TOPIC:

Whats everyone's thoughts so far

Seems to be everyone chasing Uni and TA's again this season

Just Get a kick, I think its a little early to be calling it a two horse race, but it is already the case that after only three games into the 2017 season, the top five teams on the 2017 Ladder comprise the same teams as the top five teams who fought out the finals in 2016!

There is however encouraging signs from a couple of clubs already based on results.

Kalamunda and Wembley on their day, certainly look good enough to take it up to any of the 2016 final sides.

Anyway, seeing as how you have asked for an opinion, my A Grade finishing order and win and loss predictions are as follows:

(1)University 15 & 3
Fantastic strength in all three grades and will want to avenge their failure to advance to the Grand Final last year. Hard to see anybody beating them this year

(2) Scarborough 13 & 5
Runners up from last year and will certainly finish top three. However their lack of depth with a few injuries could cause some issues for them.

(3) Trinity Aquinas 12 & 6
Early results hard to assess, but would expect the 2016 Premiership side to finish top three, and strong in all three grades

(4) North Beach 10 & 8
Lost to a much improved Kalamunda in the first round and will certainly challenge. Very strong in all three grades

(5) CBC 10 & 8
Could be the surprise packet for 2017. Have recruited well and if anything will challenge for a top three spot. Very strong in all three grades

(6) Kalamunda 9 & 9
Picked up a couple of quality recruits and will challenge strongly for a top five position

(7) Wembley 9 & 9
Tough draw to start the season and it will be difficult from here for them to win enough games to make the top five. However certainly still a chance and will win enough games to mathematically keep their finals hopes alive during the season

(8)Wesley 7 & 11
Like Wembley will be competitive but can’t see them making the top five

(9) West Coast 4 & 14
No strength in their reserves and will be very lucky to avoid relegation

(10) Whitfords 1 & 17
After three games Whitfords have not fired a shot and I think they can start planning for a return to B Grade in 2018.

Interesting season in the A Grade with plenty more football to play over the last 7 weeks to decide the final 5.

One of the most even competitions for a number of seasons with only 3 games separating Uni on top and TAs in 7th spot.

Whilst Whitfords will be straight back to B Grade next season, Wembley still have a small glimmer of hope of surving in A Grade in 2018 if results go their way.

Ladder Prediction

North Beach 15&3
Uni 14&4
Freo CBC 13&5
Scarborough 11&7
Kalamunda 11&7
Curtin 11&7
TAs 9&9
West Coast 5&13
Wembley 3&15
Whitfords 0&18

The A Grade and A Reserves competitions are looking to deliver a fantastic last 2 rounds to finalise the top 5 and relegation.

The top 3 teams and double chance in finals are locked away but where NB, UNI and CBC finish in the top 3 will come down to RD 18.

4th through to 7th positions will also be an interesting battle will which may see both of the 2016 GF teams either make or miss out of this years finals.

Relegation looks likely for Whitfords but if results go their way Wembley and West Coast can still find themselves finishing 9 & 10 and off to B Grade in 2018.

A GRADE LADDER
POS TEAM  W L D % PTS Upcoming Games
1 North Beach  14 2 138.97 56 CBC, UNI
2 University   13 3 161.10 52 SCA, NB
3 Fremantle CBC 13 3 150.77 52 NB, WHI
4 Scarborough   9 7 130.60 36 UNI, KAL
5 Kalamunda     8 8 95.30 32 TA, SCA
6 Curtin Uni Wesley 7 9 97.42 28 WEM, WC
7 Trinity Aquinas 7 9 92.50 28 KAL, WEM
8 Wembley    4 12 84.45 16 CUW, TA
9 West Coast 3 14 71.88 12 WHI, CUW
10 Whitford 2 15 51.14 8 WC, CBC

In the A Reserves only percentage separates the top 3 in NB, TA & WHI, then a game behind are UNI & SCA with CBC 1 game behind in 6th.

The regular season for the A Grade now wrapped up and the real season now begins. Well done to all sides who made finals with North Beach taking out the minor premiership in the A Grade and A Reserves and Uni in the Phil Scott Colts.
Uni had all 6 of their sides make finals, North Beach had 7 of their 8 teams make it and TAs with 5 of their 6 getting through.

This week will see some great games with:
CBC v Uni - Backing CBC at home by a kick
Scarborough v TAs - Scarborough to get some redemption for last years GF loss

Scarborough has had a few big players out for several weeks and the younger players stepped up.
Should be almost back to full strength.