Sydney Subbies 2025

[Here To Do]

Forgot about the Cowboy Cup - looks like Hunters Hill have secured that for 2025 as UNSW are done. A Kentwell and Burke Cup would go very nicely with that too in the new clubhouse at Boronia!

I thought the Cowboy was balanced mathematically based on games played - in any case, an immaculate season in 1s probably keeps them well ahead

 

[Pfitzy]

I thought the Cowboy was balanced mathematically based on games played - in any case, an immaculate season in 1s probably keeps them well ahead

Purely on CC points across all your teams including finals, as I understand it

 

[EddieJones1985]

Forgot about the Cowboy Cup - looks like Hunters Hill have secured that for 2025 as UNSW are done. A Kentwell and Burke Cup would go very nicely with that too in the new clubhouse at Boronia!

UNSW were stacking massively this year anyway.

 

[Odyssey_Park the 2nd]

UNSW were stacking massively this year anyway.

Yep stacking there teams to win the Cowboy Cup…

 

[Odyssey_Park the 2nd]

So I see in the socials that both of the Joy Johnson medal winners were presented at the Kentwell lunch today rather than being tacked on the GF presentation. Congratulations to both women on winning. But why are Divs 2-6 treated differently to the other comps?

 

[Pfitzy]

So I see in the socials that both of the Joy Johnson medal winners were presented at the Kentwell lunch today rather than being tacked on the GF presentation. Congratulations to both women on winning. But why are Divs 2-6 treated differently to the other comps?

The winners were from Old Barker and Hunters Hill I believe?

Neither of their women's side made GF day, so on balance perhaps honouring them in front of the Kentwell lunch was as good or better than turning up to a GF in which neither had a team.

 

[Platypus]

DVI 1 GRANNY TIPS

Friday night Sutherland
Waverley vs Colleagues - Rematch of last years fixture. Colleagues will be keen to retain the Sutherland cup but going to have to go with Waverley here with a huge +249 DF.

Saturday
Kentwell Cup
Hunters Hill vs Blue Mountains - Unless a miracle happens I can't see a world where Blue mountains win this match. Will be an arm wrestle for awhile but eventually HH will run away with it.

Burke Cup
Waverley vs Hunters Hill - This will be a ripper of a game. I would be tipping HH but I expect Waverley to have a few new faces since their kentwell team bowed out. Wavs by 6.

Widdon Cup
Colleagues vs Waverley - a common theme in the lower grades this weekend is these two teams going up against each other. Waverley with a much higher DF (324) to colleagues (259) but I reckon the blue giants show up for this one.

Judd
Colleagues vs Waverley - Rematch of last years GF if I can recall properly. Colleagues have come from 4th place and are storming into this game has huge underdogs. 239 is the points DF from the ladder between these teams huge margin. Expecting a few cards to come out this game and whoever can hold their head emerge the winner. Colleagues to win in extra time.

 

[CrashBandicoot2]

Come on Pfitz. Lets not pretend that if some bloke from Briars won the medal in Div 2, they would have been celebrated at the Kentwell Lunch.

Subbies have their flagship Div 1, which was fine when they had another time to celebrate the rest of the Division etc. Instead Div 2-6 pay subbies so that they can use it on a Div 1 spread for all the people in the right positions.

Next year - All medals should be presented at the Kentwell Lunch

 

[Odyssey_Park the 2nd]

Little bit off topic but Crazy watching the structure and people involved on 9s main channel of the NRL schools cups. No wonder it’s hard to grow the game looking at the structure the league has at this level. I know these competitions exist in Union but the ARU must look at how they market it and not just have it as an afterthought.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Don't think it's an afterthought but RA taking advantage of the fact School Associations go out and do all their own leg work and save them what would be millions in extra cost if these players needed to be administered by the governing body.

The Schools have also been approached in the past about TV but have baulked at the idea of making what is still Children's Rugby a TV product and the attention that draws on students. I think with YouTube and Social Media clips now being so prevalent that fear is likely gone. I would like to know how popular the streams of the games are online. RA could do a lot worse then have a game per association each week around the country on platforms like STAN.

 

[KentwellCup>ShuteShield]

Little bit off topic but Crazy watching the structure and people involved on 9s main channel of the NRL schools cups. No wonder it’s hard to grow the game looking at the structure the league has at this level. I know these competitions exist in Union but the ARU must look at how they market it and not just have it as an afterthought.

Can you link to the video of them explaining it?

 

[Pfitzy]

Come on Pfitz. Lets not pretend that if some bloke from Briars won the medal in Div 2, they would have been celebrated at the Kentwell Lunch.

I'm not pretending anything. If you've got concrete evidence that Subbies is pooh-poohing the lower divisions, fire away.

Instead Div 2-6 pay subbies so that they can use it on a Div 1 spread for all the people in the right positions.

And if you *did* have anything concrete, you'd know that the Kentwell lunch is part of a sponsor deal and doesn't cost Subbies anything.

 

[Pfitzy]

Little bit off topic but Crazy watching the structure and people involved on 9s main channel of the NRL schools cups. No wonder it’s hard to grow the game looking at the structure the league has at this level. I know these competitions exist in Union but the ARU must look at how they market it and not just have it as an afterthought.

League invests in the pathways and schools is a part of that - it helps that it is effectively a unified comp that all schools participate in within the bounds of state government. There are of course separate competitions for schools associations in league.

RA could do a lot worse then have a game per association each week around the country on platforms like STAN.

Would be even better if we could get some of those associations to break down the walls and play each other regardless of which letters form their comp.

 

[DaSchmooze]

Would be even better if we could get some of those associations to break down the walls and play each other regardless of which letters form their comp.

That ship turns slowly but it does turn. ISA and CAS has a combined competition this year with the purpose of having stronger programs play stronger programs whilst the smaller ones get an opportunity to play like for like opposition. The weather had a crappy effect on it, but the feedback I've heard is that it was seen as a positive by both associations.

I suspect we'll get to a point in the not too distant future where each association plays it's historical games/comps Term 2 and a cross over competition Term 3.

 

[Odyssey_Park the 2nd]

Would be even better if we could get some of those associations to break down the walls and play each other regardless of which letters form their comp.

This 100%. One of rugbys biggest problems is everyone pushing in their own direction.

Don't think it's an afterthought but RA taking advantage of the fact School Associations go out and do all their own leg work and save them what would be millions in extra cost if these players needed to be administered by the governing body.

The Schools have also been approached in the past about TV but have baulked at the idea of making what is still Children's Rugby a TV product and the attention that draws on students. I think with YouTube and Social Media clips now being so prevalent that fear is likely gone. I would like to know how popular the streams of the games are online. RA could do a lot worse then have a game per association each week around the country on platforms like STAN.

It may cost more but investing in the future of the game like league and AFL is doing can only lead to long term growth. I’d gladly pay my ARU levy every year if I knew it was going towards growth in grass roots rather than just paying off debt.
Not saying you have it as a weekly TV thing, but just highlighting the finals in a format that feels as though it’s a Shute/Super/Test broadcast.

 

[Pfitzy]

BTW with regard to the Kentwell Cup Lunch - I know several people from across Divisions were present. I even got an invitation and I'm not even on the Board any more so clearly it wasn't an exclusive.

Maybe people are salty because they weren't invited, and to them I say: have a sook behind your fake internet profile while the rest of us get on with helping the sport.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

This 100%. One of rugbys biggest problems is everyone pushing in their own direction.

It may cost more but investing in the future of the game like league and AFL is doing can only lead to long term growth. I’d gladly pay my ARU levy every year if I knew it was going towards growth in grass roots rather than just paying off debt.
Not saying you have it as a weekly TV thing, but just highlighting the finals in a format that feels as though it’s a Shute/Super/Test broadcast.

I support the idea itself but just see the avoidance of the Governing bodies. Maybe we will see an uplift in grassroots investment with debts being paid off and some more pay days on the horizon.

Have what opinion you may about Waugh but he does have strong links and passions for the sub pro game.

 

[CrashBandicoot2]

I'm not pretending anything. If you've got concrete evidence that Subbies is pooh-poohing the lower divisions, fire away.

There have been players who have won the Medal without making the GF. They have been asked to attend grand finals on the other side of Sydney on their own, which was declined. Id imagine an invite to a luncheon for this honour may have gone down better.

Moving on - I can see Platypus doesnt care for the Barbour Cup. Maybe has a horse in the race.

Here are my tips - Ill be sitting down the Scoreboard end of Concord tomorrow if anyone is keen for a Beer!

Friday night Sutherland
Waverley vs Colleagues - Great games this season between the two. All close games with a Pen the only difference in the Major Semi. Waves did the same thing last year and lost in the GF. Colleagues to find another gear and win 20-17.

Saturday
Kentwell Cup
Hunters Hill vs Blue Mountains - HH are strong across the board. Losing their 9 at the end of the season didnt appear to hurt in the Major Semi and everything revolves around the 10. I can see Blue Mountains letting their back row take shots at him even if it costs a yellow or a red as they showed they can win games with 4-5 cards. Even so, HH seem too controlled and will run away with this game late. HH 35-17

Burke Cup
Waverley vs Hunters Hill -HH have good depth and the ability to have a few colts sit on the pine will allow them to control the game from the get go. Big day for the Waverley boys who will no doubt be out at Woollarha tonight and then at the ground at 8am supporting the rest of the club.

Barbour Cup
Newport vs Mosman - Porter will have something to cheer for here. Team has been strong all year and I believe will end up too strong for Mosman. This feel like a Warringah vs Norths match up from last year. High scoring with the colties throwing the ball around in the sun. Newport 45-38

Widdon Cup
Colleagues vs Waverley - Waverley to win this GF - They will take one piece of silverware home from the 4 grand finals. They almost racked up a century throughout the year, which is a hard task in a 60 minute game in Div 1. They are too strong. They win 24-12

Judd
Colleagues vs Waverley - Colleagues just get lower grade football. A mix of graduated colts and previous first graders make this 4th grade side hard to beat. Similar to the Knox sides of 8-10 years ago who had a mortgage on this cup. Waverley will keep it close - a Classic 4th grade game - 14-12 Colleagues