Gridiron NSW Week 1 Preview

FOOTBALL SEASON IS FINALLY HERE!! As a player, it feels so good to be saying that. It felt like the off-season went forever! But now that’s over, we are just a few days away from a season opener that will be showcased in front of (hopefully) a fair few college players and coaches from the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors and Cal-Berkeley Bears. No pressure boys (haha!)

*The UNSW Raiders have the bye this round
**Both the Lions and Rebels will be featured twice as they have two games each in Round 1

Thursday, August 25th – Sydney University Oval No. 2 – 7pm Kick Off – CANCELLED

Sydney University Lions vs Northern Sydney Rebels

(Last Season: SYD 90-6 REB)

Saturday, September 3rd – Neptune Park – 6pm Kick Off

UTS Gators vs Newcastle Cobras

(Last Season UTS 30-14 NEW)

Saturday, September 3rd sees the first full day of games in GNSW, and UTS will be hosting Newcastle at home. The Gators are coming off of a relatively successful season last year, going down in the semi-finals to Sydney Uni while Newcastle struggled to get a win all throughout season 2015. As I noted in my season preview, Newcastle have had the opportunity to host the Hunter Gridiron League, which has hopefully led to a big influx of developmental players. Look for the Cobras to utilise these players and come out guns blazing in 2016.

Choc’s Prediction: UTS 24-6 NEW

Saturday, September 3rd – Craik Park – 7pm Kick Off

West Sydney Pirates vs Central Coast Sharks

(Last Season WST 52-15 CEN)

The Pirates will be hosting the travelling Sharks in this clash. The Waratah Bowl runners up will look to start off their season the same as they did last year, with a huge win. Last time these two met, the Pirates were able to run away with the game in the second half, after the Sharks had kept them to only a 9 point lead going into halftime. This season, the Pirates will look to minimise the offensive mistakes they made in that first half and establish their dominance early. Keep an eye out for Sharks LB Rhett Tos (son of one of the greatest minds in football in NSW Peter Tos Snr), who will be wreaking havoc in the West Sydney backfield.

Choc’s Prediction: WST 42-24 CEN

Saturday, September 3rd – Darling St Park – 6:30pm Kick Off

Northwestern Predators vs Wollongong Mustangs

(Last Season NWP 34-25 WOL)

In a repeat of last season, the Preds will open their 2016 campaign against the Mustangs. The Mustangs came within 9 points of the Preds last time they met in Wollongong, so Northwestern will need to bring their A-game if they want to replicate their performance from 2015. The Mustangs can do some damage in the run game so the Preds defensive line will need to close up the gaps and keep their total rushing yards to a minimum. The Mustangs will need to also keep a close eye out for the DePyper brothers, with both FS Alex and LB Jason getting an interception each and Jason returning one for a TD last time. This will be a hotly contested match and you can count on yours truly to make an impact (or attempt to). 😉

Choc’s Prediction: NWP 42-14 WOL

Saturday September 3rd – Darling St Park – 3:30pm Kick Off

Northern Sydney Rebels vs Sutherland Seahawks

(Seahawks did not field a team in 2015)

In this North vs South clash, the Rebels will come up against the returning Seahawks. Northern Sydney will be one game deep at this point, having already met Sydney Uni in the season opener, which could be an advantage with their rookies already having a game under their belt. But in this sport you never know. If the Seahawks are able to replicate the success of their Colts team over the last 3 years, this will become a very entertaining match and I’ll definitely be there to watch first hand. Remember too, the Seahawks are a team which produced talents like Sean and Blake Muir, with the latter having just signed for the San Francisco 49ers (congrats Blake!!). This is a testament to the Hawks coaches and training. Watch out for them…

Choc’s Prediction: REB 21-28 SEA

Saturday, September 3rd – Craik Park – 4pm Kick Off

Sydney University Lions vs Nepean Ducks

(Last Season: SYD 56-0 NEP)

Last time these two met, the Lions set the tone on D and didn’t allow anything from the Ducks. The defending champions should continue this form in their second game of the season, as their Defence is still rated the best in the league. The Ducks have a tough challenge ahead of them to open their 2016 campaign, but I believe any experience their players gain from playing the champions, they will take this and utilise throughout the season.

Choc’s Prediction: SYD 63-0 NEP

Did you miss the Gridiron NSW 2016 season preview? Check it out here!