Hankspank
Larry Dwyer (12)
Come on Thomas. You can’t be serious about the country refs making a level playing field
ISA 2023
- Thread starter JackJill
- Start date
Hankspank
Larry Dwyer (12)
Does that not apply to every game mate?
Sammicheals
Bob McCowan (2)
Pats V Greg’s: Pats 10+ I think Pats work rate up front and skills in the backs get the job done I’m sure it will be a physical contest
Auggies v Pius: Auggies 20+ Auggies coming off pretty even trial results but I feel they are the better team in this game and are one of the comp favourites.
Oakhill v Stannies: Oakhill 15+ will be to classy for this Stannies outfit I still think it will be tough for Oakhill against those country boys
Auggies v Pius: Auggies 20+ Auggies coming off pretty even trial results but I feel they are the better team in this game and are one of the comp favourites.
Oakhill v Stannies: Oakhill 15+ will be to classy for this Stannies outfit I still think it will be tough for Oakhill against those country boys
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scrumhead99
Sydney Middleton (9)
Personally I think the better team will be Oakhill, Stannies refs may try their best, but Oakhill will be too strong.
Geoff Webster
Frank Row (1)
Yeah thats a good point, I don't know why but I feel like Stannies might have an underdogs win coming on. Pretty unlikely but who knows!
JackJill
Sydney Middleton (9)
^
These were my pre-trial predictions for comparison.
Final post-trial pre-season predictions for ISA 2023
7) Pius - Has been playing weak teams in trial matches this year, they needed a matchup against a big school to kick them into gear. The first game against Auggies should give them a wake-up warning and will determine just how strong they are going up against a battle-hardened team. Have lost to Aloys to which Gregs decimated.
6) Kinross - Has had quite a successful trial run, beating TAS and Sydney Grammar by significant margins. They should be happy with their pre-season results and can see them beating Stannies and Gregs on their day.
5) Stannies - Pretty rough start to the season for the boys from Bathurst. Tough losses against Barker and Scots. Missing an X-factor player that can change a game for them. Still, a respected team, and no one will have an easy time beating them at home. Could place higher!
4) Pats - They just haven't seemed to piece together their team yet. The backs are phenomenal and need to be used more. The forward pack lacks size but has shown plenty of heart in games and has placed their bodies on the line in numerous games. They still need to place the pieces of the puzzle together though but once they are humming, don't count out Pats. The underdogs for me this year.
3) Gregs - WOW, what a trial season it has been this year for the Gregs boys. To think I had them placed 6th in my predicted ladder earlier on in the year. Their forward pack has been outstanding, with plenty of size and strength which has got them through tough games against Riverview 2nds and Trinity while also decimating a decent Aloys outfit. Very excited to see how they go this year.
2) Oakhill - The most well-rounded side in ISA this year, a very good forward pack accompanied by swift backs has allowed them to contest with some of the biggest schools in GPS and CAS this year. They can definitely beat Auggies on their day, but again, they need to play smart and to their advantages. Very slim difference between them and the 1 spot.
1) Auggies - Been very consistent throughout the trial season. Strong wins across the board and some very talented players all around the team this year have been a game changer for them. Have beaten an unusually strong Cranbrook side and tight games against Waverley. A dangerous side that has the necessary players to cause damage.
Very excited about what this season brings this year, and keen to know who lifts the ISA shield and reigns victorious. We are in for some cracker games!
DaSchmooze
Syd Malcolm (24)
Good write up JJ and hard to argue against. Gregs are definitely the joker in the pack this season and agree that their trial form needs to be respected. I suspect their game against Pats this year could well be one of the hardest for them both. It's going to be a great day out at Breen.
scrumhead99
Sydney Middleton (9)
I think it might be a schoolboy taking the piss
If true, this is very humiliating for Kinross.
Jack Gallagher
Allen Oxlade (6)
pius facing augustines at rat park...
scrumhead99
Sydney Middleton (9)
Auggies will be looking for a win after a run of losses. Auggies will just be better than pius.
scrumhead99
Sydney Middleton (9)
This may be true. Just saw it being reinforced on the GPS forums.
Choptackle
Allen Oxlade (6)
I think augs will be way too strong here for pius.
The Phantoms
Peter Burge (5)
Piss-taker detected, as KWS newsletter today indicates "..unique opportunity...two weeks prep going into our first competition game against Oakhill..."
Jack Gallagher
Allen Oxlade (6)
jeez
win rate cant be good there for pius
DaSchmooze
Syd Malcolm (24)
A bit of fun for your Friday morning before Round 1 commences. I present - The CASISA Cup (Part 1). A not-too-serious look at how the CAS/ISA matchups went so far. Part 2 will come out at the end of the season and include the association games
A few notes -
1) The top team(s) is/are the one(s) with the greatest points average (not total points). This accounts for not every team playing each other, or the same amount of inter association games. You are trying to keep you points average at 3
2) 3 for a win, 2 for the draw and 1 for a loss
3) This system disadvantages Pius as they played two 2nd XV teams (and are not included in this table)
4) This table also disadvantages those who had a harder trial season by playing more fancied teams. Pats and Oakhill come to mind whilst Gregs and Kinross appear to be the beneficiaries.
Good luck to all ISA teams this weekend. I hope you do you schools and yourselves proud.
A few notes -
1) The top team(s) is/are the one(s) with the greatest points average (not total points). This accounts for not every team playing each other, or the same amount of inter association games. You are trying to keep you points average at 3
2) 3 for a win, 2 for the draw and 1 for a loss
3) This system disadvantages Pius as they played two 2nd XV teams (and are not included in this table)
4) This table also disadvantages those who had a harder trial season by playing more fancied teams. Pats and Oakhill come to mind whilst Gregs and Kinross appear to be the beneficiaries.
| CASISA Cup (Part 1) | Played: | Won: | Lost: | Drew: | Total Points: | Points Average: |
| Barker | 3 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 3 | |
| Knox | 3 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 3 | |
| Cranbrook | 5 | 4 | 1 | 13 | 2.6 | |
| Gregs | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 2.3 | |
| Kinross | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 2.3 | |
| Waverley | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 2.3 | |
| Oakhill | 4 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 2 | |
| Pius | 3 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 1.6 | |
| Stannies | 3 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 1.6 | |
| Trinity | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 9 | 1.5 |
| Auggies | 4 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 1.5 | |
| Aloys | 5 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 1.4 | |
| Pats | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 1.4 |
Good luck to all ISA teams this weekend. I hope you do you schools and yourselves proud.
DaSchmooze
Syd Malcolm (24)
2023 ISA Season Predictions:
A telling pre-season from the ISA teams. I think this year's comp will be the hardest to predict in recent memory. See trial table below and thoughts:
Auggies:
For mine, Auggies will be this season's competition favourites (but not by much). Their trial form indicates that hey have enough competence in their forward pack to deliver sufficient ball to their backs who can easily win matches for them. if teams are going to do a number on them, they will have to grind them down and starve them of possession.
Prediction: Holding the cup at season's end
Gregs:
Sit up straight, do up your top bottom and listen up. Gregs are here this year! Equalling the most wins this year so far with Kinross, Gregs have shown enough ability to give EVERY team a fright. Have their trial opponents been the best on offer? Nope. Does that matter? Given Greg's recent history, I'd think not. Learning how to win is an important skill in it's own right and their form this year confirms that they are on a winning run.
Prediction: Top 3
Kinross:
Hasn;t it been great to see Kinross put some wins together this season? After the wretched run of form last year, Kinross must be really enjoying their form of late. Their big win against TAS must have really set the team for the coming weeks. It's a great thing to beat Kinross and an even greater thing to beat a STRONG Kinross outfit. Will they have what it takes to build upon the momentum they've created? Time will tell.
Prediction: Top 4
Oakhill:
If you want to be the best, then you have to play the best. Oakhill took a gamble this season by walking around the school rugby neighbourhood and picking fights with every bully they could find. I've got visions of Captain America Steve Rogers wearing a maroon and gold jumper getting belted senseless by a gang of Cerise and Blue, Blood red and Navy Blue wearing monsters yelling at them "I can do this all day!" The questions I have are these - Has this been a bigger mouthful than they can chew? Will the injury list mount up? Will their confidence be broken? I suspect not, but all teams will fancy themselves a chance now that the tenderiser was been taken to Castle Hill.
Prediction: A very vulnerable 2nd
Pats:
It would seem the trip to Japan has taken it's toll. Injuries are mounting up and Pats (limited) depth is being tested. This team has class but they need secure ball to exercise it. If they remember to be patient in attack and to have this patience match their defensive ability, they will do fine. If they start to panic, they may lose more than they will win. Ive watched them put some glorious passages of play together, only then to waste possession and have their foot taken off the accelerator.
Prediction: Heart - THEY"LL WIN EVERY GAME! Head - Top 4 will be a good result
Pius:
An up and down trial season from Chatswood, but the last two games against Barker and Waverley 2nds will do wonders for their confidence. From what Ive been told, the second game against Aloys was an opportunity gone begging so they'll be kicking themselves that they couldn't do the double. Pius are capable of anything on their day but I suspect their preseason wasn't as a rigorous a test as what they probably should have had. I'd say Auggies and Oaks will account for them easily enough, but they will be pest to every other team that takes them on. Ive said it before and I'll say it again - take Pius lightly at your own risk. You underestimate them? You pay
Prediction: 5th
Stannies:
They gave themselves a reasonable line up in the preseason and I think this is a good thing. Wins against Aloys and Grammar should signal god things to come from them. Stannies big ticket work on is winning away from Hogwarts. If they can jag a win or two over the mountains, they'll be putting pressure on the top 4 for sure. They didnt have the greatest of seasons last year and I dont know if their preseason has showed massive signs of improvement. They'll be always tough to beat but I dont see them doing anything above the top 4.
Prediction: Better than last year
A telling pre-season from the ISA teams. I think this year's comp will be the hardest to predict in recent memory. See trial table below and thoughts:
| Trial Season: | Record: | ||||||
| Auggies | W Eddies | W Cranbrook | W Joeys 2nds | L Knox | L Waverley | L Cranbrook | 3 wins, 3 losses |
| Gregs | W Joeys 3rds | W Joeys 3rds | L Riverview 2nds | W Trinity | W Aloys | L Waverley | 4 wins, 2 losses |
| Kinross | W TAS | W Grammar | L Cranbrook | W Trinity | W Aloys | 4 wins, 1 loss | |
| Oakhill | L Barker | L Shore | L Joeys | W Waverley | L Knox | W Trinity | 2 wins, 4 losses |
| Pats | W Trinity | D Trinity | L Cranbrook | L Barker | L Kings 3rds | L Knox | 1 win, 4 losses, 1 draw |
| Pius | W Aloys | D Scots 2nds | L Trinity | L Aloys | W Barker 2nds | W Waverley 2nds | 3 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw |
| Stannies | L Scots | W Aloys | W Grammar | L Cranbrook | L Barker | 2 wins, 3 losses |
Auggies:
For mine, Auggies will be this season's competition favourites (but not by much). Their trial form indicates that hey have enough competence in their forward pack to deliver sufficient ball to their backs who can easily win matches for them. if teams are going to do a number on them, they will have to grind them down and starve them of possession.
Prediction: Holding the cup at season's end
Gregs:
Sit up straight, do up your top bottom and listen up. Gregs are here this year! Equalling the most wins this year so far with Kinross, Gregs have shown enough ability to give EVERY team a fright. Have their trial opponents been the best on offer? Nope. Does that matter? Given Greg's recent history, I'd think not. Learning how to win is an important skill in it's own right and their form this year confirms that they are on a winning run.
Prediction: Top 3
Kinross:
Hasn;t it been great to see Kinross put some wins together this season? After the wretched run of form last year, Kinross must be really enjoying their form of late. Their big win against TAS must have really set the team for the coming weeks. It's a great thing to beat Kinross and an even greater thing to beat a STRONG Kinross outfit. Will they have what it takes to build upon the momentum they've created? Time will tell.
Prediction: Top 4
Oakhill:
If you want to be the best, then you have to play the best. Oakhill took a gamble this season by walking around the school rugby neighbourhood and picking fights with every bully they could find. I've got visions of Captain America Steve Rogers wearing a maroon and gold jumper getting belted senseless by a gang of Cerise and Blue, Blood red and Navy Blue wearing monsters yelling at them "I can do this all day!" The questions I have are these - Has this been a bigger mouthful than they can chew? Will the injury list mount up? Will their confidence be broken? I suspect not, but all teams will fancy themselves a chance now that the tenderiser was been taken to Castle Hill.
Prediction: A very vulnerable 2nd
Pats:
It would seem the trip to Japan has taken it's toll. Injuries are mounting up and Pats (limited) depth is being tested. This team has class but they need secure ball to exercise it. If they remember to be patient in attack and to have this patience match their defensive ability, they will do fine. If they start to panic, they may lose more than they will win. Ive watched them put some glorious passages of play together, only then to waste possession and have their foot taken off the accelerator.
Prediction: Heart - THEY"LL WIN EVERY GAME! Head - Top 4 will be a good result
Pius:
An up and down trial season from Chatswood, but the last two games against Barker and Waverley 2nds will do wonders for their confidence. From what Ive been told, the second game against Aloys was an opportunity gone begging so they'll be kicking themselves that they couldn't do the double. Pius are capable of anything on their day but I suspect their preseason wasn't as a rigorous a test as what they probably should have had. I'd say Auggies and Oaks will account for them easily enough, but they will be pest to every other team that takes them on. Ive said it before and I'll say it again - take Pius lightly at your own risk. You underestimate them? You pay
Prediction: 5th
Stannies:
They gave themselves a reasonable line up in the preseason and I think this is a good thing. Wins against Aloys and Grammar should signal god things to come from them. Stannies big ticket work on is winning away from Hogwarts. If they can jag a win or two over the mountains, they'll be putting pressure on the top 4 for sure. They didnt have the greatest of seasons last year and I dont know if their preseason has showed massive signs of improvement. They'll be always tough to beat but I dont see them doing anything above the top 4.
Prediction: Better than last year
JamesPapallo
Stan Wickham (3)
Awesome work on that really gives good insight on all ISA teams. Just a little critique for auggies I know for sure they beat Daramalan who weren't much chop, as well as beating trinity convincingly in the previous school holidays.
Regards,
Jp
DaSchmooze
Syd Malcolm (24)
Yeah right - during the school holidays yes? I only used games that were in school time as most schools were playing on the same day but thank for the heads up. I still think they're front runners coming into ISA though. You?