East Campbelltown Eagles (3) Vs Mounties (6)
Allianz Stadium, Sunday, September 28
Kick-off: 10.30am
Referee: Chris Treneman
Broadcast: Radio Coverage courtesy of Steele Sports Radio (Link available via www.steelesports.com.au)
Broadcast: Radio Coverage courtesy of 2GLF FM 89.3 (Link available via 893fm.com.au)
Broadcast: Radio Coverage courtesy of Triple H FM (Link available via www.triplehfm.com.au/hhh)
EAGLES - 1. EDWIN CONNOR 19. FUSI TOUTAI 3. STEPHEN HARDING 4. LIMONI KATUMA 5. GEORGE VATUVEI 6. CHRIS STANDING 7. WAYDE DUNLEY 8. JIMMY LAULILLI 9. SAM HOARE 18. JACOB NANSEN 11. MICHAEL BRADSTOCK 12. SAMA SAUVAO 13. JARRYD EGGLETON 14. CRUISE IOSEFA 15. UATI ISSAKO 16. LEIGH MIDDLEMISS 17. ROBERT NEAVE 20. BENJAMIN JANKOWSKI 21. SEASO SAUVAO 23. PJ HUNT COACH: GARY POTTS
MOUNTIES – 1. MOHI AUPOURI 2. JOEL PATULLO 3. LOUIS VAIOTU 4. MATTHEW GREEN 5. MARCO MUSCATELLO 6. BRADLEY SPEECHLEY 7. BRAEDEN BATISTE 8. TERE GLASSIE 9. LUKE SPEECHLEY © 10. JASON GREEN 11. CHAD GRANT 12. JOE ROKOQO 13. MATTHEW WHITEHOUSE 14. KAINE MATTHEWS 15. PENETAUI KLESKOVIC JONES 16. ZAC WEDESWEILER 17. DAYNE VETTE WELSH 18. UILA APE ESERA 19. JOHN MARTIN 20. HAVEA KATOA 21. JARDEN SAJNOVIC 22. MAHANGA RATAHI FRELAN COACH: GLENN ANTONELLI
Summary: What a season it has been in the 2014 Sydney Shield. Much like its big brother, the Ron Massey Cup, the Sydney Shield has been a tightly contested affair for the most part right throughout. Many people thought that we would see a new name etched on the Shield this year, but most probably figured it would be the Peninsula Seagulls and not the East Campbelltown Eagles. The Seagulls won 21 of their 22 regular season games, with a round 19 loss to the Guildford Owls costing them a perfect record. But a loss for Peninsula to fellow newcomers in the Eagles last weekend now means it is up to East Campbelltown to fly the flag for the newbies. Their opponents on Sunday in Mounties had an up and down regular season, but as they often do, they have come good in the finals. Mounties finished the year in sixth place with 10 wins, 10 losses and a couple of draws to their names, but wins over Cabramatta, Wenty and last year’s Premiers in Belrose sees them head into the decider full of confidence and match hardened. These two teams have split their regular season match ups with both of the home sides tasting success by similar winning margins. Both of these teams have dangerous men at the back with Mohi Aupouri and Edwin Connor leading their respective sides in the try scoring stakes, and both have tasted success against one another in their earlier meetings. Back in Mounties round seven win, Mohi Aupouri scored 18 points, bagging a double and adding five goals while in round 18 it was Connor’s turn to get over the stripe twice. Both of these sides shared identical defensive records at the end of the regular season, however the Eagles clearly had the better year in attack, averaging a tick under 37 points a game compared to Mounties 26 points. No matter which way you look at it, this game looms as a fitting way to kick off what is going to be a great day of footy action.
2014 Head to Head Results:
Mounties 38 def. East Campbelltown Eagles 12 at Aubrey Keech Reserve (Round 7)
East Campbelltown Eagles 34 def. Mounties 12 at Waminda Oval (Round 18)
Eagles leading try scorer 2014 – Edwin Connor (19 tries)
Mounties leading try scorer 2014 – Mohi Aupouri (18 tries)
Prediction: Love to see the new boys on the block get up. Eagles by 4.
Click here to see what the Captains had to say at Monday’s media call
