Sydney Subbies 2024

[Pfitzy]

Knox get up 30-19 over Harlequins at Lofberg tonight, which effectively seals the Clark Cup finalists.

54 Merrylands
51 Irish
42 Oysters
39 Knox

Will the order change?

Merrylands are home to Quins on Saturday, with Knox at Lofberg in R14.
Irish are home to Oysters Saturday, then travel to McQuade. Epic bus trip incoming.
Oysters at Irish, then home to Barker.
Knox away to LCOIRFC then host the Wolves.

I reckon the order looks like it will stay about the same, with the Knox v Merrylands clash probably deciding if the latter stay in first.

 

[Pfitzy]

Div 3 Farrant Cup sees Merrylands, Irish, and Knox safe, with HVRU and Quins fighting it out for 4th

53 Irish
49 Merrylands
40 Knox
35 HVRU - Barker (A), Irish (H) - a win Saturday will see them pull clear
23 Quins - Merrylands (A), LCOIRFC (H) - need to beat Merrylands to have a chance.

 

[Pfitzy]

Div 3 Nicholson Cup finalists decided. Unlikely to change order at this point

59 Knox - LCOIRFC (A) should be a cracker! Chatswood (H) probably gives them the minor premiership
50 LCOIRFC - Knox (H), Wakehurst (A) probably banks them at least one win.
42 Eaysters - Brothers (A), Mac Uni (H) the easiest run in and a small chance at 2nd
35 HVRU - Mac Uni (A), Brothers (H) should see them north of 40

 

[parkfootyenthusiast2]

Div 3 Round 9 Thursday Make Up Game Preview:

Sydney Harlequins (5) at Knox (4): Finals footy up for grabs under lights on a Thursday night, a park footy fans dream. Do we see the Quinns who went toe to toe with heavyweight Harbour last week or the side that got done by Valley at home a month ago? They'll need the former to get over an in form Knox side at a ground they embrace as the worst in Subbies. Matchup to watch is Glover vs Beighton in the 12 channel, two hard hitting ball running centres, whoever wins that tussle will go a long way. Quinns will be wise to gameplan around stopping Knox #8 Filipo who has run amok since his promotion into the top grade (6 tries in 7 outings). I think the post work trip north might play a part, so I'll take Knox in a tight one. Knox by 8.

Knox by 11

Went out to Lofberg tonight, good game of footy. Game shifted when Glover shot out of the line to crease Beighton to extinguish a 3 man overlap, and it was the raging Filipo with another two tries to seal it.

I believe it was the Quinns with an upset win over Knox in the minor semis last year, so some sweet revenge for Knox in ending their finals hopes tonight.

Club championship very much in play for Knox, Irish and Merrylands with two weeks to go, not much else to play for as far as finals at concerned. Testament to the strength of Merrylands and Irish given they’re doing it without colts.

 

[TheBigArvo]

Div 3 Farrant Cup sees Merrylands, Irish, and Knox safe, with HVRU and Quins fighting it out for 4th

53 Irish
49 Merrylands
40 Knox
35 HVRU - Barker (A), Irish (H) - a win Saturday will see them pull clear
23 Quins - Merrylands (A), LCOIRFC (H) - need to beat Merrylands to have a chance.

Love your work Pfitzy but I think you will find this one is locked in as well. HVRU with a 12 point gap with 2 games to go…

 

[TheBigArvo]

Still blows my mind that there are a couple of clubs with multiple make up games to play coming into the 2nd last round. Oatley could blow a finals spot forfeiting there catch up games

 

[Eastcoast]

Div 1 Tips

Mosman - Blue Mountains. Mountains have been poor, however so have Mosman in the last few weeks. I expect a High scoring affair, with Blueys ideally bringing out their strongest team after a few weeks down on troops. Blueys by 8

HH - Waverley. HH were very good last week against Lindfield, managed the game well and even though behind for a small portion, never felt out of control. Waverley were good against Drummoyne, however have lacked some consistency this year. Lets see if they bring their A game to Boronia tomorrow. HH by 7

Drummoyne - Lindfield. Ive tipped Drummoyne so @sterlingmortlocksgloves can update me at 4.50 to tell how wrong I am. Close game last week for both these teams with a strong Lindfield set piece not enough to overcome the phase play and skill of HH. Drummoyne were in the game for a long way, but the wind played its part to get Waverley up late. Drummoyne at home by 2

Forest - Colleagues - Battle for the Spoon, but Im making it the MOTR. Both teams were mighty impressive last week and shows the strength of Div 1 to have all 8 teams competitive in Kentwell compared to other years. Forest with the home crowd will want to avoid the spoon so I feel a home crowd will 'will' them over the line. Colleagues showed the team they can be last week, but might not be able to back it up. Forest by 3

 

[Pfitzy]

Love your work Pfitzy but I think you will find this one is locked in as well. HVRU with a 12 point gap with 2 games to go…

*Facepalm*

Up past my bedtime

 

[21mm]

Death - Taxes & Eastcoast tipping against Old Soldier

 

[Crashy]

Apologies if this has already been picked up, but Penrith Emus coming back to Division 3 next year. Looks like they are doing a huge amount of work behind the scenes re setup. The local press seems to be supporting it as well. Hard to imagine Division 1 can't be in their sights. Great to see an old subbies club coming back and bolstering the lower divisions. ( like Hornsby this year).

penrithemus.com - Coaching

Position Vacant: Head Coach Penrith Rugby is seeking a Head Coach for the 2025 Season! Club History Founded in 1965, the Penrith Emus have a proud history of participation in Sub-District Rugby, the Shute Shield, and more recently Canberra’s John I Dent Cup. The Emus are focused on rebuilding

sites.google.com

 

[Pfitzy]

Penrith Emus coming back to Division 3 next year.

In prospect: "We aim to participate in the New South Wales Suburban Rugby Union 3rd Division. "

It probably is the best fit for them in the short term as far as recent history goes: 2 seniors + colts.

What that might do to Two Blues and local Subbies clubs remains to be seen.

 

[parkfootyenthusiast2]

In prospect: "We aim to participate in the New South Wales Suburban Rugby Union 3rd Division. "

It probably is the best fit for them in the short term as far as recent history goes: 2 seniors + colts.

What that might do to Two Blues and local Subbies clubs remains to be seen.

You'd figure Blueys would see the biggest impact, followed by Hawkesbury Valley and the Western Raptors, maybe a couple from Merrylands too. Will be interesting to watch it unfold.

 

[subbies specialist]

Kentwell seems to be wide open atm. Blueys, HH, Drummoyne, Lindfield and Waverley all look like they have the ability to beat each other on any given day.

Dunno what your on about eastcoast. Surely MOTR is a top 4 clash at the leafy drummoyne oval.

My tip is Old Soldier by 10. Sean Grace is back for Lindfield I'm told. After being out since early rounds.

 

[parkfootyenthusiast2]

More Div 3 Dribble - Round 13 Predictions:

With the top 4 (and both major and minor semi-finals) essentially squared away, will be see some teams rest players or start rolling benches out earlier to test some emergency combinations?

Sydney Harlequins (5) at Merrylands (1): With the Quinns fresh off a contention ending loss last night having to travel out to Holroyd on one and a half days rest will be the last thing on their wishlist. A rested and finals focused Merrylands will be looking for a clinical, polished performance and I see them getting it. Dion Amosa, Miti Malo and Dan Lelevaga the trio to watch here, all have been top tier all year. Merrylands by 20.

Sydney Harbour (3) at Sydney Irish (2): Game of the round this week, not a lot to play for given the table but this will serve as a great litmus test for both teams. The technically brilliant Irish vs the high-flying Harbour, styles make fights, and Irish were far too good last time out against Harbour on the road. For that reason, I'll take Irish at home, though I think Harbour will like the springiness of the astro. Irish by 8.

Knox (4) at Lane Cove Old Ignations (7): A real trap game on paper for Knox. LCOI have found form recently, going down to Harbour by 3 and Valley by 2, whilst Knox has been flying high, but are coming off a Thursday nighter, short players and not a whole lot to play for this week.. plus LCOI make their triumphant return to from all accounts a very well fenced Tantallon. I'll play safe here but dont be surprised if this goes the other way. Knox by 7.

Hawkesbury Valley (6) at Old Barker (8): A bit of a nothing affair on paper, but Barker will have a bit more to play for trying to avoid the spoon and peacocking a little bit for the more diversified Ladies Day crowd, so I'll pick against the grain for them to get the job done at home. Barker by 5.

Yours in the grounds feeling like concrete at the moment,
PFE

 

[Eastcoast]

Kentwell seems to be wide open atm. Blueys, HH, Drummoyne, Lindfield and Waverley all look like they have the ability to beat each other on any given day.

Dunno what your on about eastcoast. Surely MOTR is a top 4 clash at the leafy drummoyne oval.

My tip is Old Soldier by 10. Sean Grace is back for Lindfield I'm told. After being out since early rounds.

Just looking to generate some debate. Lindfield had a good set piece and were quite convincing against Drummoyne earlier in the year. I just see Forest and Colleagues as a good match up.

 

[Pfitzy]

Div 4 predictions.

Chatswood (5) v Wakehurst (4) - interesting clash. Wakehurst looking to keep their season alive with the prospect of Hornsby in R14. Chatswood can help nail down a finals spot here with a good win. Going away side by a struck match.

Renegades (3) v Raptors (1) - we're down a couple of front rows again with a few other injuries, so the coaches have told me to stand by; that's how desperate we are until a few of them come back next week. Raptors have a tight unit and will want to dominate.

Kings (8) v Redfield (7) - bragging rights for the schools on the line. Redfield got up big time out at Dural and have forfeited 2nd Grade. I think they'll still have enough for Kings.

Hornsby (2) v Canterbury (6) - after a tough week against Raptors with low numbers, I think the Lions will have too much class for the Berries.

 

[subbies specialist]

Just looking to generate some debate. Lindfield had a good set piece and were quite convincing against Drummoyne earlier in the year. I just see Forest and Colleagues as a good match up.

All in good humour my friend. In any event it's great to see div 1 being so competitive.

Good luck to all teams playing tommorow. At least we will be bathed in sunshine. And hopefully less wind then last week

 

[Champagne Rugby]

Big week in Div 2 with every game having finals implications. Bonus points are very important this round with the draw so tight so expecting teams to turn down shots at goal and fight to the last minute for the bonus point.

Beecroft v Briars: Briars have a chance to cement their spot in the finals this week and finish a clear 2nd. They have been good this year and look one of the main threats to Newport. Beecroft has looked good for periods in nearly every game this year, consistency has been there enemy as seen last time the teams versed versed when it was 0-3 at half time before Briars ran away with it. Expecting the desperation of needing the win and home ground advantage to be the difference. Beecroft by 3.

Hills v Petersham: Like most clubs hills need wins in the next two games or they could be watching from the sidelines at finals time. Petersham on the other hand are the only team that cant make the finals, however their 2nd grade could. The teams drew last time but Petersham' s priorities may have shifted now with the team to focus on 2nd grade. Hills to win by 10.

UNSW v Pats: UNSW lose and they are definitely out, win and they might make finals. Pats lose and they are probably out, but could still make it. UNSW shook the competition with their win against the undefeated Newport if they can continue that form they win tomorrow. Conversely Pat's are losing form at the wrong time. Expecting the big UNSW team and good set piece to set the foundations for a UNSW win. UNSW by 15

 

[The Ghost of Bernie]

In prospect: "We aim to participate in the New South Wales Suburban Rugby Union 3rd Division. "

It probably is the best fit for them in the short term as far as recent history goes: 2 seniors + colts.

What that might do to Two Blues and local Subbies clubs remains to be seen.

Also brings thoughts if Subbies wants to keep 8 teams per division (1-4), if Emu's have the numbers for 2 seniors + Colts who goes down in Division 3?
Barker-with no Colts and last in Club Championship
LCOI-only one win in Seniors but Colts currently P2 on the table.
Quins- competitive in both Seniors but no Colts.
Would then also have an affect on Division 4, would require one side to drop to Division 5-Redfield plenty of 2nd grade forfeits this year. Kings?
Conversely could any side/s from Division 3 move up to Division 2 if Epping were to come down to to Division 3 for a rebuilding year or two?
As pointed out by Parkfootyenthusiast2 both Merrylands and Sydney Irish would give some Div 2 sides a shake but only Sydney Irish appear to have numbers anywhere near close enough (5 x Haligans games) but could be difficult given the transient nature of their player pool.
Just spitballing really. Also doesn't take into account teams from Divs 4 and 5 wanting to move up.

 

[Pfitzy]

There's certainly a lot to consider in terms of divisional makeup.

Division 1 will be ok by the looks, regardless of whether there is any promotion or relegation.

Division 2 look like losing 2 teams in Epping and Beecroft. So that's a point to resolve.

Everything else starts to pivot on that, really.