Saturday, September 17th – Neptune Park – 3pm Kick Off
- Newcastle Cobras (0-1-1) vs Northwestern Predators (1-1-0)
- (Choc’s Prediction: NWP by 20+)
The Predators had to earn this hard-fought victory, with the Cobras showcasing their new look team which was bolstered over the off-season. The men from Newcastle relied heavily on their run game with a strong Offensive Line leading the charge. When they began to work through the air, the Preds secondary were able to pick off a few passes, with FS Jack Prichard (NSW Wolfpack Rep) leading the interception tally with 3 and also taking one back 90 yards for a TD. On the other side of the ball, the Preds O took a few early injury blows but were able to recover to go into the break 14-0. QB Mark Shoebridge and WR Sean Toohey linked up like Tom Brady and Julian Edelman all day with receptions all round. But this game showcased the new look Newcastle team who have vastly improved since last season and can only go further up from here.
Final Score: NEW 6 – 28 NWP
Saturday, September 17th – Neptune Park – 6pm Kick Off
- Nepean Ducks (0-1-1) vs UTS Gators (0-1-1)
- (Choc’s Prediction: UTS by 10)
Well whoever quoted me on the upset by the Ducks, well done! The Gators suffered a few key losses to injuries in their loss to the Lions last week, and the men from Nepean were able to exploit these holes to pick up their first win of the season. QB Emil Johansen was able to link up with his receivers for TDs on three occasions, while RB Stuart Etcell was able to punch one in on the ground. Something to note here, Ducks WR Grant McNaughton picked up 2 TDs here with plenty of receiving yards, and with this performance he has easily stated his case for the number 1 receiver in the GNSW… But it’s a long season. UTS will need to regroup and lock down the gaps filled by injuries if they are to replicate their 2015 playoff win against UNSW in their matchup next week.
Final Score: NEP 27 – 14 UTS
Saturday, September 17th – Craik Park – 6pm Kick Off
- West Sydney Pirates (1-1-0) vs Northern Sydney Rebels (0-1-1)
- (Choc’s Prediction: WST by 10)
After their 48 point win over the Mustangs last week, it looks like the Pirates didn’t take their feet off the accelerator, beating the Rebels by 40 points. The Pirates were firing on all cylinders on both sides of the ball, with both their Special Teams and Defence scoring a TD each. FS Blake Wotton was able to recover a high snap by the Rebels O Line and run it in for a TD, while WRs Manzil Stone, Vince Vergara and Ryan Coronel also got into the Rebels end zone for a score. After seeing what the Pirates have done to their last two opponents, I’m really looking forward to their November 5th clash with the reigning champions Sydney Uni; there may be another upset in the works. The Rebels will look forward to a week of R&R as they have the bye next week and a tough clash with the defending champions the week after.
Final Score: WST 46 – 6 REB
Saturday, September 17th – The David Phillips Sporting Complex – 3pm Kick Off
- UNSW Raiders (0-1-0) vs Central Coast Sharks (0-1-0)
- (Choc’s Prediction: RAI by 7)
The Raiders came into this game with the sour taste of defeat in their mouths from last season and they were not going to let the Sharks get away with a win again. The opening drives for both teams stalled as neither team were able to put any points on the board, however the Raiders were just getting started. QB Damon Manns threw for 3 TDs, with WR Max Nina, Rustum Todd and Nathan Radford all getting on the scoreboard, while RB Darryl Jones was able to rush for 2 TDs on the ground. This was the Sharks first game back after the bye and wash out so look for them to vastly improve in the later stages of the season. Under the leadership of QB Jordan Nikora (who was out for most of the season last year with an injury), the Sharks will look to bounce back against Wollongong next week.
Final Score: RAI 41 – CCS 12
Saturday, September 17th – The David Phillips Sporting Complex – 6pm Kick Off
- Sydney University Lions (1-1-0) vs Sutherland Seahawks (1-1-0)
- (Choc’s Prediction: SYD by 21+)
The Lions D has to be praised in this game as they ran rampant over the returning Seahawks. The secondary were able to keep the Hawks to a -37 yards gained (cheers Coach Ogborne for the stats!) through the air, while returning 2 interceptions for a TD each. And on the ground, the D Line and LBs held the Hawks to -10 yards gained, while picking up over 5 sacks. The Lions O was automatic, with WR Conor Foley (Australian Outback + NSW Wolfpack Rep) picking up over 80 yards in the air and scoring 1 TD. It looks like the Sydney Uni of old has come back and their juggernaut will be tough to stop over the season. The only team with a slight chance is the Pirates but we’ll have to wait until November for that matchup.
Final Score: SYD 63 – 0 SEA
**Wollongong Mustangs have the Bye this week
