The Youth League Report (Division One Youth League) Pre-Finals Review

Regular readers will know that I am not in the business of making predictions so you won?t be seeing any here. My intention is to simply provide a realistic analysis of what the current situation looks like.
In the analysis of each age group I have provided as much information as possible such as the number of points each team has collected, the number of matches remaining in their season and the opponents they will face (with the catch-up games in italics) 
Club Championship 
Fraser Park (189 points) lead the way on this table by eight points and they have all five teams currently placed in the top five. They are under considerable pressure from second placed Sydney University (181) who have four teams in the top five. 
Camden Tigers (151) are thirty points further back and they have three teams in the top five while fourth placed Mt Druitt Town Rangers (135) are sixteen points astern of the Tigers with three teams in the top five.
Rockdale City Suns (126) are fifth and two of their teams are placed in the top five while sixth placed Hurstville City Minotaurs (118) have two teams in the top five.
St George (115) are placed seventh with two top five teams and eighth placed Gladesville Ryde Magic (107) have one top five team.
Stanmore Hawks (107) are in ninth position on goal difference and they have two teams in the top five while neither tenth placed Springwood (80) nor eleventh placed Hakoah (79) have any teams in the top five.
Hills Brumbies (74) are in twelfth position and one of their teams is placed in the top five.
Grade 13
This competition has reached a very interesting stage in that the current leaders have a healthy margin but there is still a bit to do. They can wrap up the Premiership on Saturday with a win or leave the door open with any other result.
No other top five team is safe in their current position and there is a danger that one or of them may not be there when the finals begin. Every result over the next few weeks will have an affect on the final look of the table.
Fraser Park (44 points and 4 matches to play) have a lead of seven points at the top of the table and they will be aware that the work is far from over as they can still be caught or passed if they are not careful. They have won three of their last four games.
Remaining matches: GRM, HB, HCM,  
Sydney University (37, 5) are the second team on the ladder and they will be very interested in collecting as many points as possible with the view of overhauling the leaders. They are unbeaten in their last nine games.
Remaining matches: CT, SH, GRM, HB plus STG
Rockdale City Suns (36, 4) are one point behind Uni in third place and they will most certainly be chasing the team ahead of them and also trying to prevent the team behind them gaining any ground. They have not lost in their last five games.
Remaining matches: MTD, S, H, CT
Hills Brumbies (33, 4) are placed fourth, three points behind the Suns. They, too, will be very conscious of the chances to progress up the table and/or to be caught from behind an so points will be precious for them. They have won three of their last four matches.
Remaining matches: HCM, FP, STG, SU
Mt Druitt Town Rangers (30, 5) are three points further back at fifth and they are another team under pressure from behind. They have recorded a win and a draw from their last four games.
Remaining matches: RCS, CT, SH, GRM plus S
Camden Tigers (27, 4) are sixth and three points behind the Rangers. They will be searching for points over the coming weeks as they strive to reach a place in the play-offs.
Remaining matches: SU, MTD, S, RCS
Hurstville City Minotaurs (23, 5) are four points astern of the Tigers at seventh and they have a task ahead of them if they are going to make it into the finals series. They have posted two draws from their last four games.
Remaining matches: HB, H, FP, STG plus STG
Springwood (23, 5) are eighth on goal difference and they will also be pushing hard for every point they can gather as they seek to gain a top five spot in the coming weeks. They have registered a win and a draw from their last four games.
Remaining matches: H, RCS, CT, SH plus MTD
St George (19, 6) are four points further back at ninth and they will be looking for loads of points from the coming matches if they are to have a hope of playing in the finals. Their last four games had yielded a win and two draws.
Remaining matches: SH, GRM, HB, HCM plus SU and HCM
Gladesville Ryde Magic (12, 4) are tenth and seven points further adrift. They cannot make it to the finals. They earned two wins and a draw from their last four games.
Remaining matches: FP, STG, SU, MTD
Hakoah (8, 4) are four points behind Magic at eleventh and they will not appear in the finals series. They have one draw to show for their last four games.
Remaining matches: S, HCM, RCS, FP
Stanmore Hawks (4, 4) are twelfth and four points further away. They will not be playing in the finals. They earned two draws from their last four games.
Remaining matches: STG, SU, MTD, S
Grade 14
This competition will probably go down to the wire, both in determining the Premiers and in deciding which of the teams will ply in the finals series. That means that the level of interest in every game result will be extremely high.
Fraser Park (34 points and four matches to play) are the competition frontrunners and they are three points ahead of their nearest rivals. They still have a bit to do as they will be feeling the pressure being applied by those behind them. They have won three of their last four games.
Remaining matches: GRM, HB, HCM, H
Stanmore Hawks (31, 4) are placed second and they will be waiting for the leaders to slip up in the closing weeks of the season so the can pounce. They have remained unbeaten in their last six games.
Remaining matches: STG, SU, MTD, S
Sydney University (30, 5) are one point behind the Hawks at third place and still close enough to take advantage of any error made by the leaders. They have produced two wins and a draw from their last four games.
Remaining matches: CT, SH, GRM, HB plus STG
Camden Tigers (30, 4) are in fourth position on goal difference and they are ready to make a move should anything hap-pen to the teams ahead of them. They have win and a draw to show for their last four games.
Remaining matches: SU, MTD, S, RCS
St George (29, 5) are one point further back in fifth place and they will certainly be pushing hard to at least maintain that position over the coming weeks. They have won their last four games.
Remaining matches: SH, GRM, HB, HCM plus SU
Hurstville City Minotaurs (28, 4) are sixth and one point behind the Saints. Every point they can earn from here on in will be very important to them as they strive to secure a place in the play-offs. They have won three of their last four games.
Remaining matches: HB, H, FP, STG
Rockdale City Suns (26, 4) are two points further back at seventh and they will be regarding every point as precious as they try to earn a place in the finals series. They have won only one of their last four games.
Remaining matches: MTD, S, H, CT
Mt Druitt Town Rangers (23, 5) are eighth and three points behind the Suns. They have an outside chance of making the finals if they can string together some very good results and combine that with a bit of luck. They have produced a win and a draw from their last four games.
Remaining matches: RCS, CT, SH, GRM plus S
Hakoah (21, 4) are two points astern of the Rangers at ninth and they need to win all their remaining games and receive an amazing run of luck if they are going to make the cut. They have posted three draws in their last four games.
Remaining matches: S, HCM, RCS, FP
Gladesville Ryde Magic (20, 4) are one point further back at tenth and they cannot reach the finals. They have won of their last four games.
Remaining matches: FP, STG, SU, MTD
Springwood (15, 5) are in eleventh position and five points behind Magic. They will not be playing in the finals. They have won one o their last four games.
Remaining matches: H, RCS, CT, SH plus MTD
Hills Brumbies (7, 4) are eight points further back at twelfth and they will not be appearing in the finals. They have registered a win and a draw from their last four games.
Remaining matches: HCM, FP, STG, SU
Grade 15
The current leaders till have a bit to do before they can be crowned Premiers and it is certain that others will try to have something to say about that.
None of the other members of the current top five is safe and therefore there is bound to be plenty of action in every single one of the matches yet to be played.
Fraser Park (44, 4) are nine points clear at the top of the table but they are not able to claim the crown as Premier just yet. Depending on the results they may be able to do so in a week or two. They have not tasted defeat in this very successful season.
Remaining matches: GRM, HB, HCM, H
Hurstville City Minotaurs (35, 4) are in second spot and there is no doubt that they will be looking for loads more points given their remote chance of catching the leaders and the pressure they will be feeling from the teams behind them. They have won four of their last five games.
Remaining matches: HB, H, FP, STG
Camden Tigers (33, 5) are two points behind the Minotaurs in third place and they will be looking for an upward move in the coming weeks and the points they can gather will protect them from the teams coming from behind. Their unbeaten run of ten games ended with last week?s loss.
Remaining matches: SU, MTD, S, RCS plus GRM
Rockdale City Suns (32, 5) are only one point behind the Tigers at fourth and they will also be keen to collect points over the next few weeks, if only to consolidate their place in the finals. They have two wins to show from their last four games.
Remaining matches: MTD, S, H, CT plus H
Mt Druitt Town Rangers (29, 5) are fifth and three points to the rear of the Suns. The acquisition of points will be important for them as they not only have a chance of climbing to a higher position but they also need to ward off the teams behind them. They have recorded two wins from their last four games.
Remaining matches: RCS, CT, SH, GRM plus S
Sydney University (26, 5) are three points behind the Rangers at sixth and they will be pushing hard for every point they can get as they are in a good position to pounce should the Rangers slip up. Their last four games have yielded two wins and a draw.
Remaining matches: CT, SH, GRM, HB plus STG
Gladesville Ryde Magic (26, 5) are seventh on goal difference and they will also be looking for as many points as they can gather with the sole aim of moving up the table. They have not been beaten in their last six games.
Remaining matches: FP, STG, SU, MTD plus CT
Stanmore Hawks (23, 5) are three points further back at eighth and they will need a string of good results and a big slice of luck if they are to make it to the play-offs. They have one only one of their last four games.
Remaining matches: STG, SU, MTD, S plus H
Springwood (17, 5) are six points behind the Hawks at ninth and they cannot reach the finals. They have registered two wins and a draw from their last four games.
Remaining matches: H, RCS, CT, SH plus MTD
Hakoah (11, 6) are six points further adrift at tenth and they will not be playing in the finals. They have lost their last four games.
Remaining matches: S, HCM, RCS, FP plus SH, RCS
St George (6, 5) are five points further back at eleventh and they cannot reach the finals. They have won one of their last four games.
Remaining matches: SH, GRM, HB, HCM plus SU
Hills Brumbies (6, 4) are twelfth on goal difference and they won?t be appearing in the finals. They have lost their last four games.
Remaining matches: HCM, FP, STG, SU
Grade 16
The top two teams will fight it out for the Premiership title and that will be a fascinating tussle in its own right.
Then the next eight teams will be engaged in a cat-and-mouse game to secure the remaining places in the finals and there will be plenty of interest in the outcome of every match. .
St George (38 points and 5 games to play) are the competition leaders and they are only one point ahead of the nearest rivals. Continuing good form will be essential if they are to retain the top spot on the table. Their unbeaten run of nine matches ended with last week?s loss.
Remaining matches: SH, GRM, HB, HCM plus SU
Sydney University (37, 5) are in second place and they are applying extreme pressure to the leaders. They are perfectly positioned to grab the number one position should the Saints falter. Their clash in an upcoming catch-up match should be interesting.  They have not been beaten in their last seven games.
Remaining matches: CT, SH, GRM, HB plus STG
Fraser Park (31, 4) are six points behind Uni at third and they will not be giving up the chase any time soon as it s still possible for them to catch up. They, too, are under pressure from behind. They have not tasted defeat in their last six games.
Remaining matches: GRM, HB, HCM, H
Hurstville City Minotaurs (31, 4) are placed fourth on goal difference and certainly looking for the best possible finish to their season including an upward move on the table. They have not lost any of their last six games.
Remaining matches: HB, H, FP, STG
Stanmore Hawks (26, 5) are five points further back at fifth and they will be very aware of the need to continue to collect points because there a lots of threats coming from behind them. They have posted a win and a draw from their last four games.
Remaining matches: STG, SU, MTD, S plus H
Camden Tigers (25, 5) are sixth and only one point behind the Hawks so points are vital to them if they are to rise to a place in the play-offs and to repel the teams behind them. They have registered a win and a draw from their last four games.
Remaining matches: SU, MTD, S, RCS plus GRM
Hakoah (23, 6) are two points behind the Tigers at seventh and they are another team that will be chasing loads of points over the coming weeks in an effort to secure a place in the finals. They have a win and a draw to show for their last four games.
Remaining matches: S, HCM, RCS, FP plus SH, RCS
Mt Druitt Town Rangers (20, 5) are eighth and three points further back. It is still possible for them to reach the finals with a string of good results and a slice of good luck. Their last four games have yielded a win and two draws.
Remaining matches: RCS, CT, SH, GRM plus S
Gladesville Ryde Magic (19, 5) are only one point behind the Rangers at ninth and they will need a few wins and a chunk of luck if they are to make through to the play-offs. They have won one of their last four games.
Remaining matches: FP, STG, SU, MTD plus CT
Rockdale City Suns (19, 5) are tenth on goal difference and they can still qualify for the finals if the results and luck goes their way in large measure. They have produced a win and two draws from their last four games.
Remaining matches: MTD, S, H, CT plus H
Springwood (8, 5) are eleven points astern of the Suns and they will not play in the finals. They have lost their last four games.
Remaining matches: H, RCS, CT, SH plus MTD
Hills Brumbies (7, 4) are twelfth, a point further back and they will not be seen in the finals. They have a win and a draw to show for their last four games.
Remaining matches: HCM, FP, STG, SU
Grade 18
The race for the Premiership is well and truly over but there is till plenty to play for as the next seven teams enter into combat for the four remaining places in the top five.
Sydney University (51 points and 5 matches to play) have already claimed the title as Premiers and so congratulations go to them. They have not dropped a single point so far this season and if they can maintain that form they will only be the second team to have achieved a perfect season.
Remaining matches: CT, SH, GRM, HB plus STG
Camden Tigers (36, 5) are in second spot and in need of points over the coming weeks if they are to repel the challenges thrown down by those behind them. Their six game winning streak came to an end with last week?s loss. 
Remaining matches: SU, MTD, S, RCS plus GRM
Fraser Park (36, 4) are third on goal difference and they are certain to be wanting the maximum points from the coming matches if they are to overhaul the Tigers. They have won three of their last four games.
Remaining matches: GRM, HB, HCM, H
Mt Druitt Town Rangers (33, 5) are three points further back at fourth and they will be looking for ways to move up the table in the coming weeks through some good results. They have won three of their last five games.
Remaining matches: RCS, CT, SH, GRM plus S
Gladesville Ryde Magic (30, 5) are in fifth position and three points to the rear of the Rangers. While they are not under any immediate pressure from those behind them, they will want to ensure that there is no change to that situation. They have posted five wins and a draw from their last seven games.
Remaining matches: FP, STG, SU, MTD plus CT
St George (23, 5) are seven points further back at sixth and they have a power of work to do if they are to reach the finals. They not only need a truckload of points but they also need at least one of the teams ahead of them to falter badly. They have registered two wins and a draw from their last four games.
Remaining matches: SH, GRM, HB, HCM plus SU
Stanmore Hawks (23, 5) are seventh on goal difference and they will also be chasing lots of wins and a great chunk of luck to make it to the play-offs. Their last four games have produced two wins and a draw.
Remaining matches: STG, SU, MTD, S plus H
Hills Brumbies (21, 4) are two points further adrift at eighth and while it is unlikely, they have a chance of qualifying for the play-offs. They would need near-maximum points and a lot of good fortune to do that. They have posted two draws from their last five games.
Springwood (17, 5) are ninth and four points further away so they will not be seen in the finals. They have a win and four draws to sho for their last seven games.
Remaining matches: H, RCS, CT, SH plus MTD
Hakoah (16, 6) are a point further away at tenth and they will not appear in the finals. They have lost six of their last seven games.
Remaining matches: S, HCM, RCS, FP plus SH, RCS
Rockdale City Suns (13, 5) are in eleventh position and three points behind Hakoah so they cannot reach the finals. They have won two of their last four games.
Remaining matches: MTD, S, H, CT plus H
Hurstville City Minotaurs (1, 4) are a dozen points behind the Suns in twelfth position. They have not won a game.
Remaining matches: HB, H, FP, STG
-By Barry Davis