Penrith Rams again hit the road for round 13 with the senior teams heading to Bensons Lane to take on Nor-West Jets whilst the Under 18's are looking for a repeat of their win over Western Suburbs Magpies earlier in the season whe they travel to Picken Oval.
First Grade are looking to stay on top of the ladder and retain the Riff-RAAF Cup against the Jets in what is expected to be a physical encounter against the traditional foes.
Match Preview
The final third of the Sydney AFL season run to the finals commences on the weekend with Penrith hitting the road and looking for a perfect Saturday.
The Under 18's head to Picken Oval at Croydon Park to take on Western Suburbs with both sides looking for their fourth win of the season. Penrith took the honours in a hard fought battle in their previous clash in round 9 at Dukes Oval, coming from behind to score a convincing 36 point win in a tough encounter. However, they have been inconsistent since that match, putting in some strong performances some weeks and not so pretty ones on other occassions. Last week they took it to finals aspirants, Pennant Hills in a close game but previously were no match for Illawarra at North Dalton Park. The return of key players this week should ensure that the side should go close to getting back on the winners list. The Magpies have been in good form of late with a big win over Uni NSW/ES two weeks ago followed by a loss by less than a kick last week against Riverview and will be primed for this return match.
Rams Reserves kick off a big day at Bensons Lane, Richmond when they take on Nor-West Jets. Kevin Tate's charges are looking for their eighth win on the trot when they clash with the second last places side but it will be no easy task as the Jets lift a multitude of notches when the play the local derby. They were embarrassed by ladder leaders, Mac Uni, last week by 80 points but were severely undermanned and are expected to be at full strength this week. In their two previous matches they fell just short against Uni NSW/ES after thumping the third placed UTS Bats in their last Bensons Lane game. Penrith recorded a hard fought 38 point win against the Jets in round 9 in June but had to fight hard in the first half which saw the Jets on level terms before Penrith ran away in the second half of the game. The finals hopes has ended for the Jets but their pride will ensure a tough encounter.
First Grade take to Bensons in the 2:10 main event with Penrith looking to retain the Riff-RAAF Cup. Nor-West certainly wont forget their humiliating defeat by the Rams at Dukes Oval in round 9 where Penrith handed them their worst loss of the season, winning by almost a hundred and only allowing them their first goal of the game in the dying minutes due to a rare Woody indiscretion. The following week, Nor-West went within a point of upsetting then competition leaders, Balmain and followed that formline with strong wins over St George and Camden. Last week however, tehy fell short against fifth placed Auburn in a match that put a serious dent in their finals hopes, leaving them in sixth spot.
The Jets have always been content in flying "under the radar" but a loss on the weekend could see their finals hopes crash and burn into the Kurrajong Hills. On the other hand, Penrith have impressed in their last three matches since the big loss to Holroyd-Parramatta. Last week they were never out of low gear in accounting for cellar dwellers, Camden at Greygums but the trip to Bensons Lane has always proved a tough challenge, especially if the big Bensons wind gets up.
A win would see the Rams retain top spot on the ladder but a loss may see them slide to third spot and just two wins ahead of sixth spot so it is certainly a crucial match.
First Grade V Nor-West Jets 2:10 PM Bensons Lane
Players to be at ground by 1:00 PM - White Shorts
Nathan Allison |
Josh Anasis |
Josh Hall |
Dale Chivas (vc) |
Tom Hall |
Lachlan Smith |
Brad Redfern |
Christian Triffitt |
Tim Cummins |
Mitch Reinhard |
James Denton |
Ben Robinson |
Bryce Roney |
Daniel Schroot |
Adam Sharp |
John Keane |
Blake Roberts |
Jake Shelley |
Harley Stibbard |
Luke O'Connor |
Mark Woodford |
Jake Clark |
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Reserve Grade V Nor-West Jets 12:00 PM Bensons Lane
Players to be at ground by 11:00 AM - Teal Short
Cameron Butler |
Gordon Howell |
Brad Pathuis |
Nic Collimore |
Aaron Goodwin |
Steve Hull |
Nathan Gatt |
Matt Lewis |
Jason Bradley |
Matt O'Connor |
Chris Manuel |
Mark Jackson |
Jason Jackson |
Alex Henry |
Adam West |
Jake Sultana |
Nathan Rowley |
Seltene Yohannes |
Alan Prowse |
Christian Knight |
Nathan White (c) |
Stuart Ayres |
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Under 18's V Western Suburbs Magpies 10:00 AM Picken Oval
Players to be at ground by 9:00 AM - White Shorts
Ben Priest |
Ben Mayer |
Ben McGovern |
Liam Murphy (c) |
Harrison Doyle |
Brayden Wilson |
David Looyschelder |
Greg Major |
George Paneras |
Luke Simmons |
Billy Nicholson |
Josh Jenner |
James Devlin |
Chris Nolan |
Will Taylor |
Jackson Swarbrick |
Tim Cullen |
Hayden Strong |
Nathan Walker |
Joe Hunt |
Rick Ooms |
Jack Ponton |
Emergency: Aaron McGee
Last Modified on 25/07/2011 21:25