Depending on the proactiveness of Ultimate Footy, the Nana’s Board believe Round 14 to be the final round of the 2020 regular season, with Round 15 becoming a pre-finals bye to avoid any unfair scheduling.
It means that the five sides fighting it out for four finals spots only have one last chance to make their push, here’s what’s at stake..
Beat Jesse sit one game clear atop the standings with a 9-4 record and, with a match against the last-placed UUFFT (yes it feels amazing to write that), it’s expected that Beat Jesse will claim their first minor premiership this weekend.
There have been rumours that Coach Roberts, who rarely pays attention to his still-dominant side, has been nudged along by Heeney Some Milk’s Coach Holland to check his team this week, as a UUFFT win would likely leave Heeney Some Milk with an unwanted second consecutive wooden spoon.
Predicted finish: 1st
NANA Winner features in the most enticing matchup this week in the Grand Final Rematch against BOO, with both sides coming in off three consecutive wins.
They seem to have saved their best form of the season until the very end - with a rough stretch throughout the middle of the season undoubtedly costing them the minor premiership - but Manthorpe’s men can still find themselves with the double chance if they get over the line this weekend.
NANA Winner boast a near-500 point lead over other 8-5 teams in The Catholic Church and BOO, meaning all they need this weekend is the four points to secure them a place in the first qualifying final.
Predicted finish: 2nd
They were in red hot form until a week ago with an incredible six-game winning streak but now, after back-to-back losses, The Catholic Church find themselves no guarantee to make finals.
Luckily, they match up against the seventh-placed Heeney Some Milk, with no one blaming The Catholic Church if they’ve already chalked up the four points and started planning for finals this week.
If there is an upset on the cards, The Catholic Church still need BOO and Gabe’s Team to both record wins this week if they are to miss finals, with the young side expected to feature in their franchise’s first post-season in 2020.
Predicted finish: 3rd
They’re currently on a “heater”, but so too is their matchup in this week’s must-win game for BOO.
Carruthers’ side come into Round 14 off the back of three wins which has allowed them a shot at finals’ glory, but it could unfortunately all be for nothing if they can’t overcome NANA Winner this weekend.
They can, however, still play finals if they finish on an 8-6 record, but must rely on one result to fall their way if that is the case.
If they seem bound for a loss, all eyes will shift to the matchup between Gabe and Max’s Teams, with Carruthers becoming Max’s Team’s biggest supporter, if he hasn’t already.
Predicted finish: 5th
Gabe’s Team were the team to beat in the first month of the season, but that feels like a lifetime ago as Coach Fienemann now finds himself hoping for other results to fall his way in order to scrape into the top four.
The first step for Gabe’s Team is to win against the inconsistent Max’s Team this weekend, if they can’t do that, then they’re definitely out of the picture.
Gabe’s Team’s impressive points scored this season (second in the league) provides them with two opportunities to make the cut, if they win.
They have an insurmountable lead in points scored against BOO and The Catholic Church, who are both one game ahead, meaning if NANA Winner or Heeney Some Milk record wins, they’re in the four.
However, if BOO manages to get past NANA Winner, Gabe’s Team has the opportunity to drop NANA Winner from second all the way down to fifth.
NANA Winner currently holds a 123-point buffer in points scored over Gabe’s Team which is likely too much to overcome, but if Gabe’s Team manage to outscore the reigning premiers by 124+ points, the outcome of NANA Winner’s matchup is no longer relevant.
There’s plenty still to play for for Gabe’s Team, but first, they need to win.
Predicted finish: 4th
Max’s Team can either win against Gabe’s Team and finish sixth, or lose against Gabe’s Team and finish sixth.
Sorry Max, that’s what’s at stake.
Publicly-known finish: 6th
They weren’t expected to win a game this year and suddenly now find themselves a chance at avoiding a second consecutive wooden spoon.
With a win over The Catholic Church unlikely, the focus shifts to the battle between Beat Jesse and The UUFFT, whom Heeney Some Milk hold a crucial 86-point lead over in points scored.
86-points is by no means a safe lead, and there’s a chance that The UUFFT still rise above Heeney Some Milk even if they don’t get the win, but Holland is apparently taking no chances, encouraging Coach Roberts of Beat Jesse to check his side before a Sunday for the first time since Round 8.
Predicted finish: 8th
While all eyes turn to Beat Jesse when the league discusses coaches with no passion, Coach Fienemann of The UUFFT has seemingly gotten off scot-free, with his side currently on a six-game losing streak despite boasting a list capable of much more than a 3-10 record.
Six rounds ago, The UUFFT held a 600-point advantage over Heeney Some Milk only for it to somehow be erased in one round. However, all will be forgotten if they can close on the gap that now sits at 86-points this weekend.
Though they’re playing Beat Jesse this weekend, the unofficial matchup between The UUFFT and Heeney Some Milk (+ 86 points) could be the game of the round, and the overnight loophole of Dylan Shiel's 93 suggest Fienemann knows it.
Predicted finish: 7th
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