I was a genius and posted this on the premier forum instead of the super league forum, cue the banter and ridicule!

It's finals time! A quick run-through of each team in the finals as well as who'll be versing who.

1st Grade

1st-Saints: Winning the league with 3 games remaining, finishing with the most goals and least goals conceded, they've had a great season. Since winning the league they have not won a game, will this form ruin their finals chances?

2nd-Redbacks: As consistent as always, a very strong team throughout the year and definitely deserve second place. Also going into the finals on a loss!

3rd-St Pats: Extremely inconsistent this year, not sure what happened, maybe players went away. But lucky to make the finals this year, let's hope they lift their game to make it interesting.

4th-Mac Dragons: 4th place coming in with the kick and chase tactic, can't see them making it into the final, but they've done well to finish 4th.

CHRISTIE PARK - 24th AUGUST 2:30 pm
Major Semi - Saints united vs Redbacks - Field 1
Knockout Semi - Mac Dragons vs St Pats - Field 2

Didn't watch many reserve grade games, maybe someone else can elaborate?

Kick and chase?! We’re offended!

Sorry "D", I've watched 4 of your games this year and that's what I've noticed! But hey, it works for you!

I'll take your word for it lol

We were the only team that played quality football. Unfortunately, we were a good side out of luck. The colonel has spoken #bowtothecolonel

Mark Clattenberg Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > For Ressies, most teams leading up to finals have > been pretty inconsistent with a lot of poor > performances. > > Epping Ressies have had 2 poor consecutive games > against Putney and Thornleigh. Albeit they won > against Putney in the last 2 minutes of the game, > they were at times completely outplayed and > out-strengthen in their midfield. Against Uni, > reports suggested they were poor in every > department. It was no lucky loss. They completely > deserved to lose the game. Morgan Ling is their > key man up front. If he's on his game, they will > surely win. Top goal-scorer for Epping this season > and he will need to be on his game against Uni. > > St Pats. had a nice victory against HFC. Much > needed given a recent dry form of results. Same > with Dragons. Both teams dropping points against > teams they completely dominated in the first > round. They lost last time to Epping 4-0. Surely > it won't be a walk in the park this time round. > Midfield will need to step up big time. > > Macquarie Dragons story in the second half of the > season is two fold. They play well the first half, > then drop off in the second half, allowing the > opposition to play right through them. A variety > of youth and experience that haven't completely > gelled together. A much needed bye will hopefully > fuel them up for a must-win game against Uni. > > Macquarie Uni are a mix bag. Lost humiliating to > Thornleigh 5-0 and St Pats. 4-0, edged Saints 3-2 > and then had an upset win against Epping where > they were comfortably the better side. Not sure > what you're going to see if you watch them. What about Firsts, Clats?

Will be an interesting finals series. Ryde Saints deserve to take it out on paper but finals football as we all know is a new ball game. I expect to see some surprises and will call a Ryde Saints - Dragons final only because of the form slump from Pats and Redbacks. If Pats had a goal machine No.9 I would have backed them to go all the way but they are good ball playing side with no real consistent end product.

They were the only 4 we did it!

For Ressies, most teams leading up to finals have been pretty inconsistent with a lot of poor performances. Epping Ressies have had 2 poor consecutive games against Putney and Thornleigh. Albeit they won against Putney in the last 2 minutes of the game, they were at times completely outplayed and out-strengthen in their midfield. Against Uni, reports suggested they were poor in every department. It was no lucky loss. They completely deserved to lose the game. Morgan Ling is their key man up front. If he's on his game, they will surely win. Top goal-scorer for Epping this season and he will need to be on his game against Uni. St Pats. had a nice victory against HFC. Much needed given a recent dry form of results. Same with Dragons. Both teams dropping points against teams they completely dominated in the first round. They lost last time to Epping 4-0. Surely it won't be a walk in the park this time round. Midfield will need to step up big time. Macquarie Dragons story in the second half of the season is two fold. They play well the first half, then drop off in the second half, allowing the opposition to play right through them. A variety of youth and experience that haven't completely gelled together. A much needed bye will hopefully fuel them up for a must-win game against Uni. Macquarie Uni are a mix bag. Lost humiliating to Thornleigh 5-0 and St Pats. 4-0, edged Saints 3-2 and then had an upset win against Epping where they were comfortably the better side. Not sure what you're going to see if you watch them.

Impartial Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Mark, what suspensions did the players from saints > and redbacks get from the big brawl? Will they be > playing finals? Saints player goes through GPT this week. Saints were telling me they had a good case of winning it given the nature of the incident (as far as they were concerned he just pushed him with a lot of force). It's whether or not he did anything post incident to incite a lengthy suspension. Redbacks have already got 2 of their players back (2 yellows so 1 week) and the other player is able to play next week (he was given a 3 match ban).

Mark, what suspensions did the players from saints and redbacks get from the big brawl? Will they be playing finals?

Dan b Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Mark Clattenberg Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > For Ressies, most teams leading up to finals > have > > been pretty inconsistent with a lot of poor > > performances. > > > > Epping Ressies have had 2 poor consecutive > games > > against Putney and Thornleigh. Albeit they won > > against Putney in the last 2 minutes of the > game, > > they were at times completely outplayed and > > out-strengthen in their midfield. Against Uni, > > reports suggested they were poor in every > > department. It was no lucky loss. They > completely > > deserved to lose the game. Morgan Ling is their > > key man up front. If he's on his game, they > will > > surely win. Top goal-scorer for Epping this > season > > and he will need to be on his game against Uni. > > > > St Pats. had a nice victory against HFC. Much > > needed given a recent dry form of results. Same > > with Dragons. Both teams dropping points > against > > teams they completely dominated in the first > > round. They lost last time to Epping 4-0. > Surely > > it won't be a walk in the park this time round. > > Midfield will need to step up big time. > > > > Macquarie Dragons story in the second half of > the > > season is two fold. They play well the first > half, > > then drop off in the second half, allowing the > > opposition to play right through them. A > variety > > of youth and experience that haven't completely > > gelled together. A much needed bye will > hopefully > > fuel them up for a must-win game against Uni. > > > > Macquarie Uni are a mix bag. Lost humiliating > to > > Thornleigh 5-0 and St Pats. 4-0, edged Saints > 3-2 > > and then had an upset win against Epping where > > they were comfortably the better side. Not sure > > what you're going to see if you watch them. > > What about Firsts, Clats? Hey mate, Regarding Firsts... Saints have got to be concerned dropping points in the last 3 weeks. I was present when they played against Dragons and they were stale (saying that Dragons were as well). They barely troubled the goalkeeper and struggled in the final 3rd. Interesting to see what happens with J.Laguazza to see how many games he's suspended for. He's a big loss. They other thing is, it's hard to judge their recent poor form due to the fact they did stack their Ressies, to see whether they had a chance to make finals. With Ressies out of the equation, they have a full squad so they can pick their best players and not have to worry about them being tired. Redbacks are a mix bag. So much potential yet they fall short in some games due to ill-discipline in behaviour but also trust in their game plan. They have quick forwards and their counter attack is the most dangerous in both PL and SL (apart from WPH maybe). They had a lot of first team players missing on the weekend and they brought up alot from Ressies. I'm assuming that majority of those players will be back for the weekend. All their suspended players are back from that shit-fest of a game. Whoever referee's that game is gonna have a hard job after what happened last time. Both teams surely won't be stupid enough to start a brawl again given that so much is on the line. I'm expecting a close 3-2 win to Saints. St. Pats are strange one. Alot of players away in majority of their games (potentially overseas). Their coach is facing GPT from reports I'm hearing due to bad language towards the referee. They had a player taken to hospital due to a horrific dangerous tackle from a HFC player on the weekend. N.Anderson, A.Funari and G.Sacco did not play and I believe if they all play, St. Pats are a much better team. Saying that you can rest those players against a meaningless HFC. Mac. Dragons played a lot of long ball against Saints due to not being able to get behind the Saints defence. Got 2 penalties and a nice lobbed finish from the left winger. They made 2 subs and played with more width and crosses were coming in, instead of trying to play off their striker. They were heavily frustrated with the referee which at times affected their discipline and space awareness in midfield. Coming off a fresh week of rest, they'll be recharged no doubt. Expecting a draw 1-1 or 2-2 at the end of 90 minutes.

Fair! What's the reason behind the saints player not being given a proper sentence yet? And wasn't that the redbacks players second red card (according to this forum)? thought it would be a bit more than 3 weeks considering he would have got 2-3 games the first time?

Pretty sure you bloke instigated the incident and deserves what he got. Absolute grub. Hope he gets the min 6 week ban for violent conduct.

reddies Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Pretty sure you bloke instigated the incident and > deserves what he got. > Absolute grub. > > Hope he gets the min 6 week ban for violent > conduct. He only got 2 weeks. Which means he plays on the weekend. Sucked in you grubs