The Youth League Report (Super Youth League) Pre-Finals Preview

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
While the current leaders have a handy margin, they will know that they will need to go on with the job if they are to claim the crown. There are plenty of clubs who would love to see the Eagles stumble, if only because it would give them the opportunity to overtake Parramatta.
PCYC Parramatta (168 points) are thirteen points clear at the top of the table but that is not enough to be sure of claiming the Club Championship at this stage so they still have plenty of work to do.
Dulwich Hill (155) are in second spot and clearly within striking distance of the top position with several games yet to be played.
Central Coast Lightning (149) are only six points further back at third and they will be looking for lots of points over the next four weeks to make up the leeway.
Western Panthers (142) are fourth and twenty-six points off the pace and Northern Tigers (134) are eight points further back at fifth while Spirit FC (132) are sixth and two points behind the Tigers.
Competition newcomers Blacktown Spartans (120) have done well to be placed seventh on goal difference and Macarthur Rams (120) are right on their heels in eighth position.
While they are a fair way back, there is not much between the next three clubs. Schofields Scorpions (77) are in ninth place, Granville Rage (75) are tenth and Sydney Wanderers (74) are in eleventh position.
Twelfth placed Southern NSW (41) have the disadvantage of playing only four matches each week and they are a long way back.
Grade 13
The battle for the Premiership is down to the top four teams although the top two must be favoured because they have been engaged in a neck-and-neck tussle or the better part of the season. The other two teams have secured their places in the play-offs.
Fifth place is still up or grabs and while it appears to be a battle between two teams, a closer inspection reveals that it is still remotely possible for one of the lower placed teams to earn a spot.
PCYC Parramatta (45 points and 4 matches to play) are the competition frontrunners by a margin of three points and they are under constant pressure from behind so every point is important to them. They have won three of their last four matches.
Remaining matches: SS, WP, SW, BS
Central Coast Lightning (42, 5) are in second spot and they have been causing concern for the current leaders all season. They will be keenly chasing every point they can get their hands on. They have won their last seven games.
Remaining matches: SW, BS, SFC, DH plus SS
Blacktown Spartans (39, 4) are third and three points behind Lightning. While they are now assured of a place in the finals, they will continue to strive for points to gain the best possible finish to the season. They have won their last four games.
Remaining matches: DH, CCL, NT, PE
Spirit FC (37, 5) are two points astern of the Spartans in fourth position. They will be looking at ways of overhauling the teams ahead of them and they will be aware that they are not yet assured of a finals berth so they need to continue their points chase. They have won their last five games.
Remaining matches: MR, DH, CCL, NT plus SW
Dulwich Hill (25, 5) are twelve points behind Spirit at fifth and they will be pushing hard for every point because they are under enormous pressure from the teams behind them. They have posted two wins and a draw from their last our games.
Remaining matches: BS, SFC, MR, CCL plus MR
Northern Tigers (24, 6) are in sixth spot and one point further back. They are close enough to challenge or a spot in the play-offs and therefore every points they can earn will be precious for them. They have won only one of their last four games.
Remaining matches: WP, SW, BS, SFC plus SS, SNSW
Macarthur Rams (19, 5) are five points behind the Tigers at seventh and they still have a chance of making the finals if they can return to form and at least one of the two teams immediately ahead of them falls over. They have lost their last five games.
Remaining matches: SFC, SNSW, DH, SS plus DH
Western Panthers (17, 4) are eighth and two points adrift of the Rams. While they will not have given up hope of qualifying for the finals, their chances are remote at best. They need to take maximum points and hope that the teams ahead of them falter. They have lost their last three games
Remaining matches: NT, PE, GR, SNSW

Sydney Wanderers (17, 5) are ninth on goal difference and they have a slightly better chance of reaching the finals because they have one extra game to play. However, they will also need a combination of good form and good luck. They have won two and drawn one of their last four games.
Remaining matches: CCL, NT, PE, GR plus SFC
Schofields Scorpions (15, 6) are tenth and two points behind the Wanderers but they still have mathematical chance of making it to the play-offs. They will need a great deal of luck and some excellent form if they are to climb that mountain. They have lost their last five games
Remaining matches: PE, GR, SNSW, MR plus CCL and NT
Granville Rage (10, 4) are eleventh and five points to the rear of the Scorpions and they cannot reach the finals. They have won two of their last four games.
Remaining matches: SNSW, SS, WP, SW
Southern NSW (7, 5) are three points further back in twelfth position and they will not be playing in the finals.
Remaining matches: GR, MR, SS, WP
Grade 14
It looks as though the top four teams will fight it out for the Premiership crown. It is so tight that a single slip-up by any of these four could prove costly.
With only seven points separating fifth from eighth, all these teams will be concentrating on getting the best possible results without taking their eyes off those around them. All in all, this will be a very interesting period of the competition.
Northern Tigers (38 points and 6 matches to play) are the competition leaders with a margin of a single point. They are under tremendous pressure to continue the good form that has seen them remain unbeaten at this stage of the season. Their last four games have produced three wins and a draw.
Remaining matches: WP, SW, BS, SFC plus SS, GR
Dulwich Hill (37, 5) are in second spot and they are causing real concern for the frontrunners. Every point has become a vital for them if they are to have any chance of overhauling the Tigers. They have won their last six games.
Remaining matches: BS, SFC, MR, CCL plus MR
Central Coast Lightning (35, 5) are two points further back at third and they are keeping the top two honest as they are close enough to strike should either or both of them falter. They do have the most potent attack in this age group. They have won their last three games.
Remaining matches: SW, BS, SFC, DH plus SS
PCYC Parramatta (34, 4) are fourth and only one point behind Lightning. The fact that the former leaders are still so close must be causing some concern for the teams ahead of them. The Eagles suffered four consecutive losses before returning to the winners? circle last week.
Remaining matches: SS, WP, SW, BS
Western Panthers (28, 4) are six points behind the Eagles at fifth and they will be hoping to gather the maximum points from the coming games. They had gone eleven games without loss before tasting defeat in their last game. 
Remaining matches: NT, PE, GR, SNSW
Spirit FC (25, 5) are sixth and three points astern of then Panthers. They are sure to be chasing the points as they have every chance of reaching the play-offs. They have the best defensive record in this age group. They have a win and two draws to show for their last our games.
Remaining matches: MR, DH, CCL, NT plus SW
Blacktown Spartans (22, 4) are three points behind Spirit in seventh position but they are not out of the calculations at this stage. They need lots of points and a bit of luck over the coming weeks.
Remaining matches: DH, CCL, NT, PE
Macarthur Rams (21, 5) are in eighth position, one point behind the Spartans and they have some hope of graduating to the play-offs. They will clearly be looking for near-maximum points from their remaining games and a touch of luck along the way. They have taken points from seven of their last nine games.
Remaining matches: SFC, SNSW, DH, SS plus DH
Southern NSW (13, 4) are eight points to the rear of the Rams and they cannot reach the finals. They have lost their last four games.
Remaining matches: GR, MR, SS, WP
Schofields Scorpions (11, 6) are two points further away at tenth and they will not be playing in the finals. They have won two of their last four games.
Remaining matches: PE, GR, SNSW, MR plus CCL and NT
Sydney Wanderers (11, 5) are eleventh on goal difference and they cannot reach the finals. They have won one of their last four games.
Remaining matches: CCL, NT, PE, GR plus SFC
Granville Rage (10, 5) are one point further back at twelfth and they will not participate in the finals. They have lost three of their last four games.
Remaining matches: SNSW, SS, WP, SW plus NT
Grade 15
There is an amazing gulf of twenty points between the first and fifth placed teams in this age group. The Premiership has come down to a battle between the top two teams while the other places in the play-offs will be decided on form alone.
It really interesting skirmishes over the next four weeks will be the race for fifth position as there are six teams in a position to grab that spot. It should provide much entertainment along the journey.
Dulwich Hill (41 points and 5 games to play) are leading the competition and they have not lost a match since the opening day of the season. They will know that they need to stay on their toes as the teams behind them are all hunting them down.
Remaining matches: BS, SFC, MR, CCL plus MR
Western Panthers (37, 5) are four points behind the leaders at second and they will obviously be keen to make up the leeway. The Panthers have posted two wins from their last four games.
Remaining matches: NT, PE, GR, SNSW plus SS
PCYC Parramatta (32, 4) are third and five points behind the Panthers, meaning that the Eagles cannot win the Premiership but they might want to try for second spot. They have recorded three draws and a win from their last four games.
Remaining matches: SS, WP, SW, BS
Macarthur Rams (26, 5) are six points to the rear of Parramatta at fourth and they are certain to use the coming games to try to at least make up that deficit. The Rams have posted two wins and a draw from their last four games.
Remaining matches: SFC, SNSW, DH, SS plus DH
Central Coast Lightning (21, 5) are five points adrift of the Rams and they are placed fifth. While the want to make up the leeway they are bound to be aware of the pressure being applied by the five teams behind them. Lightning have registered two wins and a draw from their last four games.
Remaining matches: SW, BS, SFC, DH plus SS
Blacktown Spartans (20, 4) are sixth and only a point behind Lightning. They will be looking for a good set of results in the coming weeks in an attempt to overtake the team ahead of them. Their last four games have yielded two wins and a draw.
Remaining matches: DH, CCL, NT, PE
Schofields Scorpions (19, 8) are a point further back at sixth and they have loads of catch-up matches up their sleeves. Converting the majority of those into wins would see them rocket up the ladder to secure a place in the finals series. They have posted a win and two draws from their last four matches.
Remaining matches: PE, GR, SNSW, MR plus CCL, WP, DH and NT
Northern Tigers (18, 6) are seventh and only a point behind the Scorpions. They will be eager to make a charge for the finals as they are close enough to do so. They have won two and drawn one of their last four games.
Remaining matches: WP, SW, BS, SFC plus SS, GR
Spirit FC (18, 5) are ninth on goal difference and they will need to make the most of their remaining opportunities if the are to reach the play-offs and they will be looking for a bit o luck along the way. Their last four games have produced two wins and a draw.
Remaining matches: MR, DH, CCL, NT plus SW
Sydney Wanderers (17, 5) are a point behind Spirit at tenth and they can still make it to the play-offs with a string of favourable results and a big pinch of good fortune. They have a win and a draw to show for their last four games.
Remaining matches: CCL, NT, PE, GR plus SFC
Southern NSW (13, 4) are in eleventh position and they cannot reach the finals. They have lost their last four games.
Remaining matches: GR, MR, SS, WP
Granville Rage (13, 5) are twelfth on goal difference and they will not play in the finals.
Remaining matches: SNSW, SS, WP, SW plus NT
Grade 16
It looks as though the Premiers will come from the current top two and there is not much between them. They will play each other in Round 20 so that should be interesting.
The next three spots are up for grabs and while it is certain that the teams currently occupying those spots will be giving their all to stay there, the pack of chasers will be determined to knock them off. Theoretically, the list goes right down to tenth but realistically it ends at eighth.
Western Panthers (39 Points and 4 matches to play) are the competition leaders by a margin of a single point and they are under pressure from behind. They have now gone eleven games without suffering a loss.
Remaining matches: NT, PE, GR, SNSW
PCYC Parramatta (38, 4) are in second spot and providing the current leaders with plenty to worry about. There can be no doubt that the Eagles are ready to soar if they are given the opportunity. Their defence is the tightest in this competition. They have remained unbeaten for nine games.
Remaining matches: SS, WP, SW, BS
Northern Tigers (32, 5) are six points back in third place and they will be keen to make up the leeway, if only to escape the close attention of the teams behind them. They have the most effective attack in the competition and their last four games have produced two wins and a draw.
Remaining matches: WP, SW, BS, SFC plus SS
Central Coast Lightning (30, 5) are fourth and two points astern of the Tigers. They will surely have ambitions of climbing even higher on the table in the coming weeks. Their last four games have produced two wins and a draw.
Remaining matches: SW, BS, SFC, DH plus SS
Blacktown Spartans (30, 4) are in fifth position on goal difference and they will also be aiming to return to a loftier position on the table in the next few weeks. They have notched up a win and two draws from their last four games.
Remaining matches: DH, CCL, NT, PE
Spirit FC (27, 5) are three points behind the Spartans at sixth and they are most certainly within striking distance of a berth in the finals if they can string together the necessary results. They have posted two wins and a draw from their last four games.
Remaining matches: MR, DH, CCL, NT plus SW
Macarthur Rams (26, 5) are only one point behind Spirit at seventh and they will also be eyeing off a spot in the play-offs as they are near enough to make a push for a place. They posted a win last week after a four match losing streak.
Remaining matches: SFC, SNSW, DH, SS plus DH
Sydney Wanderers (21, 5) are placed eighth and they are five points further back. They will need to put together a run of wins and combine that with a fair bit of luck if they are to reach the finals. Their last four games have yielded two wins and a draw.
Remaining matches: CCL, NT, PE, GR plus SFC
Dulwich Hill (19, 5) are ninth and two points behind the Wanderers. If they are to make it to the play-offs they will need maximum points and a huge chunk of luck but both may be a bit beyond them. They have registered two wins and a draw in their last four games.
Remaining matches: BS, SFC, MR, CCL plus MR
Granville Rage (18, 4) are one point further back at tenth and they do not have a realistic chance of reaching the finals. They have produced a draw from their last four games.
Remaining matches: SNSW, SS, WP, SW
Southern NSW (8, 4) are ten points behind Rage at eleventh and they will not be appearing in the finals. They have produced one draw from their last seven games.
Remaining matches: GR, MR, SS, WP
Schofields Scorpions (3, 6) are twelfth and five points further back. Their main aim will surely be to move away from the wooden spoon position. They have one draw to show for their last six games.
Remaining matches: PE, GR, SNSW, MR plus CCL and NT
Grade 18
There is a lot of action yet to happen in this competition as the struggle to win the Premiership continues and then there is the fascinating race for places in the final top five for the season.
Dulwich Hill (33 points and 5 games to play) are the competition frontrunners by a margin of four points and while they will be keen to maintain that situation, they will know that there is no room for complacency. There is still a lot of work to be done. They have the tightest defence in the competition. They have won two and drawn one of their last four games.
Remaining matches: BS, SFC, MR, CCL plus MR
Schofields Scorpions (29, 5) are in second spot and in a position to pounce if the leaders slip up. The have the most potent attack in this competition. They have won their last five games.
Remaining matches: PE, GR, MR plus CCL and NT
Macarthur Rams (28, 4) are one point behind the Scorpions in third place and that is certainly close enough to take advantage of any error. They will also be aware that they cannot afford to make the slightest mistake. Their last four games have produced a win and a draw.
Remaining matches: SFC, SNSW, DH, SS plus DH
Spirit FC (25, 5) are placed fourth and they are three points behind the Rams. However, that position is hardly safe one as they are under pressure from the teams behind them and therefore they cannot afford to slip up. They have won only one o their last four games.
Remaining matches: MR, DH, CCL, NT plus SW
Granville Rage (24, 3) are fifth, only one point behind Spirit and they will know that they must make the most of their remaining opportunities if they are to hold onto a top five spot. They have won two of their last four games.
Remaining matches: SS, WP, SW
Northern Tigers (22, 5) are two points behind Rage at sixth and they will be looking for ways to move upwards on the table over the next our weeks. They have notched up wins in three of their last four games.
Remaining matches: WP, SW, BS, SFC plus SS
Western Panthers (21, 3) are seventh and only a point astern of the Tigers. They have a few points to make up and if they are to qualify for the play-offs limited opportunities remaining to do that. They have recorded two wins and a draw from their last four games.
Remaining matches: NT, PE, GR, SNSW
Central Coast Lightning (21, 5) are eighth on goal difference and they have some work to do if they are to reach the finals. They need to be collecting points from most of their matches from here on in. they have one draw to show or their last four games.
Remaining matches: SW, BS, SFC, DH plus SS
PCYC Parramatta (19, 5) are two points behind Lightning at ninth and they face many challenges in the coming weeks I they are to have a go at earning a spot in the finals. They have a win and a draw to show or their last our games.
Remaining matches: SS, WP, SW, BS plus BS
Blacktown Spartans (9, 5) are ten points further back and they will not appear in the finals. They have one win to show for their last four games.
Remaining matches: DH, CCL, NT, PE plus PE
Sydney Wanderers (8, 5) are one point behind the Spartans and they will not participate in the finals. They have won two and drawn one of their last four games.
Remaining matches: CCL, NT, PE, GR plus SFC
Southern NSW (0, 0) have not played all season.
-By Barry Davis