Saturday, September 9th – Neptune Oval – 4pm Kick Off
- UTS Gators (1-0) vs Northern Sydney Rebels (0-1)
- (Last Season UTS 20 – 31 REB)
It’s only been 1 game into the season but what a contrast for these two teams compared to their seasons last year. Last year when these two met, the Gators were in the midst of a losing season whilst the Rebels were white hot and riding a wave of momentum into the playoffs. This time around, the Gators are back in the win column and have their talisman players back and firing on all cylinders. The Rebels suffered a shock loss to the Mustangs last week, where Rebels DB told me that his boys “didn’t show up.” Let’s hope the Rebels can shake off the rust of the off season and give the Gators a good run for their money, although my bet is the Gators in this one.
Choc’s Prediction: UTS by 7
Saturday, September 9th – Craik Park – 3pm Kick Off
- Nepean Ducks (0-1-0) vs Wollongong Mustangs (1-0)
- (Last Season NEP 21 – 15 WOL)
The Mustangs will travel down the road to Craik Park to take on the Ducks in this clash. The ‘Stangs are coming off a 2-point victory at home over the Rebels, which surprised a fair few people including myself. Looks like VP Will Johnston-Sanders and the rest of the Wollongong organisation have done an excellent job in recruiting during the off-season and have filled their gaps that were on show in the previous year. Meanwhile, the Ducks are coming off a rather interesting game against the Sharks. They were trailing before the half when the lights at Slade Park went out. The game has since been declared a draw however we are hoping they get to replay that one. The Ducks will come into this one relatively fresh (as they only played one half of football) and look to bag their first win for the 2017 season.
Choc’s Prediction: WOL by 3
Saturday, September 9th – Craik Park – 1pm Kick Off
- West Sydney Pirates vs Central Coast Sharks (0-1-0)
- (Last Season DNP)
It will be the first time in 2 years these two teams meet each other again. Last season, their game was washed out and was not replayed throughout the rest of the season. The Pirates are coming off a bye week which basically extended their off-season so watch them come into this one fresh, hungry and ready to put the whole GNSW on notice. Meanwhile, as I mentioned above, the Sharks only have 1 half of football under their belt this year so they will be relatively fresh as well. What will be interesting to see, is if the Pirates D Line and LBs are able to contain the run threat of Sharks QB Jordan Nikora.
Choc’s Prediction: WST by 14+
Saturday, September 9th – The David Phillips Sporting Complex – 4pm Kick Off
- Northwestern Predators (1-0) vs Newcastle Kings (0-1)
- (Last Season NWP 28 – 6 NEW)
Last time we met, the Kings used their big O line to move the ball on the ground before making the wrong decision to move the ball through the air. When they did that, the Preds secondary were able to pick off a few passes with the reigning league MVP, Preds FS Jack Prichard running one back for a TD. We suffered a few early injuries against the Kings which brought the deficit to a much smaller amount than that compared to the previous year. This year, we’re looking to bring back the smash-mouth football of the Preds of old so this one should be a cracker! The Kings are coming off a tough loss to the Lions where their rookies shined brightly so this one should be a great game to watch!
Choc’s Prediction: 😉
Saturday, September 9th – The David Phillips Sporting Complex – 7pm Kick Off
- UNSW Raiders (0-1) vs Sydney University Lions (1-0)
- (Last Season: RAI 18 – 35 SYD)
The annual Foundation Shovel will be on the line in this one again, as the Lions travel to Daceyville to take on the Raiders. Last time these two met, both teams were in the tail-end of their seasons and undefeated. This year, the Lions are coming off a win to the Kings where they were able to get their players back into the motions of regular season football. Meanwhile, the Raiders are coming off a loss to the Predators in a hard-fought match. Personally, I think the Raiders were a bit late to shake off their rust from the off-season so I think they will come out firing in this one. Both teams have lost key players in key positons so this one will be interesting. Might be a bit biased, but the games at David Phillips this Saturday should be off the charts!
Choc’s Prediction: SYD by 7
**Sutherland Seahawks have the Bye this week
