by Paul Cook - ********************** THE WARM-UP: ********************** With Brisbane City and UC Vikings having already cemented the top two spots on the ladder a week earlier, there were a potential five teams playing for the two remaining finals spots before a ball was kicked in the final round of the regular season. But with Saturday’s results pushing both Perth Spirit and North Harbour Rays out of the equation, only NSW Country Eagles stood between the Rising and the Stars’ hopes of at least another week’s footy. A win for the Stars would send Rising to an early Mad Monday, while victory for the Melburnians by 8pts or more would render the Stars’ 2015 season over and out. However, a bonus point loss for the Sydneysiders would take both teams forward at the expense of the Eagles. But with the Stars having leaked 166pts in their last three games, that couldn’t happen, could it…? ********************** THE BREAKDOWN: ********************** Rising got off to the positive