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AIC 2023

oldboy123

Bob McCowan (2)
Rugby season has kicked off, a few teams have upcoming pre season games in the next week or 2. Few questions that needs to be answered this year.
- Can Laurie's make it 4 in a row, have set the standard the last couple of years, and same coaching group his back this year.
- Can MCA turn it around this year with Richard Graham's appointment, indeed a great appointment for the school.
- Can Padua and Iona deliver at First XV level, been so good at juniors for a few years now
- Can Eddies back it up this year, had a great 2022, just coming up short
- Peters were hot and cold last year, can they get some consistency, had a couple of great games last year, seems to be heading in the right direction
- Can Villa and Pats get off the bottom of standings
 

susanrh

Frank Row (1)
Looks like Marist are finally getting serious about setting up a proper rugby program. Richard Graham announced as the school's Director of Rugby and Track and Field for 2023.
Spindle was a good Ashgrovian and whilst he struggled at National level this will be right up his alley
 

Joseph Navarro

Frank Row (1)
Just taking a quick look at the RETURNING St Pat's Rugby Players for 2023:
4. Eli 'Turkish Delight' Avci - a hard-running lock that has his eyes on the try-scoring title for this year. Tendency to be non-existent in rucks during the second half, but he's shown much more improvement in that area. Looking strong at training so far and looks to be a fierce focus of attack for the Paddies' men.
7. Dean 'The Bean' Laws - the St Patrick's College Player of the Year is looking in peak form coming into the season. Laws has shown dominance as a ruck specialist, while being sneaky athletic, and able to run the ball despite his height limitations. His performance against Villanova College last year was a testament to his hard-working "mamba mentality".
10. Sam 'Skip' Condon - College Captain and key leader of the 1st XV, Condon offers terrific drive and exceptional fundamental defence, especially as a 10. Great ball skills and plays consistent 'eyes up' rugby.
13. James 'The Raider' Boland - probably the most potential out of any one person in the AIC. Yep, I said it. Excelling in the U19 Canberra Raiders, Boland sets out to light this season on fire. Insane athlete with an exceptional palm. As a Boland, he's been used to seeing success in the AIC for years. I think this is the best one you'll see. Remember the name.
15. Noah 'The Flash' James - lightning quick. Safe hands no matter the conditions and piercingly speedy. Looks to excel even further from his first season last year.
 

Vik

Chris McKivat (8)
It’s going to be a very open season I think this year.

With Richard G at the helm Ashgrove will be very strong one would expect - Laurie’s will turn up with their usual well drilled and structured approach and be hard to beat. Villa and Iona could be real dark horses with both having strong teams on paper with lots of 2nd year returning players. Both Villa and Iona back lines have very strong contracted league players. Cameron Bukowski (Villa centre) just signed with the Broncos and i understand the other centre (Jack Connor?) has been signed by Canterbury. But can their respective forward packs match it with Marist and SLC?

Eddie’s should be very competitive and Padua as well. But I think the winner will be one of the four mentioned above. Pats and Peter’s fall into the “Who knows?” category.

Villa V Marist round 1 will be an interesting barometer.

Someone said in this thread earlier that Villa would need come off the bottom of the table - but i thought they competed well last year and were in every match. They finished mid table I thought so i’m not sure where that comment comes from?

Anyway can’t wait for the season to start and let the ducks and drakes of trial games commence !
 

Dabu

Allen Oxlade (6)
It’s going to be a very open season I think this year.

With Richard G at the helm Ashgrove will be very strong one would expect - Laurie’s will turn up with their usual well drilled and structured approach and be hard to beat. Villa and Iona could be real dark horses with both having strong teams on paper with lots of 2nd year returning players. Both Villa and Iona back lines have very strong contracted league players. Cameron Bukowski (Villa centre) just signed with the Broncos and i understand the other centre (Jack Connor?) has been signed by Canterbury. But can their respective forward packs match it with Marist and SLC?

Eddie’s should be very competitive and Padua as well. But I think the winner will be one of the four mentioned above. Pats and Peter’s fall into the “Who knows?” category.

Villa V Marist round 1 will be an interesting barometer.

Someone said in this thread earlier that Villa would need come off the bottom of the table - but i thought they competed well last year and were in every match. They finished mid table I thought so i’m not sure where that comment comes from?

Anyway can’t wait for the season to start and let the ducks and drakes of trial games commence !
Unfortunately I think time is up for Lauries. Think Padua will be the one’s to step up this year. Do agree with your other 3 picks for the teams to challenge for the premiership.
 
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Dabu

Allen Oxlade (6)
Ashgrove play Villa round 1, Padua round 2, Iona round 3. Huge opening to the season. Could be won or lost in 3 weeks.
 

oldboy123

Bob McCowan (2)
Unfortunately I think time is up for Lauries. Think Padua will be the one’s to step up this year. Do agree with your other 3 picks for the teams to challenge for the premiership.

Big call mate. Laurie's have half their team back from last years undefeated team. 7 or 8 starters.
 

Vik

Chris McKivat (8)
Big call mate. Laurie's have half their team back from last years undefeated team. 7 or 8 starters.
Yeah Lauries always turn up. They will be strong / they play a very good structure and Pat Richards is an old stager as a coach. They will be a threat no mistake.
 

Thermal Scanna

Bob McCowan (2)
Coming out of padua college the boys of next years yr12 will be in full flight right now.
After 2022 was set as a preseason for 2023 the padua men will be a force to watch out for.
12 players are returning and after a stellar 2022 season James mason and Ben dowling will be looking to change the narrative about Padua rugby union.
Of course you cant forget about Mitch Rogers. He will probably play hooker or 8th man depending on what the coaches need and may only play 1 half a game.
wow ,mitch rogers is tiny ,would of thought 9 or 12
 

oldboy123

Bob McCowan (2)
Yeah Lauries always turn up. They will be strong / they play a very good structure and Pat Richards is an old stager as a coach. They will be a threat no mistake.
Pat is working with the juniors, doing a great job with them, haven’t coached the First XV since the early 2000’s. Laurie’s will turn up, there’s no mistake about that, should be a good open comp this year.
 

Joseph Navarro

Frank Row (1)
It’s going to be a very open season I think this year.

With Richard G at the helm Ashgrove will be very strong one would expect - Laurie’s will turn up with their usual well drilled and structured approach and be hard to beat. Villa and Iona could be real dark horses with both having strong teams on paper with lots of 2nd year returning players. Both Villa and Iona back lines have very strong contracted league players. Cameron Bukowski (Villa centre) just signed with the Broncos and i understand the other centre (Jack Connor?) has been signed by Canterbury. But can their respective forward packs match it with Marist and SLC?

Eddie’s should be very competitive and Padua as well. But I think the winner will be one of the four mentioned above. Pats and Peter’s fall into the “Who knows?” category.

Villa V Marist round 1 will be an interesting barometer.

Someone said in this thread earlier that Villa would need come off the bottom of the table - but i thought they competed well last year and were in every match. They finished mid table I thought so i’m not sure where that comment comes from?

Anyway can’t wait for the season to start and let the ducks and drakes of trial games commence !
Totally agree, looks to be a wide-open competition for 2023. Arguably one of the most competitive in years.

Word on the street is that Iona Prop, Hoppo is done with an ACL. Any news? If so, that's a massive loss for the Gorillas.
 

Jets

Paul McLean (56)
Staff member
Hear SPLC have lost their Head of Rugby and 1st XV coach Russell Todd to IGS. Timing doesn’t look great.
 
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