This is perhaps the hardest part of all as so many variables play a part in the finals. There are weaker teams CTin it and winning agasinst stronger teams who play Normal to conserve some enthusiasm; there are sudden injuries to key players; and their are the advantages and disadvantages of having or not having Home Court Advantage (HCA).
Without reall checking all of the teams' histories, I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that most, if not all of the top 8 teams that make the finals, have won through to Div III by winning a Div IV Championship somewhere along the line. With this said, there is some significant experience here.
The following is only my opinion...
BIG 8
GAME 1 (Urmummas v Hawthorn FC)
The Urmummas will sweep aside a hapless Hawthorn FC in the opening round (or perhaps The Legends678). The Hawks (or perhaps Legends) will likely CT the game in the hope of a miracle. The Urmummas can play Normal and still account for both of these teams providing there are no sudden injuires to the Urmummas and they play offensively to their strengths. Urmummas head to SF.
GAME 2 (Glenvale Cheaters v Ozzy Roasters)
The Glenvale Cheaters and the Ozzy Roasters will both likely CT this game to ensure they remain in the finals. If so, the Ozzy Roasters should sneak this one out despite the Cheaters HCA. Ozzy Roasters head to SF.
GREAT 8
GAME 3 (GC Vikings v Cheltenham Bombs)
The GC Vikings will Normal this game against the Bombs CT. No contest! Vikings head to SF.
GAME 4 (Moorditj Magick v XBB)
My tip to be the closest of the four games. This will depend heavily on who has HCA. With three regular season games remaining, this one is yet to be sorted. If XBB have HCA they will win. If Magick have HCA they can win. Given the Magick's fondenss of TIEing games, the XBB will likely snare HCA and win through to the SF.
Semi Finals
GAME 1 (Urmummas v Ozzy Roasters)
With higher enthusiasm to begin with, the Urmummas should still win through regardless of whether they CT or NORMAL this one. While the Roasters have the personel here to steal the victory, I believe both will CT the game and the Urmummas will head to the GF.
GAME 2 (GC Vikings v XBB)
Again, this game has the potential for an upset. XBB has the firepower to take down the Vikings. If both teams CT this one I believe the Vikings will win through on the back of their HCA. GC Vikings to head to the GF.
GRAND FINAL
The opening game, unless the Vikings drop one of the the 3 games prior to the finals thus giving up the HCA to the Urmummas, the Vikings can win game 1 of the best of 3 series. Game 2 will likely be at Urmummas and see them level up the series at 1 a piece. I strongly believe that if these two teams meet in the GF then this series will go to three games.
The third game, played on the Vikings home court, will be an away win for the Urmummas. I believe that the enthusiasm sub levels for the Urmummas will be sufficiently greater than the Vikings to allow them to sneak out an away victory and claim the Championship.
VERDICT
The Urmummas will be...
...Season 17 Div III.3 CHAMPIONS!!!
Last edited by Mr J at 10/4/2011 8:48:42 AM