We are finally encroaching on the final rounds of the 2024 C1 season and we a set for a few unique matches to determine the final ladder standings.
1. Swan Athletic: 2 easy wins and a tough battle at Kalamunda to finish with 3/3 wins should see the black ducks cruise through for a week off for the first week of finals. With there well-balanced team and good size up forward they will be hard to knock off at any ground. Their biggest threat to winning a flag will be the Melville Rams who have good success in both last years finals and during the Swans home game this year. Swan Athletic as a club deserve to move back up to B grade, with a strong duo of colts teams and powerful ressies team they should make some great strides in 2025 with or without a 2024 premiership. A 15/16 win season against some great opposition is to be commended.
2. Cockburn Lakes: The Warriors will easily put away both Canning Vale and Hammersley in rounds 16 and 17 respectively. But round 18 stands as a defining factor to shape their opponent for the first round of finals. Cockburn have split the ledger with one win and a loss against Melville. Their previous encounter with Kalamunda was a 22-point loss. Even if they manage to win all three games, they looked to be camped in 2nd spot. Will be a very tough team to beat at home in which they have been undefeated. I will add that it has been great to be proven wrong in regard to my preseason predictions, I had Cockburn narrowly missing relegation and they have exceeded all expectations this year.
3. Melville: Trying to separate Melville from Kalamunda is very difficult just like their recent encounter which left both teams walking away with two points. Melville have a relatively easy run home to end the season as opposed to Kalamunda. Melville should walk away 3/3 to end the season making it 5 straight weeks on the winners list. With recent wins over both teams above them confidence will be pushing this club along. If they can manage to secure a win in the first week of finals against Cockburn I can see them travelling out to the valley and having another big win over Swan Ath.
4. Kalamunda: The cougs will have an easy win at home against Carlisle with hopes they can walk away without any injury or soreness in preparation for their final two weeks. I can't see them knocking off both Swan Ath and Cockburn and they will drop to 4th to play a home final against Thornlie who they have split the wins with this year. With the next round of finals being either a Melville at Troy Park or Cockburn at Manning Park the run home will be a great challenge.
5. Thornlie: They have exceeded many expectations and have had some great wins and battles this year against both Melville and Kalamunda. Whilst I personally can't see them getting a win against Kalamunda in the first week of the finals they should be proud of the season they have had.
6. Hammersley Carine: With only one more expected win and 2 losses, a 7W, 11L year is just shy of my expectations. Time to retool, recruit and rehab for a strong 2025 in C1.
7. Jandakot: The Jets should manage to jump MP on the ladder with a win in round 18 against CV and potential to beat Thornlie at home. No chance of keeping up with Melville at Troy park. For a team that lost a head coach at the end of 2023 in which he took a great deal of their talented senior players a 7th placed finish is a pass mark. With a strong colts and 2's program 2024 will be a big move up the ladder.
8: Mosman Park: Underwhelming.
9: Carlisle: Whilst I do enjoy slandering Carlisle I have a great deal of respect for them on the field. Hopefully they can head down to C2 and rebuild the club to have some success to send inspirational skipper Jack Koval out with a flag.
10: Canning Vale: For a team finishing in 10th and only having 2 wins they should be optimistic about their potential when dropping a grade. Offensively the Cougs have managed to be the 4th highest scoring team in the comp. A big pre season to work on the defensive skills should see them competing for a flag in C2.
All the best for the rest of the year.
