Saturday, September 24th – Neptune Park – 6pm Kick Off
• UTS Gators (0-1-2) vs UNSW Raiders (2-1-0)
• (Last Season UTS 21 – 15 RAI)
Last time these two met, the Gators were able to hand a shock defeat to the Raiders, cementing their place in the GNSW Semi-Finals. UTS were able to take an early lead and never looked back, with their secondary shining against a strong passing attack by the green machine. However, the Raiders signed a few notable players from the Gators (WR Rustum Todd, RB Christian Gaitau and LB Marcos Delana) in the offseason and UTS are coming off a shock loss to the Ducks last week. This will be a close one but my tip is the boys in green to win this one clean.
Choc’s Prediction: RAI by 7
Saturday, September 17th – Darling Street Park – 3pm Kick Off
• Central Coast Sharks (0-1-1) vs Wollongong Mustangs (0-1-1)
• (Last Season CCS 6 – 21 WOL)
The Sharks are coming off a disappointing loss to the Raiders last week, where they were beaten in both the air and on the ground by the UNSW O. The Mustangs have had a week off to heal their wounds and regroup after a blowout by the West Sydney Pirates. The last time these two met, the Mustangs were able to get on the scoreboard in the second quarter after a costly error by the Sharks D and never trailed since.
Choc’s Prediction: WOL by 7
Saturday, September 24th – Darling Street Park – 6pm Kick Off
• Sydney University Lions (2-1-0) vs Northwestern Predators (2-1-0)
• (Last Season SYD)
A top of the table clash for these two teams as they meet once again. Last season, the Predators were able to go into halftime just down 8-7. Then the Lions came back with their trademark high tempo offense in the second half and ran all over the boys in red and black. The depth of the Sydney Uni roster was apparent in this game as they were able to keep healthy players on the field while the Predators D suffered a few key injuries and had to slot players into these holes. A few key highlights from the last time these two met; SYD RB Alex Watson getting it done on the ground rushing for more than 75 yards and picking up a handful of TDs; and NWP QB Mark Shoebridge hurdling SYD DB Kevin Trinh in open field (check out the highlights from the last game in the link below). If the Preds are able to keep up with the Sydney Uni O, we’ll be able to give them a run for their money but I think Uni will be too strong for us.
Choc’s Prediction: SYD by 21
Saturday, September 24th – Walters Park Speers Point – 3pm Kick Off
• Nepean Ducks (1-1-1) vs Sutherland Seahawks (1-1-1)
• (Last Season: Sutherland did not field a team in 2015)
Both teams sit on 3 championship points each coming into this round and the winner of this one will help give some clarity to the middle of the table. The Ducks are coming off a surprising win last week against UTS, with most of their points coming through the air as QB Emil Johansen threw for 3 TDs and over 100 yards passing. On the other hand, the Seahawks are coming off a loss against the Lions where they were blown out by over 60 points. If the Hawks want to have any chance to beat the boys from Nepean, they will need to lock down their Secondary and prevent Johansen from finding his star receiver Grant McNaughton (who went caught 2 TDs last week).
Choc’s Prediction: RAI by 7
Saturday, September 24th – Walters Park Speers Point – 6pm Kick Off
• West Sydney Pirates (2-1-0) vs Newcastle Cobras (0-1-2)
• (Last Season: WST 60 – 0 NEW)
The Pirates have been steamrolling through their last few games and it looks like this one will end in similar fashion. The Cobras were able to keep a lower score line last week against the Predators and they were able to put the D on the back foot with their strong run game behind that massive O Line. But I think the Pirates D Line and LBs will be able to force the Cobras to work through the air. The Cobras will have to continue their tough D and keep pushing to keep this score line low.
Choc’s Prediction: WST by 14+
**Northern Sydney Rebels have the Bye this week
Sydney Uni vs Northwestern Predators 2015 Highlights:
