Phil Doyle
23 Jul 2002, 15:41
Previews:
Balmain v Sydney Redbacks
Drummoyne Oval, Sunday July 28
“We’ve certainly turned things around,” said Tigers’ coach Troy Luff after his side’s effort last week. “We’re in it again. It feels good around the place.”
Luff believes that his side lost last week’s game more than North Shore won it, and he is looking to take the four points this week
“We made some really basic errors. Some of the guys got showed up at this level,” said Luff, who nonetheless believes that Balmain have taken a big step forward and go into this weeks game with confidence – not that they will be taking the Redbacks lightly.
The Redbacks played better football out at the Village Green last Friday night than the scoreline would suggest. They took the football into the fifty often enough, but weren’t able to capitalize on their opportunities.
“It was a great experience for the young fellers,” said Redbacks’ coach Brett Allison. “A couple of tall forwards would have been handy.”
With many clubs now struggling with injuries as the season gets closer to finals time Allison is feeling the impact, with fewer players available for the Redbacks.
Balmain, who have lost their last three games at home, will miss tall defender Michael Ghobrial who will be away with the NSW side at the National Country Championships in the South Australian Riverlands.
Balmain’s strong start to the year showed signs of disintegrating mid-season for a while there, and bouncing back after their sub-standard effort against St George was an important indicator of what this Tiger outfit is made of.
They cannot afford to lose four points this week. With five teams chasing four finals berths every game is now vital.
“There is no way we will miss the finals,” said Luff. “We’re going to attack it with as much enthusiasm as we can.”
Coming off the back of taking on two other finals’ contenders the Redbacks, facing Balmain at Drummoyne for the second time this year, will do well to be competitive.
In the end the Tigers should have too much to play for to let this game slip through their fingers.
Prediction: Balmain by 32 points
Last time they met: Balmain 19.10 (124) d Sydney Redbacks 14.10 (94)
Pennant Hills v North Shore
Gore Hill Oval, Sunday July 28
Both of these clubs will be hoping to back up unscathed after facing each other in the round 5 catch-up game on Thursday night.
Any hope that it may be second time lucky for Pennant Hills is overshadowed by the Demons’ astounding injury toll. They currently have 23 of their best 50 players unavailable.
“It will be interesting to depending upon how we both back up from Thursday,” commented North Shore coach Simon Wilson. “We’re looking forward to it.”
The Bombers have an opportunity to move into clear second, and are looming as a serious contender for back to back flags.
Remaining focussed on the job at hand will be a big test for the Bombers. After this weekend they come up against the Bulldogs.
“We want to get through this week and focus on [UNSW – Eastern Suburbs] next week,” said Wilson.
The Demons are now looking to 2003, which may take some of the sting out of this traditionally keenly fought derby.
“It’s an opportunity to give some of the younger players a taste of first grade. The club will focus on getting what we can out of this year and look to next year.” said Pennant Hills coach Danny Ryan.
The Demons predicament may ironically be their greatest asset. With the blockbuster against the Bulldogs looming on the horizon for the Bombers, there may be a tendency to take the foot off the pedal against the Demons – which can always be a danger.
Pennant Hills have knocked off two of the other top four sides, and have shown they can play good football. The rivalry between these two clubs is also a factor.
In the end North Shore would be expected to be professional and take the four points – on paper it would appear a formality. But football is a funny game and an upset is far from impossible.
Prediction: North Shore by 60 points
Last time they met: Match postponed.
Campbelltown v Western Suburbs
Monarch Oval, Sunday July 28
Campbelltown coach Geoff Valentine is looking to carry the momentum from last weeks win into this game, but he also realises Wests have a lot to play for.
“I’m hoping the boys can put together a four quarter performance. It’s not good enough having 15 contributors – we need 20 contributors for four quarters,” said the Campbelltown coach.
It was what Valentine asked of his troops last week, and they answered in fine style.
Campbelltown have been looking for the right mix, and they have promoted players from their seconds, who are in finals contention, as well as their under-18s in order to build their side up for 2003. Good examples of this are youngster Amir Kaled and Matty Williams, who Valentine singled out for mention after their strong performances after arriving in the top grade.
Last weeks break was handy for Wests’ to be able to regroup after some indifferent midseason form.
“We’ve played an individual style [of football] that has been bordering on selfishness,” was Wests’ coach Laine Spencer’s frank assessment. He wants to get his side, especially his midfield, playing more as a team.
Spencer admits he has never seen Monarch, but from what he has heard he believes he will like the ground:
“Coming from WA I love the big grounds.
“Like Footscray we will be looking to move the ball from fullback to halfback by going very wide. Then bring it back into the centre.”
Valentine also knows that the wide-open spaces at Monarch can create opportunities for a side like Wests, who play a strong possession game.
“If they can control the ball, chip it around, there is space for their players to run into if we don’t man up effectively.”
Valentine, for his part, will be encouraging his side to use their running game.
Campbelltown will miss the services of Radlee Moller who will be representing NSW this weekend.
Wests haven’t been clicking as a side lately, and Campbelltown may be able to build on the confidence of last week’s win and pull off an upset here.
Prediction: Campbelltown by two points
Last time they met: Western Suburbs 18.14 (122) d Campbelltown 9.11 (65)
East Coast Eagles v UNSW – Eastern Suburbs
Roger Sheeran, Sunday July 28
The Eagles are still the only side that has toppled the competition front runners this year and they will be taking the same philosophy that saw them win last time into this game.
“It will be a huge game, they’re always a tough opponent. They’ll certainly be fired up,” said UNSW – Eastern Suburbs coach Tim Jones, who admits that his side this week is probably the weakest the Bulldogs have put on the paddock in 2002.
Between injuries and the state game UNSW – Eastern Suburbs is expected to be without up to half a dozen senior players. Jones sees this as a blessing in disguise:
“It’s better testing [our depth] now than at finals time.”
“We can’t get too far ahead of ourselves,” said Jones. “Teams get up for the top team. Sides we’ve played this year have thrown everything at us.”
Jones says his side knows the Eagles aren’t to be messed with, but Eagles coach Gus Seebeck believes the Bulldogs will be concentrating on their own game:
“They’re not going to be interested in us. The only way to expose them is to use the footy.
“We’ll be focussing on one grab footy and try and hit our targets.”
Despite last weeks loss to St George the Eagles fought back gamely in the second half from a very difficult position.
On their day the Eagles can beat anyone, including the Bulldogs.
Prediction: East Coast Eagles by seven points
Last time they met: East Coast Eagles 12.7 (79) d UNSW – Eastern Suburbs 10.13 (73)
Phil Doyle
Balmain v Sydney Redbacks
Drummoyne Oval, Sunday July 28
“We’ve certainly turned things around,” said Tigers’ coach Troy Luff after his side’s effort last week. “We’re in it again. It feels good around the place.”
Luff believes that his side lost last week’s game more than North Shore won it, and he is looking to take the four points this week
“We made some really basic errors. Some of the guys got showed up at this level,” said Luff, who nonetheless believes that Balmain have taken a big step forward and go into this weeks game with confidence – not that they will be taking the Redbacks lightly.
The Redbacks played better football out at the Village Green last Friday night than the scoreline would suggest. They took the football into the fifty often enough, but weren’t able to capitalize on their opportunities.
“It was a great experience for the young fellers,” said Redbacks’ coach Brett Allison. “A couple of tall forwards would have been handy.”
With many clubs now struggling with injuries as the season gets closer to finals time Allison is feeling the impact, with fewer players available for the Redbacks.
Balmain, who have lost their last three games at home, will miss tall defender Michael Ghobrial who will be away with the NSW side at the National Country Championships in the South Australian Riverlands.
Balmain’s strong start to the year showed signs of disintegrating mid-season for a while there, and bouncing back after their sub-standard effort against St George was an important indicator of what this Tiger outfit is made of.
They cannot afford to lose four points this week. With five teams chasing four finals berths every game is now vital.
“There is no way we will miss the finals,” said Luff. “We’re going to attack it with as much enthusiasm as we can.”
Coming off the back of taking on two other finals’ contenders the Redbacks, facing Balmain at Drummoyne for the second time this year, will do well to be competitive.
In the end the Tigers should have too much to play for to let this game slip through their fingers.
Prediction: Balmain by 32 points
Last time they met: Balmain 19.10 (124) d Sydney Redbacks 14.10 (94)
Pennant Hills v North Shore
Gore Hill Oval, Sunday July 28
Both of these clubs will be hoping to back up unscathed after facing each other in the round 5 catch-up game on Thursday night.
Any hope that it may be second time lucky for Pennant Hills is overshadowed by the Demons’ astounding injury toll. They currently have 23 of their best 50 players unavailable.
“It will be interesting to depending upon how we both back up from Thursday,” commented North Shore coach Simon Wilson. “We’re looking forward to it.”
The Bombers have an opportunity to move into clear second, and are looming as a serious contender for back to back flags.
Remaining focussed on the job at hand will be a big test for the Bombers. After this weekend they come up against the Bulldogs.
“We want to get through this week and focus on [UNSW – Eastern Suburbs] next week,” said Wilson.
The Demons are now looking to 2003, which may take some of the sting out of this traditionally keenly fought derby.
“It’s an opportunity to give some of the younger players a taste of first grade. The club will focus on getting what we can out of this year and look to next year.” said Pennant Hills coach Danny Ryan.
The Demons predicament may ironically be their greatest asset. With the blockbuster against the Bulldogs looming on the horizon for the Bombers, there may be a tendency to take the foot off the pedal against the Demons – which can always be a danger.
Pennant Hills have knocked off two of the other top four sides, and have shown they can play good football. The rivalry between these two clubs is also a factor.
In the end North Shore would be expected to be professional and take the four points – on paper it would appear a formality. But football is a funny game and an upset is far from impossible.
Prediction: North Shore by 60 points
Last time they met: Match postponed.
Campbelltown v Western Suburbs
Monarch Oval, Sunday July 28
Campbelltown coach Geoff Valentine is looking to carry the momentum from last weeks win into this game, but he also realises Wests have a lot to play for.
“I’m hoping the boys can put together a four quarter performance. It’s not good enough having 15 contributors – we need 20 contributors for four quarters,” said the Campbelltown coach.
It was what Valentine asked of his troops last week, and they answered in fine style.
Campbelltown have been looking for the right mix, and they have promoted players from their seconds, who are in finals contention, as well as their under-18s in order to build their side up for 2003. Good examples of this are youngster Amir Kaled and Matty Williams, who Valentine singled out for mention after their strong performances after arriving in the top grade.
Last weeks break was handy for Wests’ to be able to regroup after some indifferent midseason form.
“We’ve played an individual style [of football] that has been bordering on selfishness,” was Wests’ coach Laine Spencer’s frank assessment. He wants to get his side, especially his midfield, playing more as a team.
Spencer admits he has never seen Monarch, but from what he has heard he believes he will like the ground:
“Coming from WA I love the big grounds.
“Like Footscray we will be looking to move the ball from fullback to halfback by going very wide. Then bring it back into the centre.”
Valentine also knows that the wide-open spaces at Monarch can create opportunities for a side like Wests, who play a strong possession game.
“If they can control the ball, chip it around, there is space for their players to run into if we don’t man up effectively.”
Valentine, for his part, will be encouraging his side to use their running game.
Campbelltown will miss the services of Radlee Moller who will be representing NSW this weekend.
Wests haven’t been clicking as a side lately, and Campbelltown may be able to build on the confidence of last week’s win and pull off an upset here.
Prediction: Campbelltown by two points
Last time they met: Western Suburbs 18.14 (122) d Campbelltown 9.11 (65)
East Coast Eagles v UNSW – Eastern Suburbs
Roger Sheeran, Sunday July 28
The Eagles are still the only side that has toppled the competition front runners this year and they will be taking the same philosophy that saw them win last time into this game.
“It will be a huge game, they’re always a tough opponent. They’ll certainly be fired up,” said UNSW – Eastern Suburbs coach Tim Jones, who admits that his side this week is probably the weakest the Bulldogs have put on the paddock in 2002.
Between injuries and the state game UNSW – Eastern Suburbs is expected to be without up to half a dozen senior players. Jones sees this as a blessing in disguise:
“It’s better testing [our depth] now than at finals time.”
“We can’t get too far ahead of ourselves,” said Jones. “Teams get up for the top team. Sides we’ve played this year have thrown everything at us.”
Jones says his side knows the Eagles aren’t to be messed with, but Eagles coach Gus Seebeck believes the Bulldogs will be concentrating on their own game:
“They’re not going to be interested in us. The only way to expose them is to use the footy.
“We’ll be focussing on one grab footy and try and hit our targets.”
Despite last weeks loss to St George the Eagles fought back gamely in the second half from a very difficult position.
On their day the Eagles can beat anyone, including the Bulldogs.
Prediction: East Coast Eagles by seven points
Last time they met: East Coast Eagles 12.7 (79) d UNSW – Eastern Suburbs 10.13 (73)
Phil Doyle