I thought i'd help Dingo out a bit and do up a review as per the other grades. 3 great comps this year in league, reserves and colts. Colts is likely to be one of the best GF's if 2 of the top 3 make it. Really good to see some great young stock coming through this grade.
League
1. Swan Valley (15-1-198%-60)
A good year by the Valley after only just avoiding relegation to C4 last year. They recruited well and it’s showing how much of a difference a couple of good people can change a team at this level. The only glitch was an early in the season loss to Piara when they didn’t show up to play. Last 2 games see them play Nollamara (2) and Brentwood (8.). Win one of those 2 to finish on top and the week off with the rights to 2 home finals (possibly).
2. Nollamara (14-2-159%-56)
Last years C4 premiers have been up and about all season. They finished second last year and took the flag and have certainly put themselves in a position to do it again. A couple big names make the team sheet now and then with Des Headland and Ali Pickett Sr and Jr but is that enough to get the job done? Not a lot of depth so going up to C2 could be a real struggle. Last 2 games they play Valley and Ellenbrook so they have the hardest 2 games to finish which they must win both if they want to take top spot.
3. Piara Waters (10-6-117%-40)
The only club to beat both Valley and Nollamara but in the same boat have lost both games to Dianella Morley which the top 2 accounted for. They’ll possibly rue those missed opportunities to not be sitting pretty at the top of the ladder. They play Manning this week but have a struggling Armadale to finish the season so even if they lose this weekend percentage will see them finish third.
4. Manning Rippers (9-7-101%-36)
9 Away games to start the season isn’t anybodys idea of awesome but they did it and managed to win enough games to keep them in touch with the 5 and playing at home for the second 9 is working in their favour. Pushing the big teams they’ll be a force in the finals but 4th spot isn’t sewn up. They have to win against Piara and SNESA to get that first home final or bank on Ellenbrook losing 1 possibly both of their 2 final games for them to keep 4th. They will play finals and cannot be knocked out of the 5.
5. Ellenbrook (8-7-1-119%-34)
Thereabouts all year but just a couple positions short of knocking off the top teams. A couple of handy pick ups that most thought could be a game changer for them. They haven’t sealed 5th spot yet and a real danger game this weekend against Dianella will decide if they will or not. They also have the potential to take 4th spot by winning the final 2 games although the last round against Nollamara will be a tough ask. A team not to take lightly in finals as they do have the personnel capable of matching it with any club above them.
6. Dianella Morley (7-9-98%-28)
A reasonable season by the DM boys and technically can still make finals but have to win the last 2 games and rely on other results going their way. A loss this weekend seals the top 5 and snuffs out their chance. They matched it last weekend til half time with Valley and they’ve beaten Piara twice so they have the cattle but have to sustain games for 4 quarters.
7. Mosman Park (5-10-1-81%-22)
Mossies will probably be happy to put this season behind them. Coming down from C2 most people expected them to be playing finals this year but both C2 teams have not had the best year . Technically they could still finish 9th and fall another grade to C4 but playing Armadale this week should ensure they stay up. Dianella for the last game is likely to be a dead rubber. Regroup and with a few recruits next year will be back with a vengeance. Hopefully they find a new umpire.
8. Brentwood Booragoon (4-11-1-82%-18)
Like their C2 counterparts most expected BB to play finals. Falling well short this year although they have taken a few scalps this year in Manning, DM and scaring both Valley and Piara so not that far off the mark to move further up the ladder next year. One thing they have to ensure right now is that they finish 8th. They play 9th placed SNESA this week and that is likely to determine finishing positions for them both. If the league decide to send 2 back to C4 they want to ensure they’re safe.
9. SNESA (4-12-67%-16)
Early on I thought SNESA would be very competitive and pushing for finals but the more the season moved along it was clear it wasn’t going to be a great year. Stuck in 9th and a loss this weekend they’ll be praying the league only send 1 to C4. They have a dip every week but need a few more players to win positions around the ground. They have a chance to win this weekend before taking on Manning for the last round of the year. Manning won’t want to give up 4th so I’d expect a tough contest to finish the season out.
10. Armadale (2-13-1-48%-10)
Up and down early in the season it all fell away when a few players left for greener pastures. Last year’s bridesmais after winning the minor premiership in C4 they no doubt had high hopes for this year. They are C4 bound and need to recruit to have a crack down there and a chance to come back in 2018.
FINALS
Finals for me is really 3 teams vying for C2 and premiership glory. Whilst I think Manning and Ellenbrook could be dark horses come finals I think the 3 above them have shown they are the ones to beat and all 3 have the cattle to make it to the big dance. Finals is always a new set of games and finishing position means nothing as shown by Swan View last year but the first 3 to me look to have what it takes. It’s just a matter of who.
Reserves
Reserves for me is a battle of 3. Valley have been the best all year like the league team but Ellenbrook and Piara have had great years as well and I’m expecting 2 of these 3 to battle it out on the final stage. Good news is that it shows these 3 clubs have real good depth if any of those 3 clubs move up. Nolla need to recruit a few to beef up their reserves playing stock if they go up. You don’t’ want your reserves getting smacked most weeks as they fall away.
2 dark horses though will be Mossies and DM as they’ll get some league fringe players back. DM are still trying for a finals berth in league so hard to send them back now but Mossies are done and will have started that process a couple weeks ago. Getting these 2 to play each other week 1 is good for the other 3 as one will be gone. How far those players can help the rest of the team through finals will be something we’ll soon see
Colts
The top 3 here are streaks ahead of the rest of the competition with all of them having over 200%, amazing ladder really. Top 5 is pretty much locked in as Jandakot have a bye then play a top team in Belmont so they have to win that plus need Valley or Kwinana to lose the next 2 to take a spot off them. The final 2 should come from the top 3 like reserves and league and will be an absolute cracker on GF day. I watched Belmont fall short last year to Balla so can they go one better this year??
2 weeks til the real stuff comes … good luck all
