BLK Sydney AFL Premier Division action returns this week as we potentially have another wet weekend in store. The good news is that conditions this weekend will not be as bad as our Round 9 ‘Stormageddon’ so while we may be in for a wet weekend of football hopefully the coaches will not have to manage their teams in conditions more suited to rowing regatta.
This weekend one of the matches of the round will be the 2015 Grand Final replay as the East Coast take on reigning Premiers Pennant Hills at Kanebridge Oval. The Eagles currently sit on top of the ladder after 9 rounds and have really looked like the team to beat this year with guns Jack Dimery and Andrew McConnell dominating this year so far. Pennant Hills can never be written off despite some poor patches at times this year. The Demons enter Round 10 sitting in 6th place with a 4-4 record. It’s been an interesting season for Penno who have lost key players at important time such as key defender Daniel Preen to NEAFL call-ups. On paper you would suggest the Eagles should win by about 3 to 4 goals however as we all learned last year we should never underestimate the Demons resolve. Prediction: East Coast Eagles by 20
The North Shore Bombers and Western Suburbs Magpies are gearing up for a big match at Picken Oval on Saturday afternoon. Both teams will be desperate for a win in this vital clash. The North Shore Bombers will be desperate to score a win after losing their last three matches as they verse the only team yet to register a win this season as yet. The Magpies have been unlucky this year and have defiantly deserved a win. For them it’s a case of being able to get all their stars on the field and playing four solid quarters of football. Their best chance to get off the mark was back on ANZAC Day when they really pushed the then high flying Pennant Hills down to the wire but lapses in concentration and intensity have cost them. Be sure the Magpies will bring their A game this weekend as they try to cause an upset over the 4th place Bombers. North Shore will be looking to James Loneragan to lead the way as he has been impressive so far this year. It will also be interesting to see if youngster Jack Prato will be able to hold his place in the Bombers side. Prato has been in and out of the Premier Division side this year and will be looking to cement his place in the back pocket. Prato is a rising AFL Sydney talent and could be a key to the Bombers defensive line in the run into finals. Prediction: North Shore Bombers by 10
Manly Warringah will be looking to consolidate their place in the top five as they take on this year’s surprise package UTS Bats. Many wrote off the Bats at the beginning of the year with some local footy commentators predicting they would be in the hunt to just scrape into the finals series however at this point of the competition they have shown us they potentially have the list and the mentality to mix it with the competitions best. Coach Nic Fosdick added to the Bats depth last Round being a surprising late in to debut for UTS. While coach Fosdike has dropped himself this week the Bats look strong with the rise of a talented youngster Jai Lyons. Earlier in the season Jai was running water for the Premier Division side but has shown incredible resolve to push his way into the best 22 winning the Round 9 Rising Star nomination with a best on ground performance. However they will be in for a challenge with the red hot Manly Warringah Giants looking to continue their 4 match winning streak as they storm back into contention. The Giants started the year slowly but have been on fire of late. The brothers Levi Brain and James brain have been great in the last few weeks and have been a big reason for the resurgence of their side. Prediction: UTS Bats by 5
The St George Dragons will be hoping to stay in touch with the first place Eagles as they do battle with the UNSW/ES Bulldogs on Olds Park. The Dragons have impressed us all this year as they sit pretty in 2nd place. Many AFL Sydney seasoned observers will agree it’s hard to split the top two teams at this point of the year. The dragons have flown under many peoples radars to assemble what could very well be the Premiership outfit for the 2016 Premier division competition. Karl Merson will again be a key in the midfield for the Dragons along with Blake Guthrie. They are versing the improving UNSW/ES Bulldogs who have won 2 out of their last 3. However Bulldogs will be without Harry Annear which will definitely hurt their run and carry. Prediction: St George Dragons by 70
Author wishes to remain anonymous (and hopefully dry this weekend)
Last Modified on 17/06/2016 16:43
