Final home and away round for the year is upon us ! 27 weeks ago when most clubs begun pre-season this seemed a distant memory, but the business end of the season is nearly upon us !
Not the most exciting round of C1 football unfortunately. The top 5 is pretty much set, its just the order which can vary.
BullCreek vs. Basso - Basso have had a taste of what the step up is like into C2. They have done all they needed to survive, and will live on to fight another day in C1 next year. BullCreek haven't found the drop as easy as they would have hoped, however premierships aren't won in rounds 1 to 18 and their time may yet come. BullCreek easily in the last game of the year at Beasley, winners by 62 points and locking away 3rd spot.
Kinsgley vs. Gosnells - I've been a harsh critic of Gosnells all year, ever since tipping them to finish bottom back in March. They haven't let me down ! Its been a tough year down at Gossy's, and the drop back to C2 and a chance to rebuild will do them well. Kingsley will rue missed chances all year, and realistically should have been a top 3 sides. They will win this one barring catastrophe, and seal that final finals spot.
OR vs. Lynwood. OR are another team that would be rueing missed opportunity. Dropped too many games at home, and now see themselves needing a miracle to see any late August action. Lynwood would be hoping to finish the season on a high note, their last in C1. Another team who had a tough year, but they are a proud club and will do well in C2. OR by 36 points.
Quinns vs. Willetton - Quinns haven't been overly convincing at home, but since losing to the Rams in round 15 they have found their mojo again with an average winning margin of 110 in their last 2 outings. Still, there is a chink in their armour, and the chasers smell blood in the water. They June premiers are right back in the pack. Willetton have been inconsistent this season, showing glimpses of a B side, then glimpses of an E1 side. With top spot on the line and a week off at stake, the boys from South Geraldton will be too good. Winners by 41.
Melville vs. Carlisle - This is probably the game which will shape the finals more than any. A win to Melville and BullCreek will see those sides finish 2-3 respectively. A win the Carlisle and they seal 3rd spot no matter what result occurs at Beasley. Melville have been white hot, not dropping a game since last playing Carlisle in rd 9. Carlisle have not been in great touch of late, losing 2 of their last 3 against other finals contenders before beating the bye by 100 points last week. Not a lot at stake for the Rams in this one, with a top 2 berth locked in. Still, they won't want to lose at home, and will come home winners by 22 points.
Dockers vs Eagles - At 1:40pm on Sunday the final Dockers team sheet will be missing Mundy, Pavlich and Fyfe. All rested through soreness. An undermanned Eagles side will come up against an undermanned Dockers side in what has been labelled the 'biggest derby every'. That match will occur in September when these sides face off in a Prelim finals at Domain, so for now this is just the entrée to the main course. For now, on paper it will be the biggest derby with a lot at stake for the Eagles and not much at stake for Freo. Ross Lyon will be crunching the numbers, wondering where the advantage over Hawthorn in Sept will come from, and that opportunity presents itself in this game. Drop this one, hope the Eagles find form later in the season and beat the Dogs/Crows, and see the Hawks finish 3 and have to travel to Perth twice to win their 3rd straight flag. Eagles by 12 points in this one.
Have a great weekend everyone. Play fair, and enjoy the beers ! GO EAGLES !
