Game Preview - 2018 Round 2

By Samuel Lindsayvs WEST HARBOUR PIRATES (A) Southern Districts have jumped out to top the Shute Shield ladder following a 62 – 7 victory over Penrith Emus at Forshaw Park last weekend. Round 2 sees Southern Districts away from home when they visit Concord Oval for the first time since 2016. The Rebels will have a full compliment available after finishing Round 1 generally unscathed, Matt Barr has had the luxury of naming an unchanged squad for Round 2. There was also plenty of evidence on the weekend that structures put in place over the off-season are finally beginning to settle within the playing group. West Harbour enjoyed a similar run of form to Souths at the back end of 2017 and whilst they could only catapult themselves into 8th on the ladder; there was plenty of promise about the team heading into 2018. The loss of Ken Catchpole medal winner, Tyler Adams, to the Melbourne Rebels is a big loss, however the club from Concord demonstrated in their trial games, they are a dangerous side playing without fear, unafraid afraid to move the ball around. West Harbour opened their 2018 season with a loss at Eastern Suburbs, but only narrowly, picking up a bonus point in the process.1st Grade will kick-off at 3pm with the first game of the day, 4th Grade getting underway at 10:45am. SDRC TEAM NEWSNo Changes have been made by Head Coach Matt Barr ahead of Round 2. The playing group have enjoyed uninterrupted training with no injuries acquired over the opening weekend.MilestonesConor Young is set to play his 50th Southern Districts grade game from the bench. Starting Line-up1. Matt Gibbon2. Liam Dwyer3. Shambeckler Vui4. Angus Ryan5. Fili Tufui6. Alex Perez7. Conor Mitchell8. Marcus Carbone (c)9. Eli Pilz10. Bayley Kuenzle11. Rowland-Keni Kotabalavau12. Denny Godinet13. William Latu14. Christian Kagiassis15. Jamie Verran STATSForm – Last 5 matchesSouthern Districts W W W L WWest Harbour W W W W LSouthern Districts vs Penrith Emus at Concord Oval – Past 5 years2016 Round 2 West Harbour 21 – 52 Southern Districts2015 Round 18 West Harbour 17 – 16 Southern Districts2013 Round 10 West Harbour 30 – 26 Southern DistrictsSouthern Districts 5 year record vs West Harbour P W L F AForshaw Rugby Park 4 3 1 119 103Concord Oval 3 1 2 94 68Total 7 4 3 213 171