Gold Coast Bronco, by virtue of elimination and a bit of guesswork, I have concluded the draw looks like the following with Pool A games listed first. Don't quote me on home and away but I have based on last year's draw. Asterix next to the expected games of the round.
Lauries play Villa in round 1 and their season finished in a tough round 7 battle last year, with Lauries coming out on top 26-12. This will be another great battle and might decide Pool B.
The best games of round 2 appear to be the Pool B ones with level of importance dictated by results in Round 1. Can the smokies, SPLC set up a winner take all with Villa in R3 or will Lauries steamroll their way to the Final? Pool of Death.
Round 3 is a big one at Ashgrove against Padua. MCA normally take 2 rounds to hit their straps so this might be ripe for them. Padua's last win away v MCA wasn't that long ago and their forward pack will need to be just as big as it was in 2015/16 to knock off the champions. They know the formula.
Contenders, SLC and Padua have to play 2 games away in their Pool. Villa have 2 at home but are in the Pool of Death so have 3 hard games if Iona can put out a decent team.
The fourth round (Finals Day) should be a cracker with pride on the line whether you finish 1,2,3 or 4 in your pool. It's a grand final and I expect the cafe in Frasers Road to be full of AIC personnel, families and extended loved ones all morning before everyone sticks around to watch the 2020 GF.
Good luck to all teams and may we have injury free pre-seasons, trials and a great competition.
22 Aug
SPC v PAD
SEC v MCA
VNC v SLC *
SPLC v IC
29 Aug
SPC v MCA
PAD v SEC
IC v VNC *
SPLC v SLC *
5 Sep
SPC v SEC
MCA v PAD *
VNC v SPLC
SLC v IC
12 Sep
Open Finals at Marist College, Ashgrove
Does anyone have any mail on expected teams/squads?