Local pie company to win.MVP Suasage sizzle.Fancy having this in Tas middle of winter.

The vic metro womens have that dud coach who can't coach. Jai. He was a disgrace last year.

It's a good team though.

Women's qld South will be a tough team with..
Heal, goodchild, white, motuga etc.

Jai looked way out of his league last year.

His behaviour also left a lot to be desired.

Jai looked way out of his league last year.

His behaviour also left a lot to be desired.

SA Metro vs QLD South final in the girls. SA Metro full of bottom age players winning it last year would have to be favourites this year. Smokey to be Victoria Country.

Both Vic Metro coaches we're duds last year in Geelong and both get re appointed. Don't get that but that's BV's decision. Precarious position they're in though as neither made any friends last year. Both are so arrogant they never take constructive criticism. I wish the kids luck though

QLD North boys!

Another Froling and this one could be the best in the family!!! He was legit last year in Geelong.

Why can't there ever be a discussion about nationals without keyboard worriors using it as an opportunity to snipe? it happened with both 18s and 20s this year as well and is the problem with this forum. If you're such a superstar coach, grow up, put your name to your posts and apply for the job.

Both Vic Metro teams will need a lot to go right to win (regardless of who is coaching them). Girls are up against an excellent SA Metro group which as mentioned before have 5 returning from last years championship team. Vic Country girls also have 5 or 6 returning from last year. If Shelley goes off, then they will be tough for any team.
Not an overly talented boys team that have Dent and Froling to try and stop.

Should be a great nationals anyway. Hopefully we can enjoy is for what it is, kids participating at the highest level.

NSW Country for the men

Calvin, your last para is a pearler, I like you am looking forward to seeing the results and the best Australia has to offer, and am sorry I won't be there to see it first hand.

However, your first para is a bit hypocritical, you are also sitting behind a desk typing away, equally anonymously.

Not everyone is capable of coaching, I am one of those who is not, but I would also say that I have a fair to reasonable knowledge of the game. I would like to think that I am a reasonable judge of a player, as well as a reasonable judge of a coach.

IMO the two VM coaches showed last year they were not the best of choices (although I don't know who else applied) merely from the arrogance they showed, particularly the women's coach. However they have a chance to redeem themselves. For the kids sake I hope they do, but I have my doubts.

Any ideas who will make top five in both boys and girls ?

Agree with Calvin.no matter what a Vic Metro coach does, they'll be labelled arrogant. And maybe neither coach took your "constructive criticism" because there was nothing constructive about it. Much like your posts.

Girls in no particular order;
SA Metro
Vic Metro
Vic Country
Qld South
SAC?

I think most of the known players are in the national u16/u17 squads.

Any interesting prospects to look out for outside of those? I'm going with my kid, so would love some tips on who to look out for during all of my spare time in Ulverstone.

Thanks for your reply to my post Calvin. I agree some of the comments are over the line because it is easy to hide. Nice to be able to have a sensible conversation with someone, even if our opinions may differ.

In response to #951, there is a general perception out there that all VM coaches are arrogant, and in most cases in my experience I think that is a little unfair, and in few cases it is on the money. In the case of the current two, last year at least it was absolutely spot on, almost to the point of complete disrespect from the women's coach. I really hope they have learnt their lesson and are a little more humble, or they will forever be known as the coaches that lost two in a row, not something you want on a resume.

What do you mean about u/18 players ?
This is talking about the u/16 Nationals not 18's

lol @982.

Yes, and therefore all U16 players are under 18, so you can't name them here.

He means naming players under 18 years old which means all players in under 16s tournament.
Major face palm if you were trying to be funny anon

SA Country over Metro ?

SA country over met. On talent yes. Probably not what will actually happen though.

Sa Country over Metro?

No way. Both are ordinary. Country are just even more ordinary than metro.

What talent are you talking about from Country

Country had 2 important bottom age players in last years 6th place team including a kid who is in the Aus u17 squad & led last years nationals in scoring. I'm guessing but I also think they have much more height than SA Metro? Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

No Vic Metro in that top 5?? I think they would be gold medal favourites surely?

Ha one player does not make a team I saw him play state champs average
I would pick Metro as they do have the height, both not in my top five

Remember guys champs still a month away

LOL, 011 obviously didn't watch state champs too closely.
SA Metro will be small. Very small. Their tallest guy is also more of a perimeter guy than a "banger".
As for the "one player" - he is in the U/17 squad for a reason. A great player.

QLDs boys looking good

What about the girls side of it

019 obviously didn't watch State Champs at all, apart from with his Mavericks uniform on.

Do we have any predictions for country & metro boys & girls?

Country boys 5-8
Metro boys 9-12

Country girls 5-8
Metro girls 1-4

Is what I think.

Is this the SA teams ? If so who is above

Nothern Territory

Tassie boys looking the goods this year. Were impressive in a pre season tournament last weekend.

Yeah SA.

I would say any of NSWC, VICM, QLDS, QLDN, VICC could win along with SAC. Tas & NSWM also top 8. Leaves SAM on the outside looking in.

I think VICM QLDS & SAM are favourites in the girls.

Can anyone list the players to watch at the tournament?

All the ones in the u17 squads.

How many are in the Aus Squad are they all the talls

NSW County - Strong Team. Best Guard in Country in Team.

Vic Metro will struggle. Finish middle.

"Best Guard in the country " that's a big statement lets hope he's as good as you say

Off the top of my head there are 2 guards (NSWC & SAC) then a few bigs (3 from Qld not sure of South/north breakdown) & one NSWM big.

Not sure on girls I think SAM have a couple.

So only six ?, what if there are kids that do better at Nationals then these kids ? Do they miss out ?? A lot can change at this age

Camp is before Nationals. Wouldn't be many others (I can only think of 1) who would have a legit shot at making the team against all the kids a year older.

What state is the one guy you're thinking of from?

I think if this player was as you said better then any of the older guys his state NITP manager would have been all over it and yes he would be there. "The best in the country "??? I think not

Guess who beat eltham in the under 18's junior classic.
Yes. Eltham have 5 state players. Melbourne
Have none. Smashed them by 18 points.

What does that have to do with u16s?