by Phantom Gossiper » Mon Jul 28, 2014 11:01 am
As we climb into the final 3 weeks, things have just hotted up a notch! Let's have a brief look at the sides with an eye on the prize:
Ingle Farm - A hiccup for the Farmers, going down to Rosewater on the weekend at home. Ingle Farm have found themselves setting the pace for most of the season, and now find themselves in a fight to hold onto that number 1 spot. Are the strains of a long season beginning to show? Can they re-group and bounce back? One thing is for sure, it doesn't get any easier in the coming weeks for the lads from Rowe Park with away games to West Croydon and Blackfriars, they'll need to make sure they bring their best game. No time to dwell on the weekends result - look forward and prepare for the next challenge or risk slipping down the ladder.
Blackfriars - As previously mentioned, BOS have positioned themselves beautifully for not only a top 2 finish, but a crack at the coverted number 1 spot and week off in the finals. The Hounds reaffirmed their credentials on the weekend with a 32 point win at home against the in form Hawks from West Croydon. Quietly gone about their business all season, but with a well balanced side of contributors and plenty capable of ripping a game apart, Blackfriars can no longer expect to cruise along in the background unnoticed, if a team wants to win the flag this year, they'll have to beat BOS. Flag favourites.
West Croydon - Faltered on the weekend, going down to Blackfriars but they are not alone in that catergory, more sides than not have failed to master St Doms Oval against BOS. The Hawks will be buoyed by seeing the Farmers result and hoping to capitilise on their vulnerability at home this weekend. A win would see them pull onto equal terms with Ingle Farm and set them up beautifully to make a serious charge for a top 2 finish, especially with games against sides they would be expecting to win in the final fortnight.
Rosewater - Have re-emerged and reminded others why they were such a heavily fancied side pre-season, beating Ingle Farm at Rowe Park on the weekend in front of a healthy crowd and big day for the league leaders club is no easy feat - you have to go back to 2012 to find the last side to beat the Farmers on their own deck. A ferocious style of football complimented with crisp skills and decision making, a brand of football that is sure to hold up well in finals football. Will go into the remaining 3 games as heavy favourites, the 'Dogs will not only be eyeing off a double chance but a home final - and given their healthy percentage, top spot is not out of the question yet.
Lockleys - Have held onto 5th spot for a while now, and after the Central United sanctions it appeared the final spot in the 5 was theres. After a less than convincing win against a gallant undermanned Mawson Lakes and a very tough 3 weeks to follow, if the Demons want to play finals they will need to find another gear. Rosewater, West Croydon, Ingle Farm - couldn't ask for 3 tougher assignments to close out the regular season, and if Lockleys manage to hold onto 5th spot and play finals, they'll know they've earnt it.
Fitzroy - An inconsistent season has seen one of the pre-season favourites struggle this year and find themselves outside the 5. Fortunately for the 'Roys they are still in with a sniff. Better percentage than Lockleys, a win against Mawson Lakes this weekend would see that finals window open a lot wider and belief will grow. With Chrissy McLean bouncing back on the weekend with 10, it appears he may finally be returning to full fitness, as well as the return of Daniel Hargraves and Nathan Rayner, Fitzroy definiately have the squad and fire power up forward capable of beating any side. Will need to find a win in the final fortnight against either Rosewater at home or West Croydon away.
Percentage seems to be the big player in the make up of this years 5, no side can afford to drop a game in the race to the finals and no spot on the ladder is guaranteed nor can any side be underestimated - especially the scorned Central United as they fight for pride and avoid relegation, the lads from Mofflin will be out for blood and send shockwaves and a message to the rest of the division that in 2015 they'll be back better than ever with a point to prove.