Wakefield Sports Clinic Div 7 Rd 17 preview

MITCHELL Park’s hopes of a top-three finish hinge on a couple of tough final minor round matches beginning with this week’s home encounter against second-placed Para Hills.

MITCHELL Park’s hopes of a top-three finish hinge on a couple of tough final minor round matches beginning with this week’s home encounter against second-placed Para Hills.

Currently third on the ladder, one win ahead of its closest opposition, even victory over the Big Reds on Saturday won’t seal the double chance for the Lions.

With superior percentage to Mitchell Park, victory over St Pauls OS by Tea Tree Gully this week would create an enthralling round 18 encounter to determine who snares the double chance.

However, the Lions cannot look past Para Hills, which beat its neighbours Tea Tree Gully by just five points after getting off to a quick start last week through the efforts of Jye Bailey, Lynton Power, Matt Travis and Shane Hanson.

Adam Halime, Stephen Tonkin, Brett Parker and Brandon Walczak from Mitchell Park will know early on that they face a more challenging opposition than last week’s lowly Flinders University, which they accounted for by a dominant 94 points.

Meanwhile, the Gullies are in a similar position, not able to look too far ahead because the Saints will be just as an imposing opponent this week.

Although St Pauls OS’s last round meeting is against present ladder leader Adelaide Lutheran, it could still claim the double chance itself with victory in both remaining fixtures.

However, gaining a psychological advantage over Tea Tree Gully will also be important to the Saints finals prospects moving ahead as they are likely to meet again in the coming weeks.

St Pauls OS’ Francesco Marafioti, David Kambach, Matt Rowson and Sean Bockman proved their worthiness of a top-five berth with an undeviating 36-point triumph over one-time finals contender Adelaide University, giving them belief that they can progress deeper into the premiership series.

Success this week would further enhance their confidence of being able to achieve that goal.

The curtain will fall on the Blacks’ season on Saturday, due to having the bye in the final round.

It will be a tough finale though as they host the top side at University Oval.

The Bulldogs are unlikely to be lenient on Adelaide University after showing no mercy for their

namesakes last week, defeating Central United by a frightening 127 points.

Adelaide Lutheran’s Tasman Hawthorne, Chris Scholefield, Shane Hickey and Scott Babolka are certainly looking ominous just before their assault on the flag truly comes to the fore.

In the meantime, they will be out to secure the top mantle of the Wakefield Sports Clinic Division seven competition this week.

The last game of the penultimate round will allow struggling outfits North Pines or Flinders University to savor one more moment of joy before disappointing seasons come to an end.

It will be an awkward bye for Central United this week just before lining up one more time for the year next week.