It's been plain sailing for the Griffith newcomers thus far, who didn't concede a goal over the first eight games before Sunday's 2-all draw with defending Pascoe Cup champions Lake Albert. The Sharks showed unbeaten Hanwood they won't have everything their own way in a physical and high quality affair. Any club which beats Hanwood when it counts will likely finish with the trophy in their cabinet. They also welcomed skipper Brad Clark back form injury against the Sharks.

The coach Anthony Agresta says: "It's been unknown waters in terms of the teams we're playing. The first round was about picking up as many points as we could and trying to see where we're at. We're pretty pleased we've put ourselves in a great position. Our next month (Henwood Park, Young away, Lake Albert after they play South Wagga this week) is going to be pretty tough. We knew Lake Albert were going to be up and about on the weekend."

Prediction: 1^st

Although they were banking points, the defending champions began the year sluggishly and got a reality check with a 3-0 loss to Henwood Park in round five. Ever since they've found their mojo, registering three straight wins before Sunday's encouraging draw with Hanwood. They'll have their fingers crossed in-form young attacker James Trevaskis (ankle) doesn't miss much time after injuring himself late against the competition leader.

The coach Mitch Tinnock says: "We're pretty happy with how we're shaping up. We're building into the season nicely and getting our combinations sorted. We're primed for a big second half of the season I reckon. The draw against Hanwood gave us confidence that if we play our best and get stuck in we can match it with anyone. If we do that we know we can beat anyone. Some of our passing has been a bit sharper lately and our intensity's a lot better."

Key Injuries: Cam Mavor (hamstring, one week)

Prediction: 3rd

The Hawks look the most likely challenger to the top two. Were outstanding in a 3-0 shutout of the Sharks in round five and have now won their past five games. Their last defeat was a promising 1-0 loss to Hanwood, so they've shown they can test the benchmark. A young side who need to continue to bring the physicality as the season wears on. Also have a game in hand against Leeton United. Young striker Cameron Weir has been strong while Tim Harris and captain Chris Hart have been the rocks in the backline.

The coach Matt Menser says: "I don't think I could be happier with the way the last few games have gone. Other results have also gone our way. They're starting to get used to playing with each other. We had a tough draw at the start. These next three games (Young, Hanwood, Wagga United) will show us if we've actually progressed from the start of the season. We've also been pretty lucky with injuries."

Prediction: 2^nd

The Hawks need to sort out their defensive brain fades if they are to consider themselves a legitimate challenger for the title. Slip ups in the last two games have cost them dearly in a 2-1 loss to Lake Albert, and a 3-all draw with Tumut after trailing 3-1 late. Young winger Tyler Allen looks a player capable of breaking a game open, while striker Nazar Yousif has been in strong form in front of goal.

The coach Travis Weir says: "We're positioned fairly well considering the style we're playing at. We know in ourselves we can be playing a lot more consistently and with more intensity. The boys are pretty hard on themselves because they do expect a lot and they know they could be doing a lot better. What hurt us the first half of the season was injuries. The years we won the comp in 2013 and 2014 we used 18 or so players all up all year, and we're already up around 25 players. We've got a few playing injured who want to keep putting in, but no one out long term. We welcome back (defender) Cam Ferrie this week."

Prediction: Fourth

The Eagles loom as a team capable of rising up the ladder and causing some damage from the lower end of the top six in finals. Rhys Creed's return to the squad this year has increased their strike power up front. They'll be filthy at throwing away two points with a late fadeout against Wagga United last week. Matches against teams around them on the ladder in United, Young and Leeton shape as virtual six-pointers.

Midfielder Mitchell Henman says: "I think we're looking pretty good. Hopefully we can play a far better back half and push for finals. Reece Mastelotto (midfielder) should be back this week from his honeymoon so that will help, he's a big boy who puts the guys at ease with his physicality. If we play the type of football we know we can, we're a big chance of doing something in the bigger games. We need to capitalise better on our chances, we tend to miss a few."

Key Injuries: Nil

Prediction: Seventh

It seems last year's grand finalists are yet to hit their straps but certainly have the arsenal and big game experience to test any side. Need to embark on a winning run if they are to secure the double chance in the finals. The Lions did make last year's grand final from the bottom half of the top six, so they have belief they can make a run if they book their place. Play Henwood Park, Hanwood and Wagga United the next three weeks, which could make or break their season.

Defender Brad Galvin says: "We've had some injuries and a couple of red cards which hasn't helped us the last month or so. But we've matched it with the best, we drew with Hanwood (0-0), we beat Lake Albert, we went down 4-3 against Wagga United when we led 2-0. Isaac Hines (midfielder) has got an ankle injury and will be out this weekend, and defender Jordan Callaghan (red card) is out for another two weeks."

Prediction: Sixth

Still have two matches in hand after deferring two games due to State Cup commitments, one of which is against struggling South Wagga. It gives them a big chance to leap quickly up the ladder and they've shown enough to suggest they can test the top teams, most notably a 1-0 loss to Hanwood, and an unlucky 3-2 defeat against Lake Albert.

Defender Scott Munro says: "We've got a couple of games in hand which we play in July, between now and then we have to pick up a few points to keep in touch with the top four or five teams. We're always confident we can beat anyone on our day. It (being out of State Cup) is a blessing in disguise. It's good to play against different teams, but now we can just focus on the Pascoe Cup. We're doing everything well except scoring goals. The build-up from the back and moving it around has been pretty good, but in the final third we've been letting ourselves down. We're creating plenty of chances, but not putting them away."

Prediction: Fifth

An inability to consistently find the back of the net has been a major factor in a frustrating campaign for the Wolves thus far. They've managed just eight goals in nine games, and three of those came against struggling South Wagga. Lethal striker Jaiden Watson (formerly O'Brien), who scored 22 goals in 18 games to be named Pascoe Cup player of the year last season, has been in and out of the team with a persistent ankle issue. Creating enough chances but need more composure in front of goal if they're to make a run for finals. Gun defender Domenic Bertazzo is also tipped to make a return.

The coach Daniel Lawrence says: "We're not really happy with our position on the ladder. We feel like we're a bit better team than where we're at at the moment. Just getting our best 11 on the park is our biggest issue right now, I don't think we've done it at all this season. Watson being out is costing us, we don't have a lot of depth up front.

Prediction: Eighth

It's been a season to forget for South Wagga, punctuated by being forced to forfeit a match against Young, and just four goals in nine games. Their only win was a 3-2 triumph over fellow strugglers Cootamundra last week. You fear what scoreline the Warriors could be on the end of against Hanwood this Sunday.

The coach Ben Holt says: "It was great for the guys to get a win (against the Strikers) last week. We're a far different club to what we were at the start of the year. We've got a lot more numbers to choose from. The start of the season was really difficult for everybody because we had to manage numbers across grades."

Prediction: Ninth

The only winless team in the competition, the Strikers have lurched from one heavy loss to the next, highlighting by a 17-0 humiliation against Hanwood. However, they have been a little more competitive in recent weeks. The loss of several quality players from last year, including former co-captain-coaches Brett Farnsworth and Adam McPhail, certainly hasn't helped their cause.

The coach Mo Hassani says: "I can't expect too much. I roughly have about 18 players available each week for both teams (first grade and reserve grade), and a handful play both grades. I've got three 15-year-olds in there who don't have much experience in senior football, but they're putting in a lot of effort and hard work. They have the work and their resilience is still there despite the results."

Prediction: Tenth

LADDER AFTER ROUND 9

P W L D F A GD PTS

Hanwood 9 7 0 2 40 2 38 23

Lake Albert 9 6 1 2 31 9 22 20

Henwood Park 8 6 2 0 25 9 16 18

Wagga United 9 5 3 1 24 17 7 16

Tumut 9 3 3 3 18 19 -1 12

Young Lions 9 3 3 3 12 12 0 12

Leeton United 7 3 3 1 11 11 0 10

Tolland 9 2 7 0 8 21 -13 6

South Wagga 8 1 7 0 6 38 -32 3

Cootamundra 9 0 7 2 5 42 -37 2

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