Looking toward finals for Div 4:
McLean Cup
1 Oysters (43) look likely to finish 1st, undefeated, with a gap to the chasing pack. They're maybe not quite as sharp as last year so could be upset in the finals, but they're unlikely to drop a game from here, playing mostly bottom teams
The run home: Mac Uni (H), HAC (A), Saints (H), Chatswood (A), Canterbury (A)
2 Savers (36) not the easiest finish to the year, with a couple of games out west, and a couple of high-ranking opponents at Keirle Park. They will have learned from the game against Merrylands and while they took care of Redfield easily on neutral turf in Round 2, Redfield will be looking to improve on that.
The run home: HAC (H), Raptors (A), Merrylands (H), Redfield (H), Renegades (A)
3 Epping (35) the close loss to Oysters will have shown them where they are in the comp, and the temptation might be there to write off the loss to Savers as a bad day. They have a few games against lower-ranked opponents followed by a last-round stoush at Holroyd. They'll be hoping Savers stumble so they can grab 2nd spot, but back themselves from anywhere.
The run home: Canterbury (A), Chatswood (H), HAC (A), Renegades (H), Merrylands (A)
4 Merrylands (30) starting this weekend, the Wolves will look to drive toward 2nd spot. They'll see the Savers game at Keirle as a turning point that sees them reach for 2nd or settle for minor placings with a tough last-round fight against Epping.
The run home: Chatswood (H), Canterbury (H), Savers (A), Raptors (H), Epping (H)
5 Redfield (26) they will be confident they have the game for finals, with several close wins this year, and a draw with Epping as well as taking a halftime lead over Oysters. Can't write them off but they might come undone against size on a heavy track. The lower ranked opponents should see them safely into a minor place.
The run home: Saints (H), Mac Uni (A), Canterbury (H), Savers (A), HAC (H).
6 Mac Uni (25) a game in hand against Renegades means they might actually see themselves in equal 4th at this point. However they can probably look at inconsistency as their catch cry - a loss to Raptors and a win against Merrylands doesn't sound like they've delivering every week. A few tough games in their lead in to the finals. Line ball.
The run home: Harbour (A), Redfield (H), Raptors (H), Renegades (H-WW), Canterbury (A), Chatswood (H)
This is where the major break in the table occurs - and it'll take an effort to jump up from bottom 6.
7 Raptors (19) hard to tell what effect dropping their 2nd grade will have at this point. Certainly they've had highlights during the year, but Savers-Uni-Wolves could blunt their approach to the finals.
The run home: Renegades (A), Savers (H), Mac Uni (A), Merrylands (A), Saints (H).
8 Chatswood (17) this is one of the toughest roads home IMHO, and I don't think Chatswood's young guns will quite have the grunt to get there. They'll be satisified with 2 Grades and some good wins during the year, and look to build for next year.
The run home: Merrylands (A), Epping (A), Renegades (A), Saints (H-WW), Harbour (H), Mac Uni (A)
9 Saints (12) slow start to the year, perhaps with a few depth issues, and a couple of horror weeks back to back with Epping and Savers wouldn't do much for morale. The other issue is going to be finding time to play 2 washed out games before the end of the year; the first from Round 9 against Chatswood will be pushed to July 30 I supose, and would be one they could target. Tomorrow's game v Redfield is perhaps a forgone conclusion.
The run home: ?Redfield (A-WW)?, Renegades (H), Harbour (A), Chatswood (A-WW), HAC (H), Raptors (A)
10 Renegades (11) an absolute mountain to climb if we want to make finals. Inconsistent selection early in the year (with key absences) and a couple of tough weeks to start set us off on the wrong foot, but we pushed Redfield and never really looked outclassed until you saw the scoreboard. Perhaps an easier run home than most, playing a few against teams ranked just above us before the killer, make-or-break finish.
The run home: Raptors (H), Saints (A), Chatswood (H), Mac Uni (A-WW), Epping (A), Savers (H)
11 HAC (7) they've been playing with 1.5 teams most of the year. As a result they've had the one win against Saints and some lopsided results. Will likely stay roughly in place, looking at a win against Saints as a bit of a victory at this point.
The run home: Savers (A), Harbour (H), Epping (H), Saints (A), Redfield (A)
12 Canterbury (6) - again, low numbers have meant their 2nd Grade have somewhat prospered while First Grade slumped. A season with controversy, they'll be considering the future of multiple grades after having 3 not so long ago
The run home: Epping (H), Merrylands (A), Redfield (A), Mac Uni (H), Harbour (A)
Ladder for finals
1 Sydney Harbour
2 Epping
3 Manly Savers
4 Redfield Old Boys
5 Merrylands
6 Macquarie Uni
7 Renegades - we might get there on for/against but need to win every game handily.
8 Western Raptors
9 Chatswood
10 Northern Saints
11 Hawkesbury Ag College
12 Canterbury