Season preview
We are taking a look at the Whites John I Dent challengers for season 2021 - one that is shaping up to be the closest in many a year.
Starting with last year’s premiers Royals under the stewardship of former White’s mentor Wayne Southwell.
As is Southy’s way, the 'Blue bags' are taking a low key approach and keeping expectations to a minimum, but opposition clubs won’t take the bluff - again - and will be aiming up.
Talk is that they may struggle a little up front with departures and the season ending injury to 100 game prop Joel Penders which will be a big loss to cover. However, with a wealth of experience across the park in the likes of Bodman, Johnson and the wily Pedro Rolando, leading the way for youngsters such as Connor Smith and Tom Iles, expect them to be sniffing about with plenty of intent come September. They will also hope to welcome back at various times during the season their Brumbies stocks in McInerney, Cusack, Muirhead and Keunzle along with young back rower Rory Scott who has already had a handful of Super Rugby appearances this season that will be a massive boost.
Last year’s runners up Gungahlin Eagles will field a vastly different lineup in season 2021 with the Atkins brothers heading up north, seasoned veterans Giteau and Dargaville both now plying their trade overseas and retirements of some long term first graders sure to see some new faces in the black and red. They’ll have plenty of grunt up from with young lock Callum MacDonald growing in stature each outing and big number 8 Tamati Ioane will be an even bigger handful this year if that is possible.
Both were in great form for the Runners with Ioane impressing many to be the Runners best over the program.
Under the coaching of Marco Caputo, coming up against the Eagles you’ll know you are in for a fight!
Always a contender the Tuggeranong Vikings will look to improve on season 2020 where they were spectators on the season’s big day - not a common occurrence and one coach and club legend Nick Scrivener will be looking to address.
It’s understood that the Vikings will be looking to local talent to build a competitive outfit and you know they will be! They’ll have a core of talented youngsters to build around with the likes of Tom Hooper, Luke Gersekowski , Seamus Smith and Remsy Lomisio all part of the Runners program and impressing.
They’ll also be lead around the paddock by seasoned veterans in Isaac Thompson and Rodney Iona in the ‘10-12’ combination that will be tough to contain. Also returning is former Brumbies outside back Nigel Ah Wong who will be a handful out wide.
A trip down south is never a pleasant one and Scrivener and his charges will be primed.
Last season’s other semi-finalist Uni-Norths Owls will still be smarting from the way they failed to fire a decent shot in their semi-final loss to eventual premiers Royals. It certainly appeared the Owls best shot in years at a title but dwindled out to little and they will be looking to go at least one better in search of their first crown as a joint-venture.
Much will rest on their solid forward pack with the likes of boom rake Billy Pollard, who is growing in skill and size with his Brumbies squad exposure, along with Max Bode, Will Sankey and Sam Mikkelson all of whom were part of the Runners program forming a decent platform.
Add some experience out in the backs with Willoughby Axelsen, Jordan Thompson and Callum Frawley Richardson and there is plenty to like about the Owls in 2021.
Wests were desperately unlucky to miss out on 4th spot last year on percentages so will be looking to build on that effort under 2nd year coach Adam Butt. Certainly, looking impressive in their trials, the Lions will be hoping that translates into premiership claims. A number of new faces have joined this season and they’ll be looking to get good use from the services of Brumbies fly half Reesjan Pasitoa who has had the benefit of some Super Rugby experience over the past 2 seasons in Canberra after arriving from Brisbane. They’ll also be hoping to see plenty of Brumbies prop Harry Lloyd who goes from strength to strength with his set piece, whilst back rower Luke Reimer will be keen to impress and push claims for a Brumbies start.
Impressive at the back is Declan Meredith who possesses a clean pair of heels and an excellent kicking game and will be a headache for opposition sides.
All in all and as noted, this could be the closest John I Dent competition in many a year and one that will guarantee that all 15 rounds will be tough and closely contested.
