Just would also like to make note that you agreed with Forever Reds bold prediction of winning the competition 'Comfortably'
The question has to be asked to both 'if you do not use pre-season form for end season ending selections' then what have you based your very early very confident prediction on?
I noticed Westy were not in attendance at the launch/photo shoot yesterday. I'm sure there is a reasonable explanation but I dont imagine the fed will be too happy.
Some intriguing match ups for week 1.
My tips for what its worth are:
Westy to get over New Lambton
Belswans to beat Singo
Tronno draw with Cookers
Southy to beat Wallsend
Cessnock to beat Thornton
I'll go with
Westy
Belswans
Cookers
Southy
Cessnock
Draw
Belswans
Cookers
Draw
Thornton
Draw
Belswans
Toronto- promising youth added in a decent GK
Draw
Thornton
I am not claiming to be the 'expert' who does not use pre season form as an indicator, that is an observation I have made from self labelled experts tipping teams to come in the top of this league who have not performed at all in pre season.
I think that Cookers have strengthened their roster better than anyone else has in the competition. If we picked a team from all clubs currently in NEW FM for this season I would suggest that quite a lot of them would be from Cookers. And from my experience the teams that perform the best in this competition are those with the quality players who will be the difference between winning and losing.
Well if we are now using trial form for selection then the you still couldnt come up with a team winning the comp 'comfortably'. It looks very even across the board, I dont think any of the teams have beaten a ZPL team in trials and most have had some sort of success in other trials so for mine anyone of 6 could make the top 4 and Cooks Hill would be one of them. As it was last year on a good day most teams can win. Im sure Cooks Hill will taking plenty of beatings this year like they did V Thornton but will better than last year, based on trial form and recruitment.
As ForeverRed said time will tell.
New Lambton to aim up and beat Westy
Belswans to beat Singo in a close game
Cookers to easily dispose of Stags
Southy draw with Wallsend
Cessnock surpirse draw Thornton, will be a bit of spice this one, few ex players in their new teams.
Wallsend vs Southy at The Gardens
1st 2-3
23s 1-1
19s 2-2
17s 2-2
Thornton beat Cessnock 5-1 in firsts