Colleagues appear to have 1 hand on the Div 1 Club Championship with a big day of results v Mosman.
More intriguing is the bottom end of the table. With ongoing uncertainty about Division structure and promotion/relegation in 2024, I think the bottom half of Division 1 will be doing all in their power to avoid the bottom 2 positions. My personal opinion is the 8th and 9th should be relegated as a non-negotiable to allow Lindfield up and bring back the conventional 8 team comp (I'm sick of byes and wet weather weekends!)
Opinion for another time but Subbies have really opened a Pandora's box by not relegating Drummoyne at the end of 2022 - it leaves the door ajar for clubs to have a sook at the end of the year if they finish last. They can mount a case to stay using Drummoyne as a precedent.
Mosman sit 9th at the moment (this is a surprise to me). With a few Colts forfeits mid year, they certainly haven't been at their typical best this year. They have a tough run home, hosting Drummoyne and Waverley on either side of Forest. With respect to Forest, I think that Mosman will have a big circle around that fixture to take home as many Club Championship points as possible. I think Mosman will be safe but there will need to be a bit of refresh in 2024.
Forest sit in 8th. They are away at Waverley and Drummoyne on either side of hosting Mosman. Forest's main strength appears to be Colts and whilst their lower grades have had some success in 2023 (as highlighted yesterday v Hunters Hill) but they will struggle against Waverley and Drummoyne. Forest will have their work cut out for them and the lack of results in 1s and 2s in 2023 will be their downfall. Forest are in the danger zone.
Petersham had a good day out v St Pat's but still sit in 7th. They host Colleagues in Round 12 (blue rinse imminent), then Hunters Hill and finally a road trip to Lapstone. I can't see many victories for the Shammies in the final 3 weeks and suspect they could end up 9th. Petersham too will be in the relegation zone with no genuine finals prospects.
Blue Mountains are in 6th but I think that is because of the bye more than anything else. Blueys will be fine and will be lifting a few cups on Grand Final day in 2023.
St Pat's are in 5th but with a bye in round 12 a I suspect they will slip down the ladder this coming weekend. They then host Drummoyne before a Round 14 trip to Boronia Park. St Pat's are riding the coattails of their Colts in 2023, who have been impressive. Their Burke Cup team has also chipped in and are an outside chance of finals football. With 1st Grade, 3rd Grade and 4th Grade all sitting 9th in their respective competitions, I feel they could be in the firing line if they don't pull their finger out in their last 2 games.
The only other comment I will make is that Waverley have forfetied Colts all year (save for 2 matches) and plainly don't meet the requirements of a Division 1 club. Petersham, Forest, St Pat's & Blue Mountains all haven't forfeited a game this year. I think this could be a point of contention at the business end.
Long story short, Petersham, Forest and St Pat's appear to be the clubs that could be returning to Division 2 in 2024. What do they all have in common - a misfiring Kentwell team!
