Subbies 2023!

[The Wombat]

Sorry Ive been off the grid for the past week.

Not sure about poor showing, I think Blueys are a very good squad. Great players across the park and any time you think you are getting back into the game, they just change the momentum.
When you have the skill they have at 2, 7, 9 and 10. As well as the outside backs strike power, they will be tough to take down.
I see alot of issues with Hills having their Shute Shield Players in 3rd grade. Blueys have their ex shute players absolutely killing it in 1's.

Tough test this week against Waverley. Ill do a preview tomorrow

Blueys 10 was playing 4th grade last year.

 

[Denistone_Dennis]

Blueys 10 was playing 4th grade last year.

Mitch Lewis played 3s for epping this year.

 

[footy_footy]

Sorry Ive been off the grid for the past week.

Not sure about poor showing, I think Blueys are a very good squad. Great players across the park and any time you think you are getting back into the game, they just change the momentum.
When you have the skill they have at 2, 7, 9 and 10. As well as the outside backs strike power, they will be tough to take down.
I see alot of issues with Hills having their Shute Shield Players in 3rd grade. Blueys have their ex shute players absolutely killing it in 1's.

Tough test this week against Waverley. Ill do a preview tomorrow

Any concerns re: Hunters Hill's form line over the past few weeks?

Round 13 concede 41 points to 7th place Petersham (granted HH scored 48 points). Round 14 go the distance in an arm-wrestle with wooden spooners St Pat's. First round of finals are competitive but pretty comprehensively beaten by an impressive Blue Mountains.

It also appeared as though Hunters Hill Kentwell captain, an outstanding player, limped off the field with a leg injury - if he's out that would be a major loss.

 

[Eastcoast]

Blueys 10 was playing 4th grade last year.

Doesnt mean he isnt skillful?

 

[The Wombat]

Doesnt mean he isnt skillful?

In response to your criticism of Hills - Blueys did the same thing last year.

 

[Pfitzy]

The counter argument is Drummoyne. Were supposed to be relegated but knew they just had a down year and were confident in the upcoming season which proved to be true.

The Board spent a lot of time after 2022 speaking to multiple clubs across multiple Divisions. That process will probably be repeated in 2023.

The problem: nobody really knows where they sit in October. Best intentions and projections are great, but it is difficult to back them up with facts before pre-season starts. By that time, we should have a draw out for Div 1 at least.

 

[Eastcoast]

In response to your criticism of Hills - Blueys did the same thing last year.

Ah yes - Apologies. That Blueys 4th grade team was stacked with some very good players. Most of them older players just wanting a run around. But still very strong against legit 4th grade players

 

[TheBigArvo]

The Board spent a lot of time after 2022 speaking to multiple clubs across multiple Divisions. That process will probably be repeated in 2023.

The problem: nobody really knows where they sit in October. Best intentions and projections are great, but it is difficult to back them up with facts before pre-season starts. By that time, we should have a draw out for Div 1 at least.

Unfortunately i think the issue for Subbies is that there just isn’t enough clubs to fill the 8/8/8 split in the top 3 divisions. It’s a no win situation for them as your either pushing clubs up that aren’t ready or ones down that dominate the lower ranked clubs.

I’d not want to be the board making this decision. I can’t see there being enough clubs to make a Div 3 viable next year unless Manly find some backpackers at the beach and rally from this year. Need to find a way to let the Div 3/4 clubs start growing again so they can filter up.

 

[TheBigArvo]

Ah yes - Apologies. That Blueys 4th grade team was stacked with some very good players. Most of them older players just wanting a run around. But still very strong against legit 4th grade players

Why is everyone always so anti clubs with strong lower grades? What are you supposed to say to your 1st graders when they stop wanting to play 1s/or get to old? Sorry your to good for this grade so your not allowed to play? If you can recruit a bunch of ex 1st graders to play 3s or 4s then go for it. All the better to create a stronger club.

Clubs that stack sides a few weeks out from the final are another matter though. It’s shocking for club moral pushing guys out that have been there all year so you can bring your susperstars In for a premiership.

 

[HogansHeros]

Any concerns re: Hunters Hill's form line over the past few weeks?

Round 13 concede 41 points to 7th place Petersham (granted HH scored 48 points). Round 14 go the distance in an arm-wrestle with wooden spooners St Pat's. First round of finals are competitive but pretty comprehensively beaten by an impressive Blue Mountains.

It also appeared as though Hunters Hill Kentwell captain, an outstanding player, limped off the field with a leg injury - if he's out that would be a major loss.

Yea I agree HH should be relegated.

 

[Pfitzy]

I’d not want to be the board making this decision. I can’t see there being enough clubs to make a Div 3 viable next year unless Manly find some backpackers at the beach and rally from this year. Need to find a way to let the Div 3/4 clubs start growing again so they can filter up.

TBH I look at what happened this year with Colts in the top 3 Divisions and think that is *a* starting point, if not *the* starting point.

 

[TheBigArvo]

Yea I agree HH should be relegated.

Finally some sense on this forum!!

 

[Pfitzy]

DIVISION 4 GRAND FINALS

Grose Cup
Merrylands v Rockdale - after having to double up most weeks in the last 6, and not having won First Grade last week, Rockdale will be short on numbers, if not effort. Wolves have size, pace, and depth, and TBH should take this with a solid margin. Merrylands by 21

McLean Cup
Irish v Merrylands - this will be one to watch. Irish have a good defensive setup and will want to nullify Merrylands' offload and running game via simple, 10-man, field position and set piece rugby. The game in Round 11 at Plastic Park was close, and I'm expecting something similar here. Irish by 4

 

[Eastcoast]

Div 1 - Prelim Finals Preview

Kentwell. HH vs Waverley. Cracking game in Kentwell this week. Throughout the season, there were two completely different games between these two teams that were split 1-1. Game at Boronia was a real grind and good come from behind victory. The 2nd game was a complete nightmare in the 1st half. Waverley have a strong side across the board, will be extremely hard to beat, however HH will come out on top. HH by 3

Burke. HH vs Drummoyne. Drummoyne have got us twice this year, although the tables will turn this week. They have some strong players and X Factor players across the park, which will be difficult to control. HH were good last week against a very strong Colleagues outfit. WIll bounce back this week and take the W. HH by 3

Barbour. St Pats vs Colleagues. Good game last week for Forest to knock off St Pats. Forest almost did it throughout the year at Melwood so this wasnt as much of a surprise. St Pats have struggled in the back end of the year against teams like HH and Drummoyne while still winning. I think they regroup this week and get the win. Colleagues will keep it close. St Pats by 7

Whiddon. Drummoyne vs Colleagues. Colleagues were clinical last week against a 14 man Mosman. Drummoyne were rocked by the eventual winners in this competition. Cant see either side troubling Waverley next week, although I think Colleagues will do enough this week. Drummoyne have a few youngsters who will be better for the experience in 2024. Colleagues by 5

Judd. Colleagues vs Waverley. Colleagues put up a good fight last week against a strong Mosman side. Waverley smashed Drummoyne. Both side will be confident coming into this game. I think Colleagues get through on this one based off their form throughout the year. Colleagues by 1.

Sutherland. Mosman vs Colleagues. Mosman usually get straight through to the Grand final in Sutherland. So this is a bit strange to see them losing in this comp. This year they are definitely missing a few players from previous Sutherland cup triumphs. Colleagues are always strong in this division as well. A great game to start the morning. Mosman by 3

 

[Nine]

Watching Waverley last week , I can see them knocking Hunters Hill off

 

[LongTimeListener]

WoodyWoodsman, - always healthy to have ideas rather than being told - your proposal has merits, in fact love the two pool thing within a Division. It might be all too late as Subbies (Tim Richards ) has raised on many occasions 8*8*8 (24 teams) structure for next year.

To state the bleeding obvious, aligning the standards of the Clubs in the "right" Division is imperative as lopsided comps does nothing for the strong or the weak teams. It simply becomes a frustrating comp/div for both the strong and weak.

In relation to the above " standards alignment", would a 12*12 with Pool As and Pools B within each division work? Yes, i am associated with Newport so i could i be seen to have abit of self interest however lifting oursleves and UNSW into your proposed 10 Team Div 1, would that align standards in the newly created 1 & 2 twelve team Divisions???? ( The Pools within the Divisions would need to be in place otherwise a very long season)

As a reset, it would be great to see this in action.

Would be an exciting way to drive new viewers to the Subbies Super Cup. Or something to reassignment of clubs.

This or the FA cup style knockout would bring some excitement and make a little bit of noise in community rugby.

 

[LRUsoldier]

Lindfield and Newport will be fine in Division 1 colts from what I have seen.

 

[HogansHeros]

It greatly pains me to make this post as I have been passionately involved in Rugby For over 50 years as a player, parent & volunteer! I was witness to a Grand Final today not decided by the players but by some incredibly incompetent & disgraceful officiating! When are the custodians of this game going to understand that officials injecting themselves into the game & deciding the outcome is a key reason why this game is declining in popularity! Two penalty tries & after time is up, awarding a try after the touch judge called a no try as the player was held up over the line. The team that ultimately was awarded the game (they didn’t win the game) would be thinking they won the lottery tonight. I sincerely despair about the future of this game! I hope these officials review their efforts in hindsight & reflect on their ultimate influence on the game and understand that they detracted from the game they play in heaven!

Div 3 1st Grade grand final has been fixed up on cluch and so can be watched now.
A great game to go have a look at. The men in green looked good all game, but discipline fell apart at the end and cost them the game.

 

[KentwellCup>ShuteShield]

Div 1 - Prelim Finals Preview

Kentwell. HH vs Waverley. Cracking game in Kentwell this week. Throughout the season, there were two completely different games between these two teams that were split 1-1. Game at Boronia was a real grind and good come from behind victory. The 2nd game was a complete nightmare in the 1st half. Waverley have a strong side across the board, will be extremely hard to beat, however HH will come out on top. HH by 3

Burke. HH vs Drummoyne. Drummoyne have got us twice this year, although the tables will turn this week. They have some strong players and X Factor players across the park, which will be difficult to control. HH were good last week against a very strong Colleagues outfit. WIll bounce back this week and take the W. HH by 3

Barbour. St Pats vs Colleagues. Good game last week for Forest to knock off St Pats. Forest almost did it throughout the year at Melwood so this wasnt as much of a surprise. St Pats have struggled in the back end of the year against teams like HH and Drummoyne while still winning. I think they regroup this week and get the win. Colleagues will keep it close. St Pats by 7

Whiddon. Drummoyne vs Colleagues. Colleagues were clinical last week against a 14 man Mosman. Drummoyne were rocked by the eventual winners in this competition. Cant see either side troubling Waverley next week, although I think Colleagues will do enough this week. Drummoyne have a few youngsters who will be better for the experience in 2024. Colleagues by 5

Judd. Colleagues vs Waverley. Colleagues put up a good fight last week against a strong Mosman side. Waverley smashed Drummoyne. Both side will be confident coming into this game. I think Colleagues get through on this one based off their form throughout the year. Colleagues by 1.

Sutherland. Mosman vs Colleagues. Mosman usually get straight through to the Grand final in Sutherland. So this is a bit strange to see them losing in this comp. This year they are definitely missing a few players from previous Sutherland cup triumphs. Colleagues are always strong in this division as well. A great game to start the morning. Mosman by 3

Ended up pretty crap predictions Eastcoast. No offence haha.

Especially in Colts. Colleagues cleaned them up. I wonder what the pats coach is thinking, Undefeated season only to lose the only 2 that count. I do feel for the pats boys a bit.

 

[Rigby]

Ended up pretty crap predictions Eastcoast. No offence haha.

Spot on for the Sutherland game though