Well, here we are again, ready for another season!! The participants in the comp have been finalised and the first games scheduled. From the 14A comp last year Slacks Creek have disappeared with 3 new teams joining to make it a 10 team competition, prbably with a seven team final series. The new teams are the 2002 U14B0 Premiers Holy Spirit, the 2002 U14B00 Premiers Mustangs and Norths, a team formed from a combination of players from a number of northside teams.
Below is a summary of each team, which I have put together by "asking around" - please excuse me if there are some errors, and please let me know using the email button on the site.
ARANA: The defending premiers will be the team everyone wants to beat and anything but a repeat performance will be a disappointment to them. The team has a very familiar look to it with the only new player beng Geoff Holcombe who has joined from Mitchelton, which will make up for the loss of two-try scorer in the Grand Final Rob Southwood who has decided to concentrate on rugby this year. New coach Michael Price will be looking to bring a new dimension to the team, building on their great season last year. Will want to prove that last year's success was no fluke.
CENTENARY: Performed well in last year's competition after stepping up two grades, eventually knocked out in the Preliminary Final by eventual Premiers Arana. Those carrying on will be better for the experience, and they have picked up a couple of new players in the forwards from Easts. May be impacted by a potential long term injury to their front-rower Matt Marshall who struggled through the end of last season with a damaged shoulder, whilst consistently being one of their best. Will certainly be one of the teams to watch.
EASTS: Never really hit their straps last year, despite threatening at times, and fell away towards the end of the season. Have lost a number of players, including Corey Payne who is concentrating on volleyball, but have picked up a few fresh faces. Coach Gavin Payne is one of the best in the business and will extract the best from his players but they may find the going tough against some of the more experienced teams.
HOLY SPIRIT: Had a disappointing start last year and moved down to the B's after 4 rounds. Never looked back from that point and went on to win the B0 comp and trial form this year indicates they will certainly be competitive, having already racked up a win over Redcliffe despite being without a number of key players. Most of the players have had A experience and they were desperately unlucky to miss out on the U13A semis in 2001. Ricky Smetheram is a key player for them and they have plenty of pace in the backs - a team not o be taken lightly.
LOGAN BROTHERS: Despite finishing 4th last year would probably be disappointed with that effort, bowing out in the semis with consecutive losses to Arana and Centenary. Have built up significantly in the off season with prominent new blood in Kruize and Junior from Souths and Mosa returning from Redlands. Have also picked up a number of new players from the country, interstate and New Zealand. Should be right in the thick of things at the end of the season under the astute coaching of Kris Muir.
MUSTANGS: Very much the unknown quantity (to me anyway!) of this year's competition, have stepped up 2 grades this year. If history is anything to go by they may find this a huge step, but will certainly have the advantage of surprise on their side. They certainly have some big forwards, although the big test for them will be the step up in the pace of the game in A grade - will be looking for some early success to boost their confidence.
NORTHS: Based around a number of members of the Melbourne Storm development squad this composite team will also be looking to quickly adjust to the pace of "A" grade. Have a number of talented players, but may need time to meld into a cohesive unit. Should certainly get better and better as season progresses and will be aiming at a spot in the semis.
REDCLIFFE: Overall a very disappointing year for the Dolphins last year, seeing them missing out on the semis. Have a new coach this year in Terry Webb and there should be a number of changes in the side, although these will be primarily from within Redcliffe's own ranks, having been runners-up in last year's B comp. Have not put it together in trials so far, but too many talented players to write off.
REDLANDS: Quite a turnover of players at last year's runners-up, with a number of players heading off to Capalaba and Logan Brothers, although latest reports indicate Trent Iselin may stay and not join Mosa at Civic Park. Have picked up 4 of Redlands 2002 side plus Vaughan from Logan Brothers to more than compensate for their losses. Under the canny coaching of Ross "The Rat" Strudwick, they are sure to be a force this year, and will be desperate to atone for last year's shock grand final loss.
SOUTHS: Have suffered significant losses in the off-season with Kruize and Junior heading to Logan Brothers and Ryan to St.Brendans. Still have the brilliance of Mase to contend with but e will need support, and tougher defence than they demonstrated last year to go further than the fifth place they achieved. Could be a tough year for the Magpies.
It should be a great season - I hope everyone remains injury free and enjoys their footy!! See you around the grounds!
The Webmaster
13/3/2003
