former team of my own. They will be deserved favourites and definitely the team everyone will need to measure themselves by to win. However, personally, I don’t feel they are as invincible as many might think. From my observations, some of the astute coaches and players have started to break down what has made this talented bunch so dominate over the past few years and are exposing some areas to exploit. That doesn’t mean it will be easy. It won’t. If you want to win the Cup, you are going to have to go through these girls. That is a daunting task, but not an insurmountable one. So where will the challenges come from? Obviously, the Roosters on the back of their performances at Vawdon, under extremely trying circumstances, have them front and centre to possibly take the crown. They will miss Studdon. However, you could make the argument that Quinlan is the best player in the game at the moment. Everyone has struggled to contain her in attack. But what many may have missed is her dominance in defence as well. She could very well, with those talented youngsters around her, turn this event upside down. Also thereabout, will be the Bulldogs. I have heard many tell me that Louise is another year older. I don’t care, are you really going to tell me if you could pick her in your 14 you’re not going to? We all are going to pick her and with good reason. With Louise firing and the talented girls around her, they are a chance of taking home yet another Cup. The team I am most excited seeing this year is the Central Coast Dolphins. They are seemingly getting better and better. If I am looking forward to watching them as a team, I really am really looking forward to watching Maddy Crowe. I love watching players like Maddy and it reminds me of why I loved coaching so much. She is the player I would pick first to build my team around. I believe they can go deep this year. The West girls perplex me. Having coached a number, I know their abilities, and yet they have struggled to demonstrate that ability of late. The Cup on the other hand, in its format and toughness may be the spark that ignites that fire they had a few years ago when they went all the way. Then you have the Panthers, Bears, Knights and Mavericks. While I don’t see them in the semi’s, all are teams that from a coaching perspective you look at across the field and immediately feel uncomfortable. You do so as you know if your girls are not on their game and up for the challenge, in 30 minute turnaround football, these teams can ambush you, and just like that your Cup would be over. So now I have shared my thoughts, I am told I have to pick who wins both. Tough and if I were a betting man I would not be comfortable putting my money on my choices. So I won’t pick a winner but rather who might play in the big one. In the Men’s Final, I think the Eels will play Panthers. In the Women’s a Vawdon Cup replay Manly vs Easts. But honestly, I really can’t pick who will be in either final. There are too many good players, too many good coaches, too many good teams and the real beauty of the Cup, way too many variables! Can I wish you all the very best and offer all of our best wishes to our overseas guests, the Japanese Invitational Men’s and Women’s teams and the English Men’s National team. Dean Russell Keeping In Touch 2016 | 35 IMG002_NSWTouch_Dec17_v3_FILM_R.indd 35 28/11/17 4:22 pm