Who'll finish where?

[BeeEmmAre]

With three rounds remaining before the finals, there are still a lot of things still to be decided and it looks like being the most exciting finish to a season we've had since I've been in Sydney. Don't you love the top five?
Which way will it fall?

Pennant Hills (1st, 48pts, 169%): Balmain (a), East Coast (h), UNSWES (a)
UNSWES (2nd 48pts): St George (h), Campbelltown (a), Pennant Hills (h)
St George (3rd 48pts): UNSWES (a), Sydney University (h), Balmain (a)
East Coast (4th 44pts): Wollongong (h), Pennant Hills (a), Western Suburbs (h)
##########
Sydney University (5th 28pts): Campbelltown (h), St George (a), North Shore (a)
North Shore (6th 28pts): Western Suburbs (h), Wollongong (h), Sydney University (h)
Western Suburbs (7th 24pts): North Shore (a), Balmain (h), East Coast (a)

The top three have the double chance in their own hands, however, with the Dogs still to play the Demons and Crows and the Demons still to meet the Eagles, there is still plenty to be decided. The Eagles should still get top three if they can win at the Ern.
Below the line, the Bombers' comeback is entirely in their own hands with all their matches at home, including games against contenders the Students and Magpies. After being in the five all year, the Students could need to beat the Crows to survive, although it is likely to be decided in round 18 at Gore Hill. The Magpies must beat the Bombers next week to be any chance.

This is how I think it might finish with the big results in round 18 being UNSWES beating Pennant Hills at the Village Green for the minor premiership and North Shore beating Sydney University at Gore Hill for fifth spot. Those ladder positions would be reversed if those results are reversed.

60 UNSWES - WWW
56 Pennant Hills - WWL
56 St George - LWW
52 East Coast - WLW
40 North Shore - WWW
32 Sydney University - WLL
28 Western Suburbs - LWL

Anyone else got an opinion?

[boris]

Penno 60 - WWW
St George 60 - WWW
Dogs 52 - LWL
East Coast 52 - WLW
Norths 40 - WWW

Sydney Uni 32 - WLL
Wests 28 - LWL

[Norris Lurker]

Penno 60 (WWW)
UNSW-ES 56 (WWL)
St George 56 (LWW)
East Coast 52 (WLW)
North Shore 40 (WWW)
-
Sydney Uni 32 (WLL)
Wests 28 (LWL)

But once we're into the finals, who knows what will happen? It's been the most even season in years, possibly ever. I doubt there's ever been a season where, with just 3 weeks to go, 4 teams are still in the running for the minor premiership.

[BeeEmmAre]

Not many opinions? Or does no one care?

[Junior]

there is a highly possible scenario that will see the top four teams separated only by percentage come finals.

Assuming St George win their last two matches against Sydney Uni and Balmain, East Coast have two more wins against Pennant Hills and Wests, the Bulldogs knock off Campbelltown and then pennant hills beats the bulldogs in the last round, all 4 teams will end up on 56 points.

So my prediction is this:

Penno LW - 56 and 175%
East Coast WW - 56 and 165%
UNSW/ES WL - 56 and 140%
St George WW - 56 and 130%

Syd Uni LW - 36 and 105%
North Shore WL - 36 and 85%

Pretty close.

[Norris Lurker]

I can't remember a season where four teams are still in the hunt for the minor premiership at this stage of the season. In most of the seasons during my time, the minor premiership had already been wrapped up several weeks before the home & away season was over.
I'll stick with my predictions from my previous post - but there's several games that still could go either way.

[humphrey bear]

There are only 3 teams that can finish on top.

St George cant there percentage is to low , they would need to many miracle results including a draw in the Penno/ UNSW match.

[The Duck]

Finishing spots

I think that results in the comming weeks will see the ladder finish:

Easts
Penno
ECE
St George
North Shore

I think Penno will beat ECE this week, they have a really good record against them. I think even if they win their last two St Georges percentage will leave them in fourth. North Shore will sneak into the fifth spot. I think the top two spots are a toss of the coin. The only reason I would think Easts should win is because they are at home where they haven't lost there all year. As for picking a Premier I would probably have Penno just ahead of Easts.

[Shot Bird]

Duck, I don't know how good your maths is but if ECE loses this week and St George win their next two it won't come down to %.

[The Duck]

You raise a very good point shot bird, maths was not my best subject at school. If St George win both they will have to finish 3rd four points clear of ECE

[Adroit]

Duck, what were your strong subjects at school??

[BeeEmmAre]

So far it's all happened pretty much as expected, and we have the two huge matches to decide the make up of the five this week.
1. Pennant Hills v 2 UNSWES for the minor premiership at the Village Green
5. North Shore v 6 Sydney University for fifth spot at Gore Hill Oval

I'm sticking with the Bombers, but after seeing the Demons dismantle East Coast on the weekend, I think they might be too quick for the Dogs and will pick Penno to get it done.
Eagles will beat the Magpies to give them a shot at third, and then you will see them cheering heavily for the Dockers to upset the Crows on the last day of the season. Can it happen? Probably not, but Balmain is going okay.

[shearer]

After what ive seen of the last few weeks Sydney Uni will beat Norths & UNSW/ES will be hard to beat at the Village Green but i think Penno will get over the top of them.

[Pace To Burn]

Penno Should win, were ulta impressive when i saw them last and altough we had a much better side on the weekend, Easts didnt look as good to me. I think Norths at home. So should be

Penno
Easts
Crows
Eagles
Norths.

I reckon Easts will beat the Crows
Norths to beat Eagles

[The Rooster]

congrats to Balmain for finishing above campbelltown.............................. and all the best to the 5 teams in the finals.. Any one of the teams are big chances of winning this year should make for a super finals series, fingers crossed for good weather and good football.