Phil Doyle
27th May 2002, 23:56
Balmain Tigers v Campbelltown Panthers
Drummoyne Oval, Sunday June 2
Campbelltown are coming off a win, but they now face the form side of the competition in the Balmain Tigers.
The Panthers appear to have regrouped after a decidedly ordinary patch in the early weeks of the competition. Luckily the form of their senior players, lead by ruckman Radlee Moller, has allowed coach Geoff Valentine to turn his side’s fortunes around.
While the new set up is producing some results for Campbelltown it remains to be tested against a more physical side in the form of Balmain, whose winning form comes off the back of their ability to attack the ball hard.
“Campbelltown has a reputation as a hard side.” Said Tigers’ Coach Troy Luff in the lead up to this week’s game. “We’ll be looking to maintain our hard-at-the-ball style.”
The Tigers have lost Mark McKenzie and Josh Bartlett, who are out injured for a few weeks, but Luff believes they have the personnel available to cover the losses. Bartlett will be particularly missed, as he has been in great form in recent weeks.
Luff is aware of the damage a player of the ability of Moller can do in the centre, and how important it is to get good quick possession in the middle at Drummoyne Oval.
Balmain will be hard to beat at home, and despite their good form in recent weeks Luff believes the Tigers can do more:
“We’re slowly getting there. We’re improving each week.”
Luff’s appraisal of the Tigers is ominous news for the rest of the competition, as Campbelltown may find out this Sunday.
Prediction: Balmain by 30 points
Pennant Hills Demons v Western Suburbs Magpies
North Sydney Oval, Sunday June 2
On the small North Sydney Oval the ruck duel between the in form Odgers and Demons stalwart Chris Yard will have a big bearing on the result of this game.
Whichever side is able to maximise possession out of the middle will do well on this ground.
The Demons remain winless so far this year, but Pennant Hills’ coach Danny Ryan remains upbeat:
“We’ll try and put a competitive side out there and have a crack and maybe the tide will turn.”
The Demons will persist with the Pennant Hills game plan they have been using through all grades, but with a very inexperienced side the younger players tend to struggle in the most senior grade.
On a positive note for the Demons they should get a few players back from injury for this weeks clash.
For the Magpies coach Laine Spencer the venue plays into Wests’ hands:
“We’re a real in and under side.”
Certainly the Magpies like to go hard at the ball, and they have a good target in leading goal kicker Lee Campbell.
“He’s definitely a big part of our game plan.” Said Spencer. “We can use him as an attacking midfielder as well as across the half-forward line.”
Wests have no major injury worries and Lee Casey and Nathan Lenton return from injury for this week, allowing the Magpies to put their best 20 players on the paddock.
“It was perfect having the two weeks off. We’re recharged and ready to go.” Said Spencer.
Given recent form it might be hard to see Pennant Hills as figuring in this match, but North Sydney oval is a great leveler. Chris Yard had a good game against Campbelltown before injury robbed him of midfield support. If the Demons can bustle in the midfield and get some possession they may get a sniff.
It’s sometimes hard for sides to get fired up for games against struggling opposition, and this can produce an upset, but Wests are a mighty big side for the Demons younger players to contain all day, and the Magpies should be looking to be back on top of the table on Sunday night.
Prediction: Western Suburbs by 30 points
UNSW Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs v North Shore Bombers
Village Green, Sunday June 2
“I don’t think our form is that terrific.” Said UNSW-Eastern Suburbs Coach Tim Jones in the lead up to this match of the round. “This will be a real challenge. We look at North Shore as the benchmark of the competition. We rate them highly.”
Across the harbour North Shore Bombers Coach Simon Wilson is ruing another lost opportunity as the Bombers had a match cancelled last Sunday.
“We’re probably underdone.” Said Wilson. “It’ll be good to see where we’re at.”
Certainly North Shore haven’t played a lot of football compared to the other leading clubs in the competition, which may go some way to explaining their capitulation to Balmain the week before the representative break.
“We’ll be looking for 20 players to go up a gear after the Balmain game. We were flat from the start. Our enthusiasm and effort were second rate.” Said Wilson, who singled himself out for criticism after the loss. “We’re just hoping it doesn’t happen again.”
Jones is wary of the Bombers following the defeat, knowing that top sides can be dangerous coming off a loss.
“They won’t want to drop two in a row.” He said.
Both coaches identified the midfield as the key to this game, with both sides being very strong in this area.
“North Shore are a very organised team who know each other.” Said Jones. “Our guys are really going to have to back themselves.”
Despite the last up loss and the lack of football for his team in recent weeks Wilson remains confident, nominating the match ups between the two sides bigger players and in the midfield being the key to the game.
The small Village Green oval may hamper both sides’ ability to get much run on, and delivery from the midfield will be crucial to opening the game out to any degree. If the game gets to be an arm wrestle North Shore’s lack of match fitness may prove to be its undoing.
Even so, the Bombers will be looking to lift coming off a loss and will be throwing everything at the Bulldogs.
Only one thing is certain - it will be a great game.
Prediction: UNSW Eastern Suburbs by five points
St George Crows v Sydney Redbacks
Bankstown Oval, Sunday June 2
Craig O’Brien had a good game for the Sydney AFL representative team, topping the goal kicking tally for the successful side, but this week his focus is back with the Crows and he is looking for improvement from his young side.
Despite their win over the Eagles before the break, St George was very inaccurate in front of goal.
“Goalkicking is in the head. You can kick ten out of ten at practice, but during a game it’s different.” Said O’Brien. “It’s about converting opportunities.”
Despite this the St George coach believes that the Crows form is not too bad, and he is confident that the Crows can continue their winning form from before the representative match break.
“They’re a young side like us.” Said O’Brien of the Redbacks. “If they get the ball they can use it well.”
Another figure who tasted success in the representative match was Sydney AFL co-coach Brett Allison who returns to his role as coach of the Redbacks this week.
The Redbacks side is settling down a bit as the season progresses.
“We’ve had ten or so regulars for most of the year now. Those guys are getting to know how each other plays.” Said Allison.
The small Bankstown Oval will negate a bit of the Redbacks running game, but the Swans developmental side was very competitive here against the strong Western Suburbs outfit, with inaccuracy in front of goal being their downfall.
“We were more than competitive. Hopefully we can reproduce that form and come away with a win.” Said Allison.
For the Crows O’Brien will be looking for St George to continue on their winning form from before the break and put their season back on track.
St George has plenty to play for in this one, and may prove to be too hungry in the end – but if they take their foot off the pedal, or don’t convert their opportunities, they may find themselves in trouble.
Prediction: St George by 12 points
Phil Doyle
COPY FOR SYDNEY AFL RECORD ROUND 7
Match Previews
Balmain Tigers v Campbelltown Panthers
Drummoyne Oval, Sunday June 2
Campbelltown are coming off a win, but they now face the form side of the competition in the Balmain Tigers.
The Panthers appear to have regrouped after a decidedly ordinary patch in the early weeks of the competition. Luckily the form of their senior players, lead by ruckman Radlee Moller, has allowed coach Geoff Valentine to turn his side’s fortunes around.
While the new set up is producing some results for Campbelltown it remains to be tested against a more physical side in the form of Balmain, whose winning form comes off the back of their ability to attack the ball hard.
“Campbelltown has a reputation as a hard side.” Said Tigers’ Coach Troy Luff in the lead up to this week’s game. “We’ll be looking to maintain our hard-at-the-ball style.”
The Tigers have lost Mark McKenzie and Josh Bartlett, who are out injured for a few weeks, but Luff believes they have the personnel available to cover the losses. Bartlett will be particularly missed, as he has been in great form in recent weeks.
Luff is aware of the damage a player of the ability of Moller can do in the centre, and how important it is to get good quick possession in the middle at Drummoyne Oval.
Balmain will be hard to beat at home, and despite their good form in recent weeks Luff believes the Tigers can do more:
“We’re slowly getting there. We’re improving each week.”
Luff’s appraisal of the Tigers is ominous news for the rest of the competition, as Campbelltown may find out this Sunday.
Prediction: Balmain by 30 points
Pennant Hills Demons v Western Suburbs Magpies
North Sydney Oval, Sunday June 2
On the small North Sydney Oval the ruck duel between the in form Odgers and Demons stalwart Chris Yard will have a big bearing on the result of this game.
Whichever side is able to maximise possession out of the middle will do well on this ground.
The Demons remain winless so far this year, but Pennant Hills’ coach Danny Ryan remains upbeat:
“We’ll try and put a competitive side out there and have a crack and maybe the tide will turn.”
The Demons will persist with the Pennant Hills game plan they have been using through all grades, but with a very inexperienced side the younger players tend to struggle in the most senior grade.
On a positive note for the Demons they should get a few players back from injury for this weeks clash.
For the Magpies coach Laine Spencer the venue plays into Wests’ hands:
“We’re a real in and under side.”
Certainly the Magpies like to go hard at the ball, and they have a good target in leading goal kicker Lee Campbell.
“He’s definitely a big part of our game plan.” Said Spencer. “We can use him as an attacking midfielder as well as across the half-forward line.”
Wests have no major injury worries and Lee Casey and Nathan Lenton return from injury for this week, allowing the Magpies to put their best 20 players on the paddock.
“It was perfect having the two weeks off. We’re recharged and ready to go.” Said Spencer.
Given recent form it might be hard to see Pennant Hills as figuring in this match, but North Sydney oval is a great leveler. Chris Yard had a good game against Campbelltown before injury robbed him of midfield support. If the Demons can bustle in the midfield and get some possession they may get a sniff.
It’s sometimes hard for sides to get fired up for games against struggling opposition, and this can produce an upset, but Wests are a mighty big side for the Demons younger players to contain all day, and the Magpies should be looking to be back on top of the table on Sunday night.
Prediction: Western Suburbs by 30 points
UNSW Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs v North Shore Bombers
Village Green, Sunday June 2
“I don’t think our form is that terrific.” Said UNSW-Eastern Suburbs Coach Tim Jones in the lead up to this match of the round. “This will be a real challenge. We look at North Shore as the benchmark of the competition. We rate them highly.”
Across the harbour North Shore Bombers Coach Simon Wilson is ruing another lost opportunity as the Bombers had a match cancelled last Sunday.
“We’re probably underdone.” Said Wilson. “It’ll be good to see where we’re at.”
Certainly North Shore haven’t played a lot of football compared to the other leading clubs in the competition, which may go some way to explaining their capitulation to Balmain the week before the representative break.
“We’ll be looking for 20 players to go up a gear after the Balmain game. We were flat from the start. Our enthusiasm and effort were second rate.” Said Wilson, who singled himself out for criticism after the loss. “We’re just hoping it doesn’t happen again.”
Jones is wary of the Bombers following the defeat, knowing that top sides can be dangerous coming off a loss.
“They won’t want to drop two in a row.” He said.
Both coaches identified the midfield as the key to this game, with both sides being very strong in this area.
“North Shore are a very organised team who know each other.” Said Jones. “Our guys are really going to have to back themselves.”
Despite the last up loss and the lack of football for his team in recent weeks Wilson remains confident, nominating the match ups between the two sides bigger players and in the midfield being the key to the game.
The small Village Green oval may hamper both sides’ ability to get much run on, and delivery from the midfield will be crucial to opening the game out to any degree. If the game gets to be an arm wrestle North Shore’s lack of match fitness may prove to be its undoing.
Even so, the Bombers will be looking to lift coming off a loss and will be throwing everything at the Bulldogs.
Only one thing is certain - it will be a great game.
Prediction: UNSW Eastern Suburbs by five points
St George Crows v Sydney Redbacks
Bankstown Oval, Sunday June 2
Craig O’Brien had a good game for the Sydney AFL representative team, topping the goal kicking tally for the successful side, but this week his focus is back with the Crows and he is looking for improvement from his young side.
Despite their win over the Eagles before the break, St George was very inaccurate in front of goal.
“Goalkicking is in the head. You can kick ten out of ten at practice, but during a game it’s different.” Said O’Brien. “It’s about converting opportunities.”
Despite this the St George coach believes that the Crows form is not too bad, and he is confident that the Crows can continue their winning form from before the representative match break.
“They’re a young side like us.” Said O’Brien of the Redbacks. “If they get the ball they can use it well.”
Another figure who tasted success in the representative match was Sydney AFL co-coach Brett Allison who returns to his role as coach of the Redbacks this week.
The Redbacks side is settling down a bit as the season progresses.
“We’ve had ten or so regulars for most of the year now. Those guys are getting to know how each other plays.” Said Allison.
The small Bankstown Oval will negate a bit of the Redbacks running game, but the Swans developmental side was very competitive here against the strong Western Suburbs outfit, with inaccuracy in front of goal being their downfall.
“We were more than competitive. Hopefully we can reproduce that form and come away with a win.” Said Allison.
For the Crows O’Brien will be looking for St George to continue on their winning form from before the break and put their season back on track.
St George has plenty to play for in this one, and may prove to be too hungry in the end – but if they take their foot off the pedal, or don’t convert their opportunities, they may find themselves in trouble.
Prediction: St George by 12 points
Phil Doyle
Drummoyne Oval, Sunday June 2
Campbelltown are coming off a win, but they now face the form side of the competition in the Balmain Tigers.
The Panthers appear to have regrouped after a decidedly ordinary patch in the early weeks of the competition. Luckily the form of their senior players, lead by ruckman Radlee Moller, has allowed coach Geoff Valentine to turn his side’s fortunes around.
While the new set up is producing some results for Campbelltown it remains to be tested against a more physical side in the form of Balmain, whose winning form comes off the back of their ability to attack the ball hard.
“Campbelltown has a reputation as a hard side.” Said Tigers’ Coach Troy Luff in the lead up to this week’s game. “We’ll be looking to maintain our hard-at-the-ball style.”
The Tigers have lost Mark McKenzie and Josh Bartlett, who are out injured for a few weeks, but Luff believes they have the personnel available to cover the losses. Bartlett will be particularly missed, as he has been in great form in recent weeks.
Luff is aware of the damage a player of the ability of Moller can do in the centre, and how important it is to get good quick possession in the middle at Drummoyne Oval.
Balmain will be hard to beat at home, and despite their good form in recent weeks Luff believes the Tigers can do more:
“We’re slowly getting there. We’re improving each week.”
Luff’s appraisal of the Tigers is ominous news for the rest of the competition, as Campbelltown may find out this Sunday.
Prediction: Balmain by 30 points
Pennant Hills Demons v Western Suburbs Magpies
North Sydney Oval, Sunday June 2
On the small North Sydney Oval the ruck duel between the in form Odgers and Demons stalwart Chris Yard will have a big bearing on the result of this game.
Whichever side is able to maximise possession out of the middle will do well on this ground.
The Demons remain winless so far this year, but Pennant Hills’ coach Danny Ryan remains upbeat:
“We’ll try and put a competitive side out there and have a crack and maybe the tide will turn.”
The Demons will persist with the Pennant Hills game plan they have been using through all grades, but with a very inexperienced side the younger players tend to struggle in the most senior grade.
On a positive note for the Demons they should get a few players back from injury for this weeks clash.
For the Magpies coach Laine Spencer the venue plays into Wests’ hands:
“We’re a real in and under side.”
Certainly the Magpies like to go hard at the ball, and they have a good target in leading goal kicker Lee Campbell.
“He’s definitely a big part of our game plan.” Said Spencer. “We can use him as an attacking midfielder as well as across the half-forward line.”
Wests have no major injury worries and Lee Casey and Nathan Lenton return from injury for this week, allowing the Magpies to put their best 20 players on the paddock.
“It was perfect having the two weeks off. We’re recharged and ready to go.” Said Spencer.
Given recent form it might be hard to see Pennant Hills as figuring in this match, but North Sydney oval is a great leveler. Chris Yard had a good game against Campbelltown before injury robbed him of midfield support. If the Demons can bustle in the midfield and get some possession they may get a sniff.
It’s sometimes hard for sides to get fired up for games against struggling opposition, and this can produce an upset, but Wests are a mighty big side for the Demons younger players to contain all day, and the Magpies should be looking to be back on top of the table on Sunday night.
Prediction: Western Suburbs by 30 points
UNSW Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs v North Shore Bombers
Village Green, Sunday June 2
“I don’t think our form is that terrific.” Said UNSW-Eastern Suburbs Coach Tim Jones in the lead up to this match of the round. “This will be a real challenge. We look at North Shore as the benchmark of the competition. We rate them highly.”
Across the harbour North Shore Bombers Coach Simon Wilson is ruing another lost opportunity as the Bombers had a match cancelled last Sunday.
“We’re probably underdone.” Said Wilson. “It’ll be good to see where we’re at.”
Certainly North Shore haven’t played a lot of football compared to the other leading clubs in the competition, which may go some way to explaining their capitulation to Balmain the week before the representative break.
“We’ll be looking for 20 players to go up a gear after the Balmain game. We were flat from the start. Our enthusiasm and effort were second rate.” Said Wilson, who singled himself out for criticism after the loss. “We’re just hoping it doesn’t happen again.”
Jones is wary of the Bombers following the defeat, knowing that top sides can be dangerous coming off a loss.
“They won’t want to drop two in a row.” He said.
Both coaches identified the midfield as the key to this game, with both sides being very strong in this area.
“North Shore are a very organised team who know each other.” Said Jones. “Our guys are really going to have to back themselves.”
Despite the last up loss and the lack of football for his team in recent weeks Wilson remains confident, nominating the match ups between the two sides bigger players and in the midfield being the key to the game.
The small Village Green oval may hamper both sides’ ability to get much run on, and delivery from the midfield will be crucial to opening the game out to any degree. If the game gets to be an arm wrestle North Shore’s lack of match fitness may prove to be its undoing.
Even so, the Bombers will be looking to lift coming off a loss and will be throwing everything at the Bulldogs.
Only one thing is certain - it will be a great game.
Prediction: UNSW Eastern Suburbs by five points
St George Crows v Sydney Redbacks
Bankstown Oval, Sunday June 2
Craig O’Brien had a good game for the Sydney AFL representative team, topping the goal kicking tally for the successful side, but this week his focus is back with the Crows and he is looking for improvement from his young side.
Despite their win over the Eagles before the break, St George was very inaccurate in front of goal.
“Goalkicking is in the head. You can kick ten out of ten at practice, but during a game it’s different.” Said O’Brien. “It’s about converting opportunities.”
Despite this the St George coach believes that the Crows form is not too bad, and he is confident that the Crows can continue their winning form from before the representative match break.
“They’re a young side like us.” Said O’Brien of the Redbacks. “If they get the ball they can use it well.”
Another figure who tasted success in the representative match was Sydney AFL co-coach Brett Allison who returns to his role as coach of the Redbacks this week.
The Redbacks side is settling down a bit as the season progresses.
“We’ve had ten or so regulars for most of the year now. Those guys are getting to know how each other plays.” Said Allison.
The small Bankstown Oval will negate a bit of the Redbacks running game, but the Swans developmental side was very competitive here against the strong Western Suburbs outfit, with inaccuracy in front of goal being their downfall.
“We were more than competitive. Hopefully we can reproduce that form and come away with a win.” Said Allison.
For the Crows O’Brien will be looking for St George to continue on their winning form from before the break and put their season back on track.
St George has plenty to play for in this one, and may prove to be too hungry in the end – but if they take their foot off the pedal, or don’t convert their opportunities, they may find themselves in trouble.
Prediction: St George by 12 points
Phil Doyle
COPY FOR SYDNEY AFL RECORD ROUND 7
Match Previews
Balmain Tigers v Campbelltown Panthers
Drummoyne Oval, Sunday June 2
Campbelltown are coming off a win, but they now face the form side of the competition in the Balmain Tigers.
The Panthers appear to have regrouped after a decidedly ordinary patch in the early weeks of the competition. Luckily the form of their senior players, lead by ruckman Radlee Moller, has allowed coach Geoff Valentine to turn his side’s fortunes around.
While the new set up is producing some results for Campbelltown it remains to be tested against a more physical side in the form of Balmain, whose winning form comes off the back of their ability to attack the ball hard.
“Campbelltown has a reputation as a hard side.” Said Tigers’ Coach Troy Luff in the lead up to this week’s game. “We’ll be looking to maintain our hard-at-the-ball style.”
The Tigers have lost Mark McKenzie and Josh Bartlett, who are out injured for a few weeks, but Luff believes they have the personnel available to cover the losses. Bartlett will be particularly missed, as he has been in great form in recent weeks.
Luff is aware of the damage a player of the ability of Moller can do in the centre, and how important it is to get good quick possession in the middle at Drummoyne Oval.
Balmain will be hard to beat at home, and despite their good form in recent weeks Luff believes the Tigers can do more:
“We’re slowly getting there. We’re improving each week.”
Luff’s appraisal of the Tigers is ominous news for the rest of the competition, as Campbelltown may find out this Sunday.
Prediction: Balmain by 30 points
Pennant Hills Demons v Western Suburbs Magpies
North Sydney Oval, Sunday June 2
On the small North Sydney Oval the ruck duel between the in form Odgers and Demons stalwart Chris Yard will have a big bearing on the result of this game.
Whichever side is able to maximise possession out of the middle will do well on this ground.
The Demons remain winless so far this year, but Pennant Hills’ coach Danny Ryan remains upbeat:
“We’ll try and put a competitive side out there and have a crack and maybe the tide will turn.”
The Demons will persist with the Pennant Hills game plan they have been using through all grades, but with a very inexperienced side the younger players tend to struggle in the most senior grade.
On a positive note for the Demons they should get a few players back from injury for this weeks clash.
For the Magpies coach Laine Spencer the venue plays into Wests’ hands:
“We’re a real in and under side.”
Certainly the Magpies like to go hard at the ball, and they have a good target in leading goal kicker Lee Campbell.
“He’s definitely a big part of our game plan.” Said Spencer. “We can use him as an attacking midfielder as well as across the half-forward line.”
Wests have no major injury worries and Lee Casey and Nathan Lenton return from injury for this week, allowing the Magpies to put their best 20 players on the paddock.
“It was perfect having the two weeks off. We’re recharged and ready to go.” Said Spencer.
Given recent form it might be hard to see Pennant Hills as figuring in this match, but North Sydney oval is a great leveler. Chris Yard had a good game against Campbelltown before injury robbed him of midfield support. If the Demons can bustle in the midfield and get some possession they may get a sniff.
It’s sometimes hard for sides to get fired up for games against struggling opposition, and this can produce an upset, but Wests are a mighty big side for the Demons younger players to contain all day, and the Magpies should be looking to be back on top of the table on Sunday night.
Prediction: Western Suburbs by 30 points
UNSW Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs v North Shore Bombers
Village Green, Sunday June 2
“I don’t think our form is that terrific.” Said UNSW-Eastern Suburbs Coach Tim Jones in the lead up to this match of the round. “This will be a real challenge. We look at North Shore as the benchmark of the competition. We rate them highly.”
Across the harbour North Shore Bombers Coach Simon Wilson is ruing another lost opportunity as the Bombers had a match cancelled last Sunday.
“We’re probably underdone.” Said Wilson. “It’ll be good to see where we’re at.”
Certainly North Shore haven’t played a lot of football compared to the other leading clubs in the competition, which may go some way to explaining their capitulation to Balmain the week before the representative break.
“We’ll be looking for 20 players to go up a gear after the Balmain game. We were flat from the start. Our enthusiasm and effort were second rate.” Said Wilson, who singled himself out for criticism after the loss. “We’re just hoping it doesn’t happen again.”
Jones is wary of the Bombers following the defeat, knowing that top sides can be dangerous coming off a loss.
“They won’t want to drop two in a row.” He said.
Both coaches identified the midfield as the key to this game, with both sides being very strong in this area.
“North Shore are a very organised team who know each other.” Said Jones. “Our guys are really going to have to back themselves.”
Despite the last up loss and the lack of football for his team in recent weeks Wilson remains confident, nominating the match ups between the two sides bigger players and in the midfield being the key to the game.
The small Village Green oval may hamper both sides’ ability to get much run on, and delivery from the midfield will be crucial to opening the game out to any degree. If the game gets to be an arm wrestle North Shore’s lack of match fitness may prove to be its undoing.
Even so, the Bombers will be looking to lift coming off a loss and will be throwing everything at the Bulldogs.
Only one thing is certain - it will be a great game.
Prediction: UNSW Eastern Suburbs by five points
St George Crows v Sydney Redbacks
Bankstown Oval, Sunday June 2
Craig O’Brien had a good game for the Sydney AFL representative team, topping the goal kicking tally for the successful side, but this week his focus is back with the Crows and he is looking for improvement from his young side.
Despite their win over the Eagles before the break, St George was very inaccurate in front of goal.
“Goalkicking is in the head. You can kick ten out of ten at practice, but during a game it’s different.” Said O’Brien. “It’s about converting opportunities.”
Despite this the St George coach believes that the Crows form is not too bad, and he is confident that the Crows can continue their winning form from before the representative match break.
“They’re a young side like us.” Said O’Brien of the Redbacks. “If they get the ball they can use it well.”
Another figure who tasted success in the representative match was Sydney AFL co-coach Brett Allison who returns to his role as coach of the Redbacks this week.
The Redbacks side is settling down a bit as the season progresses.
“We’ve had ten or so regulars for most of the year now. Those guys are getting to know how each other plays.” Said Allison.
The small Bankstown Oval will negate a bit of the Redbacks running game, but the Swans developmental side was very competitive here against the strong Western Suburbs outfit, with inaccuracy in front of goal being their downfall.
“We were more than competitive. Hopefully we can reproduce that form and come away with a win.” Said Allison.
For the Crows O’Brien will be looking for St George to continue on their winning form from before the break and put their season back on track.
St George has plenty to play for in this one, and may prove to be too hungry in the end – but if they take their foot off the pedal, or don’t convert their opportunities, they may find themselves in trouble.
Prediction: St George by 12 points
Phil Doyle