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Final home and away round of the season and likely to be played in the wet.

Couple of interesting games ahead given last Saturday's results.

Carlisle have to get up over Melville to be any chance - and hope that Kenwick can win over Gosnells. Both scenarios unlikely, and Melville should win this.

In the MOTR, Bassendean should get up over Bullcreek. They were very good last week against Gosnells - equally, Bullcreek were very good over Thornlie. A win for Bullcreek will see them guaranteed of hosting a final next Saturday.

Though Gosnells had a shocker last week, Kenwick will struggle in a game likely to see the biggest margin of the day.

Hammersley are showing a bit of spark late in the season, having gone down only marginally against Melville last week and (surprisingly to me) winning over Carlisle the week before. Can't see them beating Thornlie, but suspect it will be closer than many think.

Although Ocean Ridge's form has been patchy, they should win over Warnbro. Having said that, Warnbro got close to Carlisle last week, are playing at home and would like to end what has been a disappointing return to C1 on a high.

Good luck to all - hope your weekend ends up well.

Carlisle play Melville this week not Thornlie

Feels like this season has flown by personally and Im already chomping at the bit for 2020 to roll around. But there's still the serious matter of deciding whose going to take the 2019 crown first. Last round of season as follows:

Melville 4th vs Carlisle 6th

Melville weren't overly convincing last week against Hamersley but still got there. Can say the same thing about Carlisle really against the swans. This game will have a big affect on the top 3 though if another result goes the way it should. Carlisle can sneak into the 5 if they knock the Rams off and if by some minor miracle and crazy voodoo magic or something happen, Kenwick decide to play footy and beat Gossies. Cant see either of those things happening though. The rams will take it by the horns and claim a top 3 spot by % on Saturday. Melville 8 goals.

Bassendean 1st v Bullcreek 2nd

Basso are the ones to beat, everyone knows it and they know it too. Bullcreek are going to have to knock the juggernaut off if they want to keep their double chance spot. They got the job done last week against Thornlie but i reckon that may have taken a fair bit out of them. Basso will want to run this one out pretty hard knowing have a bye coming to recover and prep for their first final. Bassendean 8 goals.

Kenwick 10th vs Gosnells 5th

Carlisle will be praying for the miracle here. But it just wont happen. Kenwick have been a terrible disappointment this year and the boys will just want to get through the 100 minutes and get stuck into the frothies. Gosnells 12 goals.

Thornlie 3rd vs Hamersley 9th

Hamersley have shown a glimpse of ticker the last few weeks but no where near enough to save themselves from the double drop and a rebuild in C2. They've got some good young blokes down there so no doubt we will see them back in C1 come 2021 plus theyve still got the ressies very much in contention for a flag. Thornlie wouldn't be pleased with their performance last week against the creek and think that anger will get dished out on Saturday with a big win here and seal up 2nd spot. Thornlie 11 goals.

Warnbro 8th v Ocean Ridge 7th

The swans have had a tough up and down year. I thought they would be better and push for the 5 but they never really got going, even their ressies have struggled bit time. Ridge have had a what if year. They dropped 3 games by under a goal which flip the other way and they are well in truly in the hunt for the 5. They also seem to have some real depth with their ressies and colts both in the 3. I think Ridge end on a high here and we should all be on the look out for them next year. Ridge 5 goals.

My final Ladder if all goes to plan in my crystal ball should look like this
1 - Bassendean
2 - Thornlie
3 - Melville
4 - Bullcreek
5 - Gosnells
6 - Carlisle
7 - Ocean Ridge
8 - Warnbro
9 - Hamersley
10 - Kenwick

Round 18 has arrived, and for half the teams, after Saturday comes Sad Sunday, Mad Monday and then six months of what if's...For the other five teams the real stuff starts next week, and I think the race to the C1 flag is wide open.

Melville will host Carlisle on the postage stamp. Carlisle have been competitive this year, and will likely finish with a 9 and 9 record. They need to find some depth and if they can do that I expect them to push for finals in the coming years. Melville will win at home, and then I guess they sit back watch the app for results and try to work out where they finish on the ladder. by 5.00pm they will know did they get a home final, a double chance or a KO final against Gosnells

Bassendean are playing Bullcreek in what should be a forerunner of the quality of games to come. Bassendean have top spot locked away, but with a bye next week I can not see them resting players and taking this game lightly. Bullcreek will be pumped after their great win last week, and will be up for the task of trying to beat the top side. I expect Bassendean at home in a close one but this game has huge ramifications for the creek. Win and a home final with a double chance, lose and they play knockout footy for the rest of the year.

Thornlie will be disappointed with their results from last week, They have been up for a while, and were probably due to play a poor game. They never really looked like winning last week and the final margin was probably flattering for them. Hammersley will want to put this season behind them. They are doing the double drop and while their reserves is strong, with no colts they will have work to do before they are back in the top grades. I expect Thornlie to win this one by a few goals, and then sit back watching the App to find out if they have a home or away final in week one of the finals.

Gosnells will beat Kenwick easily, they will sow up fifth spot and because of their percentage that's as high as they can go. Looks like the Gossie boys are playing KO footy from next week.

Unless they hire a bus, and turn things into a two day road trip bender I expect Ridge to round out their year with a win over Warnbro. Its the longest road trip in C1 and the victory beers on the way home with be great for Ridge. 8 wins and strong reserves and colts indicates they will improve in 2020.

Good luck to everyone, make sure you enjoy your footy, enjoy the beers afterwards and to those with a sad Sunday lined up, be safe.

To the top sides that are all watching the App Saturday arvo, to get the best results make sure your looking at the WAAFL footy app, and not your mates tinder App.

its a trip too far for myself - especially combined with the cold weather forecast, down warnbro way, the winds are even colder coming off the Sound... the focus is clearly on the 2s and colts for the next few weeks but it is important the 1s can finish off the year with a win.

Basso v creek the game to catch but the good folks at PFL have decided to stream that via Facebook so I can stay rugged up at home and watch that broadcast instead of making a trip to Jubilee - save that for week 2 finals me thinks when the black ducks will look to book a GF/2020 B Grade berth.

I think OSWayz is on the money but if there were to be an upset, it would be Carlisle for mine.