University were well below par last season having finished well outside the top five. They never really got going and despite some good results throughout the year, they were inconsistent having struggled to win back to back games.

Incoming and experienced Coach Brod Crighton is looking to rectify some of these shortfalls and provide some consistency to a club that usually does well.

University have made a steady start to the 2017 season having recorded Fraternity Club Cup wins over Kiama Quarriers and Berkeley Sports. In both these wins, the team kept a clean sheet and I think their defence is going to make or break their season. They have signed Ryan Olender (former APWE player) whose experience may just help them be a little more consistent in that area of the park.

Up front, Evan Fitzsimmons had a strong season bagging 11 goals from 18 games last year and the team will be looking to him to keep the scorebaord ticking.

The club (as they usually do) looks to have picked up a couple of students from Griffith - Joel Thompson and Louis Gonzalez and they welcome back Luke McCann who is a former player who spent the last two seasons with Helensburgh.

Former Bulli player Dane Hamilton will be looking to control the midfield in a squad that on paper looks a little more balanced than in previous years.

I think University are going to be in for a better season this year and although I don't expect them to feature in the playoffs, I would not be surprised if they did.