yourmatesam
Desmond Connor (43)
#SIRU2017 Round Fourteen Preview:
It’s the final countdown…… <insert 80’s synth guitar riff, complete with Oakley Frogskins, permed mullet and fluro headband here>
This week’s MOTR has been picked solely based on finals makeup. The Leeton v City game is shaping to be a cracker of a game and should give us a strong insight into how the finals might look, but Tumut v Ag just has too much bearing on the final ladder positions to be ignored.
Plenty of options across the board this weekend and each game has a number of nuances to them, some with more impact than others but each game definitely has a level of intrigue this weekend.
CSU (7) v Griffith (8)
To the naked eye, this game might look like a dead rubber, but these clubs have a strong history with each other and will make a good showing in this game. Griffith are only coming to Wagga with one grade which is a shame, but I’m confident that they’ll be keen as mustard to bag their only win for the season and likely even consider themselves a strong chance of knocking Reddies off.
Reddies are playing some decent footy at the moment, plenty of passion for each other and in my view, if they were able to muster some tall timber they have the makings of a handy footy team. Pace isn’t an issue for them, fitness might be and depth is hurting them, but their 1st XV are decent enough at the moment. They have a strong leader in Mitch Fealy, a handy 5/8 and a team that know their way around the park. It was good to see Dean Smart running round for them last weekend, hopefully he gets past a knee complaint to play out the season this weekend.
Waratahs (2) v Albury (5)
The Steamers will be out to pants Waratahs in this one I reckon, I get a feeling that Albury are gaining confidence towards the later stages of the competition and that Waratahs are looking vulnerable. There’s no doubt that Waratahs have got heaps of depth and all that jazz, but the Steamers look like they are building a pretty tight group of 25 or so players who are enjoying their time on the paddock and in my experience, that camaraderie can do amazing things.
Waratahs just haven’t looked settled over the past few weeks and I reckon Coach MacLeod would surely be frustrated by this. They’ve got plenty of talent in that group and will likely pull together over the coming weeks but they just appear a little off the boil from what I’ve seen. Hopefully they can string some consistency together and remain level-headed during the finals.
Key question – Can the Steamers bag a Bonus Point in this game? Are they capable of scoring four tries? Can they lose by 7 or less? Are they capable of both?
Leeton (1) v City (3)
Any other week, this match is a MOTR, 1 v 3 and a preview of what the Grand Final could look like on 26th August. If I was Wagga City, I’m not sure how I would approach this game to be honest. Do you run with the mentality that this is a GF preview (potentially even the location) and prepare for it like it’s your last game? Or do you consider this is a taster for what’s to come, an opportunity to assess your opposition, maybe even fox them a bit, tease out some weaknesses to exploit later in the season? I see value and risk in both strategies. Either way, the spotlight will be on this game, particularly in regards to how each team plays the game, maybe not so focused on the result?
From the Phantoms point of view, they know what they’re up to next weekend but they’ll be keen for a competitive game I reckon. They haven’t been tested in recent weeks and having a week off next week is probably not going to do them any favours in preparing for the finals. This game is a great opportunity to test themselves and really let loose, or they can look at this game as a chance to work on a few combinations and put the finishing touches on a pretty impressive season.
Key question – Can the Boiled Lollies bag a bonus point here? They can definitely score points and tries will be important to them tomorrow, conditions are set to be fantastic for tomorrow and should present them with a great chance to score tries.
Tumut (4) v Ag College (6) – Match of the Round
This match just edges the Leeton v City blockbuster for MOTR as there are a number of outcomes that this game can influence. A win to Aggies could see Albury drop out of the finals series. A win to Tumut could see them leapfrog City into 3rd place. Plenty to play for fo’ sho’.
Another “Do or Die” game for Aggies here this week and potentially their last game of the season, no doubt they’re keen for a win. Desperate even? Tumut won convincingly back in Round 7 when these teams last met but Aggies will be hell-bent on reversing that result this weekend. Aggies have welcomed a number of players back to 1st Grade but are probably still yet to be at full strength. The Bulls are in a similar boat, still playing without the classy Jo Glamuzina at fullback, I guess they’re keeping him in cotton wool for the finals?
The Bulls have the edge in the tight five here without a doubt, bigger bodies and more experienced players but Aggies can counter that with enthusiasm and fitness from 1-15. Joe Ioane has been very difficult to stop this season and not just from close range either, I’m glad I don’t have to try to stop him moving! His opposite number this week though is the rampaging Duncan Woods who will probably inject himself a little wider than Joe but is just as hard to stop. Another match up in the forwards that is worth keeping an eye on is Ben Brooke vs Menzies Seumanutafa – two keen ball runners and while I’m at it, keep an eye out for Tom Macleay vs Will Reynolds. I notice on the SIRU website that Dan Dowson isn’t named? Anyone got mail on that? I’m looking at you Jock Mason and OldBull.
I’m keen to see how Harrison Friswell and Cam Duffy go at 5/8 this weekend. Two young footballers still learning a bit about their trade, Harrison seems to have settled into the role at Tumut as has Cam Duffy at Aggies, how will they lead their teams around the park this weekend? I also noticed that the evergreen Brad Gorman has been named to start on the sting for the Bulls, Gormo must have been blitzing them in hill sprints for this promotion? J On a serious note, Coen Potter & Hamish Pennington will both want to have their laser eyes in for goal kicking responsibilities, I think their accuracy in kicking (both goal kicking and general play) could be important tomorrow.
The weather is tipped to be deadest fantastic in the hills tomorrow and on a refurbished, fast track should provide the perfect platform for a great contest. Neither team will want to leave anything in the tank and I’m keen to see how they both end up after this match.
It’s the final countdown…… <insert 80’s synth guitar riff, complete with Oakley Frogskins, permed mullet and fluro headband here>
This week’s MOTR has been picked solely based on finals makeup. The Leeton v City game is shaping to be a cracker of a game and should give us a strong insight into how the finals might look, but Tumut v Ag just has too much bearing on the final ladder positions to be ignored.
Plenty of options across the board this weekend and each game has a number of nuances to them, some with more impact than others but each game definitely has a level of intrigue this weekend.
CSU (7) v Griffith (8)
To the naked eye, this game might look like a dead rubber, but these clubs have a strong history with each other and will make a good showing in this game. Griffith are only coming to Wagga with one grade which is a shame, but I’m confident that they’ll be keen as mustard to bag their only win for the season and likely even consider themselves a strong chance of knocking Reddies off.
Reddies are playing some decent footy at the moment, plenty of passion for each other and in my view, if they were able to muster some tall timber they have the makings of a handy footy team. Pace isn’t an issue for them, fitness might be and depth is hurting them, but their 1st XV are decent enough at the moment. They have a strong leader in Mitch Fealy, a handy 5/8 and a team that know their way around the park. It was good to see Dean Smart running round for them last weekend, hopefully he gets past a knee complaint to play out the season this weekend.
Waratahs (2) v Albury (5)
The Steamers will be out to pants Waratahs in this one I reckon, I get a feeling that Albury are gaining confidence towards the later stages of the competition and that Waratahs are looking vulnerable. There’s no doubt that Waratahs have got heaps of depth and all that jazz, but the Steamers look like they are building a pretty tight group of 25 or so players who are enjoying their time on the paddock and in my experience, that camaraderie can do amazing things.
Waratahs just haven’t looked settled over the past few weeks and I reckon Coach MacLeod would surely be frustrated by this. They’ve got plenty of talent in that group and will likely pull together over the coming weeks but they just appear a little off the boil from what I’ve seen. Hopefully they can string some consistency together and remain level-headed during the finals.
Key question – Can the Steamers bag a Bonus Point in this game? Are they capable of scoring four tries? Can they lose by 7 or less? Are they capable of both?
Leeton (1) v City (3)
Any other week, this match is a MOTR, 1 v 3 and a preview of what the Grand Final could look like on 26th August. If I was Wagga City, I’m not sure how I would approach this game to be honest. Do you run with the mentality that this is a GF preview (potentially even the location) and prepare for it like it’s your last game? Or do you consider this is a taster for what’s to come, an opportunity to assess your opposition, maybe even fox them a bit, tease out some weaknesses to exploit later in the season? I see value and risk in both strategies. Either way, the spotlight will be on this game, particularly in regards to how each team plays the game, maybe not so focused on the result?
From the Phantoms point of view, they know what they’re up to next weekend but they’ll be keen for a competitive game I reckon. They haven’t been tested in recent weeks and having a week off next week is probably not going to do them any favours in preparing for the finals. This game is a great opportunity to test themselves and really let loose, or they can look at this game as a chance to work on a few combinations and put the finishing touches on a pretty impressive season.
Key question – Can the Boiled Lollies bag a bonus point here? They can definitely score points and tries will be important to them tomorrow, conditions are set to be fantastic for tomorrow and should present them with a great chance to score tries.
Tumut (4) v Ag College (6) – Match of the Round
This match just edges the Leeton v City blockbuster for MOTR as there are a number of outcomes that this game can influence. A win to Aggies could see Albury drop out of the finals series. A win to Tumut could see them leapfrog City into 3rd place. Plenty to play for fo’ sho’.
Another “Do or Die” game for Aggies here this week and potentially their last game of the season, no doubt they’re keen for a win. Desperate even? Tumut won convincingly back in Round 7 when these teams last met but Aggies will be hell-bent on reversing that result this weekend. Aggies have welcomed a number of players back to 1st Grade but are probably still yet to be at full strength. The Bulls are in a similar boat, still playing without the classy Jo Glamuzina at fullback, I guess they’re keeping him in cotton wool for the finals?
The Bulls have the edge in the tight five here without a doubt, bigger bodies and more experienced players but Aggies can counter that with enthusiasm and fitness from 1-15. Joe Ioane has been very difficult to stop this season and not just from close range either, I’m glad I don’t have to try to stop him moving! His opposite number this week though is the rampaging Duncan Woods who will probably inject himself a little wider than Joe but is just as hard to stop. Another match up in the forwards that is worth keeping an eye on is Ben Brooke vs Menzies Seumanutafa – two keen ball runners and while I’m at it, keep an eye out for Tom Macleay vs Will Reynolds. I notice on the SIRU website that Dan Dowson isn’t named? Anyone got mail on that? I’m looking at you Jock Mason and OldBull.
I’m keen to see how Harrison Friswell and Cam Duffy go at 5/8 this weekend. Two young footballers still learning a bit about their trade, Harrison seems to have settled into the role at Tumut as has Cam Duffy at Aggies, how will they lead their teams around the park this weekend? I also noticed that the evergreen Brad Gorman has been named to start on the sting for the Bulls, Gormo must have been blitzing them in hill sprints for this promotion? J On a serious note, Coen Potter & Hamish Pennington will both want to have their laser eyes in for goal kicking responsibilities, I think their accuracy in kicking (both goal kicking and general play) could be important tomorrow.
The weather is tipped to be deadest fantastic in the hills tomorrow and on a refurbished, fast track should provide the perfect platform for a great contest. Neither team will want to leave anything in the tank and I’m keen to see how they both end up after this match.
