Around the Grounds - Round 17

Key Match Up - Gordon (7th) v Manly (3rd)

Gordon have ridden the ladder like the ASX from 7th to 4th and back to 7th in the space of three weeks.

After 5 wins, Gordon were well beaten by Eastern Suburbs who enjoyed the spoils of a number of Waratah players returning to Woollahra.

Manly continued their slide with 4 losses from 5 rounds with Sydney Uni still to come. Their 9-point buffer reduced to 7, with Warringh playing Souths and Wests they may just need a few more than that.

Gordon by 6

Eastern Suburbs (9th) v Hunter (8th)

The winner here will play finals and the loser probably won't.

Easts have put together 3 wins & have been playing knock-out rugby for a month now, how long will their run continue? With the likes of Teddy Wilson, Jack Bowen & Will Harris to all feature more prominently it could certainly be a few more.

Hunter will rue their 1-point loss to Randwick as they cling to a maiden finals birth.

Easts by 16

Warringah (5th) v Souths (12th)

Warringah kept their destiny in their own hands with a 2-point win. With Souths and Wests to come 2 wins could put the top 4 back within their sights.

Souths remain on the hunt for a scalp to finish the season, with Rats then Randwick time is running out to get off the bottom of the table.

Rats by 12

Uni (2nd) v West Harbour (11th)

With 2 and a half wins from 3 games, the Pirates have shocked a few, however, I can't see another upset in this one.

Rarely do Uni suffer back-to-back losses and having lost to Eastwood last week, expect them to bounce back.

Uni by 21

Randwick (6th) v Eastwood (4th)

Two teams on the precipice of the unknown.

If ever there were a snakes and ladders moment, this would be it.

Win and likely claim a top 4 finals finish. Lose and possibly fall as low as 8th.

Edmed v Donaldson is a juicy storyline to watch unfold.

Eastwood by 10