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FINALS PREVIEWS ? SENIORS
PREMIER LEAGUE
QUALIFYING FINAL
PENNANT HILLS (2nd 14-4) v ST GEORGE (3rd 14-4)
At Henson Park, 2.30pm Saturday.
Last Five Weeks: Pennant Hills WWWWL; St George WWLWW
Season Head to Head: Pennant Hills 2, St George 0.
Round 11: Pennant Hills 20.12 132 def St George 11.5 71 (Ern Holmes Oval)
Goals: PENNANT HILLS: C Setford 5, L Spencer 4, B Jack 3, B Mill, N Campbell 2. ST GEORGE: M Goolagong 4, S Wilsen 3, C MacDougall, M Holmes 2.
Best: PENNANT HILLS: B Mill, A Goodall, J Clarke. ST GEORGE: S Wilsen, B Bedwell, D Donohue.
Round 4: Pennant Hills 18.13 121 def St George 15.9 99 (Olds Park)
Goals: PENNANT HILLS: N Campbell 6, J Duncan 2. ST GEORGE: P Dugmore 7, D Donohue, J Minichiello, S Wilsen 2.
Best: PENNANT HILLS: N Campbell, M Carey, S Parker. ST GEORGE: P Dugmore, J Minichiello, P Sain.
The rundown: The Demons find themselves in this match-up after a terrible performance in the final round against the Bulldogs last week that cost them the minor premiership, but to underestimate them would be crazy. They had won seven in a row since their shock loss to the Bombers in round 10 and have the ability to beat anyone when they get on a roll. The Crows, meanwhile, have crept along under the radar, locked in a battle for third spot with the Eagles for most of the second half of the season, and I?m sure that?s exactly the way they like it. Both teams, in fact, are in excellent form, with their only defeats since that round 11 encounter being to the minor premiers. This could be a shootout, and while the absence of Setford and Campbell?s lack of form will bring the Demons back a bit, I still can?t pick against them just yet.
The Verdict: Pennant Hills by 16 points
ELIMINATION FINAL
EAST COAST (4th 13-5) v NORTH SHORE (5th 10-8)
At Henson Park, 2.30pm Sunday.
Last Five Weeks: East Coast LWWLW; North Shore WWWWW
Season Head to Head: East Coast 2, North Shore 0.
Round 12: East Coast 29.11 185 def North Shore 8.9 57 (Gore Hill Oval)
Goals: EAST COAST: A Byerlee 5, B Rogers, G Seebeck 4, D Bowles, A Floyd, R Smyth 3, J Vlatko 2. NORTH SHORE: R Wason 2.
Best: EAST COAST: L Stanford, A Byerlee, D Bowles. NORTH SHORE: B Fitzgerald, R Wason, L Pryor.
Round 4: East Coast 17.14 116 def North Shore 13.9 87 (Henson Park)
Goals: EAST COAST: B Rogers, S Ryan 4, A Stubbs, G Seebeck 2. NORTH SHORE: D Kulk, R Wason 4, L Pryor, A Nicks 2.
Best: EAST COAST: S Ryan, A Stubbs, J Vlatko. NORTH SHORE: M Wilson, C Holmes, L Pryor.
The rundown: The Eagles have been a guaranteed finalist all year but missed out on the all important double chance with a couple of stumbles against their direct rivals for that honour in the past five weeks, ensuring there remains a question mark over their ability to compete with the top three teams. The Bombers on the other hand looked ordinary and outclassed for the first two thirds of the season, but a shock loss to Balmain in round 13 sparked them into action and they haven?t been defeated since. The reigning premiers are finals hardened and love playing in the real stuff, and there is no doubt that the top three teams would be happy to see the Eagles put them out of business, simply because of that fact. I?ve got to pick East Coast on the strength of that 21-goal margin seven weeks ago, but a Bombers win wouldn?t surprise in the slightest.
The Verdict: East Coast by 25 points
FIRST DIVISION
SECOND SEMI FINAL
UTS (1st 17-1) v MANLY-WARRINGAH (2nd 13-5)
At Wagener Oval, 2.30pm Saturday.
Last Five Weeks: UTS WWWWW; Manly-Warringah WLLLW
Season Head to Head: UTS 2, Manly-Warringah 1.
Round 17: UTS 19.12 126 def Manly-Warringah 10.4 64 (Weldon Oval)
Goals: UTS: J Ryan 8, A Davis, B Nitschke, D Pearce 3. MANLY-WARRINGAH: M Rawle 4, M Dodds 2.
Best: UTS: D Mitchell, J Ryan, J Aitken. MANLY-WARRINGAH: J Gloede, A Whitelaw, D McMillan.
Round 7: Manly-Warringah 19.15 129 def UTS 14.9 93 (Trumper Park)
Goals: MANLY-WARRINGAH: M Rawle 4, S Murray, M Dodds 3, D Canham, R Hart, S MacKinlay 2. UTS: A Thain 6, A Davis 3.
Best: MANLY-WARRINGAH: K Hayward, B Hawkins, M Webb. UTS: L Flanagan, M Atkinson, A Whooley.
Round 1: UTS 11.14 80 def Manly-Warringah 9.6 60 (Weldon Oval)
Goals: UTS: J Aitken 3. MANLY-WARRINGAH: S Murray 3, M Rawle, B Blake 2.
Best: UTS: S Hissey, J Lynas, G Capozzi. MANLY-WARRINGAH: R Hart, S Murray, B Joseph.
The rundown: The Wolves are the only team to have lowered the Bats? colours this season as they continue on their mission to erase the disappointment of last year?s straight sets exit from the finals. That must surely be in the backs of the UTS players? minds heading into this contest, however, they have been supreme for most of the season and deserve to start clear favourites. But as reigning premiers, the Wolves have proven they know what it takes at the business end of the season. The Bats to win, but they?ll need to be on their guard.
The Verdict: UTS by 22 points
FIRST SEMI FINAL
SOUTHERN SHARKS (3rd 13-5) v HOLROYD-PARRAMATTA (4th 11-7)
At Wagener Oval, 2.30pm Sunday.
Last Five Weeks: Southern Sharks WWWWL; Holroyd-Parramatta LWWWW
Season Head to Head: Southern Sharks 1, Holroyd-Parramatta 1.
Round 13: Holroyd-Parramatta 15.12 102 def Southern Sharks 11.7 73 (Gipps Rd Oval)
Goals: HOLROYD-PARRAMATTA: B Harland 7, L Mansbridge 4, G Kennedy 2. SOUTHERN SHARKS: J O?Sullivan 4, W Oakley 2.
Best: HOLROYD-PARRAMATTA: B Harland, T Barton, B Rizzo. SOUTHERN SHARKS: T Shean, A Carmody, S Brierty.
Round 6: Southern Sharks 13.9 87 def Holroyd-Parramatta 10.7 67 (Gwawley Oval)
Goals: SOUTHERN SHARKS: J McLean 4, M Graham 3, D Taylor 2. HOLROYD-PARRAMATTA: D Worrall 6, S Costello 2.
Best: SOUTHERN SHARKS: J Wood, C Roe, M Graham: HOLROYD-PARRAMATTA: A Bishop, J Wilson, T Barton.
The rundown: The Sharks have probably been the third pick all year as they attempt to put last year?s devastating grand final behind them, and after last week?s loss to the Bats, that?s exactly where they find themselves. The Goannas on the other hand looked likely to miss the finals for most of the season after playing in this match last year until an amazing resurgence brought them four straight wins to overhaul the Warriors and play finals again. Can they win this match? You bet they can, especially considering their impressive wins over the Sharks and Wolves in the second half of the season. Will they win? I?m not as sure about that.
The Verdict: Southern Sharks by 10 points
* Minor grades from next week.
* Any other tips?
PREMIER LEAGUE
QUALIFYING FINAL
PENNANT HILLS (2nd 14-4) v ST GEORGE (3rd 14-4)
At Henson Park, 2.30pm Saturday.
Last Five Weeks: Pennant Hills WWWWL; St George WWLWW
Season Head to Head: Pennant Hills 2, St George 0.
Round 11: Pennant Hills 20.12 132 def St George 11.5 71 (Ern Holmes Oval)
Goals: PENNANT HILLS: C Setford 5, L Spencer 4, B Jack 3, B Mill, N Campbell 2. ST GEORGE: M Goolagong 4, S Wilsen 3, C MacDougall, M Holmes 2.
Best: PENNANT HILLS: B Mill, A Goodall, J Clarke. ST GEORGE: S Wilsen, B Bedwell, D Donohue.
Round 4: Pennant Hills 18.13 121 def St George 15.9 99 (Olds Park)
Goals: PENNANT HILLS: N Campbell 6, J Duncan 2. ST GEORGE: P Dugmore 7, D Donohue, J Minichiello, S Wilsen 2.
Best: PENNANT HILLS: N Campbell, M Carey, S Parker. ST GEORGE: P Dugmore, J Minichiello, P Sain.
The rundown: The Demons find themselves in this match-up after a terrible performance in the final round against the Bulldogs last week that cost them the minor premiership, but to underestimate them would be crazy. They had won seven in a row since their shock loss to the Bombers in round 10 and have the ability to beat anyone when they get on a roll. The Crows, meanwhile, have crept along under the radar, locked in a battle for third spot with the Eagles for most of the second half of the season, and I?m sure that?s exactly the way they like it. Both teams, in fact, are in excellent form, with their only defeats since that round 11 encounter being to the minor premiers. This could be a shootout, and while the absence of Setford and Campbell?s lack of form will bring the Demons back a bit, I still can?t pick against them just yet.
The Verdict: Pennant Hills by 16 points
ELIMINATION FINAL
EAST COAST (4th 13-5) v NORTH SHORE (5th 10-8)
At Henson Park, 2.30pm Sunday.
Last Five Weeks: East Coast LWWLW; North Shore WWWWW
Season Head to Head: East Coast 2, North Shore 0.
Round 12: East Coast 29.11 185 def North Shore 8.9 57 (Gore Hill Oval)
Goals: EAST COAST: A Byerlee 5, B Rogers, G Seebeck 4, D Bowles, A Floyd, R Smyth 3, J Vlatko 2. NORTH SHORE: R Wason 2.
Best: EAST COAST: L Stanford, A Byerlee, D Bowles. NORTH SHORE: B Fitzgerald, R Wason, L Pryor.
Round 4: East Coast 17.14 116 def North Shore 13.9 87 (Henson Park)
Goals: EAST COAST: B Rogers, S Ryan 4, A Stubbs, G Seebeck 2. NORTH SHORE: D Kulk, R Wason 4, L Pryor, A Nicks 2.
Best: EAST COAST: S Ryan, A Stubbs, J Vlatko. NORTH SHORE: M Wilson, C Holmes, L Pryor.
The rundown: The Eagles have been a guaranteed finalist all year but missed out on the all important double chance with a couple of stumbles against their direct rivals for that honour in the past five weeks, ensuring there remains a question mark over their ability to compete with the top three teams. The Bombers on the other hand looked ordinary and outclassed for the first two thirds of the season, but a shock loss to Balmain in round 13 sparked them into action and they haven?t been defeated since. The reigning premiers are finals hardened and love playing in the real stuff, and there is no doubt that the top three teams would be happy to see the Eagles put them out of business, simply because of that fact. I?ve got to pick East Coast on the strength of that 21-goal margin seven weeks ago, but a Bombers win wouldn?t surprise in the slightest.
The Verdict: East Coast by 25 points
FIRST DIVISION
SECOND SEMI FINAL
UTS (1st 17-1) v MANLY-WARRINGAH (2nd 13-5)
At Wagener Oval, 2.30pm Saturday.
Last Five Weeks: UTS WWWWW; Manly-Warringah WLLLW
Season Head to Head: UTS 2, Manly-Warringah 1.
Round 17: UTS 19.12 126 def Manly-Warringah 10.4 64 (Weldon Oval)
Goals: UTS: J Ryan 8, A Davis, B Nitschke, D Pearce 3. MANLY-WARRINGAH: M Rawle 4, M Dodds 2.
Best: UTS: D Mitchell, J Ryan, J Aitken. MANLY-WARRINGAH: J Gloede, A Whitelaw, D McMillan.
Round 7: Manly-Warringah 19.15 129 def UTS 14.9 93 (Trumper Park)
Goals: MANLY-WARRINGAH: M Rawle 4, S Murray, M Dodds 3, D Canham, R Hart, S MacKinlay 2. UTS: A Thain 6, A Davis 3.
Best: MANLY-WARRINGAH: K Hayward, B Hawkins, M Webb. UTS: L Flanagan, M Atkinson, A Whooley.
Round 1: UTS 11.14 80 def Manly-Warringah 9.6 60 (Weldon Oval)
Goals: UTS: J Aitken 3. MANLY-WARRINGAH: S Murray 3, M Rawle, B Blake 2.
Best: UTS: S Hissey, J Lynas, G Capozzi. MANLY-WARRINGAH: R Hart, S Murray, B Joseph.
The rundown: The Wolves are the only team to have lowered the Bats? colours this season as they continue on their mission to erase the disappointment of last year?s straight sets exit from the finals. That must surely be in the backs of the UTS players? minds heading into this contest, however, they have been supreme for most of the season and deserve to start clear favourites. But as reigning premiers, the Wolves have proven they know what it takes at the business end of the season. The Bats to win, but they?ll need to be on their guard.
The Verdict: UTS by 22 points
FIRST SEMI FINAL
SOUTHERN SHARKS (3rd 13-5) v HOLROYD-PARRAMATTA (4th 11-7)
At Wagener Oval, 2.30pm Sunday.
Last Five Weeks: Southern Sharks WWWWL; Holroyd-Parramatta LWWWW
Season Head to Head: Southern Sharks 1, Holroyd-Parramatta 1.
Round 13: Holroyd-Parramatta 15.12 102 def Southern Sharks 11.7 73 (Gipps Rd Oval)
Goals: HOLROYD-PARRAMATTA: B Harland 7, L Mansbridge 4, G Kennedy 2. SOUTHERN SHARKS: J O?Sullivan 4, W Oakley 2.
Best: HOLROYD-PARRAMATTA: B Harland, T Barton, B Rizzo. SOUTHERN SHARKS: T Shean, A Carmody, S Brierty.
Round 6: Southern Sharks 13.9 87 def Holroyd-Parramatta 10.7 67 (Gwawley Oval)
Goals: SOUTHERN SHARKS: J McLean 4, M Graham 3, D Taylor 2. HOLROYD-PARRAMATTA: D Worrall 6, S Costello 2.
Best: SOUTHERN SHARKS: J Wood, C Roe, M Graham: HOLROYD-PARRAMATTA: A Bishop, J Wilson, T Barton.
The rundown: The Sharks have probably been the third pick all year as they attempt to put last year?s devastating grand final behind them, and after last week?s loss to the Bats, that?s exactly where they find themselves. The Goannas on the other hand looked likely to miss the finals for most of the season after playing in this match last year until an amazing resurgence brought them four straight wins to overhaul the Warriors and play finals again. Can they win this match? You bet they can, especially considering their impressive wins over the Sharks and Wolves in the second half of the season. Will they win? I?m not as sure about that.
The Verdict: Southern Sharks by 10 points
* Minor grades from next week.
* Any other tips?
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