2003_1_Preview

ARANA v SPRINGWOOD: Wednesday April 21 7.30pm at Dawson Pde

PREMIERSHIP ODDS: Arana: Steady at 3/1 ($4.00); Springwood: Steady at 7/2 ($4.50)

Last Encounter: 2003 Prelim Final: Redlands 22 def Arana 16

Head to Head 2001/3: Redlands 9 Arana 4

Last 3 Games: Arana: Norths L 8-22; Centenary W 12-10; Logan Bros W 30-10

Springwood: Redcliffe L 12-16; Easts W 50-6; Souths W 32-28

Both sides lost last week, Arana to a more committed hard-hitting Norths outfit, and Springwood to a last minute try by Redcliffe. It is unusual for these 2 sides to meet with both coming off a loss so it adds a little more spice to what have always been spirited encounters. Redlands knocked Arana out of the playoffs last year after the Panthers led 12-0 at half-time in a spectacular Preliminary Final so they will be looking for revenge here. Should be an entertaining match, with Arana's proud home record perhaps the difference.

"The Computer" tips Arana by 4.

REDCLIFFE v EASTS: Friday April 16 8.00pm at Dolphin Oval

PREMIERSHIP ODDS: Redcliffe: 4/1 ($5.00) in from 5/1 ($6.00); Easts: Steady at 20/1 ($21.00)

Last Encounter: 2003 Finals Week 2: Redcliffe 14 def Easts 12

Head to Head 2001/3: Redcliffe 4 Easts 2

Last 3 Games: Redcliffe: Springwood W 16-12; Norths L 26-30; Centenary L 22-23

Easts: Souths W 32-6; Springwood L 6-50; Norths L 24-44

Another match where a team faces the side that knocked it out of last year's finals - this time it was Redcliffe who scored a controversial 14-12 win at Suncorp to end the Tiger's 2003 challenge. Easts have proved a real handful for the Dolphins and as well as racking up 2 wins, have also gone down narrowly on a couple of occasions. Every Redcliffe game this year has gone down to the wire and on history this could happen again, however the Dolphin side looks a little more formidable this year and, despite Easts good win last week over Souths, Redcliffe should take care of the Tigers comfortably.

"The Computer" tips Redcliffe by 12.

SOUTHS v CENTENARY: Sunday April 18 12.15pm at Brandon Park

PREMIERSHIP ODDS: Souths: Steady at 33/1 ($34.00); Centenary: Steady at 4/1 ($5.00)

Last Encounter: 2003 Round 9: Souths 30 def Centenary 24

Head to Head 2001/3: Centenary 3 Souths 2

Last 3 Games: Souths: Easts L 6-32; Logan Bros L 10-48; Springwood L 28-32

Centenary: Logan Bros D 20-20; Arana L 10-12; Redcliffe W 23-22

These two teams have not met since Round 9 of last year as Centenary had to forfeit their scheduled last match of the season against the Magpies. Like Redcliffe all of Centenary's matches have been decided by 6 points or less and they will be looking to have this game in the bag well before the final hooter. Over the years however Souths have proven a difficult team to overcome at Brandon Park and despite languishing at the bottom of the table they will be looking for a repeat of last year's victory over Centenary.

"The Computer" tips Centenary by 16.

LOGAN BROS v NORTHS: Sunday April 18 2.45pm at Civic Park

PREMIERSHIP ODDS: Logan Bros: 3/1 ($4.00) out from 5/2 ($3.50); Norths: 7/2 ($4.50) in from 4/1 ($5.00)

Last Encounter: 2003 Round 18: Logan Bros 28 def Norths 10

Head to Head 2001/3: Logan Bros 2 Norths 0

Last 3 Games: Logan Bros: Centenary D 20-20; Souths W 48-10; Arana L 10-30

Norths: Arana W 22-8; Redcliffe W 30-26; Easts W 44-24

What an interesting match up this is. Logan Bros were the pre-season favourites but are languishing in 6th whilst Norths are bowling along as undefeated competition leaders after hammering Arana last start. A Sunday afternoon trip to Civic Park is one of the hardest tasks in this competition though and the Devils will have to be right on their game to maintain their winning record. Logan Bros have been very erratic, putting together good halves (they have won at least one half in every game they've played) but have been unable to maintain a 60 minute effort. This one could go either way.

"The Computer" tips Norths by 6.