I'm not really a Grammar diehard and I don't think we really have many of those from reading the forum, but I based my earlier call on the fact that both Senior A and Senior B are doing quite well in a pool with some of the traditionally strongest opponents, and both teams are very strong, despite repeated criticism from G&G.Here are my Senior A Predictions:
Side 1
Octo 1: Aloys v PLC
Octo 2: Knox v Cranbrook
Octo 3: Joeys v Queenwood
Octo 4: Riverview v St Andrews Side 2
Octo 5: Grammar v Monte
Octo 6: Shore v Kincoppal - Controversial l'm sure
Octo 7: Scots v Ravo
Octo 8: Barker v SCEGS QF 1: Aloys v Knox
A marginal pick - bit of a tossup
QF 2: Riverview v Joeys
Historically Joey's do not do well against Riverview teams (2022 being an exception). Joey's are not as strong as last year so I'd have to say View even though its undoubtedly a controversial call. QF 3: Grammar v Kincoppal
QF 4: Scots v Barker
Both teams have a NSW speaker but I think the rest of Barker's bench is stronger SF1: Riverview v Aloys
Can't call it. I'd think this would be pretty even - though Riverview has won all but one Fr Charles in the last 5 years. SF2: Barker v Grammar
I think Barker will knock out Grammar here (it happened in 2018) Barker have a state speaker and as much as all the Grammar diehards on here want to disagree, I just really don't think they're that good this year.
So I'm thinking Riverview or Aloys and Barker in the GF.
As much as the adj pool hasn't been ideal this season - for reasons I think are pretty understandable (the uni scene is slowly recovering, but I don't think it'll be a problem next year) - there are only 12 adjs needed for each octo week and the quarters, 18 for the semis, and 9 for the GF. I've seen some great adjs around this season so I think adj quality won't be a concern for the finals.
Topic selection should deal with a good chunk of the topic-setting criticism - I'm starting to think it should be used for in rounds, at least in Senior A/B.
Also we had Barker Vs Grammar in 2021, in which Grammar came out on top, so although I'm not saying that Grammar is the only good school or that they are guaranteed to win, IMO due to their tradition and great pool of coaches they are usually the safest bet.