Northmead_Ned
Herbert Moran (7)
Round 2 Division 2:
OLD IGNATIANS VS BEECROFT: Iggies seemingly a little depleted, and short a chunk of their first grade from previous years. They went down in a pretty scrappy affair with Barker. Beecroft got slapped up by Hills side that seems to be on par with UNSW as the bar setters this year. Beecroft too slick and organised for Iggies. BEECROFT by 17.
NEWPORT VS LINDFIELD: I think this will be the story of the season for Newport, too strong at home against most teams. Consistent numbers means a lot of returning players from a young side that is growing. Lindfield has similar strengths but will be blowing out the cobwebs in their first game of the year and will fall behind early. NEWPORT by 15.
BRIARS VS SYDNEY HARLEQUINS: An interesting rivalry here - should be a close one. Following each other around the divisions. Quins on a high from a thumping at Blacktown and Briars may lift after being shown the standard by UNSW. QUINS by 7.
BLACKTOWN VS OLD BARKER: As much as it pains me, Barker will be too fit for Blacktown who got run around the park last week. Blacktown will have to bring it to them physically and support each other in the first 20 minutes to be in with a chance. BARKER by 22.
HILLS VS UNSW: What a game. Both sides firing early in their first games of the year. UNSW hardly challenged by Briars so will need to lift on Saturday. Look to be well drilled, playing in patterns and vicious on counter attack. Earned the right through the middle to swing it when space appeared. Hills made Beecroft look pretty average and unconditioned which is no mean feat. Going to go down to the wire but my money is on UNSW BY 10.
Round 2 Division 4:
SAVERS v REDFIELD - Yeah manly won't travel well here even though they have a capable team. Redfield by 7
HAC v Saints - I hope for HAC's sake they get a strong win at home. They should be too strong for a already patchy saints travelling HAC by 19.
Renegades v Epping - Epping struggled more than I thought against Merrylands but I think they'll be too strong for the Renegades due to their depth. Epping by 7
Harbour v Stags - Harbour will murder the poor stags who are numbers and experience low. Harbour by 35.
Mac Uni v Canterbury - Berries sound like they've come off second best after COVID which is a shame after some strong years previously. Mac Uni the dark horse Mac Uni by 5.
Raptors v Merrylands - Merrylands looked firey against Epping last week. Will be a clash of some big bodies on saturday, but with the Raptors in a bit of a hole of disorganisation. MERRYLANDS by 12.
Pretty close other than Iggies who overcame adversity to beat Beecroft at the depth. Unfortunately we were washed out as Briars couldn't get a ground up. We face Iggies this week and I think we will be too strong for them on the road across the grades. We are underdone with Waterloo closed almost every training, but we have a committed group who are good at putting it together on the day.