Just 5 weeks left in the regular season. The playoff picture is becoming clearer and clearer. For several teams, it is now or never to make a move and for a couple of others, they better win or risk slipping out of the playoffs. Let's see what line-ups we have this week.
Game 12 Predictions
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#1 Wellington Assassins (11-0) vs #16 Chippewa Prey (0-11)
Can you say slaughter? Wellington by 220, 220-0.
#2 Olden Swillers (10-1) vs #9 Redcliffe Sharks (6-5)
Olden came through big in their game against Perth and took sole possession of 2nd place. Redcliffe played well against DHARMA, but now they have a stretch of games to face the Swillers, the Dream and the Assassins to try to make it into the playoffs - that is tough. In this game, the Sharks will put up their best fight, but in the end, the Swillers are just too strong. The Sharks will be pretty bloodied and bruised leaving the field. Olden by 43, 53-10.
#3 Newcastle Dream (9-2) vs #3 Perth Pirates (9-2)
Game of the Week. Last week the Dream had a cake walk against Chippewa. Perth had a tough battle against Olden to try to stay in second place and fought well, but lost by 5. This week, they are in the same situation battling for 3rd place. In the playoff predictions, I had selected Perth to win this one in a close game. Looking at common opponents, NML: Perth won 30-24, Newcastle won 34-24; DECATUR: Perth won 23-7, Newcastle won 42-14; SSW: Perth won 51-44, Newcastle lost 34-35; AE: Perth won 45-10, Newcastle won 62-10. This will be a close game, probably in the upper 20s to low 30s. I'll stick with my earlier prediction and say Perth wins by 3 with a late come from behind touchdown, 30-27.
#5 Sydney Sea Wasps (8-3) vs #6 DECATUR STALEYS (7-4)
Sydney is in 5th place and would love to find a way to move up into the top 4 to get a home playoff game. To do so, they need to win the rest and put the pressure on the Dream and the Pirates. DECATUR is hot off their victory versus the Devils and looking to take down another team in their way. In the end, the Sea Wasps are too stealthy for the STALEYS and will be tied for 4th after this game. Sydney stings the STALEYS and wins by 18, 35-17.
#6 Devonport Devils (7-4) vs #6 Newcastle Mountain Lions (7-4)
Devonport cannot seem to pull out a victory against a top team and are hurting after dropping the last one to the STALEYS. Newcastle has been quietly going through the season, but this is an old rivalry. These two teams and the STALEYS are all tied for 6th. No one wants to slip, because Redcliffe and Apia are just looking for an opening to get into the playoffs. And no one wants to end up 8th and face the mighty Assassins in the first round either. A lot is riding on this game. I think the Devils should win, but they have given away 3 close ones ... I'll pick Devonport by 4, 28-24, but don't be surprised if Newcastle wins by 10.
#10 Apia Evil (5-6) vs #14 Saipan Stingrays (1-10)
Apia makes a statement with this game, demolishing the Stringrays. The Evil will push hard to the end to try to fight for that last playoff spot. Apia by 182, 189-7.
#11 Hamilton Falcons (4-7) vs #14 DHARMA Initiative (1-10)
Hamilton statistically still probably has a chance at the playoffs, but in reality, they are no going to make it this season. They will have a fun time with DHARMA though to help take away a little of the pain. Hamilton by 123, 133-10.
#12 Alaska Wild (2-9) vs #12 Intergalactic Sub-Mariners (2-9)
The battle for the 12th ranking and for staying out of the abyss of the bottom 4. A lot of pride is on the line with this one. While the offenses are about the same, the Sub-Mariners defense is stronger and will give them the edge in this game. Intergalactic stays in 12th while Alaska falls into the Abyss. Intergalactic by 10, 31-21.
Game 12 Predictions
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#1 Wellington Assassins (11-0) vs #16 Chippewa Prey (0-11)
Can you say slaughter? Wellington by 220, 220-0.
#2 Olden Swillers (10-1) vs #9 Redcliffe Sharks (6-5)
Olden came through big in their game against Perth and took sole possession of 2nd place. Redcliffe played well against DHARMA, but now they have a stretch of games to face the Swillers, the Dream and the Assassins to try to make it into the playoffs - that is tough. In this game, the Sharks will put up their best fight, but in the end, the Swillers are just too strong. The Sharks will be pretty bloodied and bruised leaving the field. Olden by 43, 53-10.
#3 Newcastle Dream (9-2) vs #3 Perth Pirates (9-2)
Game of the Week. Last week the Dream had a cake walk against Chippewa. Perth had a tough battle against Olden to try to stay in second place and fought well, but lost by 5. This week, they are in the same situation battling for 3rd place. In the playoff predictions, I had selected Perth to win this one in a close game. Looking at common opponents, NML: Perth won 30-24, Newcastle won 34-24; DECATUR: Perth won 23-7, Newcastle won 42-14; SSW: Perth won 51-44, Newcastle lost 34-35; AE: Perth won 45-10, Newcastle won 62-10. This will be a close game, probably in the upper 20s to low 30s. I'll stick with my earlier prediction and say Perth wins by 3 with a late come from behind touchdown, 30-27.
#5 Sydney Sea Wasps (8-3) vs #6 DECATUR STALEYS (7-4)
Sydney is in 5th place and would love to find a way to move up into the top 4 to get a home playoff game. To do so, they need to win the rest and put the pressure on the Dream and the Pirates. DECATUR is hot off their victory versus the Devils and looking to take down another team in their way. In the end, the Sea Wasps are too stealthy for the STALEYS and will be tied for 4th after this game. Sydney stings the STALEYS and wins by 18, 35-17.
#6 Devonport Devils (7-4) vs #6 Newcastle Mountain Lions (7-4)
Devonport cannot seem to pull out a victory against a top team and are hurting after dropping the last one to the STALEYS. Newcastle has been quietly going through the season, but this is an old rivalry. These two teams and the STALEYS are all tied for 6th. No one wants to slip, because Redcliffe and Apia are just looking for an opening to get into the playoffs. And no one wants to end up 8th and face the mighty Assassins in the first round either. A lot is riding on this game. I think the Devils should win, but they have given away 3 close ones ... I'll pick Devonport by 4, 28-24, but don't be surprised if Newcastle wins by 10.
#10 Apia Evil (5-6) vs #14 Saipan Stingrays (1-10)
Apia makes a statement with this game, demolishing the Stringrays. The Evil will push hard to the end to try to fight for that last playoff spot. Apia by 182, 189-7.
#11 Hamilton Falcons (4-7) vs #14 DHARMA Initiative (1-10)
Hamilton statistically still probably has a chance at the playoffs, but in reality, they are no going to make it this season. They will have a fun time with DHARMA though to help take away a little of the pain. Hamilton by 123, 133-10.
#12 Alaska Wild (2-9) vs #12 Intergalactic Sub-Mariners (2-9)
The battle for the 12th ranking and for staying out of the abyss of the bottom 4. A lot of pride is on the line with this one. While the offenses are about the same, the Sub-Mariners defense is stronger and will give them the edge in this game. Intergalactic stays in 12th while Alaska falls into the Abyss. Intergalactic by 10, 31-21.
Seems like there was a similar setup last season in A7 with Swillers, Dream and Wakiki, folks had to go through one right after the other.
