Actually agree with both Div 1 and Div 2 comps this year.. Only potential exception may have been St Pats to stay up and Forest down to play in derby v Newport
McCormack will be doing his best to make sure that Subbies is on the rise, so watching him to see what changes he makes.
Challenge now is promoting these to make them well followed competitions and something that local communities will get behind. Making a bit of noise would go a long way to getting crowds back to community rugby now that the Professional scene is loosely followed.
Div 2 predictions for Club Champs
1. St Pats - Will be coming down with a point to prove and seeing them in Div 2 a few years ago when COVID disrupted everything, their 1s were classy and if they have retained their 9/10 combo, will be a epic battle of game management against the up and coming Allen brothers from Newport. Interesting to see how many of their Colts go up.
Odds: $2.01
2. Newport - Newport will always be competitive in the top grade, but could miss out on some key positions (tight 5). Newport have numbers returning and speaking with one of their ex-organisers, they will have 4 grades + colts down at the beaches. Not only Europe Trippers returning but a few ex-1s and 2s filling in lower grades now they have kids old enough to bring along to the games.
Odds: $8
3. Petersham - They have been very vocal around Subbies and expect a few solid imports in top grades. Would be great to see them in their fixture against Pats to see who is going to be the bigger dog out of these two.
Odds: $8.50
4. UNSW - Always strong! But have fallen over at the last hurdle a few times. If they can get some new recruits in 1s and 2s then they will take some stopping come finals time.
Odds: $11
5. Hills - you can't write of the Hills club as they have a great catchment area for recruiting a whole new wave every year. Their top grade has been competitive and 3s and 4s if they can string them together are always class. If they can have some consistency with home games and try to knock off some bigger clubs in 1s throughout the year, can be right in this.
Odds: $21
6. Briars - Something has been brewing here. Having a competitive year at Briars last year in 1s is going to drive the whole club forward and if they can spark a partnership with the Pirates then I'd say they could finish much higher. Question will be in lower grades and colties to see if the 2023 momentum is a one off or if they are in Div 2 to stay.
Odds: $35
7/8. Epping/Beecroft - Can't split these two. Beecroft had a very strong colts in 2022 when they played in the big Div 2 and hopefully we see these guys in high grades in 2024. There is an uncertainty around Beecroft where you just don't know how they will go after a few early losses. They might just fizzle out. Epping has been exciting and have pushed hard to remain a Div 2 club. Colts? If they have numbers here then maybe, just maybe, they could push up this ladder.
Odd: $50
Most interesting topic in Div for me is going to be the player cam across all grades. My favourites to watch out for in 1s;
- St Pats - 9/10
- Newport - 9/10
- Petersham - Back 3
- UNSW - Flying 15 from 2022 if he returns. I heard he was from Southern Districts originally so unsure if he is going to be in their lineup.
- Hills - GIANT number 12 and their 7 is always dominant
- Briars - Big Prop and I believe captain is a cult hero at the club and expect him to show up with the big challenge facing them in 2024
- Epping - Hustling second rower was super impressive last year and took home POY with I think the 7?
- Beecroft - Hard number 12 who troubled this division a few years ago