After 68 games the final four matches of the Premier Division home and away season will be played this week. For four teams, it will be the final time they step out onto the football field in 2015.
St George Dragons vs Western Suburbs Magpies – Olds Park - Saturday 2.10pm
St George will be looking to bring a three game winning streak into the finals when they take on Western Suburbs who have had a disappointing season but are looking to end it on a high.
St George last weekend dashed any faint finals hopes UTS harboured when they comfortably defeated the Bats by 43 points at Waverley Oval.
The young guns for the Dragons were superb again with Brayden Kilpatrick being named in the best once again and rightfully deserving the Rising Star nomination this week. Taylor Preece was also strong up forward kicking three goals for the Dragons
Western Suburbs would count themselves unlucky last week against Manly Warringah as they went down by 18 points. A couple of 50 metre penalties late in the last quarter when the match was still in the balance hurt the Magpies however they will take some confidence coming into this match. Paul Bevan continued his impressive year with another five goals and Wests will need another big game from him if they want to claim the four points.
Prediction: St George by 16 points
Sydney University v UTS Bats- Sydney Uni No.1 Oval- Saturday 2.10pm
Even though this match is a dead rubber, both sides have a lot to show in terms of finals and season 2016.
The Students took the finals situation out of the Bats hands when they comprehensively defeated UNSW/ES by 69 points at Sydney Uni No.1. Tom Elkington was strong in the air up forward and finished with five goals.
UTS’s run to the finals ended last week after going down to St George. Josh Maddox continued his fantastic year with another best on ground for the Bats and must be a good chance to feature in the Team of the Year.
The Bats will be up for this one and will want to make a statement that they will be finals contenders in 2016.
Prediction: UTS by 6 points
Manly Warringah Giants vs UNSW/ES Bulldogs – Weldon Oval- Saturday 2.30pm
This game may look like a dour affair but their is one sub plot everyone will be watching. Can Brayden Fowler kick 8 goals to overtake East Coast’s Trent Stubbs for the Stan Milton trophy?
The Giants were slightly off their game last week and it nearly cost them the win against the Magpies. Fowler was dominant up forward once again kicking a bag of six goals. Anthony Robertson and Connor Pettersson have hit form once again and both look ready for a big finals series.
Its been a tough year for the Bulldogs in 2015, one they will want to forget quickly. Injuries and player unavailability have made it hard for coach Josh Parmenter to get the side to adapt to his game plan. Tim Widmer has had a career best year in the ruck and will want to finish the season on another impressive performance.
Prediction: Manly Warringah by 97 points
Pennant Hills Demons vs North Shore Bombers – Mike Kenny Oval - Saturday 2.30pm
The last match of the home and away season will be played at Mike Kenny Oval when Pennant Hills look to return to the winners list against North Shore.
The Demons would have enjoyed the week off last week to refresh some tired and sore bodies just before finals. They will be looking for their key players to have solid games and take some momentum into the Qualifying Final next week against Manly Warringah.
North Shore were taught a harsh lesson last week against East Coast, who were playing their final home and away game. Fifty nine scoring shots to fifteen highlighted the dominance the Eagles had on the game.
Despite the loss, it would have been a good education session for the young Bombers outfit who would’ve taken a lot by playing against the competition’s best. Teddy Strudwick was strong in the midfield and was the Bombers best once again.
It will be a tough ask for the Bombers this week but they will be excited for the challenge. The Demons will be ready for the contest and will take confidence going into September.
Prediction: Pennant Hills by 39 points
Last Modified on 27/08/2015 21:35
