1ST: LAKE BOGA
RECORD: 13 wins, 0 losses
PERCENTAGE: 142.98
REMAINING MATCHES: Balranald (H), Woorinen (A), Koondrook-Barham (H)
Barring catastrophe, the Magpies have set themselves up perfectly to take home the minor premiership, as it is unlikely Swan Hill or Woorinen can get enough wins on the board to claim top spot. Even an upset loss to Balranald or Woorinen won’t be enough to topple them from the pole position.
BIGGEST THREAT: Complacency. They might not have lost a game yet, but the Magpies need to ensure they don’t drop the ball in these last few rounds.
PREDICTED FINISH: 1st
2ND: SWAN HILL
RECORD: 11 wins, 2 losses
PERCENTAGE: 163.65
REMAINING MATCHES: Cohuna (H), Tyntynder (A), Balranald (H)
The Swans moved into second place after convincing win over Nyah-Nyah West United last weekend, making their road to finals slightly easier. While top spot is pretty much out of the question, their finals place is secure, even if the worst were to happen.
BIGGEST THREAT: Balranald. The Swans will face the Roos in the last home-and-away round for another grand final rematch, and with Balranald struggling to maintain their place in the top five, they will be desperately looking to take home the four points.
PREDICTED FINISH: 2nd
3RD: WOORINEN
RECORD: 11 wins, 2 losses
PERCENTAGE: 144.90
REMAINING MATCHES: Koondrook-Barham (A), Lake Boga (H), Kerang (A)
Despite dropping down a peg on the ladder while having a bye last week, the Tigers are still well positioned to finish in the top three. A percentage boost this round against Koondrook-Barham could come in handy if they want to reclaim second place over the Swans, but either way the Tigers will be playing finals.
BIGGEST THREAT: Lake Boga. The Tigers clash against the ladder leaders in round 17 will be likely what determines whether they finish in second or third place.
PREDICTED FINISH: 3rd
4TH: BALRANALD
RECORD: 9 wins, 4 losses
PERCENTAGE: 154.08
REMAINING MATCHES: Lake Boga (A), Kerang (H), Swan Hill (A)
While a big win over Koondrook-Barham last weekend gave the Roos a confidence and percentage boost, they can only really afford one loss in these last three games, and with Lake Boga this round, a desperate Kerang the next and a grand final rematch against the Swans in the last, it’s going to be a mammoth effort for the Roos to scrape into the top five.
BIGGEST THREAT: Mallee Eagles. Sitting just one win behind the Roos, and with a seemingly easier run home, the Eagles could potentially force Balranald back down the ladder.
PREDICTED FINISH: 5th
5TH: MALLEE EAGLES
RECORD: 8 wins, 6 losses
PERCENTAGE: 134.21
REMAINING MATCHES: BYE, NNWU (A), Cohuna (H)
With the only thing keeping the Eagles in the top five their percentage, it is imperative they win the rest of their games going forward. But with a considerably easier run home than Kerang, they should be able to maintain, if not elevate their final position of the ladder.
BIGGEST THREAT: Kerang. The Eagles and the Blues both currently sit on the same number of points and are only separated by their percentage, therefore making the Blues the only potential barrier to the Eagles staying in the five.
PREDICTED FINISH: 4th
6TH: KERANG
RECORD: 8 wins, 6 losses
PERCENTAGE: 125.14
REMAINING MATCHES: BYE, Balranald (A), Woorinen (H)
A bye this weekend comes at a somewhat inopportune time for the Blues, who need to win to win all their games from here on in, and convincingly, to have any chance of knocking the Eagles out and just scrape into the top five. But it’s going to be tough, coming up against two very strong sides.
BIGGEST THREAT: Consistency. It’s something the Blues have struggled with from the beginning of the season, but it will be critical now more than ever that they take to the court strong and keep up the intensity throughout the entirety of their matches.
PREDICTED FINISH: 6th
