Hospital Cup: Road to the finals
By Adam Sheldon
With five rounds left in the regular season, the race to secure a top-four finish is nearing a critical point.
Brothers and Easts remain neck and neck at the top of the ladder, while Wests are charging towards August on the back of the competition’s best attack.
Meanwhile, the battle for fourth is wide open, with Souths holding the spot for now, but Bond, GPS, UQ and even Norths still in the mix.
Here’s how your side’s run to the finals looks:
1st – Brothers (50pts, +151) Wests (A), Bond (A), Easts (H), UQ (A), Souths (H)
Brothers have been chasing a rampant Easts side all year, but as of this week, they’re now leading the Hospital Cup for the first time this season. They look odds-on to secure a second straight minor premiership. However, Brothers play three top-four sides in the final five weeks, and a loss or two could leave the door open for Easts or Wests to steal top spot.
2nd – Easts (50pts, +128) UQ (A), Souths (H), Brothers (A), Sunnybank (H), GPS (A)
The Tigers have been the benchmark all season. They’ve got a tough finish, with three away games, including a final-round clash at GPS. But if they knock off Brothers in Round 16, they could most likely snatch the minor premiership. The game looms as crucial for both teams.
3rd – Wests (45pts, +197) Brothers (H), Sunnybank (H), GPS (A), Norths (H), BYE
No side has scored more points than the Bulldogs this year, and they’ll back themselves to go unbeaten at home over the next few weeks after winning their last six. If they can get past Brothers this weekend, they’re a huge chance to leapfrog into the top two and secure a vital second chance in the finals series.
4th – Souths (33pts, -6) Bond (H), Easts (A), UQ (H), BYE, Brothers (A)
Souths are clinging to fourth but have a brutal stretch ahead, with games against Easts and Brothers still to come. A win over Bond this weekend would be massive, but they’ll likely need at least one more win to hold onto a playoff spot.
5th – Bond (27pts, -12) Souths (A), Brothers (H), Sunnybank (A), GPS (H), Norths (A)
Bond have shown glimpses of finals-calibre footy but need a strong finish to get there. They’ll play two teams currently above them on the ladder. While Mick Heenan’s side is still in with a shot, the margin for error is slim.
6th – GPS (26pts, -107) BYE, Norths (H), Wests (H), Bond (A), Easts (H)
GPS will be glad to be back at home for three out of four of their remaining fixtures, with the run starting with a very winnable game against Norths. Unfortunately for Sio Kite’s team, that run also includes powerhouse sides Wests and Easts. Finals look unlikely.
7th – UQ (25pts, -131) Easts (H), BYE, Souths (A), Brothers (H), Sunnybank (A)
UQ’s inconsistent season continues, but remarkably, they’re not out of the race yet. If they can upset Easts this weekend – an unlikely proposition – the Students will stay in touch with the top four. UQ will realistically need to win at least three of their remaining fixtures to have a chance at finals.
8th – Norths (25pts, -80) Sunnybank (H), GPS (A), BYE, Wests (A), Bond (H)
Norths are on the outside looking in but still have a shot if they can string a few wins together. With easier fixtures remaining than GPS and UQ, Dan Ritchie’s side should finish higher than eighth. Although this inexperienced Norths outfit has had some impressive performances this season, finals qualification looks like a job for the next campaign.
9th – Sunnybank (20pts, -140) Norths (A), Wests (A), Bond (H), Easts (A), UQ (H)
The Dragons have played better than their record suggests, and for the most part have made opposition sides work hard for victories. Finals are not happening this season, but Sunnybank could play the role of spoiler down the stretch, with games against finals hopefuls Norths, Bond and UQ still to come.