SLACKS CK v REDLANDS: Friday August 23 7.15pm at Usher Park
First Round: Redlands 52 def Slacks Ck 0 Second Round: Redlands 58 def Slacks Ck 14
Head to Head 2001/2: Redlands 2 Slacks Ck 0
Last 3 Rounds: Slacks Ck: Logan Bros L 6-40; Souths L 14-24; Easts W 18-16
Redlands: Redcliffe D 26-26; Easts W 60-4; Centenary W 30-6
Last game of what has been a difficult season for the Slacks Ck Lions, and they host the minor premiers who have racked up over 50 points in their previous two encounters. The Lions would like nothing more than to finish off with a win, but it is difficult to see this happening against the defending premiers, although there is no doubt Slacks Ck will keep on trying to the end, and Redlands will not want to take them lightly.
"The Computer" tips Redlands by 30.
LOGAN BROS v EASTS: Sunday August 25 10.00am at Civic Park
First Rnd: Logan Bros 30 def Easts 12 Second Rnd: Logan Bros 20 def Easts 16
Head to Head 2001/2: Logan Bros 2 Easts 0
Last 3 Rounds: Logan Bros: Slacks Ck W 40-6; Arana W 30-18; Redcliffe W 32-14
Easts: Arana L 18-30; Redlands L 4-60; Slacks Ck L 16-18
Like Slacks Creek, this is Easts last game of the year, also a difficult one, against Logan Bros at Civic Park. Easts led Arana till well into the second half at their last start, and will be looking to play out the full 60 minutes in this one. They went close to causing an upset against the Brethren in their last encounter, but Logan are getting back near full strength and need to win this one to wrap a place in the top three. Hard to see the Tigers getting up.
"The Computer" tips Logan Bros by 20.
SOUTHS v REDCLIFFE: Sunday August 25 12.45pm at Brandon Pk
First Round: Souths 32 def Redcliffe 8 Second Round: Redcliffe 30 drew Souths 30
Head to Head 2001/2: Souths 1 Redcliffe 1 Draws 3
Last 3 Rounds: Souths: Centenary L 26-40; Slacks Ck W 24-14; Arana L 16-58
Redcliffe: Redlands D 26-26; Centenary W 38-12; Logan Bros L 14-32
The draw at Dolphin last week ensured there can not be a playoff for 5th, so this "semi-final come early" is undoubtedly the most critical clash of the round. Souths need to win to leapfrog the Dolphins into 5th place, while for Redcliffe a draw (which has incredibly been the result in 3 of the 5 games between these 2 teams in the last 2 seasons) will be enough to seal them another finals appearance. Both teams perform strongly at home, as indicated by their recent performances against competition leaders Redlands, with the Dolphins taking a point off them last weekend, and Souths defeated only narrowly in their last home match. Souths are the 2nd in attack in the comp but 6th in defence. Conversely Redcliffe are 3rd in defence, but 6th in attack. Souths home-field advantage may just tip this encounter.
"The Computer" tips Souths by 2.
ARANA v CENTENARY: Sunday August 25 3.45pm at Dawson Pde
First Round: Arana 26 def Centenary 18 Second Round: Centenary 20 def Arana 14
Head to Head 2001/2: Arana 1 Centenary 1
Last 3 Rounds: Arana: Easts W 30-18; Logan Bros L 18-30; Souths W 58-16
Centenary: Souths W 40-26; Redcliffe L 12-38; Redlands L 6-30
The last game of the regular season, with the earlier Easts/Logan Bros game determining the importance of this clash, as an unlikely Easts victory would open the door for Centenary to leapfrog Logan into the important 3rd position and the double-chance in the semis. Centenary's season seemed to be "slip-sliding away" after big losses to Redlands and Redcliffe then a poor first half against the Magpies, but they stormed home in the second half of that match to score a big win. They will be looking to take that form into this match against an Arana team that has a spot in the qualifying semi locked away, but will be looking to defend their impressive home record, with Redcliffe the only team to have beaten them at home (ironically twice) in the last 2 years. The two games between these teams this year have been entertaining encounters, and this should be no different.
"The Computer" tips Arana by 2.
Should be a great end to the season to Easts and Slacks Ck (and one of Souths or Redcliffe!), all the best in your final match.
Brad T
21/8/2002
