Just when it appeared as though the road towards this year’s finals was beginning to look clearer, a number of surprising results over the weekend have shaken things up dramatically. With four rounds remaining, Sydney Uni appear to be the only side almost certain of playing finals footy in 2018. Below the Students, seven sides will battle for the final five playoff spots and will all be eager to finish as high as they can on the ladder to secure home ground advantage during the opening fortnight of the finals. Sydney Uni are a win clear of second spot and after a bye next week, finish the year with matches against Souths, Randwick and Gordon. Even if Uni were to lose to Souths in round 16, you’d expect the Students to win their final two games and finish the regular season as minor premiers or in the top three at the very least. After that, it gets a little trickier. Following a bye, Norths are now second on 52 points but face a tough month of rugby in the weeks ahead.