TOPIC:

Well round 1 is finally upon us. The Gray Nicholls have been put away and replaced with the Copia Mundials.

Speculation on who has trained well in the off season will be put to rest as the real stuff gets underway.

Bassendean v Hammersly - MOTR
Hard to pick with no form line, but think this will be MOTR this weekend.
Basso, my pick for the flag after falling in a prelim last year to Willo. Hammersly coming off a shocking year in B Grade will find out where they sit as contender or otherwise by coming up against a strong, well drilled unit.
Basso to good at home and to win one of many for the season. Basso 6 goals.

Ocean Ridge v Carlisle
Another tough one to get a feel on. Carlisle middle of the road last year and OR making the jump from C2.
Ridge return to C1 after a few years away will face an aging Carlisle team. Think at home Carlisle will just get over the line, a loss may indicate they may fall off teh pace this season. Carlisle 2 goals.

Kenwick v Bull Creek
2 of the battlers from last year, Kenwick find a way to win just enough games to stay out of relegation, while Bull Creek had a stronger 2nd half of the season to scrape through in C1 just. Kenwick similar to Carlisle may have an aging list, while Bull Creek had their colts feature in the GF, will any of those colts make the step up. Think Bull Creek may pinch this one away just. Creek by 3 goals.

Warnbro v Gosnells
Gosnell fairly consistent last year will look to show the new kids on the block what C1 is like. The trip away from home wont suit, while Warnbro almost went last season undefeated, fallign at the final hurdle. Will be very tight but expect Gosnells to pip the Swans just. Gosnells 2 goals.

Thornlie v Melville
The Lions return to C1 while Melville played some good games and some shocking games last year. Strong colts historically should place Melville well for this season. But the Lions will want to stamp their authority on the league. Melville are never as good away as they are at home. For that reason, Thornlie by 5 goals.

Rough stab at a final Ladder based on absolutely nothing.

Basso
Thornlie
Melville
Gossies
Warnbro

Hammersly
Creek
Carlisle
Ridge
Kenwick

Spring, autumn, summer and Winter are all eclipsed by Footy as the best season going around. Boy is it good to be back

My first thoughts of "HGOL" review is your poor effort on choosing a match of the round. With other games you predicted with smaller winning margins I am struggling to see why you would believe it is the match of the round when you have tipped Basso by 6 goals. #Nuffie

Basso VS Hammersly
Bassendean will show no signs of slowing and will take pity on a team that will do the double drop this year.
Basso by 8 goals

Ocean Ridge VS Carlisle
I will go against the grain and tipping Ocean ridge who will be hungry to show the league their talent straight up.
Ocean Ridge by 4 goals

Kenwick vs Bullcreek
Bullcreek finally showed late last season that there is still some pride and passion. The coach to finish off last year is sticking around. The Pickup of South Freo High Flyer Paul Gumby is a massive gain considering his form in the Peel league. Apologies I will not attempt his last name.
Bullcreek by 4 goals

Warnbro vs Gosnells
The wheels of the Gosnells Bus will fall off very quickly this year and I don't think the side has enough talent to win in this packed league. Warnbro will play finals. Looking at the ex Peel and Wafl players on the side shoes they wont be bottom feeders.
Warnbro by 7 goals
Thornlie vs Melville MOTR
Another year another grade move for Thronlie. Always bouncing between being a strong C1 side or a poor C2 side. I believe they may be passed their expiry date playing at home will help. Melville have a second year under an experienced head coach and have great depth from successful colts teams. Have recruited a large volume of players from the Peel league by the looks of it. May struggle on the larger ground.
Melville by 4 points

Good luck to all.

Ulysses into Asics personally... normally the switch of the sporting codes is a welcome change but I cannot wait until the WorldCup starts with plenty of late cold winters nights spent watching the one day showpiece prior to the Ashes in August.

is there even an off season after losing a GF? Ridge not here to make up the numbers after winning promotion minus the silverware...

Bassendean to beat Carine
Warnbro by 3 goals (18)
The creek this week
And rams too sleek*
With a Ridge win thats routine

*there's always a rnd1 upset that nobody sees coming

Awesome write up guys - Good luck to every one in C1 this year.

Tips this week:

Basso
Carlisle
Creek
Warnbro
Melville


Ladder Prediction for this season:

Basso
Hammersley
Melville
Warnbro
Gozzys

Carlisle
Thornlie
Ridge
Creek
Kenwick

A couple of interesting write ups guys.

I think it will take a few weeks for everyone to wokr out where sides are without any exposed form. I guess the sides that adapt quickest to the new rules and work out how to exploit them to their strengths will be the ones with the early wins.

My tips for this week are

Bassendean, they seem to have a strong squad and have been there abouts for a couple of years
Ridge are alwasy challenging to beat at home, I dont think the step to C1 will be to challening for them.
Bullcreek just - I know nothing about these two sides so i flipped a coin and came up tails.
Gosnells - they always start the season well and Warnbro may still be wobbly after losing the GF last year
Thornlie at home under lights to rebound from a tough year last year and show they will be one of the stronger C1 sides.

Good luck to everyone, play well anjoy round 1 and enjoy the frothies afterwards


Good

It's going to be an interesting Round of football and suggest we don't write too many Clubs off just yet.

The points system will have a huge impact, with some Clubs that recruited heavily finding out last night that they won't be able to play some of those they have recruited. Either those players will seek to move or there will be some really strong Reserves teams this year.

Bassendean vs Hammersly
Poor season last year from Hammersly, good one from Bassendean. Expect Bassendean to win.

Ocean Ridge vs Carlisle
Strong Club culture at Ocean Ridge and expect them to win.

Thornlie vs Melville
Big comedown for Thornlie after last year. Melville have lots of pieces to pick up after the last couple of seasons and expect they will win.

Warnbro vs Gosnells MOTR
Two strong Clubs and my MOTR. Warnbro unlucky not to be in C1 last year and Gosnells have recruited well (as have Warnbro). Always good games between these Clubs. Close, but expect Gosnells to win.

Bull Creek vs Kenwick
Suspect both of these teams will struggle this year and that this will be a close one. For no good reason, picking Bull Creek.

My ladder prediction:

Bassendean
Gosnells
Warnbro
Melville
Ocean Ridge

Thornlie
Hammersley
Carlisle
Bull Creek
Kenwick

Warnbro won the GF last year against Ocean Ridge

Minor details SBD, Half Glass backed Carlisle at home but they're playing away.

Hey birdman, Clements and Robinson are handy pick ups for your mob. Is Mal Yarran still having a run?

Thornlie a club with fantastic facilities and a great ground to watch football. Too bad we cannot say the same about there league football side.

The mature Thornlie colts side had a day out against the Melville colts who lock like majority are still 17 year old footballers albeit a few stars.
The reserves game was very a good tight contest. Would have been better if the umpires weren't so awestruck by ex-afl player Daniel Kerr. Bias at this level is very frustrating but also a major reason why every team is striving to play B grade of above footy. Daniel Kerr looks like the only Bloke who has had more sausage rolls than the Melville reserves coach.

Finally the league game. This was an awesome arm wrestle with good quality football, structure and skills on hand. Umpires showed their experience and allowed leniency to either side for the 6-6-6 rule. If players showed they are getting back to position. they seem to be okay with it.
Melville to strong in the end with better ball movement and better team footy. 5 goal win to start off the year is perfect.