by Phantom Gossiper » Mon Aug 04, 2014 10:57 am
As we embark on the final fortnight of the minor round, the top 5 in both grades is still not set in stone and we are no closer to knowing the final positions of sides. All sides have plenty to play for over the coming weeks, which promises to set up a cracking finish heading into a hotly contested finals series.
Round 17:
Angle Vale(10th) v Mitchell Park(9th) - Plenty on the line here for both sides, each have struggled this season and will be counting down the days until Mad Monday when they can get a reprieve and begin shifting their focus towards next year and re-building, however this is a golden opportunity for each to taste some much needed success. Angle Vale will be desperate to break the duck, whereas Mitchell Park will be looking to avoid the spoon. This game may not have any bearing on the final 5, but i'm sure it will be played with as much vigor as any of the other top games this weekend.
Blackfriars(1st) v Ingle Farm(2nd) - Beauty beauty.. BOS now command top spot and with Mitchell Park last round, the minor premiership is theirs to lose. Continue to churn out the performances and receive quality consistent efforts from their top line players. Always difficult to beat at home, the Hounds will be very excited about this one. Ingle Farm on the flip side have faltered over the past fortnight, dropping consectutive games and questions are starting to be asked. Lose this match and the Farmers could find themselves in 4th spot Saturday night with a showdown against Lockleys in Rd 18 providing no let up to the tough challenges. Can Ingle Farm respond and arrest this decline, or will their slide gain momentum?
Central United(8th) v Mawson Lakes (7th) - Central United will be eager to win this game. Still hurting from the points deduction, a win to the Units here will see them leap frog Mawson Lakes on the ladder back into 7th position - probably a fitting finish given their inconsistent season. Mawson Lakes similiarly to the sides beneath them will be looking forward to the end of the season, things haven't gone well for Lakes in the A grade this season but at least they will have the opportunity to support their lower grades in finals and take some positive aspects from the season.
Fitzroy (6th) v Rosewater (4th) - Fitzroy are making one last surge for the 5, final home game for the season this week and as I mentioned a few weeks back they would've circled this match up and been preparing themselves for their grand final this Saturday. Unfortunately they probably couldn't have asked for a worse time to run into Rosies, with the 'Dogs in scintillating touch leading into the major round. Although still 4th on the ladder, Rosewater have roared back into contention for a top 2 finish with back to back wins.
Lockleys (5th) v West Croydon(3rd)[/quote] - Lockleys have clung onto 5th place for a large portion of the season without looking overly dangerous. Always perform well at home, and a club that has great depth, they shouldn't be underestimated in this clash - or through the finals for that matter. A win for Lockleys will secure that last finals spot on the ladder, and they'll be able to breath easier heading into next weeks triple header at Rowe Park, knowing they'll get a crack at the big time the week after. West Croydon have sent shockwaves through the league in recent weeks, going BANG BANG with an away win at Rosewater, then not only winning but smashing Ingle Farm on the weekend. The Hawks will fancy themselves in their remaining two games against sides beneath them, and will be keen to secure a top 2 finish.