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As they often say, when the world ends, Subbies rugby will ‘keep on keeping’. After the delights and surprises of 2010, I thought I would put forward my bold predictions for the top three divisions of the NSW Suburban Rugby Union (Subbies) competition for season 2011.
Division 1
Yet another successful season was had for Knox Old Boys with a well deserved Club Championship under its belt. It is hard to believe that a club who had a handful of registered players some years ago, is now deservedly standing at the apogee of suburban rugby for its second year running.
Drummoyne won its sixth Kentwell Cup in the last decade and it’s hard not to see another victory by the Dirty Reds in 2011. This is especially so after seeing contenders Knox Old Boys lose a couple of its long serving coaches to the Shute Shield for season 2011.
Mosman, Old Ignations, Colleagues, Beecroft and Campbelltown will be in the mix, with Lindfield surviving its first year in Division 1 nicely.
St Patricks are always strong with their abrasive football style but along with Beecroft may not have the firepower for the honours in first grade or for a club championship.
Barker Old Boys will have a second shot at Division 1 in four years and will view ‘non-relegation’ in 2011 as a successful year. That’s not to say they are not a good club, rather the step up from Division 2 is a giant leap of faith that most clubs in recent years have found difficult.
Division 2
Hunters Hill have witnessed a stellar rebuild over the last few years and were devastated in 2010 when they failed to secure the club championship and see a return to Division 1. Having been pipped in the last round by Barker Old Boys, they will most certainly be smarting as the club to beat in 2011.
Freshly relegated Forest will be a handful as always, and newly promoted Blacktown, who can feed on their success with strong momentum over a season appear to be building.
Kings Old Boys, Briars and UNSW will be in the mix as usual with some surprises from Hornsby, Oatley, St Ives and Newport through the grades. Division 2 traditionally sees a few long standing rivalries that ensure an interesting season and it is always tough to predict how pre-season training and recruitment will transform onto the paddock.
Division 3
From Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell to their self proclaimed ‘best-5/8th-the-club-has-ever-seen’, Balmain will be the goods in 2011, angling for both the Clark Cup and Club Championship. It’s amazing that in only a space of a few years, this brand-spanking-new club is now fielding six senior teams and knocking on the door of Division 2.
I am reliably told that fellow Inner-West arch rivals Petersham will be hot on Balmain’s heels as will be the ever present Blue Mountains who are hard to beat at Lapstone.
Merrylands will continue to confront all clubs with their hard running rugby and Epping with their home grown ‘front row factory’ will ensure they are strong up front.
Hills and Brothers will make up the numbers, with Waverley, UNSW and Hawkesbury Valley to be thereabouts in the grades.
So there you have it, Drummoyne, Hunters Hill and Balmain to win their respective premierships with a strong shot at the Club Championship as well.
Those of you in the Subbies world will know full well that making predictions are near impossible and the only constant in subbies is change. One thing I do know is that each season the promotion and relegation system refreshes the competitions as well as creating and re-igniting old rivalries that can go back for decades.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.