The 2015 Intrust Shute Shield finalists have been decided, with Manly, Eastwood, Southern Districts, Warringah, Sydney University and Randwick all in the race for this year’s premiership.

In week one of the finals the top ranked team plays the 6th ranked team, the 2nd ranked team plays the 5th ranked team and the 3rd ranked team plays the 4th ranked team.

Whilst the format has been finalised, exactly who each team faces in the opening week of this year’s finals is still very much up in the air.

We’ve done our best to explain how this weekend’s results can alter the opening weekend of this year’s playoffs.

We apologise in advance.

Manly (1st, 72pts)

If Manly beat Randwick or Eastwood lose to Warringah, they will claim the minor premiership and host the Galloping Greens again at Manly Oval just seven days later.

If Manly lose to Randwick and Eastwood beat Warringah, the Marlins will finish second and host:

– Randwick; if Uni win and Randwick claim a bonus point.

– Warringah; if Uni lose, Randwick claim a bonus point and Warringah don’t claim a bonus point.

Eastwood (2nd, 70pts)

If Eastwood beat Warringah and Manly lose to Randwick, Eastwood will claim the minor premiership and host:

– Randwick; if Sydney Uni win and Warringah claim at least a bonus point.

– Sydney Uni; if Sydney Uni lose to Norths.

– Warringah; if Sydney Uni win and Randwick beat Manly with a bonus point.

If Eastwood lose to Warringah or if Manly beat Randwick, Eastwood will finish second and host Sydney Uni.

Southern Districts (3rd, 61pts)

Regardless of Southern Districts result against West Harbour, the Rebels will finish third unless Warringah beat Eastwood by 70+ points.

Presuming Southern Districts finish third, they will host:

– Warringah; if Warringah beat Eastwood or if Sydney Uni and Randwick both lose.

– Sydney Uni; if Warringah lose and Sydney Uni win.

– Randwick; if Randwick beat Manly with a bonus point, Sydney Uni lose and Warringah lose to Eastwood without claiming a bonus point.

Warringah (4th, 56pts)

If Warringah can beat Eastwood by 70+ points this weekend, they can finish third and host a match in the opening week of the finals. For the purpose of the exercise and my sanity, let’s presume that won’t happen this weekend.

If Warringah beat Eastwood or if Sydney Uni and Randwick both lose, the Rats will travel to Forshaw to play Southern Districts in week one.

If Warringah lose to Eastwood, they will play away against:

– Eastwood; if Sydney Uni win or if Manly lose and Randwick claim a bonus point.

– Manly; if Manly lose to Randwick but don’t claim a bonus point. 

Sydney University (5^th, 53pts)

If Sydney Uni beat Norths, they will play Southern Districts if Warringah lose or Eastwood, if Warringah win.

If Sydney Uni lose to Norths, they will play Eastwood if Manly win or Manly if both Eastwood and Manly both lose.

Randwick (6^th, 52pts)

If Randwick beat Manly, Randwick will play:

– Eastwood; if Eastwood and Sydney Uni win and Warringah claim at least a bonus point.

– Manly; If Eastwood lose and Sydney Uni win.

– Southern Districts, if they claim a bonus point and Warringah and Sydney Uni both lose (Warringah without a bonus point).

If Randwick lose to Manly, they will play Manly in week one.

Confused yet?