NSWRL Junior Reps: Ladder, run home, finals predictions for Harold Matts, SG Ball, Tarsha Gale Cup

With two rounds left of the NSWRL junior reps season, we take a look at the run home of every finals contender, plus make our predictions on who will make the cut in Matts, Ball and Tarsha Gale.

The NSWRL junior reps run home.

THE race for the NSWRL junior representatives finals is well and truly on with two rounds left of play.

We take an updated look at the runs home of all clubs in contention to make the final six of the Harold Matthews, SG Ball and Tarsha Gale Cups.

HAROLD MATTHEWS

Currently there’s a three-way tie at the top of the standings between Canterbury, Parramatta and Canberra, with the trio dropping just one game so far.

A number of huge clashes will feature over the remaining weeks, headlined by the Raiders and Sharks this weekend, before Canberra backs up against Illawarra and Balmain the following fortnight.

The Penrith vs Parramatta fixture in round eight is a cracker, with the Roosters also needing to take down Newcastle to keep their slim hopes alive.

The Panthers have to face the top two sides in the last rounds, and need to win at least one of those to qualify for the post-season.

Cronulla should advance if it can win its final two games, while a perfect run home for the Knights has them in the box seat to leapfrog a few sides on the road home.

Predicted top six before round seven: Parramatta, Canterbury, Newcastle, Canberra, Cronulla, Balmain

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SG BALL

Canberra has set the benchmark in the SG Ball so far, winning all seven games and looking very impressive in the process.

There’s no reason to think their momentum will stop anytime soon.

A real logjam between second and fifth sees them separated by a solitary point, with Penrith and Parramatta to unite in round eight. The winner of this match will almost definitely finish in the top two.

Another fixture that will have a key bearing on the make-up of the final six is Newcastle and the Roosters in the same round.

Wests and the Roosters hold onto fifth and sixth.

The Bulldogs, Sharks, Warriors and Steelers are praying on upset results to bring down the Roosters or Magpies, with all teams trailing fifth by three or more points.

Predicted top six before round seven: Canberra, Penrith, Wests, Newcastle, Parramatta, Roosters

Samuel McCulloc scores for Cronulla in round six. Picture: Thomas Lisson

TARSHA GALE

A two-way tie between the undefeated Roosters Indigenous Academy and Canterbury sets up an interesting finish to the regular season.

Both teams have swept through their first six games to rank both one and two in attack and defence.

The pair will be heavily favoured to complete the regular season without loss, although the Roosters Indigenous side will face a heavy test against Newcastle in round eight.

The Knights have a three-point gap to fourth, and look set to lock up that spot with a very favourable run home.

That leaves the final three spots to come down to five teams, with the Steelers and Raiders are favoured after wins at the weekend.

The final spot could well come down to the round eight clash between Parramatta and Penrith, with the Panthers hitting form at the right time and the Panthers having to take on the Bulldogs in the last round.

Predicted top six before round seven: Roosters Indigenous, Canterbury, Newcastle, Illawarra, Canberra, Penrith

Sienna Limpic on the charge for Newcastle. Picture: Thomas Lisson