Div 3 Season Prediction
Clark Cup
1. Old Barker: Performed best of the teams that have move from div 2 beating all the teams now in div 3 by margins. Have a big solid pack and skilled backs.
2. Sydney Harbor: best of div 4 teams and had an impressive for and against, should have tougher oppositions hear but winning form is good form.
3. Manly Savers: Will be in the run for the finals, similar to Sydney Harbour and predicting them to be slighlty behind harbour as similar to last year. Injuries could easily see them switch with Harbour.
4. Beecroft: . Will be inconsistent they pushed some of the top teams last years for div 2, have talented albeit inconsistent backs prone to errors, wouldn't surprise me if they end up higher or lower than this spot.
5. Knox: The Wildcard of the division. Could well end up at winning the comp. Have put here as if they play on last years form I think they will at minimum bear Harlequins and Old Iggies.
6. Harlequins: Love a bit of set piece play and will enjoy dropping a divison, did well in division 4 a few years backs but have struggled to hit their straps in the higher divisions.
7. Old Iggies - Worst of the Div 2 from last year. Looks like a youngish side so could improve, but seem to lack a commanding pack of star backs.
Farrant Cup
1. Beecroft: Have a history of a second grade team similar in quality to their ones. If the ones don't look like making the finals I think they will be the team to take the tournament out, if not see them toping the comp before a loss in the GF.
2. Harlequins: Made finals in Div 2, this is a notable achievement and should carry them in good stead, think they could be the winners of the GF as they will likely be a one team club in August.
3/4 Savers/Harbour: Weren't as dominant in Div 4 as their respective 1st grades, but should do well with a similar team playing for consecutive years together.
5. Knox. Again unknown, if there ones are winning expect recruitment and player rentention will be good and they could end up topping the comp.
6. BOBS: will hold their own, but numbers will be their weakness, expecting them to fall off in the second half of the season as injuries affect their depth.
7. Old iggies. Face the same problems as their No 1 side.
Nicholson Cup
1. Knox. Did well in div 1 and have now dropped to div 3. Could blow away the comp, but colts talent varies year to year.
2 Beecroft: have made finals for the past few years in div 2 and div 3, see no reason it would change.
3/4 Savers/ harlequins: same kettle of fish with Shute shield clubs extras. Should do well but think they will struggle to win the comp playing away from their main club and lacking the odd stars that other clubs have that don't play shield colts.
5 iggies. Have had some good colts teams filter through wouldn't surprise if they make finals.
6. BOBs very average team last year, need recruitment but with colts every year is a new year.
7. Habour: clubs producing colts for the first time often struggle.
