Season Progress Report after Round 7
About a third of the way through the competition so thought it was time I did a review of the teams' performance , and revised the Webby's prediction of finishing positions and premiership odds, and pick a team from all the games I've seen:
ASPLEY: 4 wins (SC,TH,IJ,WD), 2 losses (ET,BB), 1 bye, 8 pts - 4th
Have had the easiest draw of any team in the top 5 - started well with impressive wins over Sunshine Coast and Tweed but have since struggled with last gasp wins over Ipswich and Western Districts and then a close loss to Easts followed ny a hammering by Burleigh. Injuries and players going to FOGS A grade at short notice has left the team disjointed from week to week and will struggle to make the top five the way the team is currently performing, but no doubt have the talent to win the comp - quite an enigma! Anxiously awaiting the return of Jacob Fauid.
Initial Prediction 2nd Odds: 4/1; New Prediction 6th Odds 8/1
BURLEIGH: 3 wins (IJ, WD, AD), 4 losses (ET, ND, RD WM), 0 bye, 6 pts - 7th
Have now played all the teams in the top 5 and showed glimpses of rela form in the second half against Redcliffe and their most recent win over Aspley, although they still do not have the same strike power as last year. Local derby against Tweed could be a real pointer to where they will finish.
Initial Prediction 5th Odds 6/1; New Prediction 8th Odds 16/1
EASTS: 5 wins (WD,ND,BB,WM,AD), 2 losses (RD,SL), 0 bye, 10 pts - 2nd
Like Burleigh have played all the teams in the Top 5 and have been the real surprise packets of the compettion. Whilst they have been putting in real team efforts to win, they have shown they are vulnerable when missing 5/8 David Georgiou who has another week to serve on suspension, has had some injury worries and may be lost to the team later in the season if he leaves Brisbane. Will also miss winger David Tyrrell who has been promoted to Qld Cup - next few rounds will be critical.
Initial Prediction 6th Odds 7/1; New Prediction 3rd Odds 5/1
IPSWICH: 2 wins (SL,SC), 5 losses (BB,RD,WM,AD,TH), 0 bye, 2 pts - 9th
Were desperately unlucky to lose to top 5 teams Redcliffe and Aspley at home, and have thrown other games away with poor handling. Turned in their worse performance of the year last week against Tweed and lack depth in the forwards.
Initial Prediction 7th Odds 8/1; New Prediction 9th Odds 20/1
NORTHS: 5 wins (SL,SC,BB,TH,RD), 1 loss (ET), 1 bye, 10 pts - 1st
Have not been as dominant as first predicted and were disappointing in some early games, especially against Easts, but showed better form in their win over Redcliffe before their last round bye. Seem to0 be struggling in the halves, particularly at 5/8 and also when star U17 halfback Luke Capewell has been unable to play.
Initial Prediction 1st Odds 5/2; New Prediction 1st Odds 2/1
REDCLIFFE: 5 wins (IJ,WD,BB,ES,WM), 1 loss (ND), 1 bye, 10 pts - 3rd
Have been winning games, but have struggled to put two halves together before last week's win over Wynnum-Manly. HAve been experimenting with a number of combinations at 6,7 and 9 with sporadic success. Backrower Foisa Peni has been outstanding and his failure to make the South-East squad is hard to fathom. Will be right in it at then end.
Initial Prediction 3rd Odds 5/1; New Prediction 2nd Odds 3/1
SOUTHS-LOGAN: 3 wins (TH,WD,ET), 3 losses (ND,SC,IJ), 1 bye, 6 pts - 6th
Started slowly but are the real "wild cards" of the competition. With their big forwards including Frank Pritchard and Mat Sepelini and penetrative backs headlined by the unbelievable Chris Sandow, backed up by Mase Laulu and Antonio Winterstein, they have the capability to beat any team on their day. Ones to watch!
Initial Prediction: 8th Odds 9/1; New Prediction 5th Odds 7/1
SUNSHINE COAST: 1 win (SL), 5 losses (AD,ND,TH,IJ,WD), 1 bye, 2 pts - 11th
Managed a win over the inconsistent Magpies but have struggled since. Have turned in some good halves but unable to keep up the effort for 70 minutes and injuries and travel taking its toll
Initial Prediction: 11th Odds 50/1; New Predict. 11th Odds 100/1
TWEED HEADS: 2 wins (SC,IJ), 4 losses (WM,AD,SL,ND), 1 bye, 4 pts - 8th
Did not get off to a good start to the season but showed on occasions that their big mobile forward pack can cause its share of problems. Have potentially the best 7,6,9 combination in the comp with Lindsay, Iselin and Witt, but a strong running game from Witt on the weekend may see him move to the backrow and Lindsay back to his more familiar hooker position. Injury to Iselin has also not helped.
Initial Prediction: 10th Odds 12/1; New Prediction 7th 15/1
WESTERN DIST.: 1 win (SC), 6 losses (AD,ND,TH,IJ,WD), 0 bye, 2 pts - 10th
Have been plagued by discipline problems in the first few rounds of the cometition with a number of players sin-binned for backchat or put on report. Have also lost the services of halfback Vatuvei and centre Corrie with long term injuries, but did manage their first win of the year last week against the Falcons. Forwards have gone well, but lacking attacking power in the backs at the moment.
Initial Prediction: 9th Odds 10/1; New Prediction 10th Odds 33/1
WYNNUM: 4 wins (TH, IJ, WD,BB), 2 losses (ET,RD), 1 bye, 8 pts - 5th
Have run a little "hot and cold" with some impressive wins, bur copped hammerings from Easts and Redcliffe putting into doubt ther ability against the more highly credentialled teams. Don't have a big pack and rely more on speed than bulk and Matt Snith is a shrewd organiser and kicker.
Initial Prediction 4th Odds 11/2; New Prediction 4th 15/2
