Just two rounds remain in the regular season and across all three divisions there's still a great many teams in contention for the finals. Would round twenty five provide any clarity in the race for the top eight?

PREMIER LEAGUE
The Central Coast Falcons have scored a measure of revenge against Darwin, the team who finished ahead of them in the Crown Casino Risk, with a big 30-6 victory at The Birdcage to keep their top eight dream alive. The win sees Central Coast move to just a point below Darwin, setting up some grandstand finishes next week.
Central Coast: Luke Patten, Matt Utai 2, and Sean Long 2. El Masri 5/5
Darwin: Scott Donald. Bowen 1/1
HT Score: Central Coast 18-0
Penalties: Central Coast 8-5
Completion Rates: Central Coast 65% Darwin 55%
Possession: Central Coast 55%
PoM Points: Schalk Burger 3, Sean Long 2, and Matt Utai 1.

Wellington's indifferent form heading into the penultimate weeks of the season continued today, but the Cougars were lucky to be facing 'local' rivals, Auckland - scoring a messy but invaluable 20-8 victory over the hopeless Pirates.
Wellington: Sitiveni Sivivatu, Nigel Vagana, Scott Hill, and Paul Rauhihi. Tai 2/5
Auckland: Syrian Kor. Hezgoodaba 2/2
HT Score: Wellington 16-8
Penalties: Auckland 7-3
Completion Rates: Wellington 70% Auckland 50%
Possession: Wellington 56%
PoM Points: Joe Rokocoko 3, Paul Rauhihi 2, and Scott Hill 1.

Perth have added meaning to today's cellar clash between Hornsby and Wagga, lifting themselves out of relegation speculation with a shock 38-6 thumping of Parramatta. The Vikings now slip to the point of being a near impossibly of a top eight berth, giving Vahe a full off season to work on remedying the club.
Perth: Derick Hougard, Aaron Payne 3, Tony Puletua, and Trent Waterhouse 2. Wilkinson 5/7
Parramatta: Wade McKinnon. Fitzgibbon 1/1
HT Score: Perth 32-0
Penalties: Parramatta 9-6
Completion Rates: Perth 56% Parramatta 67%
Possession: Perth 56%
PoM Points: Tony Puletua 3, Trent Waterhouse 2, and Jonny Wilkinson 1.

The Central Phoenix have given the Gold Coast Crusade a chance to clinch the minor premiership ahead of next week's blockbuster clash with Sydney, toppling second placed Northern Cannons 26-12 to do their own premiership aspirations the world of good.
Northern: Cordy Mathers 2. Pariah 2/2
Central: Clinton Schifcofske, Luke Lewis, Jonny Maquina 2, and Ashwin Willemse. Maquina 3/5
HT Score: Central 20-6
Penalties: Northern 6-5
Completion Rates: Northern 66% Central 70%
Possession: Central 53%
PoM Points: Jonny Maquina 3, Ronan O'Gara 2, and Alex Synn 1.

Wagga have achieved what many would consider impossible, downing Hornsby at home today to leap out of last position and hand the Mavericks the automatic relegation position with just a week to go in the regular season. Wagga played the match in tribute to missing coach Theo Kamis, and did him proud with a big 36-12 thumping of their relegation rivals.
Wagga: Rupert Matakamikamica 2, Graham Anlezark, Sam Obst, Shayne McMenemy, and Wayne McDonald. Magro 6/7
Hornsby: Reuben Thorne and Dean Widders. Roff 2/4
HT Score: Wagga 18-4
Penalties: Wagga 8-7
Completion Rates: Wagga 61% Hornsby 58%
Possession: Wagga 55%
PoM Points: Dean Widders 3, Graham Anlezark 2, and Sam Obst 1.

Capetown have shown plenty of promise in today's clash against star-studded Brisbane, the Ravens rampaging over their former Division Two rivals on the way to a crucial 30-14 away win.
Brisbane: Shane Webcke and Dallas Johnson. Hannay 3/3
Capetown: Brendan Cannon, Leon Pryce, Martin Gleeson, Danny Orr, and Logan Swann. Way 5/5
HT Score: Brisbane 12-0
Penalties: Brisbane 5-4
Completion Rates: Brisbane 57% Capetown 59%
Possession: Capetown 54%
PoM Points: Martin Gleeson 3, Marty Holah 2, and Leon Pryce 1.

Adelaide are officially out of the picture for the 2005 finals, whilst Sydney have ensured next week's clash with Gold Coast will be a thriller as they emerged victorious in a close fought game in Sydney, 26-18.
Sydney: Amos Roberts, Sonny-Bill Williams 2, and Junior Pelesasa. Bennet 5/6
Adelaide: Ma'a Nonu 2 and Richie McCaw. Carter 3/3
HT Score: Adelaide 18-8
Penalties: Sydney 9-5
Completion Rates: Sydney 61% Adelaide 70%
Possession: Sydney 52%
PoM Points: Sonny-Bill Williams 3, Ma'a Nonu 2, and Peter Cusack 1.

It couldn't have been planned better, as the Gold Coast/Surfers Paradise local derby came just one week after Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise had won the BFC and Risk respectively - setting up a 'decider' of sorts at The Slam Pit. In a tight fought epic the Crusade emerged victorious, sealing their minor premiership with a 16-0 win over the Punks - who made no enemies in defeat.
Surfers Paradise: None.
Gold Coast: Julian Santarakista, Luke Rooney, and Kevin Sinfield. Johns 2/3
HT Score: Gold Coast 6-0
Penalties: Gold Coast 5-1
Completion Rates: Surfers Paradise 68% Gold Coast 65%
Possession: Gold Coast 54%
PoM Points: Julian Santarakista 3, Matt King 2, and Andrew Johns 1.

In the final clash of the round, Wollongong have upstaged Melbourne in the closest clash of the week, edging the Executioners out 13-10 to maintain their place in the top eight.
Wollongong: Brett Hodgson and Jaime Soward. Hodgson 2/4. Jones 1 fg.
Melbourne: Brian O'Driscroll and Richard Horne. Constipolous 1/2
HT Score: Melbourne 4-2
Penalties: Wollongong 6-5
Completion Rates: Wollongong 60% Melbourne 66%
Possession: Wollongong 53%
PoM Points: Ian Hindmarsh 3, Luke Covell 2, and Danny McGuire 1.

Go Capetown!

Need to win next week against Parra and hope that Central lose and i'm in the top 4.

PREMIER LEAGUE
Team W L D For Against +/- Points
1 Gold Coast 20 4 1 796 371 425 41
2 Northern 19 6 0 650 344 306 38
3 Wellington 18 7 0 643 447 196 36
4 Central 17 8 0 578 492 86 34
5 Capetown 16 9 0 655 402 243 32
6 Sydney 15 9 0 557 373 194 30
7 Wollongong 14 11 0 585 423 162 28
8 Melbourne 13 11 1 463 424 39 27

9 Darwin 12 12 0 469 499 -30 26
10 Central Coast 12 12 0 515 414 101 25
11 Surfers Paradise 11 13 0 448 550 -102 25
12 Brisbane 12 13 0 438 465 -27 24 *
13 Parramatta 12 12 0 405 496 -91 24 *
14 Adelaide 11 14 0 504 468 36 22 *
15 Perth 7 18 0 392 672 -280 14 *
16 Auckland 7 18 0 364 673 -309 14 *
17 Wagga 4 20 0 366 700 -334 8 *
18 Hornsby 4 21 0 306 807 -501 8 *

The losses by Adelaide, Brisbane, and Parramatta see them fall out of top eight contention. If Melbourne record a victory next week, they seal a top eight spot. A loss could see Darwin or Central Coast overtake them, with Surfers Paradise needing a big win and a heavy Melbourne defeat.

Wagga and Hornsby will be playing for their Premier League futures, but if Wagga win then Hornsby are assured of relegation.

Holy Shit... the Falcons are so fucking close... come on Brisbane and Northern to stop my opposition!

Good win by the Falcons, hopefully it isn't too little too late. Definately one of the form teams within the competition. We're playing Finals Football and hopefully next week, we'll be competiting in them

Oh yah and HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE I might have gotten Wagga out of relegation!

With their top eight dream shattered Redfern returned to ground with a thud today, humiliated by last placed Waikato 42-18 in a display that had many fans disgusted post game.
Waikato: Henry Paul, Toa Kohe-Love, Kirk Yeaman, Mark Mom, Ali Williams, and Taine Randell. Paul 9/10
Redfern: Dale Lolaleah, Chris Walker-Bush, and Elia Tuqiri. Dynevor 3/3
HT Score: Redfern 18-16
Penalties: Waikato 15-1
Completion Rates: Waikato 77% Redfern 58%
Possession: Waikato 59%
PoM Points: Ryan Hudson 3, Matt Geyer 2, and Henry Paul 1.

Carnarvon have opened the door to the top eight today by downing Port Macquarie 26-12, leaving an opening for sides just outside the eight to make a late charge.
Carnarvon: Paul Sykes 2, Steven Wild, and Luke Stuart. Dufour 5/6
Port Macquarie: Chris Whittaker and Danny Tickle. Briers 3/4
HT Score: 14 all
Penalties: Carnarvon 6-4
Completion Rates: Carnarvon 73% Port Macquarie 66%
Possession: Carnarvon 55%
PoM Points: Cameron Dufour 3, Paul Sykes 2, and Alfred Songoro 1.

Tamworth City continue to struggle for form at the wrong end of the season, the Titans going down in an entertaining clash against fourth placed local rivals New England, 22-12.
New England: Matt Cooper, De Wet Barry, and Matt Bickerstaff. Ferris 5/5
Tamworth City: Anthony Farrah and Jermaine Ale. Bates 2/2
HT Score: New England 14-12
Penalties: New England 9-6
Completion Rates: New England 70% Tamworth City 64%
Possession: New England 54%
PoM Points: Rudi Vedelago 3, Sione Lauaki 2, and Matt Cooper 1.

The Premier League will feature a Tasmanian side for the first time since Hobart relocated to New Zealand next season, Tasmania confirming their minor premiership and promotion with an emphatic 46-6 victory over Liverpool. It seems almost sad that gifted coach Dave Paddock will leave the club to control their soon to be Premier League rivals, Central.
Liverpool: None. March 3/3
Tasmania: Tristan Law, Jerrie Muller 2, Matthew Burke, Varasiko Tokarei, Richard Gerling 2, and Mohammad Zian-Ali. Burke 7/8
HT Score: Tasmania 22-6
Penalties: Liverpool 7-3
Completion Rates: Liverpool 81% Tasmania 74%
Possession: Tasmania 57%
PoM Points: Matthew Burke 3, Richard Gerling 2, and Varasiko Tokarei 1.

If Tasmania are headed to the Premier League automatically, it seems likely that North Queensland will follow care of the wildcard game - the Dolphins furthered the gap between themselves and their chasers with a 48-12 thumping of Christchurch.
Christchurch: Terry Hill and Dean Lawford. Rumble 2/2
North Queensland: Bill Narwan, Holger Mannhardt 3, Jean-Emmanuel Cassin, David Frame, Wyclif Palau, and Todd Byrne. Kirchner 8/8
HT Score: North Queensland 30-0
Penalties: North Queensland 8-5
Completion Rates: Christchurch 53% North Queensland 73%
Possession: North Queensland 59%
PoM Points: Jean-Emmanuel Cassin 3, Holger Mannhardt 2, and Bill Narwan 1.

The Chargers returned to the winners' circle today to ammend their recent run of losses, Canberra downing Christchurch 18-0 to stop their slippery slide down the Division Two ladder and keep alive their hopes of promoting.
Canberra: Chris McKenna, Wayne Godwin, and Gareth Carvell. Flatley 3/4
Campbelltown: None.
HT Score: Canberra 2-0
Penalties: Canberra 5-3
Completion Rates: Canberra 66% Campbelltown 71%
Possession: Canberra 55%
PoM Points: Toori Tatu 3, Wayne Godwin 2, and Gareth Carvell 1.

Bondi's losing streak has extended to two today, the Battlers now looking set to emulate their namesake in round twenty six to keep their top eight chances alive after a shock 22-12 loss to Geelong today.
Geelong: Craig Frawley, Bryan Cook, Kit Walker, and Manuel Contemponi. Detreaux 3/4
Bondi: Brent Grose and Mark Minichiello. Thorman 2/4
HT Score: 6 all
Penalties: Bondi 6-2
Completion Rates: Geelong 70% Bondi 76%
Possession: Bondi 54%
PoM Points: Brent Grose 3, Mark Minichiello 2, and Mark Dalle Cort 1.

Eastwood have welcomed the news that they will relocate to Bathurst in 2006 with a big 28-18 victory over Lake Heights, the Pumas giving fans and their new coach a preview of what they can do.
Lake Heights: Sam Isemonger, Thomas Kempton, and Nihal Silvain. Kempton 3/3
Eastwood: Steve Mattai 2, Daniel Vickerman, Alex Chan, and Nathan Hollingsworth. March 4/7
HT Score: Eastwood 18-0
Penalties: Eastwood 13-7
Completion Rates: Lake Heights 68% Eastwood 64%
Possession: Eastwood 56%
PoM Points: Nathan Hollingsworth 3, Reece Simmonds 2, and Steve Mattai 1.

In another game of no consequence Newcastle have scored an 18-12 victory over South Queensland, showing signs of improvement after the news that Mark Fowler will return to the helm in the new season.
South Queensland: Nicholai Backlava and Shannon O'Reilly. Takawira 2/2
Newcastle: John Andrews, Shontayne Hape 2, and Iestyn Harris. Harris 1/4
HT Score: Newcastle 10-0
Penalties: Newcastle 10-6
Completion Rates: South Queensland 86% Newcastle 69%
Possession: Newcastle 55%
PoM Points: Karl Pryce 3, Ryan O'Hara 2, and Shontayne Hape 1.

DIVISION TWO
Team W L D For Against +/- Points
1. Tasmania 22 2 1 774 282 +494 45 **PROMOTING**
2. North Queensland 20 4 1 605 335 +270 41
3. New England 19 5 1 608 347 +261 39 39
4. Tamworth City 19 4 1 585 378 +207
5. Canberra 14 10 1 534 480 +54 29
6. Bondi 13 11 1 462 453 +9 27
7. Carnarvon 13 11 0 439 398 +41 26
8. Port Macquarie 11 11 3 425 510 -85 25

9. Campbelltown 12 13 0 434 490 -56 24
10. Eastwood 10 13 2 469 536 -67 22 *
11. Redfern 10 14 1 484 475 +9 21 *
12. Liverpool 9 15 1 398 629 -231 19 *
13. Newcastle 9 14 2 413 462 -49 20 *
14. Lake Heights 8 15 2 457 546 -99 18 *
15. South Queensland 8 16 1 335 539 -204 17 *
16. Christchurch 7 17 1 377 526 -149 15 *
17. Geelong 6 17 1 346 510 -164 13 *
18. Waikato 5 20 0 408 647 -239 10 *

Only Campbelltown can sneak into the top eight, with Port Macquarie and Carnarvon the teams they'll need to see losing if they're to make an appearance.

Its sods law. One week win at Northern then lose at Hornsby.

Still play each other in playoffs. Just a case of who's at home??

True...just wanting a higher chance at a second chance for the finals hahaa. Do we go off the "McIntyre system"?

I'm not confident against Central...you've beaten me twice haha.

Padds congrats on your job with Tassie. YOu went on with what I started last year and you completed the side brilliantly.

bugga wooden spoon!

what the hammered by waikato :lol:

Cheers, Mick. The only reason I'm moving on is Tassie have too many RU and rookie players and I cant trade with them, which I love doing. Central have almost a ready made RL team and i have proved this season I can win with them. Look out next year!!!

If the top team in Div 2 is promoted and the 2nd team play off with the Prem last-but-one for a place in the top league what is the point of the Div 2 playoffs??

oh cmon chris. this round should of been delayed

Why? The Risk was played out by Sunday and didn't effect form. Formguides for every side who did have a round twenty four game were emailled out on Monday allowing two days for team submission.

That's not how it works. The grand final winner plays off against the second last placed Premier League.

i agree with maunder, though i had my team submission in i feel we should replay the round, as well as, the first 13 rounds where adelaide won like two games becaue of forced, fascist authorative and rushed submission dates...however i have no problems with rounds 14-23 which i think were done in an orderly, loving,caring and compassionate fashion where everybody flourished in equal opportunity and playful endearment...ah the golden age of ASRL i believe!

And if the top team, i.e Tassie wins, the GF losers play the Prem last but one.

ok, yeah i had no idea that the punks form didnt change, so the reason why i said that is because i didnt see the punks formguide in the 24 file. thanks for the clear up.

Apologies for the confusion. If you'd asked before the deadline I'd have been able to clear it up for you.

As it was I added form to the Punks as if I were coaching them, prior to seeing who they were scheduled to play.

Sorry Magro but I'm not going to allow you to make the finals :bang:

Sorry Andrew, this isn't up to you. This week you'll become my whipping boy:D