With only a handful of games remaining in the season, we look at the run home for all the teams and try and figure out how they will fair heading into the finals. The predicted finish is for the ladder, not who will win the comp. So without further ado, it’s crystal ball time!
Division 1
Dyspnoeics
The run home: Cadillac, Bermuda Triangle, UQ AUG
Dyspnoeics have arguably the easiest run home of the top four. Possible semi final opponent Cadillac should prove the toughest assignment, while you would think the Blue D’s Brains Trust have pencilled in Ws for the last 2 games. With their finals berth assured, how Dyspnoeics handle the week off before the semis is the biggest question over this team.
Predicted Finish: 1st
Poachers
The run home: Drop Bears, UQ AUG, Cadillac
Poachers are a team that run on momentum. If they can win 3 from 3 heading into the semi finals they will be a very hard team to beat. They should beat Drop Bears and UQ, but Cadillac will prove a real test of their championship credentials.
Predicted Finish: 2nd
Cadillac
The run home: Dyspnoeics, Drop Bears, Poachers
Cadillac have the hardest run home of the contenders, having to play all the other finals bound teams. If they can string some wins together they will enter the finals battle hardened and with plenty of momentum. If they drop a few games they may lose confidence and struggle in the semis.
Predicted Finish: 3rd
Drop Bears
The run home: Poachers, Cadillac, Bermuda Triangle, UQ AUG
In a strange twist, the last 4 games for the Bears mirrors that of Dyspnoeics, which will be a good indicator of where the Drop Bears are at. Wins in the final 2 rounds should come easily and provide plenty of momentum. Having a game the week before the finals start should also act in their favour.
Predicted Finish: 4th
UQ AUG
The run home: Bermuda Triangle, Poachers, Dyspnoeics, Drop Bears
How this team responds after their AUG jaunt is anyone’s guess. They have the potential to cause some major headaches for teams above them if they can get in the right headspace. If UQ can stay healthy, and more importantly get a full line-up, they can spring an upset equal to the proportions of Atlas’s ceps and lats.
Predicted Finish: 5th
Bermuda Triangle
The run home: UQ AUG, Dyspnoeics, Drop Bears
The game against UQ should be their chief focus as it will likely decide who takes home the wooden spoon. After that they have 2 tough assignments against teams full of handlers. Not ideal when zone defence is your major weapon.
Predicted Finish: 6th
Division 2
The Ghost Who Walks
The run home: What The Huck?, UQ Fluttershy, Tsunami
If Ghost can get past WTH?, then I see no reason why they can’t finish the season 3-0. UQ and Tsunami will provide a good chance to finetune any kinks (barring the ones related to Jangles in the bedroom), giving Ghost plenty of confidence.
Predicted Finish: 1st
Chimichangas
The run home: UQ Fluttershy, What The Huck?, Agents
Chimichangas have the easiest run home of the top 3. UQ and Agents should provide large boosts to their points differential which could be key in deciding ladder position.
Predicted Finish: 2nd
What The Huck?
The run home: The Ghost Who Walks, Chimichangas, Heroes, UQ Fluttershy
The next 2 games will likely decide where they finish. It will also give a good indicator of their championship credentials. The final 2 games should give the Huckers plenty of steam heading into the semis.
Predicted Finish: 3rd
Griffith A-Team
The run home: Agents, Tsunami, UQ Fluttershy, Heroes
Griffith are in a similar position to Heroes, with 2 games against other teams battling for that last finals berth. Assuming they beat Agents & UQ, 1 win from their other 2 games should probably tie up 4th spot.
Predicted Finish: 4th
Tsunami
The run home: Heroes, Griffith A-Team, The Ghost Who Walks
Tsunami have the hardest final 3 games of the teams fighting for a finals berth. If they drop a game to either Heroes or Griffith, even an upset over Ghost might not be enough.
Predicted Finish: 5th
Heroes
The run home: Tsunami, Agents, What The Huck?, Griffith A-Team
Whether or not Heroes make the finals is ultimately in their hands. If they can beat Tsunami and Griffith they should make the final four with ease. Lose those games and Mad Monday will come a week early than hoped for.
Predicted Finish: 6th
Agents
The run home: Griffith A-Team, Heroes, Chimichangas
My crystal ball doesn’t see much love for the Agents. Playing the 2 mid tier teams is their best chance for a win. If they can gee themselves up for the Heroes game similar to how Goose gees himself up for a haircut, they may have a shot at taking something positive away from the season.
Predicted Finish: 7th
UQ Fluttershy
The run home: Chimichangas, The Ghost Who Walks, Griffith A-Team, What The Huck?
UQ are yet to win a game and unfortunately I don’t see that changing. Playing the top 3 teams and last season’s Div 3 champions is a tough ask for this young team.
Predicted Finish: 8th
Division 3
Ultimate Apostles
The run home: Dump and Burn, Mellow Yellow, Griffith Go-Yeahs
The Apostles haven’t spoken first all season and there’s no reason to think they will over the final few rounds. The fact they play the other finals bound teams should give them a mental edge, assuming they get the win.
Predicted Finish: 1st
Mellow Yellow
The run home: Griffith Aunties, Ultimate Apostles, Dump and Burn
The tricky final round clash against Dump and Burn is a definite danger game for the Bananas. Over 2 games this season only 3 points have separated the teams. A win there should guarantee 2nd spot.
Predicted Finish: 2nd
Griffith Go-Yeahs
The run home: Slipped Discs, Griffith Aunties, Ultimate Apostles
The Go-Yeahs should get the lollies in the next 2 weeks. UA is a tough last round assignment, but a good showing against the top dogs in the division should provide confidence heading into the finals.
Predicted Finish: 3rd
Dump and Burn
The run home: Ultimate Apostles, Slipped Discs, Mellow Yellow
Unfortunately for the Dumpers (or should that be Burners?), I am tipping only 1 win over their final 3 games. If they can win against Mellow Yellow they might be able to avoid the Apostles in week 1 of the finals.
Predicted Finish: 4th
Griffith Aunties
The run home: Mellow Yellow, Griffith Go-Yeahs, Slipped Discs
If they can get up for the intra-club battle against the Go-Yeahs, they could end the season on a very positive note. It’s the final round match against Slipped Discs which the Aunties will have their eyes on. All they’ll need is a draw to avoid the wooden spoon.
Predicted Finish: 5th
Slipped Discs
The run home: Griffith Go-Yeahs, Dump and Burn, Griffith Aunties
Like the Aunties, the final round is the most important game for the Slippers in terms of ladder position. They haven’t had much luck this season and unfortunately I’m tipping them for the spoon.
Predicted Finish: 6th
1 comment:
Guessing Heroes will get up on Tsunami, but having Chris "Billy 'Billy Brownless'" Brown away for the rescheduled Griffith A-Team match will make it difficult to reel in the 4th place finish unfortunately.
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