UC Vikings (1st, 24pts): Melbourne Rising (H), Brisbane City (H), QLD Country (A)
The undefeated Vikings are set to claim a home semi final, and will be well prepared for finals footy, with two fairly tough fixtures at home against the Rising and Brisbane, and then an away game against the youngsters from Qld Country. They should win 2/3 with a BP taking their tally to at least 34 points.
Brisbane City (2nd, 24 pts): Sydney Stars (A), UC Vikings (A), Greater Sydney Rams (H)
Brisbane City are also on track to host a home semi final.
With Super Rugby talent to burn, they should easily account for 2015 surprise package, Sydney Stars and then face probably their toughest match yet in Canberra (for the Minor Premiership). The cellar dwelling Rams should not pose too much of a thread in their last game. Tipping 3/3 with a >3T BP in 2 games to take their final tally to 38 points.
Sydney Stars (3rd, 19 pts): Brisbane City (H), Bye, Melbourne Rising (A)
The Stars have a fairly tough run into the finals with only two games, one against the red hot Brisbane team laden with Reds superstars, and one against the rising Rising who similarly have a full contingent of Super Rugby players. The loss of Chibba Hansen to Wallaby duties, Dennis to ?, McCutcheon to 7’s, and Hickey and Ryan to injury sees the Stars a bit shy on for horsepower for the crunch matches coming up. They will probably be focusing on getting a W or at least a BP against the Rising. Tipping 0/2 but with a BP against Rising to finish on 20 points.
Melbourne Rising (4th, 12pts): UC Vikings (A), NSW Country (H), Sydney Stars (H)
After facing the might of the Vikings in Canberra, the Rising have a fairly comfortable run in to the finals. Their roster seems to be getting stronger buy the week but their confidence may be a little shaky after the away loss to the Spirit and skinny victory over the Rams. Tipping 1L, 1W (BP), 1W to end up on 21 points. The BP may be critical, noting that they are yet to get one this season.
Perth Spirit (5th, 10pts): NSW Country (H), Greater Sydney Rams (A), Bye
The Spirit have continued their policy of resting their Super Players during Away matches and this has resulted in some indifferent form this season. They have a fairly easy run home, although only two chances to accumulate points, and they need to do so with BP’s to have any chance of making the playoffs. Tipping two victories, but missing out on a >3T BP on the away game to leave them on 19 points.
QLD Country (6th, 9pts): Bye, North Harbour Rays (A), UC Vikings (H)
QLD Country have probably the youngest team in the competition, and in some respects could be viewed as the Reds development squad. They have punched above their weight division in most games but have a fairly tough agenda for the rest of the regular season with only two games to play, with one of them against the impressive Vikings. They have the potential to take the chocolates from the Rays if everything goes right for them, but will be cannon fodder like a junior public servant facing up to Senate Estimates Committee when they take on the Vikings. Tipping 1L BP and 1L to finish on 10 points as the 2015 Wooden Spoon Runner up.
NSW Country Eagles (7th, 9pts): Perth Spirit (A), Melbourne Rising (A), North Harbour Rays (H)
The Eagles can theoretically make the finals if they can win 3/3 and pick up a BP or two. Can they do it with a trip to the West and then a short turnaround against the Rising?
Tipping 1W, 1L BP, & 1L to end up with 14 points.
North Harbour Rays (8th, 5pts): Greater Sydney Rams (A), QLD Country (H), NSW Country (A)
The Rays have one of the easiest last few weeks around, but all three “easy” opponents could upset them and steal the chocolates. I can’t see them winning all three games and am tipping 1W BP, & 2L BP to take their tally to 12 points.
Greater Sydney Rams (9th, 3pts): North Harbour Rays (H), Perth Spirit (H), Brisbane City (A)
2015 will go down as a close but no bananas year for the Rams as they have pushed many sides and were desperately unlucky to record a L in several of their games. How different things may have been with a more reliable kicker? With local bragging rights up for grabs (and possibly the 2015 Wooden Spoon GF), the Rays fixture should be a beauty that could go either way. Perth will be vulnerable in the East, and Brisbane will be too good at Ballymore. Tipping 1W, 1L BP, 1L to end up with 8 points and the 2015 NRC Wooden Spoon.
Defining Fixtures:
Round 7 - Spirit v NSW Country. Spirit need a W and BP to have a chance of making finals.
Round 7 - Rams v Rays. Loser could most likely win the Wooden Spoon.
Round 8 - Vikings v Brisbane. Minor Premiership at stake.
Round 8 - Eagles v Rising. Rising need a W and a BP to cement a place in the finals.
Round 8 - Rams v Spirit. Spirit need a W and BP to have any chance of making finals.
Round 9 - Rising v Stars. A losing BP should get Stars into the final ahead of the Spirit.
Predicted Table after 9 rounds:
1. Brisbane City - 38
2. UC Vikings - 34
3. Melbourne Rising - 21
4. Sydney Stars - 20
5. Perth Spirit - 19
6. NSW Country Eagles - 14
7. North Harbour Rays - 12
8. Queensland Country - 10
9. Greater Sydney Rams - 8
Anything can and does happen in Finals footy but you’d have to be tipping a Brisbane v Vikings Grand Final.
