Saturday, October 21st – Neptune Oval – 3pm Kick Off
- UTS Gators (5-1) vs. Wollongong Mustangs (1-1-3)
- (Last Season: UTS 50 – 14 WOL)
Ironic that while I’m writing this, I’m watching the Chiefs vs Raiders. UTS started with a very similar season to Kansas City, winning 5 in a row but going down to their nemesis UNSW last week and having their first L on their record for the season. UTS HC Rocco Bosco will look to bounce back in this one and get his boys back in the win column. 6 games into the season and they have more than secured a playoff spot, so now it’s time to secure that first or second place for the playoff rounds. But this won’t be an easy task, particularly coming up against the Mustangs. I said it last week, the Mustangs are nowhere near the team they were last season; this is a team that have vastly improved and were able to give the undefeated Pirates a run for their money, particularly on their D. If I’m gonna go with history, I’ll say back the Gators in this one but honestly, I’m not sure. If Wollongong can come out and stuff the run game of the Gators like they did against the Pirates, this could go either way. I might just back the Mustangs and cause come controversy hahaha 😉
Choc’s Prediction: WOL by 3
Saturday, October 21st – Neptune Oval – 6pm Kick Off
- Nepean Ducks (2-1-2) vs. North Sydney Rebels (3-3)
- (Last Season: NEP 6 – 7 REB)
Now this one should be an absolute cracker. Both teams are coming off good wins last week and will be going into this one with a bit of momentum. The Ducks will be looking to get revenge after the last time these two met, where the Rebels won by 1 point and knocked the Ducks out of the playoff race. The last game was a highly defensive battle with just 1 TD for each team. The game changer came when Rebels DB Ben Lucas disrupted the PAT and the kick was blocked by DT Simon Woodcock. I think this time around; the Ducks won’t allow this to happen. They will look to put the game away early and decisively. My favourite match up for this week is going to be the battle between Rebels LB Daniel Pearson and Ducks RB Adam Simpson; who put up big numbers last week against the Kings (16 carries, 151 yds, 2 TDs). My pick for Game Of The Week.
Choc’s Prediction: too close to call
Saturday, October 21st – Slade Park – 4pm Kick Off
- Central Coast Sharks (1-1-4) vs. Sutherland Seahawks (1-4)
- (Last Season: CCS 21 – 20 SEA)
In their final home game for the season, the Sharks will host the travelling Seahawks in this one. Last time they met, resiliency was the word of the day, as the Sharks went up 21-8 before the half and held off a strong Seahawks O who were steaming in during the second half; to just miss out 21-20. This time around, I think revenge will be the key to this one (kind of like the Ducks vs Rebels game). The Seahawks momentum stalled last year with this loss and they went onto the first game of the playoffs and were beaten by the Rebels. This time around, they will want to assert their dominance early rack up points so they aren’t chasing the victory like last time. Meanwhile, the Sharks will be focusing on their passing game, with rumours circulating that QB Jordan Nikora has suffered an injury which will keep him from scrambling and using his dangerous run game. Both teams need to win this one if they are to have any hope of scraping through to the playoffs so this one should be interesting.
Choc’s Prediction: SEA by 3
Saturday, October 21st – Lidcombe Oval – 4pm Kick Off
- West Sydney Pirates (5-0) vs. UNSW Raiders (3-3)
- (Last Season: WST 50 – 46 RAI)
This one has all the makings to be an absolute amazing game. The Pirates are back to the juggernaut they were last season, going 5-0 against some serious competition. I called it at the start of the season, but I strongly believe if the Pirates continue the way they’ve been playing, they will take out the Waratah Bowl this year. Now here’s the funny thing, I said this last week while writing about UTS vs UNSW and the boys in green came out and shut me up real quick. Maybe they’ll do it again, who knows. But they came out on a mission last week and executed it well. They stopped the Gators and handed them their first L for the season so maybe they can do it again; I mean they are coached by Australian Offensive Coordinator Paul Manera so you never know. I’m calling the Pirates in this one.
Choc’s Prediction: WST by 7
Saturday, October 21st – Lidcombe Oval – 7pm Kick Off
- Northwestern Predators (2-3) vs. Sydney University Lions (4-1)
- (Last Season: NWP 8 – 13 SYD)
Last time we met, the scoreline for this one was VERY different in comparison to the previous meetings between us. It was a highly defensive matchup with a turnover on each of the game’s opening 5 series. This time around should be interesting. The Lions are coming into this one with a new look offense; new QB and different RB compared to last year. QB Ike Fuchs has adapted well to the GNSW and has been putting up big numbers in the air. And on the ground, RB Godfred Agyemang has been pounding the turf and leading the Lions in rushing yards. They are coming off an interesting few weeks; a bye last week, blowout win against the Ducks and their first loss in 3 seasons to the Pirates. So there will be either 1 of 2 Lions that will take the field on Saturday; a well-rested team ready to assert their dominance and prove to the league they are still the top dogs, or… well I don’t need to describe that but you know what I mean. The Preds meanwhile snapped their 3 game losing streak in a win over the Sharks last week at home. If this game is anything like last year’s meeting, don’t blink 😉
Choc’s Prediction: 😉
**Newcastle Kings have the Bye this week
*Photo Credit: TM Photography
