It seems that the final five will be all wrapped up after this given results go the way of the top five teams.
If Busselton beats Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault in this game (which they would very much intend to do) and Collie loses to the in-form Carey Park, then the final five will be settled.
But stranger things have happened, and an upset going against Busselton isn’t off the cards here.
It’s always said that confidence goes a long way in a young group and HBL will be bursting with it after a 50 plus point win over their rivals the Harvey Bulls last week.
On the other end of the spectrum, Busselton went down to the third placed Eaton last week managing only 41 points for the game.
However it’s been seen time and time again this year that Busselton will crumble against quality opposition and then turn the tide next week to smoulder a cellar-dweller.
Judging this game on factors like star talent, ladder position and the ability to run out a full game, Busselton ticks all the boxes.
But it is the back end of the home and away season and we’ve seen some funny things happening.
I’m going to tip Busselton in this game as any sensible tipster should.
Their midfield is bigger, faster, more skilful and much more experienced than HBL’s.
But this match is one where you have to give some sway to the factors outside of tactics and ability.
If HBL can come out with a good intent and win the one-on-one contests around the ground, they can pull off an upset and keep the finals race very interesting.
Collie will definitely be rooting for HBL in this game.
Prediction: Busselton by 35 points.
The turnaround of South Bunbury in the second half of the season has been nothing short of phenomenal.
A lot of the news has been centred on the recruiting coup that saw Adam Hunter back in the red and white, but credit has to be given to each and every player in this outfit.
Nine rounds ago when these sides last met the result was a tie, which at the time was a better result for South Bunbury than it was for Eaton.
The Tigers were a side that looked to be just outside the class of the top two in Eaton and Bunbury, so a tie game on their behalf was acceptable.
Since then South Bunbury’s lowest winning margin has been 31 points, a win that came against a side that was on top of the ladder.
The tables have definitely turned and it now seems that both Bunbury and Eaton are far from the class South Bunbury brings to the table.
If there was ever a time that the Boomers needed to show they can still perform at the level they did in 2013, it is this game.
Eaton may not fall from third spot for the remainder of the year so ladder position is something they shouldn’t have to worry about, but momentum means a lot going into the finals.
Nothing like beating a rampaging South Bunbury team to get momentum back on your side, right?
Granted it’s easier said than done, but pulling it off would remind opposing teams just how good Eaton can be.
This game should be closer and more contested than last week’s matchup between Bunbury and South Bunbury.
Both teams like to move the ball quick with precise skills and avoid the wings if possible.
That makes it a simple equation; whichever team turns the ball over the most, loses.
For me, that’s Eaton.
With all due respect to the talent on Eaton’s roster, South Bunbury is up and roaring and I don’t think anyone can stop them.
Prediction: South Bunbury by 26 points.
From a top three clash to a bottom three clash, this match won’t pose the same level of football as the South Bunbury/Eaton game but it could end in a close affair.
Both suffered hefty losses last week and both have had continuous trouble getting their best 22 players on the ground.
Looking at the two, they make up very similar football sides.
Midfield talent is good but certainly not great and they both have a restricted amount of threats in the forward line.
The only difference looks to be in the backlines of the two.
Augusta-Margaret River doesn’t seem to have the strength in their defensive 50 that Harvey has.
Albeit they are young players, but Harvey’s back flank and back pocket players run the ball out well with the help of star backman Brett Lofthouse.
Another factor we have to account for in this one is travel.
AMR has to undergo the longest trip of their season to arrive in Harvey and when two of the lower sides clash that can definitely play a part.
Given where the teams started at the beginning of the season and the potential of players they have had throughout the year, AMR has probably shown more positives than the Bulls.
Harvey has had more talent come through their roster than the Hawks this year but only sit one game above them.
Based on the talent both of these rosters have at the moment, Harvey wins, but only just.
Prediction: Harvey by 8 points.
If there is one team in this competition that can be looked at to shake things up just as they seem settled, it’s Collie.
In form that is far from acceptable lately, Collie sits six premiership points outside of the five with three rounds to go.
The only way for Collie to make the finals from here is to get a two game jump on Busselton.
This means if Collie is to lose this game, they must win their next two and hope Busselton loses their remaining three.
Or Collie can win all three of their remaining games and hope Busselton only loses one.
Given the form of Carey Park since the Landmark carnival break, Collie best be praying Busselton loses this week.
It seems highly unlikely that Collie will cause an upset in this match, having to play Carey Park away from home.
The Panthers post-two week break form has been astounding, knocking off both Bunbury and Eaton on their way to a top four berth.
Collie on the other hand has been extremely disappointing since the middle stages of the season.
The pickup of Reece Richardson has gone a long way to strengthening Carey Park’s midfield while players like Brayden Lawler and Viv Blurton can continue to be counted on.
Underestimating Collie would be detrimental for Carey Park.
The Eagles also pose a midfield that can cause headaches for the opposition, but only when they come to play.
Lately, the Eagles haven’t come to play.
If that continues, expect a big win for the Panthers that could possibly spell game over for Collie.
Prediction: Carey Park by 45 points.
Always a day for SWFL fans to mark on their calendar, the Peter Betti Memorial Cup match will be played in Donnybrook this weekend.
Although this game may not shape up as well as others this round, you can count on a fiery affair.
Whether it’s raw talent or a terrible temper, this match seems to bring out something in every player.
However it seems the majority of the raw talent is stacked up on Bunbury’s side in this clash.
Bunbury has been in and out of form since their loss to Carey Park and they have now dropped from first on the ladder.
Bouncing back with a huge win here becomes the number one priority for the Bulldogs at this point in time which is a very achievable goal.
The race from here becomes very interesting and Bunbury will want as much momentum as they can gather going forward.
Marc Re will look to terrorise the Donnybrook backline and if Aidan Parker’s form stays as it is then a big score is on the cards for the Bulldogs.
Winning it out of the middle will be Donnybrook’s first task with Jason Brennan, Simon Parry and Curtis Guglielmana on deck.
However stopping the likes of Jesse Gribble, Grady Byrne and Cam Lamonica will make that a difficult job for the Dons.
Bunbury will be looking to overcome the Dons comfortably here and move on to next round.
Prediction: Bunbury by 85 points.
