Saturday, October 29th – Robert Ziems Park Corrimal – 6:00pm Kick Off
• Sutherland Seahawks (3-1-3) vs. Wollongong Mustangs (1-1-5)
• (Last Season: Sutherland DNP)
Looks like it’s going to be another cold and miserable day down south so hopefully these boys can light up the field and bring the heat! The Seahawks currently sit 6th on the ladder with 7 points and a win here can give them a comfortable cushion between them and the teams on the lower end of the ladder. However don’t count out the lads from Wollongong. After a crushing defeat to the Lions at home last week, watch the ‘Stangs to come out pissed off and hungry to bag their second W for the season. I smell another upset!
Choc’s Prediction: WOL by 3
Saturday, October 29th – The David Phillips Sporting Complex Daceyville – 3:30pm Kick Off
• Northern Sydney Rebels (2-1-4) vs. UTS Gators (1-1-5)
• (Last Season: REB 22 – 48 UTS)
Another team with a must win game in order to make a last minute dash at playoff contention. The Rebels sit one place below the Seahawks who are just inside playoff contention at the moment, so if they are able to beat the Gators (and the Seahawks lose to Wollongong), they will sit equal to the Sutherland lads and will have to hope they can get results in their final few games in order to leapfrog the Hawks. Meanwhile, the Gators are adjusting to a whole new game plan with an influx of different players. They may be just out of the playoff picture but don’t count them out just yet. If they can get a win here (and other teams above them lose), they may just sneak in at the last minute.
Choc’s Prediction: REB by 7
Saturday, October 29th – The David Phillips Sporting Complex Daceyville – 6:30pm Kick Off
• UNSW Raiders (7-0) vs. Sydney University Lions (6-1-0)
• (Last Season: REB 9 – 49 SYD)
This game (along with Sydney Uni vs West Sydney next week) are my picks for games of the season! The annual Foundation Shovel will be contested under lights at UNSW’s home ground, with both teams undefeated for the season. Uni and Raiders were both established in the GNSW’s establishment back in 1984, and their rivalry dates back the good old days. On a side note, both these teams have proved their dominance on the defensive side of the ball this year, with the Raiders just edging out the Lions for least points allowed (67 to 68). This one is WAY too close to call, but I think the Lions may keep their undefeated streak alive in this one.
Choc’s Prediction: SYD by 3
Saturday, October 29th – Lidcombe Oval – 3:00pm Kick Off
• Newcastle Cobras (0-1-7) vs. Nepean Ducks (3-1-3)
• (Last Season: NEW 20 – 27 NEP)
Last time these two teams met, they were both winless and facing an uphill battle in the remaining games of the season. What a difference a year makes. The Cobras are still winless but this is no way a reflection of their performances this season. They have come so close to getting their first win on multiple occasions and their team have bolstered holes from last season, particularly on the O Line. Meanwhile the Ducks are coming off an incredible start to the season (for their club anyways), with the team capturing their third win last week over the Sharks. This is a credit to Coach Bowes and the rest of their coaching staff as they took last year’s results and worked on their weaknesses and it shows! The Ducks will need to get one more win to cement their place in playoff contention and I can see this happening… but the Cobras won’t go down without a fight.
Choc’s Prediction: NEP by 7
Saturday, October 29th – Lidcombe Oval – 6:00pm Kick Off
• Northwestern Predators (2-1-5) vs. Central Coast Sharks (3-1-3)
• (Last Season: NWP 46 – 28 CCS)
We played the Sharks twice last season. Once in the regular season where we beat them 38-0 and the other in the playoffs where we won by 18. This is a fine example of the work the Sharks put in over last season and this season as they were able to turn around the defeat they suffered to us and put some points on us and force us to lift our game. This season, the Sharks have been able to pick up a handful of wins, before suffering 2 weeks of straight losses to the Lions and Ducks. They will look to turn this around this week against the disappointing Predators. The Preds have unfortunately not been the same team as we were last season. 5 straight weeks of losses has brought the morale in the team down but we will look to turn this around this week and hopefully make a last minute dash for the playoffs with a W.
Choc’s Prediction: NWP by 3
**West Sydney Pirates have the Bye this week
**Photo Credit to UNSW Raiders Gridiron Club – check out the old boys!
