TOPIC:

Not trying to cut Mad Dogs grass for this weekends write up but by gee there's so many different scenarios that can pan out on the weekend.

BALLAJURA - All but locked up top spot with their superiour % & considering they play Cockburn @ home you'd say they'll finish with 15-3 & Minor Premiers.

PIARA WATERS - Should lock in second spot however if Swan Valley cause an unlikely upset then Piara could fall to third & considering how much of a loss could slip as low as 4th pending other results. It's fair to say 2nd spots more than likely though but I wouldn't be surprised in an upset here in the mud patch.

ELLENBROOK - Well it's such a vital game @ Coolamon Oval for the Eels. A loss could mean they'll finish 4th or even if they do win with & Swan View beating Dianella by enough they could still finish 4th. SNESA will throw everything @ the Eels because pending other results they could just sneak in by the barest %. They'd need to win by quite a bit though. It's the last official match @ Coolamon Oval before we make the move to the DOS next year. Should be a bumper crowd.

SWAN VIEW - Surprise losers last week considering they could have locked in the double chance. The conditions were terrible last weekend so this could def have been a factor. All out in this match though as this result could change the complete shape of the finals. Dianella win then they'll play Finals simple, it's not though as Swan View are very hard to beat @ home. This should be a cracking affair here with so much to gain for both clubs.

DIANELLA-MORLEY - Win they'll play Finals, lose they could very well slip out if SNESA beat the Eels by enough & Swan View beat them by enough also. Makes things so much more interesting with this clash & I'd say both sides will through everything @ each other. Who knows they maybe playing each other next week @ Browns Park in an Elimination Final.

SNESA - Slim chance & would need results to fall their way but it's still possible & while players believe their a chance they'll def give their all. I won't be there this weekend as I'm away but I'd expect this match to be a cracking game of footy.

All the best to all teams this week & it just shows how competitive C3 has been this year.

Go you Mighty Eels.

There is a difference in who I want to win & who I think will win unfortunately.....

View
Manning
Balla
Piara
Ellenbrook

Balla
Manning
Swan view
Piara waters
Ellenbrook

Goodluck too all teams this week and for those who
Didn't make finals Goodluck for next season

Round 18 is upon us and for half the comp, after Saturday its time to hang up the boots for the next 6 months and prepare for cricket or spending more time with the missus. For the other 5 teams, get through this week, and the 18 weeks we have just done count for nothing, finals is a whole new ball game and I believe that with 6 live chances to make the top 5 this weekend on any given day any side is capable of winning.

So onto round 18

Swan View v Dianella Morley - GOTR in my opinion, and this could in all likelihood be a dress rehearsal for the following week. Swan View will be disappointed in their result last week going down to SNESA has meant they need to win in round 18 to ensure a home final and 4th spot. Hope the guys at Swan View didn't get ahead of themselves because they were gifted 4 points for the game they lost to Piara. Could be an interesting 48 hours at Brown Park. Piara's appeal of that decision happens tonight I believe guys. From the feedback we are hearing, while they wont guarantee the points going back to Piara the association has made it clear they believe there was no wrong doing on the behalf of Piara. Im sure all at Swan View will be hoping that doesn't happen........For DM they have to win to ensure they play finals, otherwise they leave their spot upto others to ensure they get through. I think this will be a cracker and it will be close. I think Swan View will be just to good for DM, hopefully they can handle the pressure of the day

Ellenbrook v SNESA - this was close to GOTR, however with SNESA's up and down form its hard to get a read on them. SNESA's best is very good however they can throw in the odd crap game when you don't expect them to win - similar to Richmond in the AFL. Ellenbrook is a good side with some big bodied midfielders. They were able to get the job done last week v Cockburn in tough conditions, and they would expect to win their last game at home before the big relocation to new facilities. SNESA is probably the only team in the comp that can boast wins over the top two sides this year, are they good enough to beat the side in third spot, by enough to sneak into the finals????? I think they can win, but I don't think they will, a lot depends on which SNESA turns up on the day

Manning v Secret Harbour - Manning will get another win here, its good for their boys to get back to back wins to finish the year off, it will help them as they prepare for next year. A well coached side that with some depth will cause headaches next year the way they are developing - great job coach

Ballajura v Cockburn Lakes - Its a long drive for Cockburn to finish the year, and it could be a long day on the park. Balla were great last week, a real finals side that will be hard to beat, they are well coached, well drilled and they have good structures all over the ground. Cockburn needs to get through this week, regroup in C4 and then have another crack at moving up the grades when they have some fresh faces. Who knows they may throw caution to the wind and play a physical/confrontal style of footy to take some scalps on their home ground for the last game of the year. I expect Balla to win and win big here, surely they wont rest guys with top spot sown up.......unless they are unsure of what Cockburn will throw at them

Swan Valley v Piara - Valley will be desperate for a win to stay ahead of Manning on the ladder. They have a reserves side on top of the ladder and the question is will they stack this side to ensure guys qualify for finals footy or will they put there best 22 into the league side knowing their reserves cant loose top spot. Piara went down by 14 points last week, and while the scoreboard might look like it could have been worse, we are happy with our efforts and know we just need to adjust a little more to match all teams in the finals. I expect Piara to win here in what could be a mudpit........

So after this week I expect the top 5 to look like this

Ballajura - will finish top even if Piara gets their points due to high percentage
Piara Waters
Ellenbrook
Swan View
Dianella Morley

Good luck to everyone on the weekend, remember "win or loose were on the booze"

The View too strong at home
SNESA to come home fighting for a chance at finals
Manning by 18 sausage rolls
Ballajura to seal the minor
Piara to come home with 4 mud patties

Interesting regarding the challenge put in by Piara. It could have have big ramifications if reversed. As it stands Piara can slip to 4th if they lose this weekend. If reveresed then they are safe in 2nd but also then Snesa could take the spot of either Dianella or The View although that is unlikely as margins would have to be large.

SWAN VIEW vs DIANELLA - GOTR - Both teams have much to play for here! Bragging rights and confidence before a likely match up the following week(maybe with home ground advantage),a spot in the 5,the chance to finish top 3. For all those reasons it should be really hard fought. If both teams were full strength of say The View easily but as we saw last week,when 1 or 3 don't play it can have a big affect. The Views full fwd will be back so I'll tip him to be the difference.
The View by 3 goals

EELENBROOK vs SNESA - when I put my tips in last week I didn't realise how wet and wild it would be when tipping the Eels to smash Cockburn. We know they don't like getting down and dirty so it was no surprise to see a small margin. Snesa here will be going with a full on attack knowing a loss means it's definitely curtains for 2015. For that reason I reckon they will be too desperate for the Eels who will turn it up.
Snesa by 3 goals

MANNING vs SECRET HARBOUR - One last effort from all involved from Secrets before some serious soul searching over summer. Manning will hope there is 2 games here to finish the season on a strong note. Not likely but.
Manning by 123 points.

BALLAJURA vs COCKBURN - Balla have had a pretty good prep in recent weeks! Brushed aside a couple of pretenders followed with this walk in the park before a nice freshen up next week. Have the luxury of resting tired and sore bodies before an assault on the Flag. Cockburn will be gone from C3 forever.
Balla by 20 goals

SWAN VALLEY vs PIARA WATERS - the Valley have been far more competitive in the 2nd half of the year and even moreso at home. They'll be hoping to give the faithful something to cheer about before more important things like Ressies flags take priority once again. Depending on tonight's verdict Piara could or couldn't have much to play for. With a few off field happenings going on I'm going to tip the Valley to pull off a shock win.
Valley by a goal.

Tips for this week are:-

Swan view
Ellenbrook - in a close one. (The ressies should be a good game as well with both teams finals bound)
Manning
Balla
Piara

PH - any news on last nights appeal?

It is with sad regret that i have to inform you guys that j.mast is OUT of the swan valley line up thus ending a frustrating season that has been plagued by injury. Piara waters can count themselves lucky, they dodged a bullet this week!

Dianella
Ellenbrook
Manning
Ballajura
Swan Valley