Women’s
ANOTHER crucial back-to-back match-up kicks off Saturday in Paradise, with the second consecutive top-of-the-table women’s clash between the Dogs and Tigers at Crathern.
The Dogs have lost only twice this year, but both defeats have come convincingly at the hands of last year’s runners-up.
In the world of sport, it’s rare for one team to win both games in a two-game series (see the Crocs and Cutters splitting theirs), but the Tigers will need to if they want to stay top of the table.
Considering the strength both teams have shown this year, I am prepared to say this clash will decide the minor premiers for season 2025.
‘Cause for Celebration’ round continues Saturday with the Crocs making a slightly shorter trip south, this time to be hosted by the Saints.
After effectively securing a maiden finals berth last week by downing the Cutters, the focus for the Crocs will be on hitting their straps and getting their combinations right before the big stage rolls around.
Saturday won’t be a cakewalk for them, though. The Saints would love to show their progress this season by moving above the Cutters on the ladder ahead of a big showdown in round 18.
The women’s round concludes with the Lions hosting the Cutters.
All the Lions can do from here is keep winning and hope either the Dogs or Tigers slip up, allowing them to nab second spot and a double chance in the finals.
Their task starts by entertaining the Cutters, who battled hard but were ultimately outgunned by the Crocs last week.
Men’s
WITH five rounds remaining, five teams are still in the finals hunt in the men’s competition.
An earlier bounce time of 1.30pm at Crathern sees the fourth-placed Dogs welcome the winless Hawks.
The Dogs know this is a must-win game to maintain their foothold in the top four, especially with a desperate Saints side behind them.
The Hawks will be hoping for another close contest like their round 1, 2024 effort, when they lost by just a solitary point, as they continue to search for their first win since 2022.
The Lions are all but eliminated from season 2025, a disappointing end after a promising start to the year.
Unfortunately, too many injuries have taken their toll. They actually beat the Cutters back in round 4 for a 3-0 start to the year and will be hoping for a repeat of that excellent performance this week.
The Cutters, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back and continue their push for a top-two finish after going down in a thriller against the Crocs last week.
In a nine-point loss, their goalkicking return of 8.12 may come under review at training this week.
The only men’s match-up between top-five sides sees the Crocs follow their women’s counterparts to Griffith’s Park to face the fifth-placed Saints.
The Crocs won their top-of-the-table clash away against the Cutters and will now be chasing a rare 10th straight win as they seemingly march toward an inevitable minor premiership.
A Saints win would not only be a major upset, but would condense the top five even further with four rounds to go after this weekend and no spots yet locked in.
