TSL Ladder Predictor: Mercury football writers say where your team will finish in 2020

There is only two more weeks to go in the TSL home-and-away series, but the triumphs and tragedies aren’t done yet. Find out how your team will fare in the run to the finals >>

• Key onballer back for Pies as they face Lauderdale under lights at KGV
• Tigers win three in a row and down Clarence for the second time this season

WITH two weeks to go in the TSL season the fight to secure the last two places the top four goes into overdrive but one thing is for sure – North Launceston is in the box seat to win a record fourth consecutive flag and its sixth title in seven years.

The Northern Bombers are on top of the ladder, a game clear of their closest challenger and the TSL’s most-improved side this season, cross-town rival Launceston.

North Launceston’s final two games of the home-and-away should be wins against the Tigers at the Twin Ovals on Saturday and over Glenorchy at UTas a week later.

Football. Tasmanian State League grand final 2019. Lauderdale V North Launceston. Launceston North winners team picture. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

That will give them the minor premiership, two games clear of the Blues, who will finish second despite a possible upset loss to Clarence at Richmond Oval on Saturday.

Lauderdale’s match against Glenorchy at KGV tonight will decide who the Bombers play in the cutthroat coronavirus-shortened finals series, in which top plays fourth and second versus third, with both winners to meet in the grand final.

If Lauderdale, which has an atrocious record at KGV, beats the Pies, the Bombers will finish third and lock in a date with Launceston at Windsor Park.

If they lose and Clarence beats Launceston and North Hobart in its last two games, percentage will decide third and fourth, and who plays North Launceston at UTas for a place in the grand final.

Starting tonight, Glenorchy has three games to squeeze in over 10 days.

If the Pies can’t beat Lauderdale, they are in danger of ending the season without another win.

On Saturday, Glenorchy plays North Hobart at North Hobart Oval and the Demons are dangerous at home, and in the final round there will be no mercy shown by North Launceston at UTas.

Our prediction is that Tigers will finish fifth, Glenorchy sixth and North Hobart with the wooden spoon.

Originally published as TSL Ladder Predictor: Mercury football writers say where your team will finish in 2020