#SIRU2014 Round Sixteen Preview:
Ok, so this is the final competition round before the finals series kicks off at Conolly Park next weekend and there are still some important games here that will impact the final makeup of the 2014 finals series. Griffith v Albury is easily match of the round. Seru Rogo and Mick Raynes can talk this match down all they like, but ultimately the winner gets a second shake in week one of the finals – and neither of them can deny the importance of that!
Aside from the First Grade tussles, there are a number of really important games in the lower grades this weekend with a million possibilities in 3rd grade, Under 17’s has the potential to move significantly, as do the results in the Women’s division. I know I’ve harped on about it, but the 2014 competition has genuinely been very close across the entire competition which has been fantastic.
PREMIER DIVISION:
Ag College (6) v Waratahs (1)
It’s a tough ask for Aggies to go up against the competition front runners so late in the competition, but that is the task they face this week. Waratahs will be keen to work on those finer points of their game tomorrow as they prepare for the finals onslaught from Griffith, Albury and CSU over the coming weeks. I have heard good wraps on Jack Burey moving to #12 and he will need to be on his toes against a rampaging Turtle this weekend.
I would suggest that Hugh Palmer will be looking for his guys to stick to their structures this weekend and get through this game injury free. Ag College will not lie down and also have some key players who will exploit Waratahs if they are not alert for the full 80mins. Interestingly, this is the first time that Dave Armstrong and Tim Corcoran will play against their old club which should make for an interesting aside for this match. Look out for Peter Armstrong making his debut in Thirsty Thirds – will there be a cameo in First Grade?
Tumut (5) v CSU (4)
Two weeks ago, this match would have walked in as the Match of the Round, but such is the nature of the competition this year that this match is not at that level. The Bulls have slipped by the smallest of margins and CSU managed to grab a bonus point last week to seal a spot in the Premier Division finals for 2014.
Although the result will not influence the final positions, I would expect this match to be a hard fought affair, closely contested and come down to the wire. Both teams have been struck by injuries late in the season which has had an impact on their entire club but these teams will be keen to finish on a high.
Griffith (3) v Albury (2) – Match of the Round
These two teams are in for some tough footy over the coming weeks, with the winner this week getting a second bite at a Grand Final place. Griffith really appear to be “on the up” at this crucial stage of the competition but if I were coaching, I would be keeping an eye on the Steamers as well.
Griffith have plenty of attacking weapons across the park with the likes of Rawaqa, Vunibaka, Rogoyawa and others possessing good ball handling skills and an ability to play expansive rugby. What backs that up is their loose forwards ability to play wide and their tight five’s ability to support through the middle. It’s great to have the stars in the backline but you need the support players that can follow – and the Blacks have this which makes them dangerous.
The Steamers are probably playing a more conservative and structured style in comparison to the Blacks, however I believe this style suits their capabilities perfectly. They don’t have the luxury of a James Olds linking up with a Justin Wheatley this year and simply have to play to their strengths. From what I have seen, I would expect Albury to apply pressure through the set-piece and look to their lineout and mauling game within the attacking quarter to provide go-forward. If I was a gambling man, I would say that James Kora would be high on the 2014 try-scorers list and this is borne out of that set-piece pressure within the 22m zone.
Travel has to be taken into account for this match with the Steamers facing a 260km odd trip one way surely having an impact on the game. The Blacks would be pretty happy to be hosting the Steamers at the Coro Club this weekend as they travelled to fortress Murrayfield in Round 9 and went down 32-11. A lot has changed since Round 9 and both teams will be approaching this game with a different mindset, I’m tipping a great contest at the Coro Club, there’s plenty to play for this weekend for these teams!
FIRST DIVISION:
Deni v Leeton (11) – 2nd Grade Only
City (7) v Young (9)
If the Yabbies are any chance to play in the First Division Finals, they need to bag a win over the Boiled Lollies in this match (and Temora lose or draw with Cootamundra). These type of equations are always frought with danger for any club but the Yabbies just need to put their best foot forward and see what happens. They should be buoyed from their recent efforts against the Tuskers last weekend as they had plenty of chances to score points and just need to take that mindset into this match.
City have experienced a bit of a topsy turvey run in the First Division. After missing out on the Premier Division by one competition point, they have experienced a bit of a stop-start run after playing Deniliquin (at Deni mind you) in the first round of the split, they trounced Cootamundra, lost to Temora, trounced Leeton and now face a Yabbies outfit who are desperate to play in the finals. Anything can happen in these games but the ball is in City’s court and they just need to stick to their guns for this one.
Temora (8) v Coota (10)
The traditional local derby here with plenty to play for. While Cootamundra cannot make the finals, they would relish the chance to deny the Tuskers the opportunity to play finals footy. The Tuskers have the best chance to put themselves into the finals by beating the Tri-Colours and it’s as simple as that.
Temora played an expansive game against the Yabbies last week and would be keen to try the same tactics this weekend. Cootamundra’s ability to defuse this type of attacking structure will hinge on the availability of Alex Hardie and Bob Scott who really organise their attack and defence.
