FINALS REVIEW - of the review, if you like
DIVISION FOUR
McLean Cup
http://rugbyresults.rugby.net.au/ladder.asp?id=386156&seasonid=521
Another good finals series coming up, with clubs cycling up and down this year into positions of strength, before the occasional shock loss. The top 4 look decided, with the gap from 4th to 5th sitting at 10 points, but 3 wins. The order will be interesting as 1st and 4th place have a game in hand due to the uneven club count in this division.
Grose Cup
http://rugbyresults.rugby.net.au/ladder.asp?id=386865&seasonid=521
Top 2 here are probably safe, and Harlequins will no doubt be moving heaven and earth to get the wins on the board to stay in 3rd. Mac Uni could surprise with a bit of stacking, with Oatley needing to work hard here to outperform their First Grade and make finals.
Walker Cup
Top 4 are locked in here, with 5th place 19 points different. Canterbury have to be favourites for the minor premiership, while Blacktown, Oatley, and Irish jockey for position. Blacktown will be hurt by not having open selection as their 2s are unlikely to make finals.
CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP: helluva battle between Berries and Irish.
DIVISION FIVE
Jeffrey Cup
Menai the clear favourites for the Minor Premiership, but the race for the Cup is wide open IMHO. Convicts have two games up their sleeve, which could be 8-10 points as its against Covies and Dukes. As a result they'll leapfrog Merrylands into 2nd place. Covies (4), being 6 points ahead of Savers, are probably the other finals contender. Convicts might actually take this one with discipline and ruck work ahead of Menai's offload and power game.
Noice Cup
Well fuck. Who knows what is happening here? The only regulars in the comp are Convicts, Covies, and Merrylands at this stage, with Menai and Rouse Hill having a crack at 2s, and dropping out, and Dukes contracting their efforts early in the piece. Don't get me wrong: we'd LOVE to play finals, but I hardly think its fair given we've taken the field twice this year, and forfeited another game.
Maybe just play off Merrylands and Lane Cove in Week 1 of the finals and leave it there?
CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP: Merrylands and Menai to fight it out. The Wolves will get some assistance via forfeits, and might sneak it as a result.
DIVISION SIX
Meldrum Cup
The Sea Lice have to be favourites for the minor premiership, and IMHO the whole shebang. Conceding only 59 points across 9 games shows a high level of ability to shut opponents out.
The Cougars and Burraneer look like they can't be moved short of a complete collapse, and my money is on Engadine to join them ahead of Wakehurst.
Chatswood & Dee Why will look to play spoiler, but Dundas are goneskis and you have to question whether they'll be around in 2019.