Inside Gridiron NSW: Weighing the Lion’s Heart

A look at what it might take to catch the current Gridiron NSW Champions.

Prior to the start of the season I tasked myself with a difficult assignment: taking an in-depth look into the big questions facing each Gridiron NSW team in 2009. As last week was Round Six of twelve, I thought it would be as good a point as any to reflect on my comments. Yet the truth is an even bigger question has arisen in the time since: Will there be any point in Gridiron NSW hosting the Waratah Bowl in 2009? I say this because of the obvious issue facing every Coach out there; the dominance of Sydney Uni.

One day NT Fady Aoun will get bored of picking on Centres and winning Championships. One day...

I’m not one for a defeatist attitude. I’ve seen Davids rise to beat Goliaths. Or, to use a recent example, the Giants rise to beat the Patriots. Yet there is a huge difference between a league like the NFL, where each team is constricted by a financial cap that aims at equality, and a league like ours where most players stay with one club until the very end. To be honest our League is more equivalent to the US Major League of Baseball where the rich get richer and the poorer sides struggle for hometown recognition. Or the English Premier League, where a large percentage of the sides would claim glory at finishing fifth.

Yes, things will eventually have to change. Fady Aoun will one day live up to his word and retire (only to hear Centres from around the League breathe a sigh of relief). And there will come a time when the Lions will actually look to their bench and make starters out of them. Yet in 2009 that seems like a mirage in the distance.

Getting a Grip on the Gridiron NSW Ladder…

Sure, the ladder to the top shouldn’t be that easy to scale. Yet it should be that slippery to hold on to. For those at the Preds, aiming for the Lions isn’t a game-to-game ambition, but more a season-to-season one. Thus, every time we face up to the ol’ Blue ‘n Gold there are no expectations and no reason to feel stressed or pressured to perform. Heck, we’re so relaxed with the concept that we’ve challenged the side to preseason scrimmages in four of our five seasons in the League.

The real pressure comes when you look at sides like the Pirates. Many around the League refer to the West Sydney side as the Eternal Bridesmaids. With multiple Wolfpack representatives decorating their outfit it’s easy to see them as a contender to the crown. But the Pirates have struggled all season long, with an inability to strike when the iron is hot. Their long-time QB Dave Ward, usually the scourge of many a D-Back, is looking more and more human as the years pile on. And though the Pirates are the side that last handed the Lions a loss, they in no way resemble that same team now.

Gone is the fast & lethal UTS D that almost stole the Lions crown in 2007.

Also gone is the UTS unit that looked destined to step up to the plate in 2006 & 2007. Their fast and lethal Defence looks nothing like it did in the 2007 Grand Final when they had the Lions on the rope. Since crumbling in that game, the Gators have never really recovered. Even their Offense, that could put points up in blistering style has dried up. Surely the side will rebound given the great talent that their Colts program is producing, but by then the old heads will be past their prime and new holes may have arisen.

I should also point out that my comments aren’t made to insult these teams or their coaches. In fact, I believe my words to be closer to a eulogy. For with the lack of competition in NSW, our League can only deteriorate. After all, who’ll push the Lions to hold the top spot if they can do so without recruiting, or bringing in more than a dozen new plays? Before Wollongong folded there was talk to split the League in two after Round Seven so that the top players, in the top sides, would benefit from playing against each other. If the runners-up are closer to the wooden-spooners than the Champions, what occurs then? And what are the ramifications for our long dominant Wolfpack?

This is in no way an indictment on the League heads, or the coaches across the state. No coach out there is trying to avoid the Lions, or not preparing for the match-ups. In the same light, the Lions have just as tough a draw as anyone else. Gone are the days when struggling sides would simply forfeit the match, hoping to save their players for a more meaningful clash. Point in fact, the Preds have played them twice already, losing by an accumulated 109-0. Embarrassing? Sure. But we played both matches. And other sides in this League haven’t faired much better. A multidimensional Penrith City side that has numerous Wolfpack members also failed to put up a point in their clash with the reigning Champs. They’re just that good.

The rest of Gridiron NSW needs to step up…

So with the coaches and the League inspiring us and pushing us to challenge the Lions, where does the slack come from? In my opinion, it’s us, the players. Spend time with any of the boys from the current Sydney Uni squad and you’ll begin to understand why. Some of us are committed to our sport. By committed I’m not referring to simply turning up to training, doing as the Coach asks and preparing for gameday. For that isn’t where the Champions rest. Instead they go further. They’re in the gym, preparing their bodies for the wear of the game, in and out of season. They prepare their minds through research: firstly on their own position and the technique for that spot; and then through studying tape of their opposition, finding ways to individually and as a team exploit the weaknesses in others.

In spite of his talents, PC Outlaws RB Stuart Etcell can't outrun ALL the Lions.

I realise that throughout the League there are a bunch of players that strive to achieve these same aims. You can see them any given Saturday of the season. Look at the way the Seahawks thrive due to Pete Upham’s diligence. Try, if you can, to find a better back in the State other than Stuart Etcell. Spend an hour watching the flawless footwork and throwing action of Ward. Across the League there are plenty of individuals that see what it takes to be a Champion. Yet they are the exception to the rule. With the Lions you’re seeing 15-20 individuals go through the same preparation and then come together to form a fearsome unit. For most of us other teams that number ranges between 5 and 10. The Pirates have come so close because they too have multiple individuals that prepare for greatness. Yet they still have only 10-12. Eventually they’re outnumbered and outmatched. Just look at last year’s Grand Final, where in a neck-to-neck point scoring race between them and the Lions, the Pirates petered when it counted.

The simple case is this: the Lions have raised the bar, and to beat them, we first have to realise what that bar is. We need to build Clubs that have the same sort of attitude. Where winning is what we’re meant to do, not something we strive to do. Where beating the Lions isn’t viewed as an insurmountable task, nor is a loss to them measured by the score. Where the fight for the Championship is a League-wide race not a forgone conclusion half way through the season. When you look at the effort you put in to play this sport, is it worthy of the Champions?

Note: Thanks to the Sydney Uni Website for the photos used in this story.

Gridiron NSW 2009 Round 7 Results: Home Advantage Helps Predators to First Win

Sometimes a little home-cooking is all you need to get a win in the Gridiron NSW league.

 

In front of a strong crowd at Pennant Hills Park, the North Western Predators won their first game of the 2009 Gridiron NSW season, knocking off the Sutherland Seahawks 28-22. A see-sawing game, the clash went down to the wire, with the Preds holding off the potent Seahawks offence in the final minutes of the game.

 

“The Defence stood tall today,” commended Head Coach Paul Hill, “They forced multiple turnovers, scored a touchdown and stopped them when it counted.”

 

Linebacker Francisco Diaz forces the Sutherland QB to throw away the ball.

Indeed the Predators Defence played amazing, constantly putting pressure on the Seahawks Quarterback. Linebacker Francisco Diaz had another great game, making two crucial sacks that killed possible Seahawk touchdowns. His running partner David Quigley had two interceptions, returning one for a score. And Nose Tackle, Houssayn Bazzi picked off a shovel pass to end another Seahawks drive.

 

“We really needed those boys to play like they did,” said Offensive Captain James McEnaney, “We weren’t playing that well when we had the ball, so to have them playing at that level saved our hides.”

 

QB Mitch Hunt threw a first quarter TD before leaving the game injured.

The Offense had to deal with the loss of starting Quarterback Mitch Hunt. Running to the outside, Hunt was hit on a controversial call and slid into the boundary fence. In his place, rookie Quarterback Josh Davis played above his years, leading two Predator scoring drives, including throwing the first touchdown of his career.

 

“It was a bit of a rush,” said Davis, “I hope Mitch is fine, but if I have to start next week I’m looking forward to it.”

 

The Preds congratulate each other after their first win of the season.

There will be a lot of work to do to get ready for next week’s game. The Preds will be facing 2008 Runners-Up, the West Sydney Pirates.

 

“We’ve beaten them once already,” McEnaney said, “And we couldn’t say that about the Seahawks before today. So anything is possible. Especially if we get another crowd like today.”

 

In other Gridiron NSW results…

 

Sydney University Lions 33 def UTS Gators 6

Penrith City Outlaws 26 def Bondi Raiders 14

Gridiron NSW 2009 Round 6 Results: Predators Comeback Falls Short

After falling behind 14-0, the North Western Predators almost stole the show, dropping Saturday night’s Gridiron NSW`clash against the Bondi Raiders 16-13.

The match up saw one of the League’s oldest sides, the Raiders, take on the youngest. And the experience showed as Bondi came out swinging in the first half.
“Our boys weren’t as aggressive from the get-go as they were,” admits Head Coach Paul Hill, “I think they were overawed with the opportunity in front of them.”

The Preds, who have faced some of Gridiron NSW’s top sides across the first four weeks, were finally playing against a side on their level. Both teams have been struggling early, and the Men from North Western had hoped to turn their form around against the Raiders.

“I think we really were the better side for most of the game,” said Offensive Captain James McEnaney, “We let costly penalties and poor clock management ruin our chances of getting the win.”

Indeed the Preds crossed the line two more times than the Raiders, yet had one touchdown disqualified for an infringement penalty and another overruled by the side official. The second effort was with two seconds left in the first half and time expired before the Preds could get another play together.

There were great signs of hope though for the Predators. Their Defence took it up another notch, with Linebacker Francisco Diaz causing mayhem in the Bondi backfield. Additionally the Offense moved the ball with relative ease, being stopped more by themselves than the Raiders.

Coach Hill believes it all comes down to training.

“More practice, more reps, better executions,” he explained, “If we continue to get a high effort at training we’ll iron those problems out.”

With their first home game of the season next Saturday, the Predators will surely be fired up to entertain their local fans.

“Next week it’s our turf,” McEnaney said, “Nothing gets you more fired than knowing your family and friends are watching you. We’ll be ready to shine.”

In other Gridiron NSW results…

West Sydney Pirates 15 def Sutherland Seahawks 12

Sydney University Lions 32 def Penrith City Outlaws 0

Motivation in Gridiron NSW: Keeping your team drinking the Kool-Aid

No doubt about it, being a coach in Gridiron NSW, whether be it Head Coach or as an assistant, is not a fun job.

Most of the time your giving up valuable free hours to preach a system to people that may not even be cut out to play the sport. You race out of work and head down to a cold, wet training field just to find that the unit you think needs the most work hasn’t even shown up for that night’s session. And, when they get whipped by another Gridiron NSW side on Saturday, they look at you vehemently wondering how you could let them down.

Sure, maybe Coach Dunne doesn’t have this problem. Then again, that’s never usually the way with a winning program. From our bush league to the big league, people want to play for winners. Truth is, asking a decent side to strive for greatness is easy. You point at the within-reach trophy and say, “Let’s get that.” The real trick comes when you have a Club that’s continually struggling. How do you explain to them that they should be striving for more? How do you keep them motivated through recurring losses and explain to them that a 2-8 season is all part of the long process? And how do you do all that without essentially driving them away?

The truth is, asking people to be part of a building process is a hard sell. The fact that the Preds continue to exist should alone be measured as a great success. Our ability to continue recruiting a team filled with rookies year in and year out is amazing. But I’ll be the first to admit that it means very little. Wins. That’s what this is about. And while I may know the amount of time, effort and dedication it takes to have 30 players on the same page running a program with no margin of errors, our new recruits never do. So it falls on our coaches keep these new talents motivated throughout these growing pains. Our coaches are charged with the responsibility of inspiring these men. Not only for the upcoming game, but for the next season, and the one after that. The current Lions crop that’s running amok in this League didn’t happen over night, so who are we to expect similar results in a shorter period?

Establishing a core unit is key for the Preds.

Some of us don’t care about the interim period. We play for the team because we believe in the endgame, that is, expanding the sport in NSW through the stability and success of our new club. So it doesn’t matter what the Coach says, we’ll be back next week to fight on. Others though, are about instant gratification. And watching them take in the criticism, the attack on their efforts, especially after said drubbing is like watching a red cape being waved in front of a bull. Their pride is insulted, their reputation sullied and immediately the start to quit at one level or another. Whether it be to lose faith in a system or, the ultimate dissension, to consider changing teams.

Our current Head Coach, Paul Hill, came to our team with a reputation for being as militant as his military background might suggest. The stories from Gridiron Victoria are that if you trained and played for Hilly you gave everything or you’d give nothing. One old war tale had Hilly running a second straight training session at 10pm, because the first one, at 7pm, was flat. Indeed, at his first training session with the Preds, the man ran a ‘Ready-Ready’ drill for near 15 minutes and the legacy has lived on to terrorise most of those first year Preds. Yet apart from that day, I can’t recall seeing that coach again. Sure, there are flashes of that fury during our lowest moments. Yet, most of the time, Coach Hill keeps his ‘Drill Sergeant’ persona well hidden.

For a time it seemed bizarre. I’ve seen members of the Preds Captain Committee ask Hilly to bring out the Drill Sergeant routine, to demand more from his players. Yet the Head Coach has refused, instead opting for a more nurturing approach, coddling the inconsistent and continuing to welcome those who come to only wear the jersey. Some might suggest that age has caught up to the longtime coach and that his approach has softened as a result. However those ‘suggesters’ would be neglecting the most fundamental truth: Coach Hill gets a level of dedication from his players that can’t be denied.

In the end, with a Club like ours, always one step away from extinction, that dedication is currently far more precious than trophies. Players who are committed to the cause, no matter how long it takes, are the foundation for any future plans. And dedicating yourself to the Club’s Head Coach, or to the Club itself, is only splitting hairs. As long as you’re coming through the same door to play for the same cause, you’re a valuable team member.

With Coach Hill moving into the Head Coach role this season, it’ll be interesting to see how many of these players who he’s dedicated so much of his time to, show the same dedication in return and come back in 2010. For with the Preds, retaining players has long been our primary concern. At the time of our best season, we had near twenty returning players. That number has fallen since. Yet with new tutelage and new leadership the aspect of change is enough to give us hope.

As with all things, though, only time will tell.

Gridiron NSW 2009 Round 4 Results: New Predators Defence finds their Bite

The North Western Predators’ rookie Defence took a huge step forward on Saturday, beginning to find their form against old Gridiron NSW rivals, the Penrith City Outlaws.

In spite of the 33-6 scoreline, Head Coach Paul Hill was upbeat about the way his boys performed against one of the oldest teams in Gridiron NSW.

“The Offence didn’t help the Defence at all,” said Hill, “But they kept fighting and did their best to keep us in the game.”

In fact, the Offence could take the blame for three of the five touchdowns scored by the Outlaws. Three times they gave up the ball right next to their own line, allowing Penrith City to quickly build a 20-0 lead.

“The first half was murder,” said Linebacker David Quigley, “We seemed to be fighting for inches the entire time.”

Linebacker David Quigley wraps up the Outlaws Running Back.

It also didn’t help that the Preds’ pass-happy Offence struggled with the strong winds whipping across the field in Kyeemagh. After beginning to find form last week, the scoring attack couldn’t regain the same momentum and were only able to cross the line once in the game.

Coach Hill believes a lot of it can be blamed on inexperience.

“We’ve proven that we can get one part of the team firing at one time. Once we get everyone firing together we’ll be a legitimate threat,” Hill said, “With a side like ours, with most guys playing together for the first time, it may take a full season to get everyone gelling as one.”

However, after holding the potent Outlaws Offence to only a single touchdown in the second half, the Predators once again can walk away from a game looking to the positives.

Next week will be a League bye week, and then the Preds will play the reigning champs, and undefeated, Sydney University Lions. The two teams have already faced twice this season; in preseason scrimmage and in game one, with the Lions winning that match 54-0. Yet Hill thinks this game will be different.

“We’ve grown week by week,” he said, “We’re going to be competitive. With the shape our program was in before this season started, that’s something to be proud of.”

In other Gridiron NSW results:

Sydney University Lions 26 – Sutherland Seahawks 6

West Sydney Pirates 36 – UTS Gators 18

Bondi Raiders – Bye

Gridiron NSW 2009 Round 3 Results: Predators Offence Finds Form

The new-look North Western Predators Offence started to click in last Saturday’s Gridiron NSW match against the UTS Gators.

In spite of missing six starters, the Predators regrouped in the second half to challenge the high-scoring Gators, before losing pace, and the game, 42-15.

“Our aim is to keep improving each week,” said Predators Head Coach, Paul Hill, “The difference in our performance between our last game and today’s is encouraging.”

It took a half a game before the positives started to show. The Preds headed into the major break down 21-0, failing to move the ball on Offence with any continuity.

“We didn’t get down though,” said Wide Receiver James McEnaney, “We felt from what we saw out there that we could bounce back in the second.”

Sure enough the Preds got on the scoreboard early in the second, yet not with their Offence. With UTS pinned deep in their own territory, Defensive End Phil Calloway tackled the ball carrier in the end zone to score a Safety; the first two Predator points of the new season.

“That was a huge play,” Coach Hill said, “Safety’s are very rare and to start the second half with that got our boys fired up.”

With the momentum swinging their way, the Offence then came out and found their rhythm, with McEnaney soon catching the Preds first touchdown of the new year. That pulled the score to 21-9 and the Predators sideline began to rise. Yet, as the game progressed, the strong Gators Offence took over and picked on the young North Western defensive backs.

Wide receiver James McEnaney outran many a defender in Saturday's match.

Nevertheless, unlike after Game One, the team’s camp seemed far more optimistic after this loss.

“We made them sweat for a moment there,” McEnaney smirked, “We believe that if we continue to grow we’ll be making a lot of teams sweat before this season’s over.”

In other Grdiron NSW results:

Sutherland Seahawks 56 – Bondi Raiders 20

Sydney Uni Lions 47 – West Sydney Pirates 12

Gridiron NSW Duty: Duty to your Team

Due to a lack of pure Officials, Gridiron NSW has long been forced to use player refs and other volunteers for sideline duties.

It’s obviously not surprising with a niche sport like Gridiron in Australia. Even more mainstream sports, like basketball, adopt similar approaches for their local competitions. However, where a basketball game will need – at most – four players to help out over a 50 minute period, our League can require up to eight players to spend an extra three hours at the field. It gets even more demanding when you ask those players to sit a weekend refs course to qualify just to do duty. The result is usually the same for most teams: you end up with a handful of dedicated players helping out, while the majority checks out.

This season the League has made it even tougher, insisting that the Bye week team supplies refs for one game and cover the Match Official duty for the rest. That requires the team with the week off to have a player at each and every game to watch the procedures and handle basic League admin. Not many guys would put their hands up to spend their Saturday doing such a job. Not even the lovers of the game.

Last Saturday five of the more committed contingent of Predators were forced to handle the entire duty for the team. Those five men were at the field from just after noon ’til around 10:30 at night. Additionally, the games were held in Penrith, between 30 to 90 minutes away from their homes. One of them left his house in Manly at 10:30am and finally got back at midnight. Understandably they were all very upset.

“We’ve reffed a bunch of games for this Club,” said one, “And we expected to ref a bunch more this season. But I don’t want to do it anymore. Not a single player put their hand up to bail us out of the last game. No one. That’s just plain wrong.”

I’d love to present a counter-argument to his case, but there isn’t one. He’s fully has the right to refuse to do duty. As are all the not-so-helpful guys that left him hanging there. Yet if everyone took that approach, where would the League be? To have a League at all we need everyone to lend a hand and help out. What we don’t need is to ask a select few to lend more than a hand.

Last year, the Preds tried a different approach. We charged every player a $50 Duty fee at the start of the season. That covered chain duty, field marking, reffing games and match official duty. Whilst it sounded steep, the Preds offered to pay the players $25 for every duty they fulfilled. Thus, do two duties and you got your cash back. In the end four players made around $100… Profit! They fulfilled six jobs throughout the season.

As someone that earned $100 I can’t say that I enjoyed it. Yet at least it rewarded me for my efforts. And it was nice knowing that I was taking the money off some slack player. Still I’d have been happy only getting my $50 back.

Another suggested solution to the ever-lasting problem has been to roster the responsibilities. This would ensure an even workload for all involved. And, when someone tries to wiggle out of their job, a $50 fine would be enforced should that person fail to find his own replacement. Again, it’s a little steep and not really the healthiest way to motivate someone. In fact, it reminds me of jury duty… both the type at the local courthouse, and Pauley Shore movie (blech)!

Yet like jury duty, League duty ensures our rules and regulations continue. So what is the answer?

Head Coach, Paul Hill made the comment at training on Tuesday night that duty goes hand-in-hand with being a leader of the Club. On this occasion, I have to respectfully disagree with the man. One merely has to defer to the definition of the word ‘duty’ to see why

Something that one is expected or required to do by moral or legal obligation.

Okay, there’s no legal obligation, but there sure is a moral one. For every time you pull that jersey on, no matter which Club it’s for, you should essentially turn to all those volunteers, from your team and the others, and say thank you.

It’s those guys that ensure you get a game. And it’s those guys that ensure your Club continues. That’s not a romantic gesture; the League has the right to ban a team for failing to fulfil their obligations. So if you’re part of the 90% of Gridiron NSW that goes out of their way to avoid picking up a ‘lolly-pop’, has the never-ending something to do when a refs course is on, or ducks behind someone else when there’s a spare black ‘n white, you owe the other 10% a big thank you.

They make it all possible.

Gridiron NSW 2009 Round 1 Results: Tough Start for All-New Predators

Twelve American football rookies got their first taste of the Gridiron NSW league on Saturday, as the North Western Predators were schooled by the savvy, veteran Sydney University Lions 54-0.

The first game of the season for both sides saw the rebuilding Predators take on the reigning League Premiers. Although the two Clubs enjoy a friendly offseason relationship, this was more like big brother showing little brother how it’s done. Still Predators Head Coach Paul Hill saw many positives in the game.

“We always knew this would be a tough clash. Their side has been working together for years. That kind of commitment is what we need to aim for,” says Hill.

The Preds started well, with new Quarterback Mitch Hunt driving the team within field goal range. However, after Kicker Arin Tahmasian’s attempt fell just short, the Lions Offensive unit took over and began the onslaught.

The Lions's WRs were lethal against the Preds

“Their Offense consists of six guys that have played for Australia. Our Defence had seven guys that had never played their spot before. We always realised that this was a bit of a mismatch,” pointed out Defensive Coach Andy Hilton.

The Lions’ Quarterback, Dan Kelen, was on song, hitting receivers all around the field and exploiting the untested Predators defensive backs. Hilton believes that’s an issue only time will resolve.

“We played the run well, but we couldn’t seem to stop their passing game. Our guys just need to learn from these mistakes.”

On Offense the Predators were dealt a cruel blow when rookie receiver, Brett Sykes was forced out of the game after a nasty shot to the side. What at first was thought to be a broken rib, ended up being diagnosed at Nepean Hospital as a ruptured liver. Sykes had shown some raw talent early and was developing a rapport with Hunt before the hit ended his game, and possibly his season.

WR Brett Sykes in preseason action against the Pirates

“Not only did losing Brett hurt our Offense, it’s disappointing to see a new fellow miss on a chance to enjoy the game,” says Hill, “We hope we see him back soon.”

The Predators have a bye week coming up and will look to spend it improving their pass defence. They’ll need to work hard with the pass-happy UTS Gators next on their schedule.

From what he saw Saturday, Hill believes that the building blocks are in place to take the next step forward.

“It’s a long season and we’ve got plenty of time to improve on what we saw here.”

In other Gridiron NSW results…

West Sydney Pirates 39 def Bondi Raiders 29

The Pirates overcame a rare off game from QB Dave Ward to post their first win of the new season. Trailing 29-21 at the end of the first half, the Pirates D shut out the Raiders in the second to secure a positive start to 2009.

UTS Gators 32 def Penrith City Outlaws 7

Home field advantage wasn’t enough to help the Outlaws overcome a slew of injuries. Playing without star halfback, Stuart Etcell, the Outlaws Offense struggled to gain momentum in the first half. By the first break the Gators had a 24-0 lead and never looked back.

Sutherland Seahawks – Bye

Gridiron NSW: Seven Questions for the 2009 Season

Whilst far removed from Gridiron NSW, almost every NFL blog looks ahead to the new season and finds the question each team must face to be successful in the upcoming year. Without the huge media exposure, training camp exploits and recruitment drives, is it is possible for a blogger to do the same for Gridiron NSW?

Well this foolish writer is set to give it a whirl:

1 – The Sydney University Lions

So, after six years of dominance what else could we possibly ask for from the reigning Waratah Bowl champs? Their QB spot seems downright locked, what with Gridiron NSW MVP Dan Kelen still running the show and Outback 2nd-stringer QB Keirnan Dorney backing him up. The WRs corp will be missing Outback rep Matt Freeman, who is probably the best WR in the League, yet they’ll make it up with Dorney joining their ranks. The O-Line is even stronger, with former starters Tim Snape and Cameron ‘Twinkie’ Lawrence returning for the 2009 and the Lions D brought back veteran Craig ‘Nugget’ Morgan to add to an already strong front-7.

Can the 2nd-string Lions live up to the 1st-string's level?

And after all that, there’s still one question that’s left to be tested by this team: Do they have Championship-calibre depth? Sure, the Lions usually boast the largest roster in the League (as Mel Brooks would say, “It’s good to be the king!”), yet how many of those supporting role players can take the step up?

In last year’s Grand Final, the Lions primarily used the same 11 men on Offense, and seemed to have a similar concept on Defence. Can their sideline crew match it in this League? And if so, can they play to the Championship-standard that the starters have set?

The Lions have started a very familiar side across the past four Championship winning seasons. Who’s going to be there when a half decade of hits start to add to that half decade of dominance?

2 – The West Sydney Pirates

There’s no doubt that the Pirates have the second most-rounded side in Gridiron NSW. Running the show is the ever-durable QB Dave Ward, our League’s version of Vinny Testaverde. In last year’s Grand Final, Ward punished the Lion’s defensive backs with his old target, Ivan Popovich making the most of their soft coverage. This season Popovich will be gone, supposedly retiring after the Outback tour. Yet in his replacement are Outback reps Greg Evers and Brad ‘Gollum’ Golledge, both coming north from the fallen Wollongong side.

Golledge will be an even greater addition to the defence where, in less than 18 months, he went from a back-up NSW WR to a starting Outback CB. Paired with Australian teammate CB Zeaid Robi, the Pirates will be an extremely difficult team to throw on.

A solid offence, a solid defence, yet there’s one aspect where the Pirates leave a huge question: Offensive Line. Last season’s run game relied heavily on FB Sim Tooala making crucial blocks. Solid pass rushes forced Ward to move his usually cement-like feet and to continually throw to bailout routes. In the end the Pirates definitely overcame this hole, yet with more teams prepared to expose their weaknesses, have the Pirates O-Linemen done enough this offseason to answer their critics? Can they give Ward the time he needs to run his Spread offense?

3 – The University of Technology, Sydney

The Gators-Lizards-Eagles-Storm look to make up for missed opportunities in 2008. After a change of Head Coach and the loss of starting QB Simon Irrgang, UTS started last season with a plod and seemed to be headed out of the playoffs. Yet a few upsets later and UTS ended up third on the table with a shot at a third straight Championship appearance.

This season UTS has added another new coach to the fold, Outback Defensive Coordinator Rocco Bosco, whose defection from Bondi caused a minor stir. Word is many of Bosco’s Bondi Colt players will be joining him. That’d be a massive coup for UTS, as the Storm have been one of the most successful Colt sides in recent years.

The procurement of Bosco goes a long way to answer the one question UTS needs to face: can their Defence be as successful as their Offence? The side has long been able to put up points, yet their ‘outscore everybody’ philosophy has often faltered when they’ve faced up against similar attacking sides with solid defences. If UTS wants to finally bring home that Championship, the key will be Bosco’s blitz-happy, lineman-cutting Defence. Will it be Waratah Bowl-worthy in 2009?

4 – The Sutherland Seahawks

The Seahawks had a Cinderella type run to playoffs last season, surprising many with a last round draw against the Outlaws to sneak into the semis. With on-field general, QB Pete Upham, still coaching in the huddle, the Seahawks will have a huge target on their backs in 2009. Yet that might be easily taken care of by Upham’s huge target, the return of WR Brandon Martel.

Martel lit up the League two years ago, helping the Hawks run their Spread offense. Considering they were better WITHOUT him last season, could their Offense be ready to boom in 2009?

Yet that’s not the lingering issue with Sutherland. As the ol’ adage goes, offence can win you games, but you need defence to win that Championship. Last season, the Sutherland D looked shallow, with only a few playmakers in key spots. There’s talk that they’ve had a recruitment boom, picking up near 30 new players; but new players doesn’t necessarily mean footballers. With the Seahawks Offence looking to keep pace with sides like the Lions and the Pirates, can their Defensive unit protect a lead? Will they be able to hold off the hungry pack from their hard-earned fourth-rung?

5 – The Penrith City Outlaws

In most Leagues a strong running game and a solid defence would lead to multiple championship rings. Heck, it worked for the Outlaws in 2002. Yet somehow this side seems to stumble at the wrong time: December. When you have RB Stuart Etcell in your backfield, trying to run the ball is never an issue. Etcell’s ability to follow any block and to turn on a dime is as amazing to watch as it is frustrating to tackle. Give him a glimpse of the outside and he’s gone.

Maybe it’s all the work trying to tackle Etcell that’s turned the Outlaws Linebacker corps into one of the most talented. With MLB Eric O’Donnell going sideline to sideline, the Outlaws D has long been a tough side to face. They’re ability to hit with speed is ferocious and a fun match-up for every contest.

The crux of the Outlaw Championship hopes lies solely in their passing game. With a young arm behind centre and a Spread offense, Coach Miro Williams will be hoping to open the field for Etcell to do what he does best. Yet last season, when the better defences challenged the Outlaws’ passing game, it failed to step up and the Outlaws missed out on the playoffs.

With last year’s experience to build on, will the Outlaws be able to make the passes and keep Stu Etcell from shouldering the load? Or will Penrith City once again run out of mileage as we head towards the playoffs?

6 – The Bondi Raiders

Last year, with QB Pete Tos Jr taking snaps once more, the Raiders came out of the blocks slinging, racking up points and wins at an impressive rate. Their Defence was fast and solid enough to compete with most teams and Bondi looked like they were regathering the form that took them to the Waratah Bowl in 2005. Then November came and the Green Machine began to flounder as they got trounced by the Lions 61-0. Suddenly the wheels fell off and that playoff spot they were eyeing vanished.

With a young team and room to grow, 2009 should be all about the next step the Raiders can take. Instead, the question facing the 2009 Bondi side, is quite simply: What will Coach Paul Manera’s legacy be when he finishes his stint with the Raiders? Will he have led Bondi to their first title since 1999? Or will he have stunted the growth of the Club by jettisoning Storms Head Coach Rocco Bosco?

The truth is, Coach Manera’s college-style approach to NSW football is definitely polarising. Some have called it foolishly idealistic and too demanding for Gridiron NSW. Others find it inspiring and the drive this League needs to reach a more competitive level. It doesn’t matter which way you view it; if Bosco takes the strength of his Storm side to UTS with him, the 2009 Raiders may be less like the 2008 version and more like the cellar-dwelling 2007 side.

7 – The North Western Predators

After taking a step forward in each of their first three seasons, the Preds failed to keep the momentum going in 2008. Scoring only two wins (counting a Wollongong forfeit) the North Western side avoided their first wooden spoon thanks to the slow painful death of the Mustangs. This year, though, Wollongong won’t be there to crutch the Predators. Facing the cold bitter floor of the cellar, the Pride of Pennant Hills will need to make vast improvements to keep in the hunt.

Will returning 2007 QB James McEnaney be able to spark the Preds O?

The Predators have long been a successful running side, with FB Raneen Shamoon busting through holes and leading quicker backs. Their Offensive line boasts experienced and well-sized individuals, anchored by Outback rep Houssayn Bazzi. The Defence was, at its peak, ranked number two in the League, thanks to a solid D-line and an efficient Linebacking corps. They may be even better, if they could stay off the field long enough to freshen up. Yet the Offense’s inability to pick up consistent first downs has been an issue since the loss of 2005 QB Lachlan Fuller. Thus, the question the Predators must answer is: Can they finally find a franchise Quarterback?

Since their inception in 2005, twelve different men have started for the side, including four last season alone. This year the Preds have four talented individuals working in the spot; three of whom have previously started games in Gridiron NSW. While the focus may be on returning 2007 QB James McEnaney and his battle with the former-Mustangs QB Mitch Hunt, the man who started the Preds final 2008 games, Matt King, could be the dark horse in the pack. With a solid receiving corps coming from Colts and recruitment, one of these men will have to step up and deliver the ball if the Preds wish to win games in 2009.

The light will start to shine on this issue, and the other half dozen from around the League, at 1pm on September 5th. That’s when the first double-header of the new season kicks off, and the run for the Waratah Bowl begins.

Gridiron NSW 2009 Preseason: New Predators Shine in Preseason Scrimmage

With the Gridiron NSW 2009 season only two weeks away, the North Western Predators looked to hone their skills against the reigning Waratah Bowl Champions, the Sydney Uni Lions.

Their first chance to experience actual contact, many of the new Predators rose to the occasion.

“It was intense,” says rookie WR Jay Farrand with a wry smile, “I learnt that my ribs are fair game if I’m going for the ball.”

Yet it was when he was nowhere near the ball that Farrand took his worst shot.

“I was running downfield, on the complete other side from the play, and their D-Back just came out and levelled me.”

Farrand doesn’t need to feel ashamed. The shot was from former Outback DB Leigh Louey-Hung.

“I figure if that’s one of the best, I should be right from here on out,” jokes Farrand.

The Preds ‘silent assassin’ OLB Mark ‘Pedro’ Pierdziwol even got into the act, throwing down one of the Lions’ RB as he was trying to burst through the middle.

“I was a little slow in the first half of the scrimmage, worrying more about my alignments,” explains Pierdziwol, “But then Coach [Harwood] told me to just get into it and I started to have fun.”

The situational contest, which was more about training than scoring, also saw the unveiling of the Predators new look offence. Unfortunately, on debut, it didn’t live up to its hype.

“We’ve got plenty of kinks to work out,” admits starting QB James McEnaney, “Our inside run game wasn’t too hot, and our passing game was far from crisp.”

Still Head Coach Paul Hill was more optimistic about the performance.

“We always knew it’d be a work in progress. The faults we had today were obvious and can be easy to fix, with training,” says Hill.

The Preds were seriously hindered by a lack of depth on the Line. With three Linemen out injured and another three caught with prior commitments, the Preds fielded a total of six true Offensive Linemen.

The absences were sorely missed according to Line Captain, Houssayn Bazzi.

“We let the boys down. We’ve got to pick it up. But I’m sure with all of us there, and on the same page, we’d have seen something completely different.

The Predators will have seven days to sort out any issues before getting another chance to take the Offence out for a spin; they scrimmage with the Waratah Bowl finalists, the Western Sydney Pirates, this Sunday.

“Now that most of the boys have had their first hit out, I think we’ll see something different next Sunday,” says McEnaney.

With the Preds set to face the Lions again come Round One of the 2009 season, they’ll need to find something different soon.