Premier Division
Few people would have put money on Manly-Warringah leading the Premier Division ladder after eight rounds of the season. They are currently unbeaten and are nearing forty games unbeaten for their senior grade.
Close behind are neighbourly rivals North Shore with one loss to their name. They will be keen to keep their winning record intact with a chasing pack of six teams with three losses to their name.
Pennant Hills are the form side of this lot with three impressive wins in recent weeks capped off by a strong win over defending premiers UNSW/ES away from home. The Bulldogs and St George are other finals sides who sit ominously in this pack.
Western Suburbs and Sydney University lay claims to the most improved side this season and are well within a shot of finals.
It is early days but things need to change quickly for Campbelltown and Balmain who are three games behind the peloton group. Campbelltown have had a tough start to the year and have been competitive in most games.
Illawarra and Sydney Hills Eagles have been disappointing and sit last with no wins to their name.
Division One
The Division One competition has opened up with the promotion of the dominant side in the last few years, Manly-Warringah to Premier Division.
Southern Power sit as short-priced favourites and are currently a game ahead and percentage on top of the ladder.
UTS Bats have only played six games due to wet weather but are ahead of four sides with three losses to their name. They will be looking to improve on their Preliminary Final appearance last year.
Holroyd-Parramatta have again been consistent under Shane Jorgensen and sit dangerously in third. UNSW/ES Bulldogs have showcased greater depth this year and look likely to make the finals.
Macquarie University are another side to improve after a disappointing year last season. They are currently ahead of the promoted St George Dragons.
Penrith have been up and down and fallen short in some close games and could challenge.
The ask will be tough for the likes of Pennant Hills, North Shore and the winless Sydney Hills in what is a pretty even competition.
Division Two
The most even competition in the last two years has a clear leader after eight rounds in Western Suburbs.
They have benefitted from increased depth and have not had a loss yet after being demoted from Division One after a lean couple of seasons.
Perennial contenders Sydney University are only one game behind and boast the best percentage in the league. Manly-Warringah have also only lost one game to date and are another reason Manly sit on top of the club championship.
Moorebank have reaped the benefits of a more dedicated pre-season to sit in fourth ahead of pre-season premiership favourites, Camden who have been patchy.
UNSW/ES at this stage appear the only other side who can break into the five, while Illawarra, Balmain and Auburn only have registered two wins between them to date.
Division Three
The two favourites are sitting pretty on top of the Division Three ladder.
Sydney University have a slender lead on match ratio over the Blacktown Magic, who will be keen to go one step further and claim a premiership this season.
Gosford have made a good fist of their promotion and sit in third behind a pack of three sides with five wins in Randwick City, Nor-West and Western Suburbs.
Penrith have tasted three wins since being promoted and along with Southern Power are the two sides who will challenge to break into the top-five.
Macquarie University sit one game behind them and appear unlikely to make the finals this year, alongside the winless Campbelltown.
Last Modified on 05/06/2013 15:15
