earl park riot
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Hi all,
The following preview has been posted on www.leaguetv.com.au . Discussion welcome.
Race for the Finals Goes Down to the Wire
Five teams remain in the hunt for seventh and eighth spot going into the second last round of the 2008 NSW Cup this weekend. As things stand, the Central Coast Storm are seventh on 16 points, two clear of the Auckland Vulcans, who by virtue of a superior points differential, are eight ahead of the Cronulla Cobras. Then just one point further back, sits both Balmain-Ryde and the Bulldogs. With just two matches remaining its still far from clear which two of these sides will play finals football this year.
On their performances to date, the Central Coast are probably the most deserving. They have played consistently good football, even when they were missing a large number of troops due to the Melbourne Storms state of origin commitments. Although missing a number of players through injury, they led Manly at half time last weekend, only to succumb to a heavy injury toll in the second forty. With a full compliment of players they can certainly match most sides. While the Storm may be the most worthy, the Cronulla Cobras are the contenders in the best form. Their late season revival under coach Lance Thompson has been little short of remarkable. Written off by all but the most ardent Sharks fan in mid-season, their achievement in winning five of their last seven matches, three of them against the top three sides, can not be underestimated. In fact, it is one of the stories of the year. If they were able to sneak into the finals theres little doubt they would give a good account of themselves. Both sides chances of progressing will be a lot clearer after they meet at Toyota Stadium on Saturday. Whoever wins that match, both sides face tough final round opponents (the Coast play Windsor and Cronulla take on Norths).
Of the other three sides, the Auckland Vulcans are the most likely to progress to the finals, given their draw. They face the Bulldogs away and Manly at home. While they could conceivably lose both matches, you would expect them to win at least one. And given their superior for and against (over the Cobras) that would probably be enough. As for Balmain-Ryde and the Bulldogs, its difficult to see either side winning twice, which is probably what they need to do to scrape in. The Tigers, who shouldve won more games than they have this year, face the near impossible task of beating both Wentworthville and Newtown. And while they may have one giant killing effort in them, two might be asking too much. As for the Bulldogs, they play Auckland at home this Saturday, and Wentworthville away next week. Like the Tigers, its difficult to see them putting together back-to-back wins, particularly as theyve only done so once this year.
So wholl make it? Its tough to know, but for mine, the Coast will stay in 7th spot, with Auckland grabbing eighth spot on for-and-against from Cronulla. Whatever happens we should see some exciting, desperation-stakes football over the next fortnight.
At the other end of the table, the picture is much clearer. The only question marks hang over who will win the minor premiership, Norths or Wenty, and who will grab forth spot and a home final, Newtown or Windsor. I cant go past the Bears for the top spot. They should win their remaining matches to snatch the minor premiership in their centenary year, while Im tipping Newtown to finish 4th.
The following preview has been posted on www.leaguetv.com.au . Discussion welcome.
Race for the Finals Goes Down to the Wire
Five teams remain in the hunt for seventh and eighth spot going into the second last round of the 2008 NSW Cup this weekend. As things stand, the Central Coast Storm are seventh on 16 points, two clear of the Auckland Vulcans, who by virtue of a superior points differential, are eight ahead of the Cronulla Cobras. Then just one point further back, sits both Balmain-Ryde and the Bulldogs. With just two matches remaining its still far from clear which two of these sides will play finals football this year.
On their performances to date, the Central Coast are probably the most deserving. They have played consistently good football, even when they were missing a large number of troops due to the Melbourne Storms state of origin commitments. Although missing a number of players through injury, they led Manly at half time last weekend, only to succumb to a heavy injury toll in the second forty. With a full compliment of players they can certainly match most sides. While the Storm may be the most worthy, the Cronulla Cobras are the contenders in the best form. Their late season revival under coach Lance Thompson has been little short of remarkable. Written off by all but the most ardent Sharks fan in mid-season, their achievement in winning five of their last seven matches, three of them against the top three sides, can not be underestimated. In fact, it is one of the stories of the year. If they were able to sneak into the finals theres little doubt they would give a good account of themselves. Both sides chances of progressing will be a lot clearer after they meet at Toyota Stadium on Saturday. Whoever wins that match, both sides face tough final round opponents (the Coast play Windsor and Cronulla take on Norths).
Of the other three sides, the Auckland Vulcans are the most likely to progress to the finals, given their draw. They face the Bulldogs away and Manly at home. While they could conceivably lose both matches, you would expect them to win at least one. And given their superior for and against (over the Cobras) that would probably be enough. As for Balmain-Ryde and the Bulldogs, its difficult to see either side winning twice, which is probably what they need to do to scrape in. The Tigers, who shouldve won more games than they have this year, face the near impossible task of beating both Wentworthville and Newtown. And while they may have one giant killing effort in them, two might be asking too much. As for the Bulldogs, they play Auckland at home this Saturday, and Wentworthville away next week. Like the Tigers, its difficult to see them putting together back-to-back wins, particularly as theyve only done so once this year.
So wholl make it? Its tough to know, but for mine, the Coast will stay in 7th spot, with Auckland grabbing eighth spot on for-and-against from Cronulla. Whatever happens we should see some exciting, desperation-stakes football over the next fortnight.
At the other end of the table, the picture is much clearer. The only question marks hang over who will win the minor premiership, Norths or Wenty, and who will grab forth spot and a home final, Newtown or Windsor. I cant go past the Bears for the top spot. They should win their remaining matches to snatch the minor premiership in their centenary year, while Im tipping Newtown to finish 4th.
