footy_footy
Chris McKivat (8)
Has there been any developments in relation to the Epping/Div 2 saga? Round 1 is less than a week away and I don't think these problems are just "rumours"
Sydney Subbies 2024
- Thread starter Lindommer
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Bismarck12345
Stan Wickham (3)
If Epping are this disjointed surely they will not front up this week. Briars will be licking their lips at a good start to the season.
My other Div 2 pics:
- Petersham by 5
- Newport by 15 +
- UNSW by 3
My other Div 2 pics:
- Petersham by 5
- Newport by 15 +
- UNSW by 3
Champagne Rugby
Stan Wickham (3)
It's time for the wild speculative season division 2 predictions based on nothing but rumors and last years results. Expecting the top 4 clubs to be considerably stronger then the bottom 4
1st Grade
1. Newport - Fired up in Div 2 finals after a mediocre season with key players returning. I am tipping the key players to return for a full-season and most of these players to have returned from injury, Europe and for the team to look closer to the 2022 premiers and the 2023 finals runners ups.
2. Petersham - Former Div 1 team that will relish dropping down a division, after a few years near the bottom of the division expecting to relish winning more often playing against easier competition. Genuine contender
3. St Pat's - A former div 1 team, with a point to prove, with many disgruntled about moving down a division, however don't forget this team was last in 1st grade and whilst there may be depth in colts and grade this can take a couple of years to filter through. Genuine contender none the less and with them Petersham wto be a real litmus test of the quality of the top of div 2 compared to the bottom of div 1.
4. UNSW - Consistency is the key with this team, they are constantly in the finals and yet always seem to run into a better team (Lindfield and Newport) they will be trying figuring out how to make the next step and become elite, will expect them to be in the finals.
5. Beecroft - The drop off in the division begins here, classy backs are the difference between them and the teams below them, however lack a pack to compete with the teams above them, will find it a big step up from div 3 with no easy wins to be expected.
6. Hills - A solid team which relies on size to overcome opposition, the team seems to be aging and had their worse season for a while last year were they didn't seem to be competitive with the top teams.
7. Briars - Expecting another year of similar results, with the team struggling since its introduction into 2nd div since 2022, consistently in the lower end of the table, would be surprised if they could turn it around.
8. Epping - The rumors are going wild regarding this team and whether they will be a team in this division. Factoring in some player losses I expect Briars and Hills to overtake them on the ladder and for it to be a long season.
Club Championship
1. St Pat's - Will do well in 1st grade and expecting them to be very competitive in 2nd grade and colts.
2. UNSW - Benchmark of consistency and were a clear 2nd last year.
3. Newport - A good 1st grade team, normally good colts and have the best home ground advantage in this division
4. Petersham - Have struggled for depth but will relish getting more wins which could build a great culture.
5. Beecroft - have had good colts and 2nd grade in recent years.
6. Hills - normally good playing numbers and be competitive in lower divisions.
7. Briars - were a clear 2nd last, last year expecting no different.
8. Epping - apparently will be lucky to have 2 teams.
1st Grade
1. Newport - Fired up in Div 2 finals after a mediocre season with key players returning. I am tipping the key players to return for a full-season and most of these players to have returned from injury, Europe and for the team to look closer to the 2022 premiers and the 2023 finals runners ups.
2. Petersham - Former Div 1 team that will relish dropping down a division, after a few years near the bottom of the division expecting to relish winning more often playing against easier competition. Genuine contender
3. St Pat's - A former div 1 team, with a point to prove, with many disgruntled about moving down a division, however don't forget this team was last in 1st grade and whilst there may be depth in colts and grade this can take a couple of years to filter through. Genuine contender none the less and with them Petersham wto be a real litmus test of the quality of the top of div 2 compared to the bottom of div 1.
4. UNSW - Consistency is the key with this team, they are constantly in the finals and yet always seem to run into a better team (Lindfield and Newport) they will be trying figuring out how to make the next step and become elite, will expect them to be in the finals.
5. Beecroft - The drop off in the division begins here, classy backs are the difference between them and the teams below them, however lack a pack to compete with the teams above them, will find it a big step up from div 3 with no easy wins to be expected.
6. Hills - A solid team which relies on size to overcome opposition, the team seems to be aging and had their worse season for a while last year were they didn't seem to be competitive with the top teams.
7. Briars - Expecting another year of similar results, with the team struggling since its introduction into 2nd div since 2022, consistently in the lower end of the table, would be surprised if they could turn it around.
8. Epping - The rumors are going wild regarding this team and whether they will be a team in this division. Factoring in some player losses I expect Briars and Hills to overtake them on the ladder and for it to be a long season.
Club Championship
1. St Pat's - Will do well in 1st grade and expecting them to be very competitive in 2nd grade and colts.
2. UNSW - Benchmark of consistency and were a clear 2nd last year.
3. Newport - A good 1st grade team, normally good colts and have the best home ground advantage in this division
4. Petersham - Have struggled for depth but will relish getting more wins which could build a great culture.
5. Beecroft - have had good colts and 2nd grade in recent years.
6. Hills - normally good playing numbers and be competitive in lower divisions.
7. Briars - were a clear 2nd last, last year expecting no different.
8. Epping - apparently will be lucky to have 2 teams.
Bismarck12345
Stan Wickham (3)
Largely agree with this although I think any team in the top 4 could win it. Each team has a point to prove and I really think we could see the results being split throughout the season.
Will make each win extremely important. Could easily be a situation where a top team drops an easy game they shouldn’t have and are punished on the ladder because of it.
Pfitzy
George Gregan (70)
Return to regular broadcast then.
Yes, I'm jealous that they can muster 2 Colts sides and, despite several months' work and a stack of phone calls, we cannot.
Heavyd
Nev Cottrell (35)
The history books would suggest Newport well and truly have a 'normally good colts'. In the last 13 seasons Newport Colts have been in 8 Grand Finals winning 6 premierships and have only missed the semis twice. I'd say the 2024's batch will be aiming to maintain that strike rate given the production line of talent.
Pfitzy
George Gregan (70)
What's the strategy there? Local schools and/or clubs? Seems it is either one or the other.
Prodigy
Alex Ross (28)
Strong junior club doesn't hurt.
Pfitzy
George Gregan (70)
There are a few of those. Some of them get cut off at 15s through Opens by schools rugby, so was wondering.
Heavyd
Nev Cottrell (35)
We are very fortunate to have had a large junior club along with the big rugby school at St Augs in Brookvale. Local high schools (Barrenjoey & Pittwater) used to be big but they have largely stopped playing rugby sadly but still contribute some players. Kids also come from the local league comp which stops at junior level. What also helps is the local crowd, Newport have always had great community support and players enjoy the atmosphere.
Heavyd
Nev Cottrell (35)
They generally find their way back after a stint at school rugby or Rats colts and come back for a year of subbies colts instead of playing 4th grade Warringah at 9.15am in front of no one.
Crashy
Arch Winning (36)
Plus hiding away at Porters with 500 other punters means they can hide away and achieve David-Boonesque can consumption numbers without the boys in blue from sniffing around!
Pfitzy
George Gregan (70)
Watch each club's social media. That will probably tell you
footy_footy
Chris McKivat (8)
Too much to ask for Subbies to issue a statement? Subbies have a website and social media accounts.
Much rather put it back on the clubs to explain to their members why they don't have a proper competition 3 days out from Round 1 when they have had minimal involvement in the decision making process.
WoodyWoodsman
Sydney Middleton (9)
I'd say clubs are going to tell their members what's going on before any announcements here. Expect that information to be 'leaked' on Friday.
Pfitzy
George Gregan (70)
Affected clubs have been communicated to, at every stage, with the concrete information available at the time.
Pfitzy
George Gregan (70)
What decision making process, exactly?
The Ghost of Bernie
Stan Wickham (3)
Looks like Rockdale have pulled the plug on Division 5. Georges River now have a bye.
The Wombat
Herbert Moran (7)
no colts for hills