PREMIER LEAGUE
Surfers Paradise are in real danger of relegating at season’s end following today’s game against Perth, humiliated 38-8 and sitting just one point clear of automatic relegation. The Taipans, however, remain a slim chance of a top eight berth due to results in the top eight going their way.
Surfers Paradise: Jason Croker. Deacon 2/2
Perth: John Sitizein, Jonny Wilkinson 2, Luke Ricketson, Torsten Fiedler 2, and Tasesa Lavea. Wilkinson 5/9
HT Score: Perth 10-8
Penalties: Surfers Paradise 8-6
Completion Rates: Surfers Paradise 55% Perth 63%
Possession: Perth 55%
PoM Points: Torsten Fiedler 3, Jonny Wilkinson 2, and Ardent Rivers 1.

Adelaide may not be a chance of a top eight berth, but they cast severe doubts over the Northern Cannons’ top four aspirations today, scoring an upset 22-10 victory over the premiership contenders. Missing a handful of stars to the Australia vs. New Zealand test, the Cannons struggled to match the intensity of a near full strength Attitude lineup.
Adelaide: Gary Coleman 2, Phil Waugh, and Lote Tuqiri. Flatley 3/6
Northern: Chev Walker 2. DeVere ½
HT Score: 10 all
Penalties: Adelaide 13-8
Completion Rates: Adelaide 69% Northern 54%
Possession: Adelaide 55%
PoM Points: Phil Waugh 3, Chris Latham 2, and Gary Coleman 1.

The Capetown Ravens have ensured they’ll remain in the Premier League for at least another year, pulling off a huge upset 29-20 victory over the Gold Coast Crusade, whose makeshift backline looked to be in control of the match until the final fifteen. The Ravens got home on the boot of former Crusade captain, Andrew Johns.
Capetown: Peter Hynes 2, Andrew Johns, and Michael Ennis. Johns 6/6. Johns 1 fg.
Gold Coast: Shaun Briscoe, Brent Webb 2, and Tommy O’Reilly. Farrell 2/5
HT Score: Gold Coast 16-6
Penalties: Capetown 13-4
Completion Rates: Capetown 60% Gold Coast 64%
Possession: Capetown 53%
PoM Points: Ben MacDougall 3, Peter Hynes 2, and Leon Pryce 1.

It was a switched on Central Coast team that took to demolishing the Port Moresby Power today at The Birdcage. With Anthony Magro away on business, the Falcons were looked after by Australian coach Chris Walker-Bush, who will undoubtedly claim some bragging rights after the Falcons ran in a record thirteen tries on their way to an ASRL record 78-8 victory.
Central Coast: Matt Utai, Sebastian Azema 2, Hazem El Masri, Brent Sherwin 2, Matthew Burke, Paul Sculthorpe 3, Michael Korkidas, Imanol Harinordoquy, and Luke Davico. El Masri 13/14
Port Moresby: Brett Kimmorley and Gorden Tallis. Zian-Ali 0/3
HT Score: Central Coast 32-4
Penalties: Central Coast 8-3
Completion Rates: Central Coast 69% Port Moresby 51%
Possession: Central Coast 66%
PoM Points: Brent Sherwin 3, James Manson 2, and Graham Anlezark 1.

The Melbourne Executioners have blown open the race for eighth place in Premier League today, smashing Coffs Harbour 38-10 to give Darwin and Perth glimmers of hope, whilst also ensuring that the race to avoid relegation will be a two way dance with Port Moresby and Surfers Paradise.
Coffs Harbour: Syrian Kor 2. Miller ½
Melbourne: Darren Albert 3, Ashwin Willemse 2, Brent Tate, and Jonny Maquina. Maquina 5/8
HT Score: Melbourne 20-10
Penalties: Melbourne 7-3
Completion Rates: Coffs Harbour 60% Melbourne 69%
Possession: Melbourne 59%
PoM Points: Jonny Maquina 3, Darren Albert 2, and Ashwin Willemse 1.

In a memorable clash in Wollongong, the Sydney Oilers have fought valiantly but ultimately been bested by the in form Wollongong Destructors, all but ending the Sydney sides hopes of a top eight berth. The Oilers never lead, but constantly harassed the higher placed Destructors as they fought to keep their season alive, but with so many men out with rep duty, the visitors were always up and against the wall.
Wollongong: Brett Hodgson, Richie Mathers, Danny Ward, and Sebastian Mpofu 2. Hodgson 4/5
Sydney: Steve Kefu, Chris Jack, and Jason Ryles. Gower 3/3
HT Score: Wollongong 18-6
Penalties: Sydney 6-3
Completion Rates: Wollongong 64% Sydney 77%
Possession: Sydney 52%
PoM Points: Brian Bower 3, Sebastian Mpofu 2, and Richie Mathers 1.

A thriller was played out in Darwin today, as the Cyclones courageously downed an undermanned Wellington side to keep their top eight dreams alive. With a large group of players in today’s New Zealand vs. Australia clash, the Cougars showed they’ll be a real threat in the finals with or without them, going down 24-20.
Darwin: Caleb Ralph, George Gregan 2, and Jim Dymock. O’Gara 4/5
Wellington: Henry Faafili, Kevan Mealamu, and Danny Tickle. Sinfield 4/4
HT Score: Darwin 16-6
Penalties: Wellington 8-5
Completion Rates: Darwin 73% Wellington 73%
Possession: Darwin 50%
PoM Points: Henry Faafili 3, Danny Tickle 2, and Kevan Mealamu 1.

The Central Phoenix’s top eight dream came to an end today, the Phoenix unable to account for a heavily understrength Brisbane Bulls side in Alice Springs. The Phoenix had the perfect opportunity to seize a top eight spot heading into the final round of competition, but were outclassed by a young and enthusiastic Bulls’ outfit.
Central: Ben Cohen 2 and Iestyn Harris. Harris 2/4
Brisbane: Ben Hornby, Matt King, Trent Waterhouse 2, and Ben Ikin. Hannay 4/6
HT Score: Central 10-4
Penalties: Central 10-5
Completion Rates: Central 61% Brisbane 64%
Possession: Central 53%
PoM Points: Trent Waterhouse 3, David Stagg 2, and Matt King 1.

Parramatta have sealed themselves an historic top eight spot in the Premier League today, but the Hawkesbury Mavericks will not be heartbroken at the 16-6 away loss, however, with results this round ensuring that Brian Randell’s chargers have made the cut for next year’s Premier League competition.
Parramatta: Justin Tsolous and Nathan Hindmarsh. Herdoffer 4/4
Hawkesbury: Brendan Dean. Ahmed 1/2
HT Score: Parramatta 10-2
Penalties: Parramatta 11-4
Completion Rates: Parramatta 70% Hawkesbury 64%
Possession: Parramatta 54%
PoM Points: Stephen Jones 3, Justin Tsolous 2, and Eric Grothe Jr 1.

Premier League Table
Team W L D For Against +/- Points
1. Gold Coast 21 4 0 779 352 427 42
2. Wellington 17 8 0 646 447 199 34
3. Brisbane 16 8 1 605 434 171 33
4. Wollongong 16 8 1 569 436 133 33
5. Central Coast 16 9 0 707 363 344 32
6. Northern 15 9 1 568 486 82 31
7. Parramatta 14 11 0 509 476 33 28
8. Coffs Harbour 13 12 0 479 548 -69 26

9. Perth 12 12 1 519 514 5 25
10. Darwin 12 13 0 472 482 -10 24
11. Sydney 11 13 2 453 482 -29 24
12. Central 11 13 1 530 564 -34 23
13. Adelaide 10 15 0 449 568 -119 20
14. Melbourne 9 16 0 388 553 -165 18
15. Capetown 9 16 0 348 532 -184 18
16. Hawkesbury 8 16 1 354 593 -239 17
17. Surfers Paradise 6 18 1 429 639 -210 13
18. Port Moresby 6 19 0 374 721 -347 12

Good win Melbourne, cant wait for next season in the top grade.

DIVISION TWO
Shanghai have secured their place in this season’s Peter Sterling Division top five, scoring a convincing 30-16 victory over the recently resurgent Carnarvon Grizzlies to ensure they’ll contest the ASRL’s first ever ten team finals series. Still on the ‘chopping block’ with regard to rationalisation, fans of the Chinese club are hoping a powerful finals’ series will see the club survive.
Carnarvon: Paul Sykes and Raymond Crown. Luana 4/4
Shanghai: Marcus Caster 2, James Prichard, Jaiden Love, and Neale Wyatt. Caster 5/6
HT Score: Shanghai 18-10
Penalties: Carnarvon 11-4
Completion Rates: Carnarvon 72% Shanghai 58%
Possession: Shanghai 51%
PoM Points: Marcus Caster 3, Neale Wyatt 2, and James Prichard 1.

The Ipswich Reds have ended North Queensland’s powerful end of season winning streak, and put themselves back into the top five, courtesy of today’s epic 21-20 victory over the Dolphins. Reds’ star signing, Brad Fittler, chose a perfect time to play his finest game of the year- having a starring role with two tries and one assist.
North Queensland: Ben Kirchner 2, Forrest Sumner, and Albert Hommus. Martin 2/3. Mehrtens 0/1
Ipswich: Brad Fittler 2 and Barry Liverpool. Tulley ¾. Weepu 3 fg.
HT Score: Ipswich 12-4
Penalties: 7 all
Completion Rates: North Queensland 66% Ipswich 57%
Possession: North Queensland 51%
PoM Points: Brad Fittler 3, Grant Wooden 2, and Piri Weepu 1.

Newcastle’s top three finish has been assured following today’s dominant 44-0 annihilation of the hapless Redlands Rhinos. With Shanghai close behind, the Fear needed to win today’s match if they were to be assured of a top three finish.
Newcastle: Mark Hughes 2, Paul Cooke, Rob Parker, Verity Gunnarsson, Marc Barctholomeausz, and Gareth Ellis. Cooke 8/9
Redlands: None.
HT Score: Newcastle 10-0
Penalties: Newcastle 7-3
Completion Rates: Newcastle 71% Redlands 70%
Possession: Newcastle 59%
PoM Points: Verity Gunnarsson 3, Paul Cooke 2, and Mark Hughes 1.

Wagga remain odds on favourites to take out the Peter Sterling Division minor premiership, today accounting for top five contenders, Eastwood, 32-16. The loss sees the Pumas slip back into sixth place, and they’ll require a win next week and an Ipswich loss if they’re to participate in the finals.
Eastwood: Francis Maloney 2 and Anthony Tyan. Maloney 2/3
Wagga: David Simmons, Daniel Lemu, Stefano Saghini, Jon Wilkin, and Nathan McMillan. Rowles 6/7
HT Score: Wagga 18-12
Penalties: Eastwood 8-2
Completion Rates: Eastwood 62% Wagga 69%
Possession: Wagga 53%
PoM Points: Daniel Lemu 3, Mark Chisolm 2, and David Simmons 1.

Lake Heights remain a slim hope of a top five berth following today’s game, the Lightning keeping their season alive and ending Geelong’s, with a scrappy 16-8 home victory. The Lightning would need to score a big win, and have Eastwood and Ipswich be defeated if they were to sneak into fifth place.
Lake Heights: Ned Catic 2. Kempton 4/4
Geelong: Tim Donnelly. Donnelly 2/3
HT Score: 8 all
Penalties: Lake Heights 11-6
Completion Rates: Lake Heights 69% Geelong 47%
Possession: Lake Heights 57%
PoM Points: Ned Catic 3, Dean Treister 2, and Tim Donnelly 1.

The Tassie Devils continue to dog the heels of first placed Wagga, and will be confident of perhaps gaining the Peter Sterling Division minor premiership after today’s big 42-6 thumping of Wanganui. Should Wagga drop next week’s game, or fail to win by a large margin, the Devils could secure an unexpected minor premiership on the back of a good win.
Wanganui: Matthew Cooper. Cooper 1/1
Tassie: Jeremy Tickle 3, Clyde Rathbone, Simon Woolford, Yaccine Dekkiche, and Tristan Law. Way 7/8
HT Score: Tassie 24-6
Penalties: Tassie 8-3
Completion Rates: Wanganui 53% Tassie 71%
Possession: Tassie 67%
PoM Points: Clyde Rathbone 3, Jeremy Tickle 2, and David Fifi’iaha 1.

In a battle with absolutely no bearing on the Wally Lewis Division’s top five layout, Penrith have added another embarrassing scar to the season of Colombo, scoring a 32-22 away victory to leap over the Harlequis and into seventh position. Surprisingly, Penrith could still manage to steal sixth with results going their way.
Colombo: Fourcade Abasse, Dennis Hickie, Ricardo, and Paul Johnson. Fields ¾
Penrith: David Vaealeki, Wade McKinnon, Daniel Heckenberg, and Lee Hopkins 2. Riddell 6/6
HT Score: Penrith 26-10
Penalties: 9 all
Completion Rates: Colombo 72% Penrith 55%
Possession: Colombo 50%
PoM Points: Steve Bell 3, Lee Hopkins 2, and Mark Riddell 1.

Fairfield have scored a morale boosting win against Port Macquarie today, showcasing their defensive grit with a big 30-0 victory over the hopeless Stingrays. With star halfback, Dominik Bush, set to return from injury for the finals, Fairfield will be confident heading into their third successive finals’ campaign.
Fairfield: Stuart Kelly, Rupert Matakamikamica, Chris Tyrie, Danny Sculthorpe, Matt Adamson, and Adrian Vowles. Magro 3/6
Port Macquarie: None. Shepherdon 0/1
HT Score: Fairfield 24-0
Penalties: Port Macquarie 6-5
Completion Rates: Fairfield 57% Port Macquarie 72%
Possession: Fairfield 56%
PoM Points: Rocky Elsom 3, Danny Sculthorpe 2, and Chris Tyrie 1.

In a battle between two of New Zealand’s more competitive Division Two clubs, the Dunedin Vipers have continued their recent run of good form with a tough 18-12 victory over the Waikato Breakers.
Dunedin: Girvan Dempsey and Russell Bawden 2. Fisher ¾
Waikato: Kirk Yeaman and Brock James. Bowen 2/2
HT Score: Dunedin 16-6
Penalties: Waikato 12-3
Completion Rates: Dunedin 67% Waikato 67%
Possession: Dunedin 50%
PoM Points: Toutai Kefu 3, Andre Bowen 2, and Russell Bawden 1.

In Division Two’s game of the season, East Coast have scraped into first place on the Wally Lewis Division ladder courtesy of a nail-biting 18-16 victory over the Tamworth City Titans. The two sides went into the match equal on points, but a late Chris Hicks penalty goal lifted the Tigers to a much needed victory.
East Coast: Chris Hicks, Shane Rodney, and Andrew Dunemann. Hicks 3/5
Tamworth City: David Thompson and Keith Galloway. Davidson 4/5
HT Score: Tamworth City 12-10
Penalties: Tamworth City 10-5
Completion Rates: East Coast 67% Tamworth City 57%
Possession: East Coast 51%
PoM Points: Anthony Farrell 3, Danny Galea 2, and Chris Walker 1.

Canberra have added to Tamworth City’s round twenty five woes, today accounting for New England 22-16 to move to second on the Wally Lewis Division ladder. Despite possessing Division Two’s most impressive for and against, the Titans drop to third place courtesy of Canberra’s win in Armidale today.
New England: De Wet Barry, Ben Walker, and Akido Li. Briers 2/4
Canberra: Scott Donald, Brandon Costin, Matt Henjak, and Casey McGuire. Lamaisson 3/5
HT Score: Canberra 12-6
Penalties: New England 11-4
Completion Rates: New England 71% Canberra 50%
Possession: New England 54%
PoM Points: Casey McGuire 3, Brandon Costin 2, and Matt Henjak 1.

It was the battle of who could care less today, as Liverpool took out Port Adelaide fourteen points to eight. The game had absolutely no bearing on the makeup of the Wally Lewis Division table, with Port Adelaide well behind Liverpool in the race to avoid the wooden spoon.
Liverpool: Paul Atchison, Adam Hughes, and Jason Death. March ¼
Port Adelaide: Michael Hodgson and Sonny Nickle. McIntyre 0/3
HT Score: Liverpool 12-4
Penalties: Liverpool 8-5
Completion Rates: Liverpool 75% Port Adelaide 58%
Possession: Liverpool 53%
PoM Points: Paul Atchison 3, Adam Hughes 2, and Phillip Leuluai 1.

Peter Sterling Division
Team W L D For Against +/- Points
1. Wagga 16 8 1 575 439 136 33
2. Tassie 16 8 1 517 382 135 33
3. Newcastle 16 9 0 529 369 160 32
4. Shanghai 13 10 2 461 408 53 28
5. Ipswich 13 11 1 382 387 -5 27

6. Eastwood 12 12 1 470 381 89 25
7. Lake Heights 12 12 1 457 480 -23 25
8. Geelong 12 13 0 374 420 -47 24
9. Carnarvon 11 13 1 350 497 -147 23
10. North Queensland 10 14 1 449 581 -132 21
11. Redlands 8 15 2 330 425 -95 18
12. Wanganui 5 20 0 293 582 -289 10

Wally Lewis Division
Team W L D For Against +/- Points
1. East Coast 20 5 0 637 308 329 40
2. Canberra 20 5 0 657 332 325 40
3. Tamworth City 19 6 0 683 305 378 38
4. Dunedin 16 9 0 545 358 187 32
5. Fairfield 16 9 0 580 404 176 32

6. New England 11 13 1 492 470 22 23
7. Penrith 11 14 0 489 432 57 22
8. Colombo 11 14 0 427 510 -83 22
9. Waikato 9 14 2 349 524 -175 20
10. Liverpool 8 16 1 330 628 -298 17
11. Port Adelaide 4 21 0 291 636 -345 8
12. Port Macquarie 3 20 2 272 678 -406 8

Ripped off! I'm gonna kill you chris!

Chris Walker-Bush, ASRL President, was given the wrong information regarding the Peter Sterling Division playoff standings by an assistant, who apparently worked with the folks who predicted that concrete boats would never float...

If the assistant had given Mr. Walker-Bush the correct information, Chris would have not made this incorrect statement:

The unnamed assistant has been exiled to the Zimbabwe Rugby Union, to develop the fifteen man code there, when the ZRU has a budget of approximately $1.98.

Updated Division Two scenarios will be posted to the ASRL Articles database momentarily.

WOOHOO!!! :D A win at last. I don't give a :censored: who it was against, or care what the score was, just so long as we get the 2 points at the end of the day. :bang:

Uh.... did I miss something? What about what I said was incorrect?

the fact we are tied, i play wagga therefore if i lose....then wagga win.
lmao.

Yeah, I read as much in Theo's predictions.

Give me a break, guys. Like I memorise the draw for a Division I'm not even in.

I didn't say anything!

....lol....

...that's why you sacked your assistant, Chris, who was supposed to know, but didn't...

...of course, there's another factor - if I was going to update that part of the playoff picture, I needed to update it all - and that, as Chris can tell you, is hard work.

The only thing I had memorised was Wagga/Tassie - just as Chris should only be expected to memorise who Crusade is going to smash in the first round of the playoffs (if I hadn't, my board would have sacked me, for cause, forthwith!) - everything else I had to look up, calculate, and type. My memory is good, but not that good. And I was shocked just how easily Newcastle Fear can now win the Peter Sterling Division - all they need from Wagga/Tassie is a draw (a real possibility).

And the size of the update precluded me from replying to the Round 25 Results - it merited its own article.

Obviously, I inadvertently rubbed Chris the wrong way - that merits a public apology to Chris...

...sorry about that - my original posted reply here was not intended to impugn your hard work, but it apparently came across that way. Please accept my apology.

Haha, don't worry about it, Theo. I was just exhausted when I got online last night. Meant I wasn't in the best of moods.

No harm done. :-)

Alright

Gigity gigity