Last weekend's round of results really upset the applecart of several NRC finals contenders and it means that the top four now won't be confirmed until the final game of the final round.
I gave myself a headache working out all the finals equations, just so that you don’t have to, and here’s how the various scenarios for the six teams still in the race look going into the final round.
1st - Queensland Country, 28 points
This weekend: Host 6th-placed Perth Spirit in Ipswich, Sunday 5pm AEDT
Maximum points available: 33
Best finish: 1st
Worst finish: 2nd
Scenarios
Will finish 1st on the NRC table with a win over Perth.
Could still finish 1st with a loss, but only if Canberra Vikings lose to the Greater Sydney Rams.
Will finish 2nd with a loss to Perth, and if Canberra beat the Rams.
2nd - Canberra Vikings, 25 points
This weekend: Play 7th-placed Greater Sydney Rams in Sydney, Sunday 3pm AEDT
Maximum points available: 30
Best finish: 1st
Worst finish: 3rd
Scenarios
Will guarantee a top-two finish and a home semi-final with a win over the Rams.
Will finish 1st with a win over the Rams, and if Queensland Country lose to Perth.
Would still finish 2nd with a BP loss to the Rams, if the Fijian Drua beat the Sydney Rays.
Could drop to 3rd with a loss to the Rams without a BP, if Fiji beat the Rays with a BP.
3rd - Fijian Drua, 21 points
This weekend: Host 8th-placed Sydney Rays in Suva, Saturday 5.30pm AEDT
Maximum points available: 26
Best finish: 2nd
Worst finish: 6th
Scenarios
Will guarantee a maiden NRC Finals series at the first attempt with a win over the Rays.
Could finish 2nd with a BP win over Sydney, and if Canberra lose to the Rams without a BP.
Would still finish in the top four with a loss to the Rays, but only if Perth and one of NSW Country or Brisbane City lose.
Will miss the top four completely with a loss to the Rays without a BP, if one of NSW Country or Brisbane City win, and if Perth beat Queensland Country with a BP.
4th – NSW Country Eagles, 18 points
This weekend: Host 5th-placed Brisbane City in Orange, Saturday 1.00pm AEDT
Maximum points available: 23
Best finish: 3rd
Worst finish: 7th
Scenarios
Will finish in the top four with a win over Brisbane City.
Could finish 3rd if they beat City, and if the Drua lose to the Rays.
Will miss the top four with a loss.
5th – Brisbane City, 18 points
This weekend: Play 4th-placed NSW Country in Orange, Saturday 1.00pm AEDT
Maximum points available: 23
Best finish: 3rd
Worst finish: 7th
Scenarios (identical to NSW Country)
Will finish in the top four with a win over NSW Country.
Could finish 3rd if they beat the Eagles, and if the Drua lose to the Rays.
Will miss the top four with a loss.
6th – Perth Spirit, 16 points
This weekend: Play 1st-placed Queensland Country in Ipswich, Sunday 5pm AEDT
Maximum points available: 21
Best finish: 3rd
Worst finish: 7th
Scenarios
First and foremost, must beat Queensland Country.
Could climb as high as 3rd with a BP win over Queensland Country, and if Fiji lose to Sydney without a BP, and if NSW Country and Brisbane City draw.
Could finish 4th win over Queensland Country, and if Fiji lose to Sydney without a BP, and if one of NSW Country or Brisbane City win.
Will miss the finals completely if the Drua and one of NSW Country or Brisbane City win, regardless of their result with Queensland Country.
Greater Sydney Rams (13 points), Sydney Rays (9), and Melbourne Rising (4) cannot make the NRC Finals Series.
