Romano's Hotel 2nd Grade: Mid-Season Review and Preview

2018 saw a tight contest between Waratahs and City for supremacy, now a lot of the City players who lost that Grand Final to Waratahs are the stars of the club in 1st Grade, but they continue to hold 2nd position, just under Waratahs.

Unfortunately mid-way through the season we lost Leeton from the competition due to dwindling playing numbers. This left the 7 remaining teams to battle it out for the back end for the season, competing for the all important top  four spots.
 
Wagga Waratahs:
This years Waratahs has since many changes from Round 1 to Round 9, with no clear distinction in quality from 1st Grade into 2nd Grade.
With only one loss this season (Wagga City in Round 1 by only 2 points), and a 7 game winning streak, Waratahs are definitely keen to back up their 2018 premiership winning season.

Recent Form:
7. Win v Tumut (49-0)
8. Win v Wagga City (55-0)
9. Win v Albury (52-0)
 
Upcoming Games:
10. v WAC (A)
11. Bye
12. v Griffith (A)
 
Wagga City:
Wagga City were one of the dominant teams in 2019, but the advertisement of all coaching roles at the beginning of 2019, we saw the introduction of new coaches, during the season we have seen more changes in the coaching staff.
Their regular stars from 2018 including “Rocky” continue to cause waves through 2nd Grade.

Recent Form:
7. Win v Albury (31-26)
8. Loss v Waratahs (0-55)
9. Win v Tumut (35-7)
 
Upcoming Games:
10. v Griffith (H)
11. v CSU (A)
12. v WAC (H)
 
Wagga Agricultural College:
Wagga Ag College entered 2019 looking to build on their 1st Grade sides success in 2018, knowing that their ability may be important for what happens in the higher grade.
They begun by possibly the scalp of the season, bringing on board Jonathan Andreou as their coach. Formerly of Wagga City, as well as being involved in the Mens and Womens SIRU Representative Program and the Southern Sports Academy. Huge win for WAC, and it has proven worthy with their positioning in 3rd place.
Much like Waratahs, there has been some movement between the 2 top grades already this year for the players, showing the depth within the Aggies club.
 
Recent Form:
7. Bye
8. Win v Albury (43-7)
9. Win v Reddies (56-5)
 
Upcoming Games:
10. v Waratahs (H)
11. v Tumut (A)
12. v City (A)
 
Griffith Blacks:
Griffith have encountered mixed results all season, but consistency has paid off with 4 wins from 7 games and a position in the top four. With a young crop of players climbing the ranks in 3rd Grade, this 2nd Grade side may look very different in comparison to the start of the season. Also including quality SSA athlete Matt Parisotto in the mix to ensure the standard remains high throughout all grades.
Coming off a bye they will play the two top teams in the next two weeks, we’ll have to check back and see if they are still in top four following Round 12.

Recent Form:
7. Win v CSU (63-0)
8. Win v Tumut (27-14)
9. Bye
 
Upcoming Games:
10. v City (A)
11. v Albury (A)
12. v Waratahs (H)
 
Tumut Bulls:
Tumut were the only team at the club to have a Home Semi-Final in 2018, but fell devastatingly short against a strong City pack.
With the departure of Mat “Chappy” Chapman as coach of the team, it became a family affair with David and Damien West taking over the role for 2019. Both having been involved in the team for some time were keen to hook in for 2019.
Due to the terrible run of injuries at the club 2nd Grade has unfortunately been changing each week, but have still managed 4 wins from 8 games, and sit only 2 competition points behind the top four. Losses against 3 of the top four recently has hurt, Tumut will need to get some early wins if they want to make Finals.
 
Recent Form:
7. Loss v Waratahs (0-49)
8. Loss v Griffith (14-27)
9. Loss v City (7-35)
 
Upcoming Games:
10. v CSU (H)
11. v WAC (H)
12. Bye
 
Albury-Wodonga Steamers:
Albury came into the season looking to make it into Finals whilst supporting their top team to hopefully qualify multiple teams.
Albury have had a slow start with only one win against CSU, but have gone awfully close multiple times (2 games within 5 points).
With the introduction of some young talent into the playing group, including 16 YO Alexander Achillea who has starred in the backline.
They will need to beat some more opponents then CSU if they want to rapidly climb the ladder, and finishing games strong may be the key to this.

Recent Form:
7. Loss v Wagga City (26-31)
8. Loss v WAC (7-43)
9. Loss v Waratahs (0-52)
 
Upcoming Games:
10. Bye
11. v Griffith (H)
12. v CSU (A)
 
CSU Reddies:
CSU is yet to get a win on the board. They have had a struggle for sufficient player numbers all season, and the chopping and changing of their team has caused a lack of consistency that has resulted in multiple losses.
The shining light in their team has been Club Legend Mick Wakeling, who has retired more times than many have played seasons. He often referees prior to playing to help the club.
Some young talent is coming through the ranks, the likes of Patrick Prest who will no doubt be a star 1st Grade player in the future.
 
Recent Form:
7. Loss v Griffith (0-63)
8. Bye
9. Loss v WAC (5-56)
 
Upcoming Games:
10. v Tumut (A)
11. v City (H)
12. v Albury (H)