Canberra Chargers
After winning last year’s premiership and going down in a tight wildcard series against the Perth Taipans, Canberra are deserved favourites to make it back to back in 2005.
Strength
When you’ve got a winning formula, there’s no need to change it, and Canberra were intelligent enough to bear that in mind when preparing for the 2005 season. The side that won last year’s premiership remains largely unchanged.
Weakness
The Chargers’ forward pack is somewhat diminished on last year’s pack, with the glaring oddity being the presence of only one specialist front rower in the entire twenty five man squad, an untried import from Pine Rivers in the form of Antonio Kaufusi.
Key Player: Sean Towers. The veteran Queensland halfback has been the linchpin of Canberra’s successes for the past five seasons, and will be benefited from the presence of returning young gun, Matthew Gafa, who spent last season at Rotarua on loan.
Wildcard: Casey McGuire. The gifted utility has shown so far that he is capable of covering any number of positions, and has done it well- amassing five PoM points in the pre-season Bob Fulton Cup from both the bench and the second row.
Player to Watch: Shane Perry. The former Northern Territory five eighth was swooped on by Canberra in the off-season after several seasons of impressive form from the now defunct club. Playing from #17, Perry has so far shown plenty of flare when it was needed.
Prediction: Aside from their weakened forward pack, Canberra look every bit as dangerous as the side that downed Colombo in last year’s grand final and pushed Perth to the very limit in a two game wildcard series. For them to miss the top four would be a travesty.
Carnarvon Grizzlies
The Grizzlies were unlucky to relegate on the back of a late season Perth charge, and have shown in the pre-season that they’ll be a competitive force in the 2005 Division Two competition.
Strength
Graham Luana is the side’s most noticeable strength, the two time Dally M winner certain to be the focus of almost everything the Western Australian side does in 2005.
Weakness
There is a gaping defensive hole in the Grizzlies’ centre pairing, with Jamaal Lolesi and Jamie Venables both well known for their inability to shut down movements on their respective sides of the field.
Key Player: Graham Luana. As both the sides best defender and their chief playmaker, Luana will bear a heavy load in 2005 thanks to the departure of playmakers Brett Finch (Hawkesbury) and Scott Hill (Gold Coast).
Wildcard: Joe Williams. The gifted young halfback impressed many astute judges in his time at the Sunshine Coast RSC franchise last year, and has his first chance at starting football this season. His combination with Adam Dykes will be crucial if Carnarvon are to have any success.
Player to Watch: Stephen O’Reilly. The third (and final) member of the O’Reilly clan to make his ASRL debut, Stephen is a young defensive machine with plenty of pace to burn on the wing. Possessing the family’s trademark kicking ability, a result of years of Gaelic football as a child, O’Reilly will be a valuable asset in a potent attacking backline.
Prediction: Like Canberra, Carnarvon will benefit immensely from the experience of their side, and additionally, of their long serving coach. The Grizzlies are top four material, and a return to the Premier League is not out of the question.
Colombo Harlequins
The big guns just keep on coming, with Colombo desperate to improve on last year’s runner up tag. The nucleus of a very successful side remains, but with last season seen as a surprise by many, Colombo may be hard pressed to duplicate their feats.
Strength
The side possesses four incredibly talented attacking players in Kamaal Lolesi, Fourcade Abasse, Matt Dawson, and Ricardo. The four of them together make Colombo an immediate premiership threat.
Weakness
The absence of a recognised five eighth means that Matt Dawson will carry the lion’s share of playmaking, with his halves partner likely to be former Hawkesbury reserve, Gordon Ross.
Key Player: Matt Dawson. A man who ruled so much of Colombo’s fortunes in 2004/2005, Dawson will undoubtedly be the key man again in 2005.
Wildcard: Kamaal Lolesi. Does 33 year old Lolesi still have the talent that he had when he was a late inclusion in Gold Coast’s 2001/2002 premiership winning side? A Sri Lankan local, Lolesi has signalled his intentions to win one last premiership.
Player to Watch: Chris Thorman. Showed in his brief time at Parramatta what an asset he could be, and may very well force his way into the starting squad should Gordon Ross not be able to cut it.
Prediction: Like the above two, Colombo are a proven entity, and need only repeat last year’s efforts to be immediate contenders. Their side remains strong, and provided coach Chris Columbo can stay focussed, they’ll be thereabouts again.
Dunedin Vipers
They’re not exactly new faces, having competed last season as the horrendously unsuccessful Perth City Blackhawks, but Dunedin may as well be- with their squad almost completely changed along with their change of location, mascot, and most importantly, coach.
Strength
The talented new coach has done some major remodelling, and his work has seen a lift in the quality of Dunedin’s depth. Where last year they were forced to run unknowns in trying times, 2005 will see them field a squad capable of covering all bases.
Weakness
Defensively the side lacks any real workhorses, and this may be a real problem for them against sides with attacking benches. Their lock forward, Eduardo Carrera, is a self confessed defensive weakness.
Key Player: Steve Devine. The former Capetown bench player gets his chance at firsts football this season, and his tactical kicking will be a vast improvement on last year’s feeble attempts.
Wildcard: Eduardo Carrera. What the Brazilian lacks in defensive determination he makes up for in blistering pace and footwork. Carrera is a five eighth by trade, but he is more than capable of hitting it up with the bigger boys.
Player to Watch: Dieter Fisher. The former Suva Suns’ star won’t be starting early on, but his short kicking game may seem him rushed into the backline against sides who are notorious for pressuring the halfback.
Prediction: Dunedin are looking good to improve on last season’s poor finish, but then, that’s not exactly hard. Still, if Dunedin don’t push for a place in this season’s finals, there’s something going wrong.
East Coast Tigers
The move from Auckland may be what’s needed to push the former Marlins (and former Chiefs and Carnage) that extra step they need. Last season they finished painfully close, and a new look squad may be what’s needed to turn it around.
Strength
An attacking back seven and a defensive front six is what’s needed in the modern game, and the Tigers have managed to attain that. Whilst their forwards won’t bust the line and their backs won’t hold it, the two cancel one another out quite nicely.
Weakness While it’s acceptable to have unimaginative forwards, it’s a cardinal sin to have a defensively week backline. Whilst all are passable, none really stand out as good defenders.
Key Player: Matt Bowen. The super fast fullback is likely to play a lot of five eighth this year in addition to his usual role at the back.
Wildcard: Chris Walker. The incredibly pacy former Darwin winger is likely to be a bench strike weapon for the Tigers, with the more defensively reliable Gareth Raynor and Chris Hicks getting first shot at the starting spots. Walker will undoubtedly cause headaches for tired defensive lines late in the game.
Player to Watch: Dallas Johnson. The lock forward has been asked to play hooker for the club this year, and how well he handles the role will be vital to how well the Tigers’ backs can play. If all else fails, there is a capable replacement in Dean Bosnich.
Prediction: East Coast are yet another side who are destined to achieve big things in 2005, having performed well in 2004/2005 and also have managed to recruit strongly in the off-season.
Eastwood Pumas
Eastwood’s two years at the top have been somewhat unheralded, with the side not really having the star power of some of their rivals. An aging pack gives the side plenty of experience, but may lack the fire it once had.
Strength
The Pumas possess a strong and experienced forward pack, lead ably by Jason Smith and French freak, Aurelion Cologni. The no-frills pack may be a big threat to those sides who have spent heavily on pacy backlines, at the expense of defensive starch.
Weakness
The custodian role for the Pumas has always been one with inherit weakness, and 2005 sees the side giving Tom O’Shea first crack at the position. Whilst he’s a proven entity, his best years are behind him, and he may find himself the target of deft kicks from talented opposition halves.
Key Player: Aurelion Cologni. In a time where loose forwards are amongst the game’s most influential performance, Cologni has made a name for himself as an excellent ball-player and an incomparable defender. Alongside Graham Luana, Cologni is perhaps the finest player in Division Two.
Wildcard: Jason Smith. The veteran lock/hooker has been a proven commodity at Eastwood in recent years, but as time catches up with him, he is losing some of what made him such a devastating player in years gone by. How Smith handles the pace of another year will be key in any Pumas’ success.
Player to Watch: Reece Simmonds. The gifted young winger finally gets a chance at starting football after spending time in the wings at a number of more powerful clubs. Not a glamorous player by any means, Simmonds is still a solid wing prospect.
Prediction: Eastwood are one of the power sides on the wane, but that’s not to say they won’t be competitive in 2005. Watch for them to hang around the very verge of their Division’s top five.
Fairfield Stallions
Earlier in the pre-season some were writing off Fairfield as a potential wooden spooner, but Michael Magro has done wonderfully in recruiting and making the side not only viable, but also competitive.
Strength
Scott Magro is without a doubt one of the game’s most electrifying players, and all of Fairfield’s fortunes seem to rest on his gifted Maltese shoulders. This year also sees Magro eligible for NSW selection, and no doubt he’ll lift his game accordingly.
Weakness
A somewhat messy halves pairing sees perennial underachiever Dominik Bush paired with a fullback, Slick Cupples. That said, the two possess strategic kicking games that Premier League halves would envy, and this will be a major part of the Fairfield offense.
Key Player: Scott Magro. It’s been said already, and it needs to be reitered. Like Gold Coast in their Johns’ dependent days, no Magro, no Fairfield.
Wildcard: Dominik Bush. After unsuccessful stints at Surfers Paradise, Sydney, and Melbourne- Bush has finally made the step down to Division Two, where he can hopefully rekindle some of the form that saw him represent Australia in 2002.
Player to Watch: Tony Price. The former junior Kiwi will shoulder the captaincy role at Fairfield this season, and the fans are certainly glad to hear it. Watch for the no-frills back rower to really make an impact, perhaps even a Kiwi return.
Prediction: Fairfield will undoubtedly cause a few heart palpitations along the way, but for them to be considered as a genuine contender they really need to prove they can do it without Magro. Even with him on deck, the Stallions are perhaps only a chance of a top eight finish- unfortunate, given it’s a top five in each division.
Geelong Bengals
Geelong surprised a lot of people when they qualified for the top eight last year, but don’t expect them to be able to repeat the feat- with the element of surprise well and truly gone.
Strength
The combined kicking talents of Miguel Detreaux and Tim Donnelly are perhaps the only real offensive punch in the Bengals’ arsenal. Beyond that they possess a passable backline and an uninspiring pack.
Weakness
Aside from Travis Norton, the starting thirteen is made up consistent troublemakers, the worst of whom are new recruit Gary Hall, front rower Maura Bergamasco, and fullback Manuel Contemponi. The side will leak a lot of penalties.
Key Player: Tim Donnelly. The talented Union convert, alongside Miguel Detreaux, will be the focus of the Bengals’ attack this season.
Wildcard: Gary Hall. Ill-disciplined though he is, Hall possesses a solid field kicking game and some real attacking flare. If he can rein his infamous temper in, Geelong may be a chance.
Player to Watch: Craig Frawley. Making the move from the sunny Gold Coast down to rainy Melbourne, Frawley is hoping to become a first grade fixture after being involved in a constant rotation at the Punks. He’s undoubtedly going to improve.
Prediction: Geelong, as mentioned already, are without the valuable element of surprise that saw them sneak into last year’s finals- they haven’t go that this year, and there’s precious little else to replace it. Watch for them to miss the finals, and maybe even dogfight it for the last few spots.
Ipswich Reds
The first of Division Two’s handful of debuting clubs, Ipswich rekindle the namesake of an infamous side that holds the ‘proud’ record of being the ASRL’s worst ever side. Still, with Fittler in the lineup, it’s unlikely they’ll repeat that feat.
Strength
Brad Fittler’s presence in a side predominantly made up of young guns and nobodies will be a huge bonus to the fledgling club, perhaps enough to see them earn fans and support regardless of their final finish.
Weakness
Aside from Fittler and big Kiwi prop Havaleme Junasaesa, the Reds lack any real quality- and will need both players to be fit for the entire season if they’re to compete.
Key Player: Brad Fittler. He’d be the key player in any side he played for, but it is especially true for Ipswich, who will rely on him for captaincy, goal kicking, field kicking, and leading all of their attacking plays.
Wildcard: Piri Weepu. The young halfback gets a dream debut, playing alongside a living legend in the form of Fittler. If he settles back and plays a good supporting game, he could enjoy an astounding rookie year.
Player to Watch: Stephen Smith. The Papua New Guinea centre hasn’t had an illustrious ASRL career by any means, but his experience will be a key factor in keeping a largely unknown Reds’ backline in order.
Prediction: Ipswich aren’t going to set the world afire this season, they’re not even going to set their own town on fire. However, with the presence of Fittler, they should be able to avoid a dreaded first up wooden spoon.
Lake Heights Lightning
A change of coach may be what’s needed to turn Lake Heights from a consistently competitive team to a real contender. Last year the Lightning matched it with the big guns every week, only to drop ‘easy’ games. If they can iron that out, who knows what they’ll achieve?
Strength
Potential is the main feature of the Lightning squad, and whilst it doesn’t help them much right now, it will be a valuable asset further down the track. Players such as Greg Bird, Anthony Topou, and Luke MacDougall all have tremendous potential.
Weakness
The side really lacks a structured kicking game, with Greg Bird likely to bear the sole responsibility of field kicking. In fact, of the entire twenty five man squad, he’s the only field kicker of any real ability.
Key Player: Asuki Miyamoto. In his swangsong season the Japanese ‘buzzsaw’ will be out to end on a high. Not known for his playmaking or field kicking, Miyamoto is an elusive halfback who relies solely on hitting the gaps.
Wildcard: Thomas Kempton. The talented Glen Innes winger is not only the team’s goalkicker, but one of their better wing prospects. Possessing a good turn of pace and some awesome footwork, he’ll definitely benefit from the chance to play outside Joe Black.
Player to Watch: Anthony Topou. The gifted young front rower was heavily targeted by a number of Premier League sides in the off-season (including Northern and Gold Coast), but has chosen to stay loyal. In time he’ll be a real superstar for the Lightning.
Prediction: The Lightning may again find themselves competitive, but not good enough to make the cut at season’s end. They’ve got a talented roster, but lack that ‘X Factor’ that could turn them into something truly special.
New England Ferrets
Perennial underachievers since their sole finals’ appearance in 2001/2002, it doesn’t look like 2005 will bring about much change. Whilst the side possesses the finest centre pairing in Division Two, there’s not much else to like about the Ferrets.
Strength
The pairing of Matt Cooper (NSW/Australia) and De Wet Barry (South Africa) in either the centres or the back row has been key to many New England victories over the past few years, and will undoubtedly be a major ploy of the side in 2005.
Weakness
Where the centres are dominant, New England’s wingers aren’t really up to par. Neither player would be a first grader at most other clubs.
Key Player: Lee Briers. The talented Welshman has been key to his own national side’s past successes, and if New England are to make an impact in 2005, it will be through his playmaking and field kicking.
Wildcard: Brent Stone. The man who Andy Farrell trained to take his place when he left, Stone has only recently begun to exhibit the benefits of this tutorship. A great hole-runner, Stone could be a real ace in the Ferret’s hand.
Player to Watch: Mick Ward. The gifted New England junior exhibited some real gifts last season with his limited bench time, and has been granted a shot at the starting thirteen this season.
Prediction: New England won’t repeat the remarkable efforts of 2001/2002, and a finish closer to where they were last season seems more likely. Until they find that spark, they’ll always just be also-rans.
Newcastle Fear
Watch for Mark Fowler’s Newcastle Fear to really up the ante in 2005, as they possess a side bursting with potential.
Strength
The back row of Newcastle is all class, consisting of David Kidwell, Gareth Ellis, and Verity Gunnarson. Backed up by other classy players such as Matt Diskin and Stuart Reardon, they should cause plenty of nightmares for opposition coaches.
Weakness
Aside from Paul Cooke, the Fear don’t have any established goal-kickers, which could be a Sydney-esque nightmare during the season.
Key Player: Brett Firman. Dubbed by many as the next Brad Fittler, this gifted young half will be given his first real chance at starting football after several seasons of interchange with Parramatta bound Nathan Fien.
Wildcard: Michael Witt. Another half bursting with potential, Witt is expected to come off the bench late in each half to terrorise tired forwards with his passing game.
Player to Watch: Craig Hall. The powerful young utility back has impressed a number of the Queensland selection panel over the past few years, and will undoubtedly be out to impress them even more this season.
Prediction: The Fear have a side capable of matching it with the Premier League middle clubs, which puts them in good stead for a sterling season in 2005. If they don’t make the finals, Mark Fowler will have to take a good, hard look at his own tactics.
North Queensland Dolphins
The phrase ‘missed your boat’ most certainly applies to the Dolphins who, after several years of having one of Division Two’s finest sides, may very well have missed their shot at Premier League. 2005 sees the Dolphins at their weakest since they were Townsville.
Strength
Kris Radlinski’s presence in the side continues to be a major boon. A man who could probably walk into almost any Premier League side, Radlinski’s loyalty (not to mention his defence), has kept North Queensland in premiership betting this season.
Weakness
There’s some gaping holes in the Dolphins’ squad, and I’m not referring to Pierce Connery and Andrew Mehrtens’ pathetic defence. Their depth is somewhat suspect, with RSC players both on the bench and running on.
Key Player: Kris Radlinski. The former Great Britain fullback has been the focus of North Queensland’s attack for years, and it seems unlikely to change now that the side lacks the star power it once had.
Wildcard: Andrew Mehrtens. A few years ago Mehrtens was at the dizzying height of his career, leading Capetown to marvellous victory after marvellous victory. With his best years behind him, it could be Mehrtens’ experience that performs minor miracles for the Dolphins.
Player to Watch: Ben Kirchner. The former Fairfield and Melbourne star has shown plenty to look forward to already this season, with his blistering pace and footwork. Alongside former NSW rep, Brooke Martin, Kirchner will feature in a very dangerous backline for the Dolphins.
Prediction: There’s no doubting that North Queensland have their best years behind them, but that doesn’t mean 2005 can’t be a successful year for them. If they’re going to achieve, it will be quietly, so watch for them to sneak into the top five.
Penrith Highlanders
Like North Queensland, Penrith’s best years are probably behind them, and 2005 looks like it will be a rebuilding year for the club.
Strength
There is a fairly powerful engine room at the Highlanders’ club, with Mark Riddell and Brendon Cannon both providing plenty of muscle up front. Unfortunately, neither player is at the peak of fitness, and the Highlanders need to figure out what to do when they’re off field.
Weakness
Penrith have absolutely no kicking game, with both of their halves known as runners rather than playmakers. The club’s two finest field kickers, Juan Martine Hernandez and Willie Peters, aren’t even expected to make the bench due to their defensive inadequacies.
Key Player: Mark Riddell. The ‘pig’, as he is affectionately known by team-mates, will continue to be one of Division Two’s most exciting talents.
Wildcard: Steve Bell. Considered one of the ASRL’s most underrated performers, Steve Bell could very well be a surprise Queensland representative this year if he can show some talent in a fairly lacklustre Penrith side.
Player to Watch: Sam Thaidy. The gentle giant from Queensland will play a key role in the Penrith side this season, likely to come on and fill the big boots of Cannon.
Prediction: Penrith have a competitive squad, it just has several fundamental weakness that need to be covered by Marshal Boyd. If he can do this, they’ll be close to the top five, but if not, they could have another painful season.
Port Adelaide Corsairs
Showed glimmers of hope in their debut season, but Port Adelaide will undoubtedly be another also-ran in 2005.
Strength
A gifted local junior, Bill Soulblighter (though we doubt that’s his real name), is the only real rose in a garden of thorns. With a running style akin to Willie Mason, Soulblighter’s leadership abilities will be key if the Corsairs are to achieve.
Weakness
The hooking position looks to be a nightmare for whoever takes the reins at Port Adelaide, with the choice between young talent Jack Sparrow and recognised hooker, Ben Donaldson. Neither is a real game-breaker.
Key Player: Cameron McIntyre. Whilst Soulblighter will be a key part of the Corsairs’ lineup, the playmaking will fall onto the shoulders of McIntyre, who will have his work cut out for him.
Wildcard: Shane Mongta. Last season saw the Aboriginal superstar push for Dally M honours, and 2005 will hopefully see him showing off his considerable talents with injury to interrupt his season.
Player to Watch: Bill Soulblighter. Nothing more needs to be said about this rampaging bull of a player.
Prediction: The Corsairs really aren’t much of a threat to the decent sides in Division Two, but should be able to down the weaker sides and finish in a respectable position at season’s end.
Port Macquarie Stingrays
Another new face in Division Two, Port Macquarie don’t look like doing much of anything in their debut year.
Strength
The management intelligently purchased experience for the club’s debut year, with Bryan Fletcher and Brad Drew the two biggest signings by the club. Fletcher’s experience at premiership winning clubs will be invaluable.
Weakness
Aside from Fletcher and Drew, there are virtually no dangerous attacking players in the starting lineup. All are passable, but none really stand out as dangers for opposition sides.
Key Player: Brad Drew. A lot rests on the shoulders of this nuggetty halfback, who wasn’t up to the rigours of first class football last season at Hawkesbury.
Wildcard: David Shepherdon. It’s been a few years since we’ve seen the former Hobart and Country halfback doing the rounds, and how well he adjusts to the faster flowing game will be a big factor if the Stingrays are to avoid a wooden spoon.
Player to Watch: Shane Rua. After a sparkling debut for Central several seasons ago, Rua has struggle to find the form that saw him represent New Zealand. Rua’s utility value will be invaluable to the Stingrays, so watch for him to crack the starting lineup sooner rather than later.
Prediction: It’s nigh on impossible for a debuting club to do much (although sides like Capetown and Central Coast are exceptions to the rule), and Port Macquarie look likely to continue that not so proud trend.
Redlands Rhinos
2004/2005 saw the Rhinos finish well below where they deserved to, with narrow losses eventually costing them a spot in the top eight. In 2005, they should be back with a vengeance.
Strength
The Rhinos’ halves could be very dangerous this season; with Dennis Moran, Bobby Young, and Martin Moana all able to tear apart opposition sides with their different styles of play.
Weakness
The Rhinos lack a full time fullback, with utility Barry Muir currently deputising. This means that a kicking game of any quality will cause nightmares for an inexperienced custodian.
Key Player: Bobby Young. The raw talent of this young local product was evident last year, but look for it to really shine through this season.
Wildcard: Steve Renouf. Does the veteran Queensland centre still have the pace and talent that made him NSW’s most hated man for so long? Given a chance to both play for and captain Redlands, Renouf may get to go out on one last high.
Player to Watch: Shannon O’Reilly. Was a proven commodity at the Gold Coast two seasons ago, but has yet to really recapture that form at Redlands. If he can stay fit, his kicking game and speed will be a big boon for the Rhinos.
Prediction: Redlands should improve on last season’s unexpectedly low finish, and may even be surprised finalists at season’s end. The talent is certainly there, in the playing ranks.
Shanghai Traders
The Traders came dangerously close to a shock finals’ appearance last year, but don’t let that result fool you. Chinese rugby league is a long way from taking off, and 2005 won’t be the launchpad.
Strength
A talented coach in the form of Hoo Flung Bok Choi was responsible for much of Shanghai’s success last year, and if they’re to be a thorn in the side of the big guns again, they’ll need him to keep producing the winning plays.
Weakness
The pack at Shanghai is quite unruly, and this will lead to them leading more penalties than they can handle. That said, they’re defensively sound, so it’ll need to be goals that sink this ship.
Key Player: Ryan Girdler. The big money import from Gold Coast, Girdler will finish his career on a lucrative contract in Shanghai. Still one of the game’s most consistently dangerous centres, he’ll be a target for every defensive line.
Wildcard: James Croaker. Lured from Sunshine Coast to play starting football, the talented young halfback will handle the playmaking duties at Shanghai despite having only one game of first grade football under his belt.
Player to Watch: Kaz Utsunomiya. One of the first local players to emerge, this defensive workhorse will intimidate anyone stupid enough to run towards his part of the field. Offensively he’s nothing special, but as defensive hookers go, he’s one of the finest.
Prediction: Shanghai are doomed to be unable to repeat last year’s feats, and this may be a painful realisation to the exuberant players and fans.
Tamworth City Titans
The Titans were in the press for all the wrong reasons last year, having exceeded their salary cap by enough to earn a huge fine and eight points docking at the end of the season. A change of coach (former Perth coach, Dominik Bush) will work wonders.
Strength
The halves depth at Tamworth City is quite phenomenal, with Kurt Gidley and young Greg Davidson expected to start in the halves. More experienced halfback, Eron Bates, will play from dummy half- giving them a wealth of options in the playmaking stakes.
Weakness
With a five eighth playing lock and a halfback playing hooker, it’s obvious that the planning at Titans’ HQ wasn’t what it could have been. Should these players go down, who knows who will have to deputise.
Key Player: Scott Sattler. The hard as nails two time grand finalist (Gold Coast and Central) will be a level headed captain steering his side around the park with the benefit of his years of experience.
Wildcard: Steve Turner. With the departure of stalwart Francis Cummins, this pacy young fullback will finally get his chance to shine. Expect to see plenty of this former unknown this year.
Player to Watch: Greg Davidson. A local boy with immense potential, Davidson’s field and goal kicking are the rival of any veteran doing the rounds.
Prediction: The Titans’ change of coach and roster should be just what’s needed to rocket them back up into premiership figurings after a 2004/2005 season they’ll be hoping to forget.
The Tassie Devils
Made a somewhat forgettable debut last season, and won’t be doing a hell of a lot better in 2005 without a change of coach and attitude.
Strength
There are some truly gifted players being forgotten about at Tassie, and if they can all fire, the Devils would be a real threat in Division Two.
Weakness
The lack of an experienced and dedicated coaching staff will be the undoing of a promising Tassie side this season. If they can find someone committed, they’d be a real danger.
Key Player: Cameron Way. The reclusive fullback has yet to make his debut, having been left out of the side’s opening BFC clash, but he will be a major player this season with his flawless field kicking.
Wildcard: Varasiko Tokarei. The little known halfback has plenty to like, whether he’s running through the tiniest of gaps or putting a promising grubber ahead for his support players to pounce on. If he can stay hidden in the defensive line, he’ll cause nightmares in offence.
Player to Watch: Todd Bates. The former Gold Coast utility gets his first year of first grade football, and will be hoping to impress the coaching staff with his work in defence.
Prediction: Tassie could be a real contender, and that’s what is most depressing about the lack of commitment and enthusiasm shown by their management. Unless something changes, they’ll fight for the spoon.
Wagga Badgers
Had the ‘honour’ of being first year wooden spooners, but will be a far tougher ask this year thanks to a dedicated coach and a promising recruitment campaign.
Strength
The coach is perhaps one of the league’s most dedicated and optimistic, and that will go a long way towards making Wagga more than just another easy side in the draw.
Weakness
There are some RSC quality players doing the rounds in the Badgers’ starting lineup. The likes of Jamie Fitzgerald, Demiti Pelovski, and James Rowles are probably not up to par for the big league.
Key Player: Jamie Rooney. It’s a lot of pressure to put on a guy in his debut year, but Rooney has plenty of wraps on him from English clubs and supporters. He’s a playmaker, and that’s what Wagga lacked last season.
Wildcard: Stefano Saghini. The somewhat bemusing move of shifting the diminutive halfback to the back row has so far proved a real hit for Wagga, with the Frenchman both hard to tackle and hard to get by.
Player to Watch: Smeds Stahl. Another local junior making his first grade debut, Stahl has an astute football mind that has so far been able to find holes where there shouldn’t be. Was a large part of the Badger’s upset win over Central Coast in the BFC.
Prediction: Wagga’s newfound confidence and dedication will go a long way towards moving them away from a wooden spoon double, but really can’t make up for the side’s lack of real gamebreakers. Will fight, but inevitably miss out.
Waikato Breakers
Big things were expected from the Douglas Allen lead Breakers last season, and they failed to deliver. Perhaps a change of coach will be able to convert promise into prize-money.
Strength
A classy back-row will be a real pain for opposition defensive lines, with the depth in the position also enviable.
Weakness
It’s hard to pinpoint a weakness in a very strong looking Waikato outfit, save that they’re being lead by an untried coach.
Key Player: Henry Paul. The veteran Kiwi fullback was behind Richie Barnett for the custodian’s role last year, but will relish in the opportunity to start each week.
Wildcard: Nathan Blacklock. He’s still considered on of the game’s most elusive and dangerous runners in broken play, and he’ll be relied on to do just that this season in an offensively threatening backline.
Player to Watch: Marshal Chalk. The young winger impressed a lot of people in his debut season at Gisborne, and this season sees him make his long anticipated leap into first grade.
Prediction: Waikato’s team is certainly the match of anyone else in the Division Two competition, and if their new coach can find a winning strategy, they’ll be definite post-season contenders.
Wanganui Tuataras
The last of the new kids, Wanganui are also the worst looking on paper. The collection of inexperienced islanders, predominantly from Fiji, will be an amusing sideshow for fans all season.
Strength
The unity evident in the team is immense, and when you consider 80% of them played for Fiji in their last World Cup campaign, it’s clear why.
Weakness
There’s tremendous inexperience in the team, and in defence it’s especially evident. The Wanganui ‘line’ looks more like a snail’s meandering trail.
Key Player: Matthew Cooper. Not to be confused with the Australian representative centre, this veteran lock is expected to be the glue that holds (or hopefully holds) the Tuataras together.
Wildcard: Mark Mom. When Northern Territory won the inaugural RSC competition, it was largely because of the work of this Papua New Guinean magician. He’s now starting in a first grade side for the first time, and his ability to adapt to that will be crucial.
Player to Watch: Robert Iliasov. The Russian winger, formerly of Katherine, is another player getting his first shot at first grade.
Prediction: The Tuataras are the obvious favourites for a wooden spoon, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be easy-beats. Watch for an enthusiastic coach to produce some shock results.
Predicted Peter Sterling Table
1- Carnarvon Grizzlies
2- Eastwood Pumas
3- Redlands Rhinos
4- Newcastle Fear
5- Lake Heights Lightning
6- North Queensland Dolphins
7- Wagga Badgers
8- Shanghai Traders
9- Geelong Bengals
10- The Tassie Devils
11- Wanganui Tuataras
12- Ipswich Reds
Predicted Wally Lewis Table
1- Canberra Chargers
2- Fairfield Stallions
3- East Coast Tigers
4- Tamworth City Titans
5- Waikato Breakers
6- Colombo Harlequins
7- Dunedin Vipers
8- New England Ferrets
9- Penrith Highlanders
10- Port Adelaide Corsairs
11- Liverpool Rockets
12- Port Macquarie Stingrays
