Pennant Hills
Currently: 1st- 56 points
The Run Home: North Shore (H), South Coast (A), Sydney University (H)
Analysis: Pennant Hills dropped their first game of the season last week against St George by 11 points. They will face more challenges in the run home against a contender in North Shore and the improving Sydney University. They will have the benefit of playing both of those games at home. A trip down the South Coast will also present its challenges.
Prediction: Three more wins will see them well clear as minor premiers and the team to beat.
UNSW/ES Bulldogs
Currently: 2nd- 42 points
The Run Home: St George (A), East Coast (H), Manly-Warringah (A)
Analysis: With the top two guaranteed of a second chance, UNSW/ES will have their work cut out retaining second spot given the depth in the Under 19 Division One competition this season. This weekend’s trip to St George is a big one given their recent form. They will be favoured in their last two games against sides missing the finals.
Prediction: Will lose against St George but will just hold them off to finish in second.
North Shore
Currently: 3rd- 40 points
The Run Home: Pennant Hills (A), Manly-Warringah (H), St George (A)
Analysis: All eyes from the Bombers will be on Generation Next this finals campaign. A number have benefitted from senior experience which will serve them well this finals campaign. Its a tough run home with matches against top opposition in Pennant Hills and St George. Local rivals Manly-Warringah will be no pushover either.
Prediction: Manly-Warringah will be their only win and they will face St George in successive weeks- including the first week in an Elimination Semi Final.
St George
Currently: 4th- 36 points
The Run Home: UNSW/ES (H), Sydney University (A), North Shore (H)
Analysis: Arguably the form side of the competition having won four of their last five games. Its a tough run home playing two sides above them on the ladder in North Shore and UNSW/ES, and add in a trip to Sydney University, they will be primed for a likely finals campaign.
Prediction: Their win over Pennant Hills pushes them well forward in premiership calculations. They will win all three and finish third.
Sydney University
Currently: 5th- 24 points
The Run Home: East Coast (A), St George (H), Pennant Hills (A)
Analysis: Its an outside chance, but Sydney University need to win all of their matches and hope St George drop all three. They should do their bit by beating East Coast this weekend, which could make the home clash with St George a do-or-die clash. Even if they get through that gauntlet, they will be welcomed by premiership favourites Pennant Hills.
Prediction: One win will be all they can muster and unfortunately it will mean they finish an honest fifth.
Out of finals contention
Manly-Warringah
Currently: 6th- 20 points
The Run Home: South Coast (H), North Shore (A), UNSW/ES (H)
Analysis: The loss last week against Sydney University ended their finals aspirations. They could provide nuisance value to finals bound, North Shore and UNSW/ES.
Prediction: Just the one win against South Coast will see them remain in sixth.
South Coast
Currently: 7th- 20 points
The Run Home: Manly-Warringah (A), Pennant Hills (H), East Coast (A)
Analysis: Its been a productive year for the first-year side. Two of their final three matches are winnable road trips.
Prediction: A win in the final round should provide some impetus for 2016. Seventh.
East Coast
Currently: 8th- 2 points
The Run Home: Sydney University (H), UNSW/ES (A), South Coast (H)
Analysis: East Coast have struggled in Under 19s in recent years after a glory run. They could win two of their final three (both of which are at home), but UNSW/ES is an unlikely prospect.
Prediction: They will get close but lose all three matches to remain well and truly last.
Last Modified on 12/08/2015 13:12
