It’s come down to one final weekend of football for several sides. Coffs Harbour, Sydney, Perth, and Darwin are all hoping that this week, the final round of the regular season will be the one that seals them eighth spot and a date with sudden death on the Gold Coast next weekend. For Port Moresby and Surfers Paradise, round twenty six is one last chance to score a win that might avoid instant relegation.

In Division Two it’s Wagga, Tassie, Tamworth City, Canberra, and East Coast all relying on the outcome of this weekend’s clashes to decide the minor premiers of their respective divisions. Ipswich, Eastwood, and Lake Heights are in a three way war for the final finals spot in the Peter Sterling Division. And for other clubs, it will be their final game as a club.

PREMIER LEAGUE
The finals dream is over for Darwin, with the Cyclones overpowered by a red hot Brisbane side today in the Queensland capital. The desperate Cyclones were blasted off the park by a faultless Brisbane outfit in the first half, and while they managed to earn some integrity in the second stanza, they were never a threat- going down 32-22 as Brisbane continue their recent run of hot form.
Brisbane: Paul Bowman, Josh Hannay, Ty Williams, Karmichael Hunt, Cameron Smith, and Luke O’Donnell. Hannay 5/6
Darwin: John Morris and George Gregan. O’Gara 2/2
HT Score: Brisbane 22-0
Penalties: 7 all
Completion Rates: Brisbane 71% Darwin 54%
Possession: Brisbane 57%
PoM Points: Ben Ross 3, Paul Bowman 2, and Karmichael Hunt 1.

The battle between Central and Adelaide today might not have had any bearing on the makeup of the top eight or the race to avoid relegation, but both sides gave it their all today and left fans satisfied following an enthralling 20 all draw between the two clubs. The Attitude were scrappy throughout, but did enough to keep themselves in the game, whilst Central will be wondering ‘what if’ after another promising season went down the drain. Both sides, finalists last year, will now retire to lick the wounds of a season ill-spent.
Central: Ben Cohen, Matt Jobson, and Lee Hansen. Harris 4/4
Adelaide: Doug Howlett, Elton Flatley, and Red Apokalips. Flatley 4/4
HT Score: Adelaide 12-8
Penalties: Central 3-2
Completion Rates: Central 70% Adelaide 56%
Possession: Central 53%
PoM Points: Doug Howlett 3, Elton Flatley 2, and Lee Hansen 1.

The Hawkesbury Mavericks have managed a credible performance in their final outing of the year, but haven’t done enough to prevent Wollongong from sealing a top four position and a home final. The Mavericks, playing their last ever game out of Central Coast Stadium in Gosford, gave fans a brief glimmer of hope when it was fourteen all, but the Destructors scored late to seal a home semi final.
Hawkesbury: Graham Poweta and Justin Harrison. Ahmed 3/3
Wollongong: Richie Mathers, Danny Ward 2, and Stacey Jones. Hodgson 2/4
HT Score: Wollongong 4-2
Penalties: Hawkesbury 8-6
Completion Rates: Hawkesbury 66% Wollongong 62%
Possession: Wollongong 51%
PoM Points: Danny Ward 3, Danny McGuire 2, and Stacey Jones 1.

Port Moresby have put immense pressure on the Surfers Paradise Punks, winning their last ever game with an emotional 17-8 victory over Melbourne. The Power, folding officially after this weekend’s games, showed immense passion to score a crucial victory over Melbourne. Should Surfers Paradise lose their clash against Capetown tomorrow, they’ll be in Division Two next year.
Melbourne: Mark McLinden. Maquina 2/2
Port Moresby: Travis Weatherall, Tiri Toa, and Mohammed Zian-Ali. Zian-Ali 2/3. Carter 1 fg.
HT Score: Melbourne 6-4
Penalties: Melbourne 6-2
Completion Rates: Melbourne 63% Port Moresby 62%
Possession: Port Moresby 52%
PoM Points: Tiri Toa 3, Ryan Cross 2, and Daniel Carter 1.

Coffs Harbour fans and management will be nervously awaiting the results of Perth and Sydney’s games this weekend, following today’s humiliating 30-2 loss to Northern. Playing for their season, the Wyrms offered up nothing as they were systematically dismantled by the northern Sydney side.
Northern: Trent Pariah 2, Michael DeVere, George Smith, and Mark O’Meley. Pariah 5/5
Coffs Harbour: None. Spencer 1/1
HT Score: Northern 12-2
Penalties: Northern 7-5
Completion Rates: Northern 69% Coffs Harbour 57%
Possession: Northern 59%
PoM Points: Ashley Harrison 3, Trent Pariah 2, and Frederick Michalak 1.

Perth’s top eight dream has come to a painful end today in Western Australia, with the Central Coast Falcons sealing fifth spot with a big 36-8 victory over the Taipans. Much like Darwin and Coffs Harbour, the Taipans seemed overwhelmed by the occasion, and found themselves on the wrong end of a spanking from a far more experienced side.
Perth: Ichiro Nazuki. Wilkinson 2/2
Central Coast: Matt Utai 2, Matt Burke 2, Brent Sherwin, and Stuart Fielden. El Masri 6/6
HT Score: Central Coast 12-8
Penalties: Central Coast 6-5
Completion Rates: Perth 62% Central Coast 66%
Possession: Central Coast 54%
PoM Points: Matt Utai 3, Hazem El Masri 2, and Luke Davico 1.

In a heart-stopping clash on the Gold Coast, a late Capetown try has almost ended the Punks run in the Premier League. Had Andrew Johns been able to convert Mark Minichiello’s late try, his 76th minute penalty goal would have lifted Capetown to a 20-18 victory and sent Surfers Paradise plummeting into Division Two. Instead, the eighteen all draw means the Punks will play a ‘wildcard clash’ against the Division Two runners up.
Surfers Paradise: Tony Grimaldi, Shaun Timmins, and Junior Langi. Deacon ¾
Capetown: Leon Pryce, Maleky O’Connor, and Mark Minichiello. Johns ¾
HT Score: Surfers Paradise 8-0
Penalties: Surfers Paradise 10-5
Completion Rates: Surfers Paradise 71% Capetown 72%
Possession: Surfers Paradise 51%
PoM Points: Mark Minichiello 3, Monty Betham 2, and Martin Gleeson 1.

An ominous first half performance from the Sydney Oilers has seen the foundation club seal eighth place in the Premier League, humbling Gold Coast 28-0 in the first half. A half-hearted Crusade side, missing Matt Orford through an early knock, fought back in the second half to earn some credibility- but were ultimately undone, going down 32-16 to a fired up and desperate Oilers’ outfit.
Sydney: Steve Kefu 2, Amos Roberts 3, and Anthony Laffranchi. Gower 4/6
Gold Coast: Shaun Briscoe, Karl Pratt, and Vinnie Anderson. Farrell 2/3
HT Score: Sydney 28-0
Penalties: Gold Coast 7-6
Completion Rates: Sydney 65% Gold Coast 56%
Possession: Sydney 54%
PoM Points: Amos Roberts 3, Anthony Laffranchi 2, and David Hodgson 1.

In a ‘preview’ of next week’s finals, Wellington have scored a morale boosting 32-18 victory over Parramatta- the side they’ll meet next week at the same venue. The Vikings had a good chance to gain a major psychological advantage heading into next week’s final, but were out-classed by the premiership contenders- who sealed second place with the victory.
Wellington: Lesley Vainikolo 2, Kevan Mealamu, Gordon D’Arcy, and David Kidwell 2. Sinfield 4/8
Parramatta: Matt Sing, PJ Marsh, and Nathan Cayless. Fitzgibbon 3/3
HT Score: Wellington 12-6
Penalties: Wellington 8-3
Completion Rates: Wellington 67% Parramatta 57%
Possession: Wellington 56%
PoM Points: Kevin Sinfield 3, Gordon D’Arcy 2, and Kevan Mealamu 1.

Premier League Table
Team W L D For Against +/- Points
1. Gold Coast 21 5 0 795 385 411 42
2. Wellington 18 8 0 678 465 213 36
3. Brisbane 17 8 1 639 446 193 35
4. Wollongong 17 8 1 589 450 139 35
5. Central Coast 17 9 0 743 371 372 34
6. Northern 16 9 1 598 488 110 33
7. Parramatta 14 12 0 527 508 19 28
8. Sydney 12 13 2 485 498 -13 26

9. Coffs Harbour 13 13 0 481 578 -97 26
10. Perth 12 13 1 527 550 -23 25
11. Darwin 12 14 0 484 516 -32 24
12. Central 11 13 2 550 584 -34 24
13. Adelaide 10 15 1 469 588 -119 21
14. Capetown 9 16 1 366 550 -184 19
15. Melbourne 9 17 0 396 570 -174 18
16. Hawkesbury 8 17 1 368 613 -245 17
17. Surfers Paradise 6 18 2 447 649 -202 14
18. Port Moresby 7 19 0 391 729 -338 14

poor coffs harbour, after that awesome start to the season.

DIVISION TWO
Canberra’s quest for the Wally Lewis Division minor premiership was derailed today, as the high flying Chargers were shock 18-12 losers against an enthusiastic Liverpool side playing its final match of the season. The Rockets, easybeats for most of this season, stunned the Chargers in a closely fought second half.
Canberra: Matthew Gafa. Towers 4/4
Liverpool: Tai Lavea 2 and Grant Johnston. March ¾
HT Score: Liverpool 6-4
Penalties: Canberra 8-7
Completion Rates: Canberra 67% Liverpool 63%
Possession: Canberra 50%
PoM Points: Aaron Findlay 3, Casey McGuire 2, and Tai Lavea 1.

Dunedin have crushed Colombo in the Sri Lankan club’s final game as an ASRL franchise, sealing fourth place in the Wally Lewis Division with a big 38-6 thumping of the 2004 grand finalists. The Vipers dominated both halves of play, and never looked out of control as they rampaged to a seven tries to one humiliation of the Harlequins.
Dunedin: Eduardo Carera 3, Steve Devine, Franco Luullai, and Mat Toschak 2. Fisher 5/9
Colombo: Travis Rose. Fields 1/1
HT Score: Dunedin 18-6
Penalties: Dunedin 10-3
Completion Rates: Dunedin 68% Colombo 50%
Possession: Dunedin 65%
PoM Points: Eduardo Carera 3, Eddie Paeia 2, and Mat Toschak 1.

In a game between two sides finishing up their 2004/2005 seasons (and in Wanganui’s case, their ASRL history)- the Geelong Bengals have scored a powerful 50-14 victory over the struggling Kiwis to well and truly seal the Tuataras ignoble debut wooden spoon. The Bengals played their finest game of the year, scoring nine tries and looking red hot despite not having any chance of a top five berth.
Geelong: Motu Tony, Tristan Davies, Gary Hall 2, Tim Donnelly, Miguel Detreaux, David Razzle 2, and Mauro Bergamasco. Donnelly 7/9
Wanganui: Ali Brown, Robert Iliassov, and Nelson Lomi. Cooper 1/3
HT Score: Geelong 22-0
Penalties: Geelong 12-5
Completion Rates: Geelong 85% Wanganui 58%
Possession: Geelong 61%
PoM Points: Tim Donnelly 3, Miguel Detreaux 2, and Travis Norton 1.

In an absolutely thrilling clash between Lake Heights and Eastwood, two sides fighting for a place in the top five, Lake Heights have scored a nail-biting 21-18 victory over the Pumas to end the Sydney side’s season and give their own chances of a top five berth a massive boost. If Ipswich drop their game against Redlands, the Lightning will contest their first ever ASRL finals’ series.
Lake Heights: Luke MacDougall, Thomas Kempton, and Stanley Gene. Kempton 4/6. Treister 1 fg.
Eastwood: Francis Maloney 2 and Reece Simmonds. Maloney 3/3
HT Score: Eastwood 12-10
Penalties: Lake Heights 8-3
Completion Rates: Lake Heights 64% Eastwood 53%
Possession: Lake Heights 56%
PoM Points: Luke MacDougall 3, Thomas Kempton 2, and Reece Simmonds 1.

The East Coast Tigers have sealed first place in the Wally Lewis Division, and cemented their place as premiership favourites, with a 36-6 thumping of the New England Ferrets in the club’s final regular season tie. The Ferrets couldn’t force the Tigers to even break a sweat, as the Queensland club easily accounted for the northern NSW battlers.
New England: Goerdan Murphy. Briers 1/1
East Coast: Chris Hicks 2, Chris Walker, Sid Domic, Gareth Raynor 2, and Andrew Dunemann. Hicks 4/7
HT Score: East Coast 32-6
Penalties: East Coast 9-6
Completion Rates: New England 57% East Coast 65%
Possession: East Coast 58%
PoM Points: Chris Hicks 3, Sid Domic 2, and Danny Galea 1.

Carnarvon may not be a chance of a top five berth, but they shattered Newcastle’s hopes of a top two spot in today’s clash, upsetting the Fear 32-18 at their home ground. The Fear needed a win to jump the loser of Tassie and Wagga’s clash this weekend, but will now have to content themselves with third position and an ‘away’ match in next week’s final.
Newcastle: Brad Meyers 2 and Justin Smith. Cooke ¾
Carnarvon: Jamaal Lolesi, Adam Dykes 2, Leigh Bush, Luke Swain, and Raymond Crown. Williams 1/1. Luana 3/5
HT Score: Carnarvon 16-0
Penalties: Newcastle 12-8
Completion Rates: Newcastle 79% Carnarvon 57%
Possession: Newcastle 50%
PoM Points: Adam Dykes 3, Leigh Bush 2, and Luke Swain 1.

In a Division Two local derby, the Fairfield Stallions have ensured they’ll go into the finals on a winning note, downing Penrith 32-16 to end a disappointing season for the Highlanders. Relocating to Bondi next season, Penrith have perhaps been the most consistently inconsistent team in Division Two history- and end the season with a positive for and against despite never being in top five contention.
Penrith: Wade McKinnon, Luke Burt, and Mark Riddell. Riddell 2/3
Fairfield: Matt Adamson, Slick Cupples, Dominik Bush, Scott Magro, Mick Higham, and Rupert Matakamikamica. Magro 4/6
HT Score: Fairfield 26-10
Penalties: Fairfield 7-5
Completion Rates: Penrith 54% Fairfield 65%
Possession: Fairfield 58%
PoM Points: Rupert Matakamikamica 3, Adrian Vowles 2, and Dominik Bush 1.

The Tamworth City Titans have ended their regular season in a high, smashing Port Adelaide 48-0 to seal second place and a home final next week. The Titans, who were arguably the form team of the Wally Lewis Division over the year, will be ruing missed opportunities after a three week ‘form slump’ cost them a potential minor premiership.
Port Adelaide: None.
Tamworth City: Joseph Goldstein, Wendell Sailor, Graeme Frame, Stephen Kearney, Kurt Gidley, Jerry Seu Seu 3, and Scott Sattler. Davidson 6/9
HT Score: Tamworth City 10-0
Penalties: Tamworth City 7-5
Completion Rates: Port Adelaide 57% Tamworth City 73%
Possession: Tamworth City 65%
PoM Points: Jerry Seu Seu 3, Anthony Farrah 2, and Kurt Gidley 1.

There aren’t many more emphatic ways to seal an unlikely maiden finals’ berth than with a club record victory, and Ipswich have lived the dream this weekend as they humbled Redlands 60-12 in today’s clash in Southern Queensland. The Reds, lead ably by Brad Fittler, absolutely demolished the struggling Rhinos with eleven tries to two.
Redlands: Shannon O’Reilly and Dennis Moran. Young 2/2
Ipswich: Sebastian Tupont, Adam Hayden 2, Azuze Hiraki, Derek Tulley 2, David Wah 2, and Dwayne Miles 3. Tulley 8/11
HT Score: Ipswich 28-0
Penalties: Redlans 6-5
Completion Rates: Redlands 60% Ipswich 81%
Possession: Ipswich 60%
PoM Points: Derek Tulley 3, James Wilson 2, and Adam Hayden 1.

The North Queensland Dolphins have made Shanghai work hard for their victory, but the Traders were able to finish the regular season on a positive note, downing the courageous Dolphins 24-20. It was an unexpectedly spirited and enjoyable game, with the Chinese squad getting home courtesy of a late Jamie Burrows try.
Shanghai: Jamie Burrows, James Prichard, Julian O’Neill, and Nathan Sutton. Girdler 4/6
North Queensland: Holger Mannhardt and Ben Black 2. Kirchner ½. Martin 3/3
HT Score: North Queensland 14-0
Penalties: Shanghai 14-8
Completion Rates: Shanghai 68% North Queensland 65%
Possession: Shanghai 53%
PoM Points: Jamie Burrows 3, Richard Fa’aoso 2, and Albert Hommus 1.

The Tassie Devils have completed an astounding year of football, downing Wagga 24-12 and looking comfortable throughout to seal the Peter Sterling Division minor premiership and earn a week off from the finals. The game highlighted how much a season can change, with Wagga last year’s wooden spooners and Tassie finishing only one place above them. Twelve months on, and the two battled it out for the minor premiership.
Tassie: Ryan Hodgson, Jeremy Tickle 2, and Mark Shipway. Way ¾. Tickle 1/1
Wagga: Sam Speedy and Rachid Hechiche. Rowles 2/2
HT Score: Tassie 18-6
Penalties: Wagga 12-10
Completion Rates: Tassie 70% Wagga 72%
Possession: Tassie 51%
PoM Points: Jeremy Tickle 3, Mark Shipway 2, and David Fifi’iaha 1.

Waikato have ended an indifferent season on a high note, downing Port Macquarie 24-10 to ensure that the hapless Stingrays would claim the ignoble honour of a maiden season wooden spoon. Some more light-hearted fans, have now called for a ‘wooden bowl’ competition, between Port Macquarie and Peter Sterling Division whipping boys, Wanganui.
Waikato: Kirk Yeaman 2, Paulie Bahtahn, and Joe Vagana. Bowen 4/4
Port Macquarie: Richard Gay and Jim Gannon. Tinakita ½
HT Score: Waikato 18-10
Penalties: Waikato 3-2
Completion Rates: Waikato 67% Port Macquarie 62%
Possession: Waikato 53%
PoM Points: Andre Bowen 3, Paulie Bahtahn 2, and Kirk Yeaman 1.

Peter Sterling Division
Team W L D For Against +/- Points
1. Tassie 17 8 1 541 394 147 35
2. Wagga 16 9 1 587 463 124 33
3. Newcastle 16 10 0 547 401 131 32
4. Shanghai 14 10 2 485 428 57 30
5. Ipswich 14 11 1 442 399 43 29

6. Lake Heights 13 12 1 478 498 -20 27
7. Geelong 13 13 0 423 434 -11 26
8. Eastwood 12 13 1 488 402 86 25
9. Carnarvon 12 13 1 382 515 -133 25
10. North Queensland 10 15 1 469 605 -136 21
11. Redlands 8 16 2 342 485 -143 18
12. Wanganui 5 21 0 300 594 -294 10

Wally Lewis Division
Team W L D For Against +/- Points
1. East Coast 21 5 0 673 314 359 42
2. Tamworth City 20 6 0 731 305 426 40
3. Canberra 20 6 0 669 350 319 40
4. Dunedin 17 9 0 583 364 219 34
5. Fairfield 17 9 0 612 420 104 34

6. New England 11 14 1 498 506 -8 23
7. Penrith 11 15 0 505 464 41 22
8. Colombo 11 15 0 433 548 -115 22
9. Waikato 10 14 2 373 534 -161 22
10. Liverpool 9 16 1 348 640 -292 19
11. Port Adelaide 4 22 0 291 684 -393 8
12. Port Macquarie 3 21 2 282 702 -420 8

Here's the draw for the finals:

Premier League
Gold Coast Crusade vs. Sydney Oilers @ Carara Stadium
Wellington Cougars vs. Parramatta Vikings @ Westpac Trust Stadium
Brisbane Bulls vs. Northern Cannons @ ANZ Stadium
Wollongong Destructors vs. Central Coast Falcons @ WIN Stadium

Division Two
East Coast and Tassie have a bye
Shanghai Traders vs. Fairfield Stallions @ Shanghai Stadium
Dunedin Vipers vs. Ipswich Reds @ Dunedin Park
Wagga Badgers vs. Canberra Chargers @ Wagga Stadium
Tamworth City Titans vs. Newcastle Fear @ Scully Park

Tassie going for Gold.

just for future reference but jade stadium is in christchurch, westpactrust stadium (caketin) is in wellington

YEEHA!! :D WE BEAT CANBERRA!!!! :bang: May there be more victories like this next season.

Whoot Whoot.... Central Coast and Fairfield into the finals. I might just earn myself a double Grand Final win :D

Unfortunately for a well-deserving division winner like Tassie, King Henry IV, pt II, has a potentially relevant comment..."Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown..."

...and none should be as uneasy about a side as they should be about one who narrowly finished second...

...just ask Widnes Chemics, who two years ago took a minor premiership by points differential, then - well, you can see for yourself here (you can even see the match reports by clicking the appropriate links): http://eirl.iirl.net/2003/div1po.html....

...and remember, in the ASRL playoffs, the Franklin Roosevelt dictum about fear is definitely inapplicable - especially with Mark Fowler lurking about :D

What the fuck u on about?
lmao

Classic comments, Theo. Love it!

Any reference to any league history generated from any IIRL-affiliated comp is fair game - and, if you look at the two playoff games (including the Grand Final) that Widnes played against the side they pipped for the EIRL Division One minor premiership, they are certainly classics by any standard (perhaps the ASRL website could archive some classic games as well?)

Who else would be more familiar with that piece of rugby league history but the manager of the side who finished second...

...and who else would dare mention it?

Certainly the Chemics' boss wouldn't - he was not a happy camper afterwards (actually, he and I, as well as the EIRL President, were all completely knackered)...

...but the Wolverhampton boss would, and was a very happy camper...

...and if you should notice any similarities between Wolverhampton's mascot and any other mascot in ASRL, you may safely assume that the same manager runs both sides ;)

It's definitely somethnig I'll add down the track, provided we ever get the website off the ground again.

That, and the fact we lost all but the last two seasons to a crash on my computer last year, means there's sadly not as many 'classics' floating around as there could be. :(

:( Thanks Doug im cryin