Men’s Premier League Ladder Predictor

Now we’ve previewed every Premier League team individually its time to look at them as a collective. We’re just one day away from kicking off the men’s Premier League season and the excitement is beginning to mount. In previous years the top four has seemed fairly obvious, or perhaps there would be one side who would be unlucky to miss. This year however is probably the most even the competition has been in a while which should see upsets galore and lots of close games of bowls. Let’s take a look at what the ladder might look like after round 18.

1^st Doubleview

Doubleview are the reigning premiers and have to be treated with the respect that warrants. A lot of last season’s challengers have gone backwards a bit but the View look to be at least as strong as last year. Younger players such as Ryan Moyle and Corey Bessant should continue to develop and push the group forward. This group showed what it was capable of in last year’s finals series and now their spiritual leader in John Slavich is back as well. if they can maintain that standard then they loom as a massive chance again.

2^nd South Perth

Big time recruitment has been offset a little by losing a couple of last season’s better players in Ross Bresland and Dan Penman. Had they kept hold of them the Millers would just about be premiership favourites but they’re still a massive contender nonetheless. Justin Opie and Beau Manton are great pickups while David Downey and Mitch Cranswick should add some enthusiasm. With players like Ash Sharp continuing to improve Glenn Pauling getting back to his best this Millers side should continue to get better as the year goes on which is a scary thought indeed.

3^rd Manning

All eyes will be on the Eagles two new skippers, the success of which could go someway to determining their fortunes. Ant Williams seems ready to take the step up after a number of good performances in events over the past couple of seasons. Dale Marsland also gets a crack at the top job. The Eagles lost a lot in the offseason but managed to get some very solid pickups of their own to fill the holes as best they can. If this new look side can gel then on paper its still a big contender.

4^th Kardinya

The Kats were no easy beats last year, especially at home, and look a far better side this time around. Daniel Brown and Kevin McKay return to the side while they also bring in Dave Rankin. All three will skipper giving the Kats an extra layer of class on top and greater depth through the flow on effect. While sides may be getting used to the Kardinya surface they will still be exceptionally hard to beat at home with possibly the biggest home advantage in the division. Away form will decide their season and they may finally have the group to make a big splash.

5^th Osborne Park

The Saints have been phenomenal over the last two seasons to make consecutive grand finals but you get the feeling a couple of sides have gone past them. Shawn Mawdsley showed promise as a skip but has had to leave Perth for work. Lewis Grigg will step up into that spot for his first chance as a skipper. Osborne Park still have genuine match winners in Cody Packer and Gary Caffell but you feel given their age profile that they be about to start fading a little.

6^th Bassendean

Things didn’t look great for the Lions when Opie and Manton left early in the offseason but some recruitment has been instrumental in strengthening the side. The return of Dave Rhodes and Andy Elmer give them much needed back end reinforcements while they have also picked up a lot of front end depth creating genuine competition for places. While they may be missing some of the big name skippers of other clubs they are very solid right through the 16. Dan Nicholls gets a chance to skip and could be a big find in that position while Blake Nairn gives x-factor. A very good smokey chance.

7^th Cambridge

The Knights have endured one of the worst off-seasons of any top flight club. The tragic loss of Daniel Patterson, who will be honoured throughout Premier League in round 1, has been compounded by the losses of Jon Sharp and Pieter Harris. The loss of three skippers is huge for any club and creates a few holes in the side. David Opie, Sam Perica and Lance Strahan all have experience in the role but its at three where they’ve had to take risks. Andrew Foster and Cameron Harris have been asked to step up and, if they can make the transition, they still have a solid front end and Clive Adams at the helm. Could go either way.

8^th Warnbro

The Wizards come up on after back to back promotions in an excellent two years. There’s always the risk that such a rise isn’t sustainable, but Warnbro have the tools to make a good go of it. While the core of this side is new to the level Lindsay Strange, John and Matt Trewhella, Peter and Brad Cole and Ryan Philpott all have top flight experience. The Wizards also have a big advantage at their home track. Already a tough surface to play well on the Rockingham wind can be very difficult for visitors to adapt. How well they take advantage of that will be a key factor in whether or not they stay up.

9^th Sorrento

Sorrento also managed back to back promotions on their way to the top flight. They’ve added significantly to their squad, particularly from the Morley side that finished seventh last season. Rhett Butler is a very good get as a premiership winning skipper at Vic Park while they’ve added other pieces around what they had. However they have lost two of last season’s skipper in Brad Ball and Shane RIxom. Their depth will have to be their major strength with a very even 16 to call upon. They have their tricky wind as well however due to the amount of state events played at Sorrento that effect will be lessened for the Swans. Not uncapable of staying up but will likely be in a dogfight.

10^th Morley

If you thought Cambridge had a bad time of things this winter wait until you see Morley. The Mavericks have lost the vast majority of the side that kept them up last season including their key players. Their depth will be sorely tested across all divisions and in the top grade they’re likely to be found wanting. They have the two new sides at home in the first three games. If they can’t pick up a win in that stretch, then we have grave fears for the Mavericks. They’ll likely occupy the bottom for most of the year and it probably won’t be a fun season.