watched the 18M1 Coastal Classic Final on the weekend where Hills beat a very impressive Newcastle side by 2 0r 3 points. Hills coach seemed like a bit of a nutter so wouldn't come as a shock...

12W Hornsby

12 W Hornsby dominant in both Coastal Classic and Ralph's Café. Comets next best.

14 W/18 W Norths by a mile

Surprised on comment on 14 M as both Bankstown and Hornsby will be strong as well. Was very even comp in this age group at U12s.

U16s Norths are favourites in both but Hornsby are the wildcards based on Classic results.

12M - hard to pick as very few games played between div 1 in preseason were relatively close. Comets have great speed and skill and Hills are always strong in this age group.

U16W1 Norths are basically a state team, but Hornsby are definite wildcards. Lead Norths for most of there game at Coastal Classic. Lots of improvement left in them as well.

Yeah, I'm from NSW as well, but agree that Vic is stronger. Simply more depth of talent with little difference between starting 5 and the bench. Not so for most NSW teams.

Also, agree with Mick 12W Hornsby. Actually Hornsby might surprise a few people this season.

No chance Norths (or anyone) will come close to beating Hills in 18M1. Struggled at coastal classics

doubt it - one player doesn't make a team. have coached against that Hills team and they have incredible depth, far more than the Norths side. they will be hard to beat don't get me wrong, just not up to Hills standard. Could change though once the season starts.

They are that good especially the girls. I know last year they had 2 girls teams playing U16 div 1. This year their A team will have state players on the bench.

I think they will win 3, with Hornsby to take out 12W.

Why? They are the biggest, best run, most professional club in the league. They attract the best coaches because they can earn a better income, they have the strongest local comp and development training programs, which then attracts the best players. Simply they have the best 'program'.

All this is great for Norths, but not so good for the league. Some other clubs are doing their best with what they have to step up.

I was not sure of poaching, so I resisted making the accusation.Whether they attract, or poach, probably depends on which side of the fence your on.

I am not so sure of the benefits to the individual player in many cases. What is the point of being a good player playing off the bench when your side is up by 20? Not sure this is the best development.

Norths poach. Whether you agree with it or not is a different story but its a fact that they poach players.

Yeah, fair call. It was a stretch...

I don't think it is a case of physically approaching players (I would hope not anyway) I think it is more a case of the better players wanting to play for a successful program. The last few years Norths have breed a culture of winning and this entices the young talented studs of other teams to venture across the bridge. Unfortunately it affects the standard of the entire competition where everyone else is playing off for second. The competition therefore becomes boring and predictable. I'd love to see the talented studs from other teams staying put and working hard on their game and building a culture and programs to rival them, not because I dislike Norths I simply like watching a competitive game every once in a while.

Mick - I agree it is more a case of talented players being drawn to the best club. Success breeds success.

For the good of the competition, we need to do our best to foster a culture of loyalty to the club that develops the talent, but also the other clubs need to step up their programs to give a talented player a reason to stay.

Loved seeing Hornsby U16W give Norths a scare at coastal classic. They have some talent in that team.

I've heard that the Hornsby 16W gave Norths a run. Love to hear that kind of stuff. With the 12W being at Hornsby also looking the goods its great to see another association step up.

Yeah, haven't seen much of the U12W, but they are getting the results so must be a good group of kids.

Hornsby U16W surprised. A few of the kids in that group must be working hard on their games, especially defence as they kept them under 50. I haven't seen the full set of results but I don’t think anybody else got close to this with the other games I seen Norths were racking up 80, or even 90. The Norths group were visibly relieved at fulltime.

I also don't hate Norths, they seem to be a professional club doing a good job, but i did enjoy the first 3 qrts of that game... Great to see talented kids playing well without being intimidated, just for the love of it.

Well that's disappointing. Still don't understand the logic in most cases. I know a good kid playing div 1 who went to Norths, who put her in their div 3 side! What is the point of that.

Re improvement at Hornsby, I know Shannon Seebohm and others are doing some good work there with the girls.

What rubbish, "I know of coaches overtly approach players".
You don't know squat.

Norths as favorites for U16 boys is a joke. Bankstown have the players and the coach. Sam has a wealth of experience and will no doubt wipe the floor with Norths. They didn't even finish top 4 in U14s.

If you look at Norths player for player you have maybe 2-3 good players where as Bankstown would go about 6-7 deep. Anyway, the season gets underway this weekend and we will soon find out.

Norths 18M won't come close to Hills.

Norths got up over Hills by 2 points in 18M1 - not sure if you could call it an upset but I didn't expect it. Anyone get to see that game?