Phil Doyle
4 Jun 2002, 01:50
Western Suburbs Magpies v Balmain Tigers
Bankstown Oval, Sunday June 9
This top of the table clash will be one of the hardest fought encounters on the Sydney football calendar for 2002.
With Balmain in such devastating form the Magpies go in as underdogs, not least due to their first half effort last week. At half time they trailed the winless Pennant Hills and coach Laine Spencer admits that the Magpies rooms looked like “a telephone booth; and Superman has just walked in”.
“We forgot how to play wet weather football.” Said Spencer. “We didn’t do the in and under stuff.”
Wests will have no lack of focus this week when they take on Balmain.
“It’ll be an emotional game for them with the players that have come over here from Balmain.” Says Spencer, who remains confident despite his side’s recent stumble against another top four side, North Shore. “When we lost to North Shore we really let down our skill level. We didn’t play man on man football. We have to straighten up those skills. We’re looking for universal, accountable footballers.”
With both teams renown for their hard at the ball style Balmain Coach Troy Luff believes it will be a big game for both sides.
“It’s one of those eight point games. Balmain and Wests are always big games.” Said Luff, who is still looking for improvement from his team despite their strong win last week. “It was a good win but inaccuracy cost us. We dominated the midfield, but goal kicking let us down. I did it myself. We need to reward the hard work of our backs.
“We rose to the occasion against North Shore and I believe we’re still improving.”
Laine Spencer suggested that Balmain’s key defender, Michael Ghobrial, would be likely to pick up Magpies’ sharpshooter Lee Campbell.
While Campbell is currently leading the goalkicking for the Sydney AFL he is by no means the only string to the Magpies’ bow, with Scott Thomlinson and form ruckman Dale Odgers also pivotal to the side.
After watching Balmain dispose of North Shore at the small North Sydney Oval, Wests at Bankstown would appear to be easily within their range. Still, there is more than a little feeling between these clubs and if Wests can man up and get an even share of the footy they may just get a sniff.
The real winners may be the clubs who play these sides in round nine.
Prediction: Balmain by three points
Campbelltown Panthers v UNSW – Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs
Monarch Oval, Sunday June 9
UNSW – Eastern Suburbs coach Tim Jones eschews the old adage of ‘taking it one week at a time’:
“Campbelltown are in a tough situation. We will not underestimate them, but we’d have to back ourselves to win and look to next week.”
The Bulldogs are coming off a very hard game against premiers North Shore and the temptation would be to relax a bit against the Panthers, but Jones has no plans to be complacent or to give Campbelltown a sniff:
“We will have to get off to a good start and get a good lead at quarter time and half time.”
The Panthers’ strongest asset during their lean streak has been their midfield – an area in which Balmain comprehensively beat them last week.
“Our skill level and decision making were not up to scratch.’ Said Campbelltown coach Geoff Valentine after last week’s loss. “We have to train hard and focus hard, work hard and believe in our own ability. Eventually these things turn around.”
Campbelltown have a strong association with the army and were missing four players who were away at the army’s national championships. These players will return this week. On top of that Campbelltown’s seconds have been travelling consistently with Brunton and Lye making strong cases for selection in the top grade. No doubt there will be changes again to the Campbelltown side as the Panthers look for the right formula to turn things around.
If Campbelltown do click they may get a sniff, especially if the Bulldogs don’t switch on. UNSW – Eastern Suburbs has a lot of big, mobile and professional players. Probably too many for this to be a factor.
Prediction: UNSW – Eastern Suburbs by forty points
North Shore Bombers v St George Crows
North Sydney Oval, Sunday June 9
It’s been a long time since North Shore lost three on the trot, and they won’t want it to happen this week.
“We haven’t had three losses in a row since I started at the club.” Said Bombers’ co-coach Simon Wilson in the lead up to this match.
The Bombers suffered another blow from their loss to the Bulldogs last week with ruckman Ben Sheidow out for several weeks after being hospitalised.
“I’m not saying we’ll go out there and win the game.” Said St George Crows coach Craig O’Brien. “But we can push North Shore, if not beat them if we’re good enough.”
O’Brien is also unfazed by the away game, pointing out that the Crows have won two games on small grounds by margins of 100 and 76 points. He was also full of praise for the Crows’ younger brigade that has stood up in 2002. The efforts of Seccull, Featherstone and Richmond, amongst others, mean that St George no longer has to rely entirely on its senior players to win matches.
Wilson also singled out Seccull, along with O’Brien and Johnston, as keys to the St George side. Despite the two losses, both to top four sides, Wilson is still pretty happy with the Bombers situation.
“We had a hard four quarters of football [last week] and we’re better for the run. We were five goals down at quarter time and we fought back to get within three points.
“The other clubs seem to lift when they play against us. We need to pick up another notch.”
The Bombers get three senior players back next week, but will still have to cover the loss of their ruckman, and Wilson admits that the depth at North Shore is not quite what it’s been in recent seasons.
The young Crows side is competitive and if they get a sniff early an upset could be on the cards. A win would propel them into the top four at the Bombers expense. With that to play for North Shore should come out firing and may prove too hungry in the end.
Prediction: North Shore by five points
East Coast Eagles v Sydney Redbacks
Roger Sheeran Oval, Sunday June 9
Despite last week’s loss Brett Allison was very pleased with his side’s first half effort, especially their accountability, tackling and pressuring football.
“Maybe we were exposed strength wise in the second half, but our overall team performance dropped off.” Said Allison, who is looking forward to this weeks clash with the East Coast Eagles.
“Hopefully Roger Sheeran, being a big ground, will give my side a chance. The younger kids will have more space and more room to run.”
With effectively two weeks off the Eagles are freshened up and should be able to put an all but full strength side on the paddock.
“We’ve been doing lots of fitness work during the break.” Said East Coast Eagles co-coach Andrew Baxter. “We can’t let them get the jump, we can never underestimate the Redbacks.”
The Redbacks’ Daniel Hunt had a great game in the ruck and centre half forward last week and may be an impact player for the Swans developmental side. Luke Jarjoura, a Former Eagle, and Mark Powell will also be looking to continue their recent strong form.
Baxter also believes that the Redbacks will have something extra this week:
“They always play well against us. The Eagles were the first side to beat the Redbacks. Brett tends to fire them up.”
In what should be a good open game between two young sides the Redbacks’ speed, skill and athleticism will prove difficult to contain. The Eagles, with two wins, desperately need another four points. The young side has been playing good football but unfortunately hasn’t been able to go that bit further. This may be their week.
Prediction: East Coast Eagles by 22 points
Phil Doyle
Bankstown Oval, Sunday June 9
This top of the table clash will be one of the hardest fought encounters on the Sydney football calendar for 2002.
With Balmain in such devastating form the Magpies go in as underdogs, not least due to their first half effort last week. At half time they trailed the winless Pennant Hills and coach Laine Spencer admits that the Magpies rooms looked like “a telephone booth; and Superman has just walked in”.
“We forgot how to play wet weather football.” Said Spencer. “We didn’t do the in and under stuff.”
Wests will have no lack of focus this week when they take on Balmain.
“It’ll be an emotional game for them with the players that have come over here from Balmain.” Says Spencer, who remains confident despite his side’s recent stumble against another top four side, North Shore. “When we lost to North Shore we really let down our skill level. We didn’t play man on man football. We have to straighten up those skills. We’re looking for universal, accountable footballers.”
With both teams renown for their hard at the ball style Balmain Coach Troy Luff believes it will be a big game for both sides.
“It’s one of those eight point games. Balmain and Wests are always big games.” Said Luff, who is still looking for improvement from his team despite their strong win last week. “It was a good win but inaccuracy cost us. We dominated the midfield, but goal kicking let us down. I did it myself. We need to reward the hard work of our backs.
“We rose to the occasion against North Shore and I believe we’re still improving.”
Laine Spencer suggested that Balmain’s key defender, Michael Ghobrial, would be likely to pick up Magpies’ sharpshooter Lee Campbell.
While Campbell is currently leading the goalkicking for the Sydney AFL he is by no means the only string to the Magpies’ bow, with Scott Thomlinson and form ruckman Dale Odgers also pivotal to the side.
After watching Balmain dispose of North Shore at the small North Sydney Oval, Wests at Bankstown would appear to be easily within their range. Still, there is more than a little feeling between these clubs and if Wests can man up and get an even share of the footy they may just get a sniff.
The real winners may be the clubs who play these sides in round nine.
Prediction: Balmain by three points
Campbelltown Panthers v UNSW – Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs
Monarch Oval, Sunday June 9
UNSW – Eastern Suburbs coach Tim Jones eschews the old adage of ‘taking it one week at a time’:
“Campbelltown are in a tough situation. We will not underestimate them, but we’d have to back ourselves to win and look to next week.”
The Bulldogs are coming off a very hard game against premiers North Shore and the temptation would be to relax a bit against the Panthers, but Jones has no plans to be complacent or to give Campbelltown a sniff:
“We will have to get off to a good start and get a good lead at quarter time and half time.”
The Panthers’ strongest asset during their lean streak has been their midfield – an area in which Balmain comprehensively beat them last week.
“Our skill level and decision making were not up to scratch.’ Said Campbelltown coach Geoff Valentine after last week’s loss. “We have to train hard and focus hard, work hard and believe in our own ability. Eventually these things turn around.”
Campbelltown have a strong association with the army and were missing four players who were away at the army’s national championships. These players will return this week. On top of that Campbelltown’s seconds have been travelling consistently with Brunton and Lye making strong cases for selection in the top grade. No doubt there will be changes again to the Campbelltown side as the Panthers look for the right formula to turn things around.
If Campbelltown do click they may get a sniff, especially if the Bulldogs don’t switch on. UNSW – Eastern Suburbs has a lot of big, mobile and professional players. Probably too many for this to be a factor.
Prediction: UNSW – Eastern Suburbs by forty points
North Shore Bombers v St George Crows
North Sydney Oval, Sunday June 9
It’s been a long time since North Shore lost three on the trot, and they won’t want it to happen this week.
“We haven’t had three losses in a row since I started at the club.” Said Bombers’ co-coach Simon Wilson in the lead up to this match.
The Bombers suffered another blow from their loss to the Bulldogs last week with ruckman Ben Sheidow out for several weeks after being hospitalised.
“I’m not saying we’ll go out there and win the game.” Said St George Crows coach Craig O’Brien. “But we can push North Shore, if not beat them if we’re good enough.”
O’Brien is also unfazed by the away game, pointing out that the Crows have won two games on small grounds by margins of 100 and 76 points. He was also full of praise for the Crows’ younger brigade that has stood up in 2002. The efforts of Seccull, Featherstone and Richmond, amongst others, mean that St George no longer has to rely entirely on its senior players to win matches.
Wilson also singled out Seccull, along with O’Brien and Johnston, as keys to the St George side. Despite the two losses, both to top four sides, Wilson is still pretty happy with the Bombers situation.
“We had a hard four quarters of football [last week] and we’re better for the run. We were five goals down at quarter time and we fought back to get within three points.
“The other clubs seem to lift when they play against us. We need to pick up another notch.”
The Bombers get three senior players back next week, but will still have to cover the loss of their ruckman, and Wilson admits that the depth at North Shore is not quite what it’s been in recent seasons.
The young Crows side is competitive and if they get a sniff early an upset could be on the cards. A win would propel them into the top four at the Bombers expense. With that to play for North Shore should come out firing and may prove too hungry in the end.
Prediction: North Shore by five points
East Coast Eagles v Sydney Redbacks
Roger Sheeran Oval, Sunday June 9
Despite last week’s loss Brett Allison was very pleased with his side’s first half effort, especially their accountability, tackling and pressuring football.
“Maybe we were exposed strength wise in the second half, but our overall team performance dropped off.” Said Allison, who is looking forward to this weeks clash with the East Coast Eagles.
“Hopefully Roger Sheeran, being a big ground, will give my side a chance. The younger kids will have more space and more room to run.”
With effectively two weeks off the Eagles are freshened up and should be able to put an all but full strength side on the paddock.
“We’ve been doing lots of fitness work during the break.” Said East Coast Eagles co-coach Andrew Baxter. “We can’t let them get the jump, we can never underestimate the Redbacks.”
The Redbacks’ Daniel Hunt had a great game in the ruck and centre half forward last week and may be an impact player for the Swans developmental side. Luke Jarjoura, a Former Eagle, and Mark Powell will also be looking to continue their recent strong form.
Baxter also believes that the Redbacks will have something extra this week:
“They always play well against us. The Eagles were the first side to beat the Redbacks. Brett tends to fire them up.”
In what should be a good open game between two young sides the Redbacks’ speed, skill and athleticism will prove difficult to contain. The Eagles, with two wins, desperately need another four points. The young side has been playing good football but unfortunately hasn’t been able to go that bit further. This may be their week.
Prediction: East Coast Eagles by 22 points
Phil Doyle