ARANA (3rd) v Norths (9th): Friday May 9 8.15pm at Dawson Pde
Last Encounter: none
Head to Head 2001/2: none
Last 3 Games: Arana: Redlands L 22-24; Souths W 44-0; bye; Holy Spirit W 44-0
Norths: Redcliffe L 16-24; Redlands L 6-36; Souths L 22-32
For the first time in 3 years, Arana will take the field without Alex T, the only player not to have missed a game since the start of the U13s with the Panthers. No doubt the rest of the side will be keen to protect Arana's great home ground record in his absence, but will not be able to take it easy against the improving Norths combination. Plenty of Met North players head to head in this match - should be a good game.
"The Computer" tips Arana by 18.
EASTS (6th) v SOUTHS (4th): Friday May 9 8.15pm at Scott Park
Last Encounter: 2002 Round 17: Souths 34 def Easts 10
Head to Head 2001/2: Souths 3 Easts 0
Last 3 Games: Easts: bye; Holy Spirit W 26-12; Centenary L 4-26; Redcliffe L 16-20
Souths: Logan Bros W 36-26; Arana L 0-44; Norths W 32-22
Nearly a matter of which Souths team will turn up for this one!! After being hammered by Arana 2 games back the Magpies came out and beat Logan Bros on Sunday. If they can take this form on the road they should be too strong for the Tigers, although the home side will be fresh from the bye and are definitely an improved side on last season.
"The Computer" tips Souths by 8.
LOGAN BROS (2nd) v REDLANDS (1st): Sunday May 11 12.15pm at Civic Pk
Last Encounter: 2002 Round 17: Redlands 26 def Logan Bros 22
Head to Head 2001/2: Redlands 5 Logan Bros 1
Last 3 Games: Logan Bros: Souths L 26-36; bye; Holy Spirit W 24-10; Centenary W 24-14
Redlands: Arana W 24-22; Norths W 36-6; Redcliffe W 24-20
Still the top two clashing here, but last week most thought it would be the undefeated top two this week, until Souths crashed Logan Bros party on Sunday! In hindsight perhaps the writing was on the wall, as in the two matches before the bye, Logan Bros had failed to put away Holy Spirit and Centenary when a big score seemed possible at half time. Plenty of rivalry between these two teams although between them they will make up the bulk of the Met Easts team the following week. The move of Vaughan from Logan Bros to Redlands and Mosa the other way adds a little more spice to this clash. May be decided by who does or doesn't play for each side in the end, with players not wishing to risk niggling injuries this close to the state titles.
"The Computer" tips Redlands by 6.
HOLY SPIRIT (8th) v REDCLIFFE (5th): Sunday May 11 12.30pm at Francis Rd
Last Encounter: 2002 Round 5: Redcliffe 60 def Holy Spirit 0
Head to Head 2001/2: Redcliffe 3 Holy Spirit 1
Last 3 Games: Holy Spirit: Centenary D 28-28; Easts L 12-26; Logan Bros L 10-24
Redcliffe: Norths W 24-16; Centenary W 24-12; Redlands L 20-24
Redcliffe have finally hit their straps in the last couple of weeks, getting back to something like one would expect from the Dolphins. Holy Spirit put in a gutsy performance against Logan Bros in the second half, but probably would have been a bit disappointed in their last 2 results, despite picking up a dra against Centenary last week. The class of Redcliffe's rep players should see them home in this one.
"The Computer" tips Redcliffe by 12.
CENTENARY (7th) have a bye.
