From sydneyafl.com.au
UTS v UNSW/ES
The powers that be in the AFL Sydney office were quick to put this match as an opening round blockbuster such is the rivalry between these two Eastern Suburbs neighbours.
UNSW/ES have had the edge in previous seasons in terms of success in the top grade but there are some out there suggesting there may be a changing of the guard in 2014.
In an interesting sub-plot, former Bats coach Daniel Lynch has crossed the floor to the Bulldogs this season. He has added Illawarra’s best player of the last few years, Jeremy Daniher. Daniher will play a key inside midfield role.
Jeremy Kiel and Max Collett are the class ball-users while Peter Kefalas and Joel Robbie will join Daniher as the workhorses.
The two key players for mine are Tom Heath and Alex Henderson in leading the defence. Ryan Plant is also likely to play a quarter-back type role across the back-half as he has done in the last couple of seasons.
UTS are always hard to gauge. Lots of transfers have equalled a puff of smoke in the last two seasons. Alan Kymantis is somewhat of a spiritual leader down in the Bat Cave so you can expect a spirited and hopefully more consistent Bats’ performance on a weekly basis in 2014.
Former Collingwood (VFL) star, Tom Sundberg and AFL-listee Fergus Watts are the plum recruits. There are big question marks whether Watts can play a full season given his run of injuries. They need more than these two and need to prove they can be more than just a big-bodied contested-football oriented side. They need to use the ball better on the outside and find avenues to goal.
Both sides won their opening round last year and with the expectation of a close competition this year, a strong start is pivotal.
Danny’s Tip: Bats by 9
Danny’s Headline: Bats fly home in final termto finally chalk first Premier Division victory over rivals
Last Modified on 28/03/2014 15:12