Intriguing round ahead. Obviously disappointing seasons from the perspective of TSS and Churchie; however, this week they both have the opportunity to seriously dent the hopes of both BGS and GT - the two teams realistically vying for the premiership.
I'll be at Northgate to witness the match between BGS and Southport, and I must say that the TSS boys have little to lose. With such a strong team on paper, they will be looking to avenge some tough losses throughout the season. Grammar on the other hand have everything to lose. A loss would all but seal a premiership to Terrace, while a win would place them in a good position for the final showdown in the last round.
In the past two years I think I have watched Fleming top score for BGS against his old school, so it is safe to say he gets up for these games. While I am not aware of how he is recovering from his arm injury, it can be assumed that he will be a target for the TSS boys - like they say, take out the captain, take out the team.
I still strongly believe that TSS have the best batting team in the competition, with some dangerous bowlers also. So surely they will click sometime in the season. Hopefully for their sake it can be this weekend.
Similarly is the case with Gregory Terrace where captain Sam Wilson is the inspirational backbone of their team. Unfortunately for TSS, he scored 100 against them, where they really needed it. If Churchie can get him cheaply, a win to Churchie is no way out of the equation.
Unfortunately it doesn't look like I'll be there with you, but I'm certainly quite excited at the prospect of this game. This is grammar's last chance to truly click as a side before facing heavyweights GT in what will hopefully be a Grand Final.
It seems to me that Grammar has limped from game to game, not ever looking truly convincing. Outside of the nets BGS' top order is brittle. Even with the grade experience of Fleming and Renshaw, Yule, Whip, and Jain, under pressure the boys have cracked time and time again, leaving it up to tail enders to close out games (in reference to Fergus Halliday, Paddy Dooley, and Sam Hele's heroics week in, week out). Even with the odd double bonus point win against admittedly sub-par opposition the team never really looked like a championship side like in years past i.e. BGS 2012 with Greene, Starr-Thomas, Hill etc
Kendel Fleming's injury is still affecting him. He got out for a score <10 on the weekend, demonstrating again that he is not yet ready to return to competition. Short balls attacking his injured wrist are still proving to be a major problem, even with considerable training being done privately to work on any shortcomings. The standout batsmen to replace him would have to be in-form year 11 star Nyoah Rosmarin, but I believe it's now too late to remove Fleming from the side. Hopefully he can pick up some confidence against a very solid bowling side in TSS, the time has come for him to stand up, and lead the team from the front. A player of his immense skill level should be able to snap out of a slump when the situation requires it.
The loss of unheralded middle-late order workhorse Liam O'Brien to Australian Olympic Athletic commitments (throwing a junior world record 75.00 metre Javelin throw in his absence in Round 5, thus qualifying for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016) is definitely a bigger impact than people may understand. In innings against TGS, NC, and BSHS O'Brien stepped up to make a big contribution to the side. I don't know if his replacement Aravinda Perera has the batting skill to stand up as an all-rounder replacement.
If grammar pull through with a win against the boys from the coast, they should be pleased with a very successful season. That being said, I don't think anybody in their right mind could back against GT in round 9.
GT has dominated BGS in T20 trials, one dayers, even on facebook smack talking events, and I just don't think Grammar can upset them. Barring a serious choke, Gregory Terrace has a superior side, and should dispatch BGS relatively easily. One of the best First XI teams that have ever come through the GPS in my time involved in the competition.