Phil Doyle
8 Jul 2002, 16:43
Previews:
St George v Balmain
Olds Park, Saturday, July 13
A depleted St George were unlucky not to topple the competition leaders last week, while Balmain stuck to their guns to take the points at Roger Sheeran.
“We needed a close, hard fought game.” Said Tigers coach Troy Luff. “I’m proud of my guys and the way they stuck to their game plan.”
Despite the loss St George coach Craig O’Brien was also proud of his young Crows side:
“In the last two games we’ve lost only lost two quarters of footy. We’ve got a lot of players out, some quality footballers, you get them back in and I think we’ll go OK.”
Last week Balmain showed they can mix it on the bigger grounds, and they’ll face a similar test this week at Olds Park.
The first time these sides met this year resulted in a fiery encounter, and Luff is under no illusion as to what the Tigers face this time around:
“[St George] are the form side at the moment. This is the toughest and most important game for the year. We’ll stick to what we know best.”
For Luff this includes making sure the match ups are right, and that his side remains focussed for four quarters of footy.
With things getting congested at the top of the ladder neither of these sides can afford to drop a game. They both have strong midfields and quality defensive players.
“We just go out there and play our own game - that’s how you win.” Said O’Brien, who is looking to continue the formula that has been working for the Crows this year. “We’re not a big side, we can’t afford to be kicking the ball long, so we try and keep control of the play. We’ve just got to bring the ball to ground and hopefully out-crumb them and use our leg speed.”
St George’s slow starts have been costing them dearly in recent weeks, and they will be looking to get out of the blocks early. In contrast the Tigers have been pouncing early and will be looking to dominate from the start.
Both of these sides are likely to figure in the finals and after their first encounter this year there will be no quarter asked or given. While the Tigers come into this game with winning form the Crows will be defending their home turf, are hungry for success and aren’t far away from a win.
Prediction: St George by eight points
Last time they met: Balmain 13.11 (89) v St George 6.12 (48)
East Coast Eagles v Pennant Hills
Roger Sheeran Oval, Saturday July 13
While this isn’t exactly a top of the table clash, it is a game that has great significance for these clubs, with both desperate to avoid the wooden spoon for 2002.
Last week the Eagles showed a significant improvement on recent weeks and came close to toppling Balmain, while Pennant Hills have run into some mid-season form.
Pennant Hills coach Danny Ryan is ruing 2002 as ‘the season that could have been’ if not for the Demon’s horrendous injury toll.
“I was happy we won.” Said Ryan of the Demons efforts last week. “We’ll be looking to back up that form, but your form is only as good as your last kick and hand-ball.”
Eagles’ coach Gus Seebeck was pleased with his side’s form last week, despite the narrow loss;
“We need to work a lot harder and work for each other. It was a turnaround from the last three weeks. There were some real positives. What we’re hoping for is to go in with the same attitude.”
A highlight for the Eagles last week was the debut of 16 year old Simon Marshall who showed plenty of promise, kicking two goals, and he should figure in selection considerations for this week’s clash.
“He showed strong hands and good position.” Said Seebeck, who also flagged more of the Eagles’ successful under-18’s side getting top grade experience before the season is out.
Pennant hills are also a young side that has been averaging 12-14 under 23 players each week, so this match could well be a preview of the future of Sydney football.
The Demon’s younger brigade has come along strongly, and the return of players such as Tim Nunan has had a positive impact for Pennant Hills.
A win for the Eagles would get them off the bottom, and this may prove to be a great incentive for a side that has been playing better football this season than their position on the ladder suggests.
Prediction: East Coast Eagles by five points
Last time they met: East Coast eagles 23.7 (145) Pennant Hills 12.14 (86)
North Shore v Campbelltown
Gore Hill Oval, Saturday July 13
Campbelltown returned to the winner’s list before they had the bye, but they face a tall order against the in-form Bombers this week.
North Shore will be celebrating a hundred years of football this weekend and they will be looking forward to heading off to the Convention Centre at Darling Harbour on Saturday night with a win over Campbelltown under their belt.
After a midseason slump, which the Bombers put down to their stop-start first part of the season, North Shore are now back in the top four and are getting focussed on the business end of the season.
“We’re not getting carried away with it, but we’re pretty confident.’ Said North Shore co-coach Simon Wilson, who indicated that the Bombers are aiming for a top two finish.
For the Panthers this rebuilding year has had it’s frustrations, and the bye following their win was another of these.
“The bye came at a terrible time.” Said Panther’s coach Geoff Valentine. “Momentum is an important thing in football.”
“Last time we were beaten by twenty goals, so we have a lot of ground to make up.”
The Panthers will be looking to be competitive, playing one on one football and being accountable.
While Campbelltown should improve on their first encounter with the Bombers this year, North Shore should win this one comfortably.
Prediction: North Shore by sixty points
Last time they met: North Shore 22.10 (142) Campbelltown 2.3 (15)
Sydney Redbacks v Western Suburbs
SCG, Sunday July 14
Wests are desperately searching for a win to remain in contention for a finals berth in 2002, and this week they are in with a big chance of returning to the winners list against the young Redbacks side at the SCG.
Last week the Redbacks remained competitive until half time before the Demon’s experienced players took control of the game.
“They need a win and they’re a big strong team trying to turn the tables.” Said Redbacks coach Brett Allison of his opponents this week. “It’ll be a tough challenge.”
“We’re very wary of the Redbacks.” said Wests coach Laine Spencer, who is looking for more consistency from his charges. “We’ll be looking to get on top of the young guys early.”
Campbell returns for the Magpies this week, and Spencer is looking for his bigger players to take advantage of the space at the SCG to get some run into their play and the side as a whole playing more like a team.
“The players love playing at the SCG.” Says Spencer. “It should suit the way we move the ball around to create space.”
The last time these two sides met the Redbacks had far more scoring opportunities but couldn’t convert. It will be a vastly different Redbacks team that takes the field this week.
Michael Baker and Andrew Sliwka impressed for the Redbacks this week and Allison is hopeful they will be able to back up this week and join regular performers such as Jon Bradfield and Martin Brewster in having an impact for the Swans’ developmental side.
Wests have plenty to play for and if they can play as a team they should be too big and strong for the Redbacks, but if the Redbacks get a run on they could return to their winning ways at the SCG.
Prediction: Wests by eight points
Last time they met: Western Suburbs 17.9 (111) Redbacks 12.23 (95)
St George v Balmain
Olds Park, Saturday, July 13
A depleted St George were unlucky not to topple the competition leaders last week, while Balmain stuck to their guns to take the points at Roger Sheeran.
“We needed a close, hard fought game.” Said Tigers coach Troy Luff. “I’m proud of my guys and the way they stuck to their game plan.”
Despite the loss St George coach Craig O’Brien was also proud of his young Crows side:
“In the last two games we’ve lost only lost two quarters of footy. We’ve got a lot of players out, some quality footballers, you get them back in and I think we’ll go OK.”
Last week Balmain showed they can mix it on the bigger grounds, and they’ll face a similar test this week at Olds Park.
The first time these sides met this year resulted in a fiery encounter, and Luff is under no illusion as to what the Tigers face this time around:
“[St George] are the form side at the moment. This is the toughest and most important game for the year. We’ll stick to what we know best.”
For Luff this includes making sure the match ups are right, and that his side remains focussed for four quarters of footy.
With things getting congested at the top of the ladder neither of these sides can afford to drop a game. They both have strong midfields and quality defensive players.
“We just go out there and play our own game - that’s how you win.” Said O’Brien, who is looking to continue the formula that has been working for the Crows this year. “We’re not a big side, we can’t afford to be kicking the ball long, so we try and keep control of the play. We’ve just got to bring the ball to ground and hopefully out-crumb them and use our leg speed.”
St George’s slow starts have been costing them dearly in recent weeks, and they will be looking to get out of the blocks early. In contrast the Tigers have been pouncing early and will be looking to dominate from the start.
Both of these sides are likely to figure in the finals and after their first encounter this year there will be no quarter asked or given. While the Tigers come into this game with winning form the Crows will be defending their home turf, are hungry for success and aren’t far away from a win.
Prediction: St George by eight points
Last time they met: Balmain 13.11 (89) v St George 6.12 (48)
East Coast Eagles v Pennant Hills
Roger Sheeran Oval, Saturday July 13
While this isn’t exactly a top of the table clash, it is a game that has great significance for these clubs, with both desperate to avoid the wooden spoon for 2002.
Last week the Eagles showed a significant improvement on recent weeks and came close to toppling Balmain, while Pennant Hills have run into some mid-season form.
Pennant Hills coach Danny Ryan is ruing 2002 as ‘the season that could have been’ if not for the Demon’s horrendous injury toll.
“I was happy we won.” Said Ryan of the Demons efforts last week. “We’ll be looking to back up that form, but your form is only as good as your last kick and hand-ball.”
Eagles’ coach Gus Seebeck was pleased with his side’s form last week, despite the narrow loss;
“We need to work a lot harder and work for each other. It was a turnaround from the last three weeks. There were some real positives. What we’re hoping for is to go in with the same attitude.”
A highlight for the Eagles last week was the debut of 16 year old Simon Marshall who showed plenty of promise, kicking two goals, and he should figure in selection considerations for this week’s clash.
“He showed strong hands and good position.” Said Seebeck, who also flagged more of the Eagles’ successful under-18’s side getting top grade experience before the season is out.
Pennant hills are also a young side that has been averaging 12-14 under 23 players each week, so this match could well be a preview of the future of Sydney football.
The Demon’s younger brigade has come along strongly, and the return of players such as Tim Nunan has had a positive impact for Pennant Hills.
A win for the Eagles would get them off the bottom, and this may prove to be a great incentive for a side that has been playing better football this season than their position on the ladder suggests.
Prediction: East Coast Eagles by five points
Last time they met: East Coast eagles 23.7 (145) Pennant Hills 12.14 (86)
North Shore v Campbelltown
Gore Hill Oval, Saturday July 13
Campbelltown returned to the winner’s list before they had the bye, but they face a tall order against the in-form Bombers this week.
North Shore will be celebrating a hundred years of football this weekend and they will be looking forward to heading off to the Convention Centre at Darling Harbour on Saturday night with a win over Campbelltown under their belt.
After a midseason slump, which the Bombers put down to their stop-start first part of the season, North Shore are now back in the top four and are getting focussed on the business end of the season.
“We’re not getting carried away with it, but we’re pretty confident.’ Said North Shore co-coach Simon Wilson, who indicated that the Bombers are aiming for a top two finish.
For the Panthers this rebuilding year has had it’s frustrations, and the bye following their win was another of these.
“The bye came at a terrible time.” Said Panther’s coach Geoff Valentine. “Momentum is an important thing in football.”
“Last time we were beaten by twenty goals, so we have a lot of ground to make up.”
The Panthers will be looking to be competitive, playing one on one football and being accountable.
While Campbelltown should improve on their first encounter with the Bombers this year, North Shore should win this one comfortably.
Prediction: North Shore by sixty points
Last time they met: North Shore 22.10 (142) Campbelltown 2.3 (15)
Sydney Redbacks v Western Suburbs
SCG, Sunday July 14
Wests are desperately searching for a win to remain in contention for a finals berth in 2002, and this week they are in with a big chance of returning to the winners list against the young Redbacks side at the SCG.
Last week the Redbacks remained competitive until half time before the Demon’s experienced players took control of the game.
“They need a win and they’re a big strong team trying to turn the tables.” Said Redbacks coach Brett Allison of his opponents this week. “It’ll be a tough challenge.”
“We’re very wary of the Redbacks.” said Wests coach Laine Spencer, who is looking for more consistency from his charges. “We’ll be looking to get on top of the young guys early.”
Campbell returns for the Magpies this week, and Spencer is looking for his bigger players to take advantage of the space at the SCG to get some run into their play and the side as a whole playing more like a team.
“The players love playing at the SCG.” Says Spencer. “It should suit the way we move the ball around to create space.”
The last time these two sides met the Redbacks had far more scoring opportunities but couldn’t convert. It will be a vastly different Redbacks team that takes the field this week.
Michael Baker and Andrew Sliwka impressed for the Redbacks this week and Allison is hopeful they will be able to back up this week and join regular performers such as Jon Bradfield and Martin Brewster in having an impact for the Swans’ developmental side.
Wests have plenty to play for and if they can play as a team they should be too big and strong for the Redbacks, but if the Redbacks get a run on they could return to their winning ways at the SCG.
Prediction: Wests by eight points
Last time they met: Western Suburbs 17.9 (111) Redbacks 12.23 (95)