The 5,4,3,2,1 of everything for 2014 5 THINGS WE EXPECT TO SEE: Somebody change the record! - The round robin will just delay the inevitable. Come finals time youll see the familiar colours of Southern, Taieri, University and Dunedin competing for the title. Aint no goalpost high enough! - Drama and controversy over successful/unsuccessful shots at goal because at most grounds the goalposts are too short to determine otherwise. Should he stay or should he go? - Expect to hear about Craig Sneddons desire for a mid-season transfer. Will just happen. Not my jurisdiction! - Referees not only controlling the players on the field, but the spectators off it. Sad, but true. Stuck in the mud! - Consistent rain for a week will mean grounds will turn into swamps. Something we dont want to happen, but its happened before. 5 THINGS WE WONT SEE Back to Back titles- With the Sharks losing some quality players, I would be surprised if they go back to back. No doubt they will be good, but I just dont think quite good enough. The perfect record- Doesnt matter who you are, I cant see a team going through unbeaten. Just too tough a competition to be winning week in week out. Great while it lasted! - Ben Nowell Thats a surprise! - This season we wont be seeing any surprise results. I think the gap between the top and bottom teams to to big. Cream always rises to the top. 0800 Quitline- Belch wont be giving up the darts anytime soon I can assure you. He just lives life to the fullest. DCR salutes you Tim Belcher. 5 BIG NAMES TO WATCH Peter Breen (Alhambra-Union)- By the end of the season someones gonna have to call this man a chiropractor. A man can only carry a team on his back for so long. Michael Collins (Taieri)- 2014 will be a big year for young Michael Collins. I have full confidence the 21 year old will be dynamic in the Eels midfield. Joe Latta (Zingari-Richmond) - Out all season in 2013, the NZ age-grade rep will be looking to prove a point this season. He also has the captains armband for extra motivation. Josh Renton (Kaikorai) - 2013 was a frustrating season for the Otago halfback. A fair bit of his first season was spent on the sidelines due to injury. I think in 2014 the young 19 year old has a point to prove. Nick Annear (University) - Some considered the pint-sized halfback unlucky to miss out on Otago last year after a stellar season. So this season he will really stake his claim. My tip for Player of the Year. 5 NOT SO BIG NAMES TO WATCH Mitchell Zandstra (Dunedin)- The talk Ive been hearing about this kid during pre-season is phenomenal. A young flanker with a huge wrap on him, I cant wait to see how he goes in the first round. Ricky Riccitelli (Southern) - A young hooker already in the Otago setup having only played colts, will be looking to have a big season in his rookie Prem 1 year. James Lentjes (Taieri) - This highly touted Canterbury flanker has made the shift south in hope of cracking Otago. So he is definitely one to watch. Kyle Harris (Kaikorai)- Kyle played mainly off the bench last season for the Demons. However he is into the latter stages of the NZ under 20s camp. A strongly built flanker, Kyle should add another dimension to Kaikorai this year. Fletcher Smith (University)- Throughout his time at Christchurch Boys High School, this first-five had a massive wrap on him, like massive. He is only 19 so it will certainly be interesting to see how he goes in Dunedin Prem Rugby. 4 PLAYERS IN WHICH THE JURY IS STILL OUT Gavin Stark (University) - This kid is talked up more than my Mums banana cake. Yes hes fast, he showed that in 7s. However as we know, the 15 man game is a whole different story. Last year he played for South Otago High School and now hes playing premier 1 rugby. Id just hold all tickets if I was you. Adam Knight (Southern)- Another young player who is often talked up. As far as Im concerned he is yet to give me anything to write home about. 2014 needs to be a big one for him. Aleki Morris (Harbour)- Was a star at school. Breaking records that had previously stood for decades. However his first season in premier rugby was solid but not spectacular. I think 2014 is now or never for Aleki. Tom Rowe (Zingari-Richmond) - Tom was talked about a lot last year , saying he was a backbone to the Zingari pack. He made Otago Bs for his efforts. However I still think he is more of a basketballer than a rugby player, so at the moment the jurys still out. 3 REASONS TO GET TO THE GAMES Atmosphere- Nothing better than a big game, on a great day, contested between 2 good teams with a big crowd in attendance. Everyone feeds off it. Awesome spectacle. Quality of players- Dunedin is lucky enough to have a premier 1 competition with some really good players, young and old. Throw in a few of the Highlanders every week and the standard gets better and better. Clubs need you- Clubs biggest revenue is takings over the bar. So when you come along and watch take the time afterwards to come in and have a beer or a wine and a fizz for the kids. 2 BIG PREDICTIONS Hurring gone by Easter- I have a feeling that super coach Marty Hurring will be gone by Easter. I dont think Harbour and him will be a good mix. Wouldnt be surprised if they show him the door. Annears Year- The University halfback is in for a breakthrough year I reckon. Played brilliant last year. Expect more of the same. 1 THING TO REMEMBER 2.45pm this Saturday, your team will be playing. So get along.
Posted on: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 06:16:43 +0000
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