weekend; plain and simple. Cootamundra will not be happy with their recent results but have been there or thereabouts in plenty of games this year which has been evidenced by some close losses and three bonus points on the ladder.
If the Bidgee Hurricanes or Leeton Greens have a bye this weekend it could spell trouble for the Tri-Colours.
Ag College (6) v Tumut (4) – Match of the Round
While these two teams are in the Premier Division at the moment, they both know this can change in a heartbeat.
Scott Gibson and Christian Manuelevo have been a revelation for Tumut and have been able to put the polish on the Bulls so far this season. These guys will need to keep up their efforts this weekend against an Ag College side that is desperate for points.
Ag College have slipped from the lofty heights of recent years but are starting to settle at this stage of the season which is a good sign. I hear that Aggies will be missing some players this week which may hurt them.
TanianNaude was impressive on the rep program and needs to rally the troops against a tough and experienced Tumut forward pack. In recent years, the Bulls have had guys backing up for games, but this shouldn’t be an issue for them this week with the revival of the Bulls thirty thirds providing depth for their seconds which obviously helps out the First XVas well.
Bring on the weekend, I can’t wait til we know who sits where late Saturday afternoon!