2023 Season – what’s happening Premier and Platinum Divisions

[saviour01]

Not related to Prems or Platinum, but a very interesting finish to the Masters home and away season on the weekend.

Going into the round Dingoes, UTS and Balmain all on 16 points, 3rd through 5th, separated by percentage.

Dingoes (3rd) lose to UTS (4th), so drop to 4th.

Balmain (5th) kick 2 goals in the last quarter to beat Penno (1st). Balmain jump into 4th and knock Dingoes out of finals.

I could be wrong, but haven't Dingoes been in pretty much every grand final? Wouldn't have predicted them to miss out on top 4.

[Felixandfriend]

Masters became a part of Sydney AFL in 2018
St George defeated North West Sydney Redbacks in 2018 Grand Final
St George defeated Western Suburbs in 2019 GF
2020 and 2021 no finals due to Covid
St George defeated Southern Dingoes in 2022 GF
St George are the only Club to have won masters premiership but face a huge challenge from Pennant Hills this year

[Ducboy]

Any predictions for Plats & Divs premiers

[Norris Lurker]

Any predictions for Plats & Divs premiers

In Mens Prems, North Shore have been the benchmark all year. Getting it done in finals is a different story, as North Shore know only too well; but at this stage it's hard to tip against them.
Womens Prems, I still think East Coast. UTS finished top, but don't have the finals experience - but they keep winning, so they're a good chance. In Platinum, Camden have been the standouts and would have to be favourites.

[Blinkers28]

It would take a disaster for Randwick not to take out Div 1, they’re a fair bit in front of the other 3.

Other divisions seem to be more even, but interest will focus on St George in Women’s Div 1. Is a promotion to Prems on the cards if they win the flag?

Also think Penno should beat UTS pretty comfortably in the Masters GF, Bats certainly given the rub of the green from the umpires in the semi final just gone.

[Beachboy]

Camden To win battle of the SW

- - - Updated - - -

Unsw to sneak home from 4th spot
Norths to strong in div2
Randwick in div3

[saviour01]

Other divisions seem to be more even, but interest will focus on St George in Women’s Div 1. Is a promotion to Prems on the cards if they win the flag?

You'd have to think them up and power down is already the plan no matter the finals results. Sure if you can't beat mac uni, UTS or north shores reserves you don't stand much chance against their firsts, but you'd still think they have a percentage higher than 3.

[Pekay]

What happened with your 3rds Saviour? Numbers just drop off at the end of the year?

[saviour01]

Not really sure to be honest. I haven't been at the club all year. I heard they only had 12 available but not sure why.

[Beachboy]

Looks like 1st week of finals went to plan for most clubs.

[Beachboy]

Some big games this weekend
Norths vs Dogs should be a cracker
Battle of the West
Camden vs SWS $$$

[justabaraker]

I'm wondering why the Phelans are so close run - three-way tie this year, four-way tie last year.
And yet, the lower grades are more likely to have a clear winner.

Is it because there are no standout champs playing in Sydney so the entry level is low ?
Or because we have so many damned good stars of similar ability ?

And BTW....congrats to all winners

[Blinkers28]

I think it’s the latter, lots of top talent at similar levels. Also player availability comes into it, word on the street is that Gabila from Manly spent a few weeks o/s, yet still polled enough to come equal first.

All award winners are to be congratulated, but the cynical side of me looks at the men’s Div 1 winner and scratch my head. It doesn’t quite add up that he got as many votes as he did, playing in a side that won 2 games all year.

[Norris Lurker]

I'm wondering why the Phelans are so close run - three-way tie this year, four-way tie last year.
And yet, the lower grades are more likely to have a clear winner.

My theory on that is with the lower grades, they are controlled by club umpires who know the players; and that can distort their voting, they may give votes to their mates or someone they know is having a good season. Particularly if that team has the same umpire every week.

Edit/expansion - With Prems & other grades controlled by league umpires, the umpires will be more detached and independent; because they don't know the players as well. Club umpires will have more knowledge of the players, and maybe more pre-conceived ideas when it comes to votes.

[Tom Wills]

My Tip for Tomorrow in Prems Men... North Shore. After many years of dominating the comp, they will do for their President John Goode.
While they can be a self-entitled club at times, they are the best-run club in Sydney and deserve the Premiership.