Only 3 rounds to go in the BJRL U13 Junior A Competition and the race for semi-final spots is well and truly on. The current table sees Redlands on 32 pts, Redcliffe on 29, Logan and Arana on 21 (Logan have a 49 point for and against advantage), Holy Spirit 16, Souths 15, Aspley 10 and Wynnum 0.
All games last weekend had a critical impact on the semis - Arana's win over Spirit ensured the worst Arana can do is a playoff for fifth, and gave Souths the opportunity to move into the five for the first time this year. Later that night Redlands ensured they would remain at least 3 points clear at the top of the table with a win over Aspley - this win finally extinguished Aspley's hope of the making the semis, at least a mathematical possibility before Friday's loss. On Saturday, Redcliffe kept alive their hopes of snatching the minor premiership from Redlands with a demolition job on the winless Wynnum. Knowing that a win would catapult them into the top five, Souths started brilliantly against Logan Brothers dashing away to lead 16-0 early and 22-12 at halftime. Logan Brothers dominated the second half however, and retained third spot on averages with their 44-32 win.
There certainly should be some interesting games over the next 3 weeks; Here is what each of the finals contenders faces (Clashes between teams in semis contention highlighted in yellow):
Team Pts F-A Round 19 Round 20 Round 21
Redlands 32pts +398 Wynnum(H) R'cliffe(H) Logan(A)
Redcliffe 29pts +379 Spirit(H) Redlands(A) Souths(H)
Logan 21pts +143 Aspley(H) Wynnum(A) Redlands(H)
Arana 21pts + 96 Souths(H) Aspley(A) Wynnum(H)
Spirit 16pts - 84 R'cliffe(A) Souths(A) Aspley(H)
Souths 15pts -170 Arana(A) Spirit(H) R'cliffe(A)
On paper Arana have the easiest draw, playing Souths at home, then the 2 teams out of finals contention, but of course games aren't won on paper, they are won on the field, and Arana will have to continue their good form of last week if they are to be any chance of knocking Logan out of third place and get the "double chance" in the semis. Logan also play the two teams out of semis contention, but their "crunch" game will be their final round home match against current leaders Redlands. This game may even decide the minor premiership as Redcliffe could still be a chance if they can get over the top of Redlands for the first time this year in the round 20 "top of the table" confrontation at Pinklands. Irrespective it seems likely that the Logan/Redlands game will decide Arana's final finishing position unless Arana can overhaul Logan's "for and against" lead in the meantime, a very difficult task.
The two teams battling for 5th place - Souths and Holy Spirit - play in round 20 although Spirit's marginally easier draw sees them holding the box seat to grab the final semi position, irrespective of the result of the game between the two teams. Ironically, Holy Spirit have had a win and a loss against each of the 3 teams they have yet to play, with Souths having had a win and a loss against Arana and Holy Spirit and a draw and a loss against Redcliffe - trying to pick 5th place is therefore very much a lottery!!
In summary, the battle is really on for 1st, 3rd and 5th - Redlands and Redcliffe for 1st; Logan Bros and Arana for 3rd; and Holy Spirit and Souths for 5th. 1st brings the prestige of the minor premiership and the first week of the semis off; 3rd the "double" chance" in the semis; and 5th the chance to at least play in September!!
The next three weeks should certainly be very interesting - may the best teams win!!!
(ps. and don't forget to vote in the Arana poll with your guesses for 1st, 3rd and 5th!!!)
