UTS
Currently: 1st
The Run Home: Balmain (A), Pennant Hills (A), Gosford (H)
Analysis: The Bats are sitting comfortably on top of the ladder having suffered just the one loss and look to have the minor premiership wrapped up. An easy run home should see the Bats grab three wins in the lead up to the finals.
Prediction: One more win and they secure the minor premiership. First.
Sydney University
Currently: 2nd
The Run Home: Penrith (A), Nor-West (A), UNSW/ES (H)
Analysis: This weekend will give us a Qualifying Final preview with Sydney University and Penrith taking on each other. The Students last week knocked off UTS and now have confidence they can defeat the Bats and loom as a serious threat.
Prediction: Will end their season with three wins and will finish in second place.
Penrith
Currently: 3rd
The Run Home: Sydney University (H), East Coast (A), Nor-West (H)
Analysis: Home games against two teams currently in the top five will be a good test for the Rams heading into September. We will get a good indication who will go into the Qualifying Final favourite after this weekend game.
Prediction: Will win two of their last three and play Sydney University in Week 1 of finals after finishing third.
Pennant Hills
Currently: 4th
The Run Home: Nor-West (A), UTS (H), Western Suburbs (A)
Analysis: Pennant Hills have one of the toughest runs home. Road trips to Bensons Lane and Picken Oval with a clash against the Bats in the middle will be tough for the Demons.
Prediction: A tough run for the Demons will put them on the brink of missing the finals but will sneak in due to their superior percentage. Fifth.
Nor-West
Currently: 5th
The Run Home: Pennant Hills (H), Sydney University (H), Penrith (A)
Analysis: The Jets, like Pennant Hills, have a tough run leading into the finals. They play three sides above them on the table but will benefit with having two games at home. May need to win their Round 18 match against Penrith to make finals.
Prediction: If they want to make finals, they will need to win at last two matches. Sixth.
Western Suburbs
Currently: 6th
The Run Home: Gosford (H), UNSW/ES (A), Pennant Hills (H)
Analysis: One of the form sides of the competition of late, the Magpies will be looking to continue that form leading into finals. Matches against the struggling Gosford and UNSW/ES should provide a good chance to improve their percentage.
Prediction: Will continue their form and secure a finals spot. Fourth.
East Coast
Currently: 7th
The Run Home: UNSW/ES (A), Penrith (H), Balmain (H)
Analysis: East Coast are sitting a game back in seventh place and need one of the sides above them to slip up to grab a place in finals. The home game against Penrith in Round 17 will be massive and if they can grab the win, they could squeeze into the top five.
Prediction: Penrith will be too strong for the Eagles and they will finish in seventh.
Balmain
Currently: 8th
The Run Home: UTS (H), Gosford (A), East Coast (A)
Analysis: The Tigers are currently two games and percentage out of the top five. They will need to win all games to make finals but won’t be easy with a matchup against top placed side UTS this week.
Prediction: Will go down to UTS this week and their finals chances will end also. Eighth.
Below teams are out of finals contention
Gosford
Currently: 9th
The Run Home: Western Suburbs (A), Balmain (H), UTS (A)
Prediction: Home game against Balmain will be their best chance to grab another win before a tough road trip against UTS. Ninth.
UNSW/ES
Currently: 10th
The Run Home: East Coast (H), Western Suburbs (H), Sydney University (A)
Prediction: Need to win at least two games to avoid the wooden spoon and their run home is too hard to accomplish that. Tenth.
Last Modified on 06/08/2015 10:18
