Obviously 7 teams can't fit into 4 spots. Since SWAFL started in 2000, we'll have a look at the 4th placed side in each year.
- 2000 in a 5 team competition, you needed only 4 wins out of 12.
- 2001 in a 5 team competition, you needed only 5 wins out of 12.
- 2002 in a 6 team competition, you needed only 8 wins out of 15.
- 2003 in a 5 team competition, you needed only 4 wins out of 12.
- 2004 in a 6 team competition, you needed only 6 wins out of 12 and a good %.
- 2005 in a 8 team competition, you needed only 8 wins out of 14.
- 2006 in a 6 team competition, you needed only 6.5 wins out of 12.
- 2007 in a 7 team competition, you needed only 7 wins out of 12.
- 2008 in a 6 team competition, you needed only 6 wins out of 15
Conclusion: when the competition isn't competitive; a negative or 50% win record is required to get into the finals, but if the competition is tight you need better than a pass rate to make the finals. So far this year looks like the later with all the clubs capable of winning on the day.
Friday Night at 7pm sees the last of the night matches as the Balmain Dockers host the Newtown Breakaways at their home ground of Jubilee Oval. Last year it was bitterly cold with a cold wind chill from Blackwattle Bay causing all players to run around just to keep warm whilst the spectators froze. Let's not hope for a repeat again. Last year the Breakaways sprung a surprise on the Dockers with Nicole Roach outstanding. No doubt the Dockers will be keen to reverse the outcome. With personal pride on the line for both sides, it's going to be a thriller. With Newtown undefeated and Balmain getting back in the winner's circle big time - this is a match worth anticipating. One of the items i'm looking forward is the goal-kicker shootout between Breakaway's full-forward Rebecca (Bec) Burridge who is coming 3rd in the golden boot with 9 goals and Dockers Centre Half-Forward Belinda Pride who is coming 2nd in the golden boot with 14 goals. The challenge is for the defensive backs to keep them tight and accountable.
The head to head record is Newtown 11 wins, Balmain 3 wins.
Saturday sees three matches at Mahoney.
In the early morning game at 10am sees Wests playing the UNSW/Easts Stingrays. The Stingrays have really improved over the last couple of weeks whilst Wests emerged from the Sydney Uni clash - winners from a very tough challenge. Coach Jason King at the start of the season predicted that other clubs would fire up against the premiers and so far in their 4 matches, his thoughts have turned out to be true.
The head to head record is Wests 16 wins, Easts 2 wins.
The midday game sees the Bondi Shamrocks playing the St George Dragons. This is the first clash between the two clubs with both clubs eager to continue the progression towards a final spot. With the coaching staff of both teams eager to match tactical wits - it'll be a great game to look forward to. The Shamrocks enjoyed the demonstration game against Mac Uni taking the opportunity to experiment players around in different positions and playing without some of their state representatives ensuring that everyone had to lift their workrate. . St George emerged from the Newtown game with some valuable lessons from the undefeated Breakaways but should be encouraged of the competitiveness matching up to this year's front-runners. Both teams will be keen to reacquaint themselves with more familiar territory after spending some time at Malabar's Pioneer Park.
Thanks to the Maroubra Saints for hosting SWAFL. Pioneer Park is actually a pretty good oval and we applaud the NSW/ACT AFL Commission for creating a new ground in Eastern Sydney.
The final game at 2pm sees Syd Uni playing Mac Uni in the development game. Mac Uni were a delight to watch and should be encouraged to continue their team progress. They've managed to score points in the last two outings and will be keen to make it three ina row.
See you at the footy!
Photo credit: Stephen Ridgeway photo of Jubilee Park, Glebe after a hailstorm in August 2006.
Last Modified on 18/05/2009 00:45