Premier League sees four sides fighting for the last two spots in the top eight, and an equally thrilling battle is being waged by Auckland, Fairfield, and Newcastle for the final spot in the Division Two top eight. The second to last round of the year provided all of the thrills we've come to expect from this time of the year.

PREMIER LEAGUE
The clash between Adelaide and Central, two sides vying for a spot in the top eight, proved to be the thriller it was billed as. The Phoenix raced away to lead 20-6 at halftime before a spirited fightback had scored levelled at 20 all with seven minutes to go. An inspiring last stanza from Adrian Morley, capped off with two Central tries- lifted the side to a 32-20 win and all but assured the Phoenix of a place in the finals.
Adelaide: Mark McLinden 2 and Stephen Kearney 2. Paul 1/2. Geyer 1/3
Central: Clinton Schifcofske 2, Brad Flemming, Danny Sculthorpe, and Adrian Morley. Deacon 6/6
PoM Points: Adrian Morley 3, Brad Flemming 2, and Clinton Schifcofske 1.

Even without captain and playmaker Darren Lockyer, the Perth Taipans provided fans at Newlands Stadium an unexpected thriller as the Taipans went down 42-26 to the first placed Ravens in a high scoring affair. A closely fought first half saw the Ravens leading 18-16, before they clicked into gear to record another victory.
Capetown: Luke Rooney 3, Jamie Bloem, Andrew Mehrtens, Mike Forshaw, and Sean Carstens. Mehrtens 7/8
Perth: Aaron Mauger 2, Keiran Cunningham, and Andrew McFadden. Morrison 5/7
PoM Points: Luke Rooney 3, Andy Farrell 2, and Andrew Mehrtens 1.

Even though the result in today's clash between Carnarvon and Brisbane would have no bearing on relegation or the finals- the two sides still pulled out all stops in an entertaining and surprisingly disciplined game. Impressive completion rates from both sides meant fans saw a torrid battle- the Bulls scoring a 19-14 victory.
Carnarvon: Gorden Tallis and Joe Black. Luana 3/3
Brisbane: Iestyn Harris, Robbie Paul, and Brian O'Driscroll. Paul 3/3. Hohaia 1 fg.
PoM Points: Robbie Paul 3, Lance Hohaia 2, and Shannon Hegarty 1.

Manly's claim for a top four berth took a major beating today, the Cannons outplayed by an enthusiastic Surfers Paradise side. The return of Rhys Wesser to the halves (alongside Carlos Spencer) sparked a dominant 42-24 win for the Punks- who scored seven tries to four in the one sided clash.
Manly: Koru Tirohara, Stacey Jones, Edward Hoartshire, and David Lyons. Rogers 4/5
Surfers Paradise: Shaun Berrigan, Josh Hannay, Stuart Kelly, Carlos Spencer 3, and Ruben Wiki. Hannay 7/7
PoM Points: Josh Hannay 3, Carlos Spencer 2, and Lincoln Kennedy 1.

The Central Coast Falcons continued to go about their business of hunting for a second consecutive top four berth today- having no trouble in accounting for the woeful Maulers in a 26-0 away win.
North Melbourne: None.
Central Coast: Matt Utai, Braith Anasta, Gunter Franz, and Steven Price. El Masri 5/5
PoM Points: Corin Barry 3, Hazem El Masri 2, and Steven Price 1.

Their season may be more or less over, but North Sydney have made it their business to crush dreams as they upset Darwin 14-10 to throw the Cyclones' best season in five years into jeopardy. The Cyclones, early competition front-runners, will now be in real danger of missing the eight. North Sydney, however, have a chance to end Adelaide's season next week.
North Sydney: Evan Mears and Ashley Harrison. Michalak 3/5
Darwin: Mirco Bergamasco and Justin Hodges. Apokalips 1/3
PoM Points: Michael Wainwright 3, Richard Swain 2, and Justin Hodges 1.

The return of bad boy coach Brian Randell continues to have a positive effect on the rejuvenated Hawkesbury Mavericks- the side upsetting Parramatta 18-6 to add another black mark to one more humiliating year for the glamour club. The Mavericks dominated a messy clash, with Parramatta clearly disenchanted by another year of blown opportunities.
Parramatta: Jamie Lyon. Fitzgibbon 1/1
Hawkesbury: Tevita Vaikona, Jerrie Muller 2, and Maleky O'Connor. O'Connor 1/5
PoM Points: Jerrie Muller 3, Jamie Lyon 2, and Maleky O'Connor 1.

Sydney have kept their finals' dream alive and cast serious doubts over Wellington's top four claims with a thrilling 20-18 win over the understrength Cougars. A virtuoso performance from underrated fullback Luke Patten was the catalyst for the desperately needed win- Patten's two tries proving crucial in a 20-18 win to the Oilers.
Sydney: Luke Patten 2 and Joe Rokocoko. Gower 4/4
Wellington: Jake Luana 2 and Sean Long. Sinfield 3/4
PoM Points: Luke Patten 3, Trent Barrett 2, and Joe Rokocoko 1.

The Gold Coast Crusade backline has had a field day against the Wollongong Destructors in today's clash, running all over the Destructors' inexperienced threequarters and nullifying Brett Hodgson in the Crusade's 26-4. The Crusade are on track to secure second spot and safety from elimination in week one of the finals.
Wollongong: Adam MacDougall. Hodgson 0/1
Gold Coast: Billy Slater 2, Daniel Abraham, and Andrew Johns. Johns 5/5
PoM Points: Billy Slater 3, Tommy O'Reilly 2, and Daniel Abraham 1.

DIVISION TWO
Any hopes of a Perth City miracle finals berth were well and truly put to bed today when the side went down 29-24 to the Canberra Chargers in a surprisingly entertaining game. The Chargers also put to bed any threat of being the wooden spooners- completing a remarkable late season turnaround in preparation for the arrival of new coach Justin Hoy.
Canberra: Scott Staniforth, Paul Whatuira, Sean Towers, and Solomon Haumona. Towers 6/8. Jones 1 fg.
Perth City: Andy Ballot, Gift Mudzadzi, Marty Turner, and Jason Temu. Horsfall 4/4
PoM Points: Nigel Roy 3, Paul Whatuira 2, and Marty Turner 1.

Division Two has new wooden spooners again after the Coffs Harbour Wyrms accounted for Hobart 34-10 today in a dominant display. The Shades were abysmal, with only veteran lock Billy Peden showing any heart in a man of the match performance for a badly beaten side.
Coffs Harbour: Stirling Mortlock, Matt Giteau, Mat Toschak 2, and Angel Withers 2. Mortlock 5/7
Hobart: Brandon Costin and David Shepherdon. Martin 1/2
PoM Points: Billy Peden 3, David Raelke 2, and Matt Giteau 1.

While his older brother is known for swinging matches, young gun Matt Lockyer today turned in an amazing three try performance to lift Suva to an unexpected 26-16 win over the in form Eastwood Pumas. The loss sees the formerly second placed Pumas slip back into fourth place.
Eastwood: Rowland Rockachelli and Anthony Wotnough. Burrow 4/5
Suva: Wes Davies and Matt Lockyer 3. Eaton 5/6
PoM Points: Matt Lockyer 3, Matt Cockbain 2, and Wes Davies 1.

Colombo have lopped another tall poppy today, throwing Fairfield's finals' dreams into dissarray with a shock 26-12 win over the desperate Stallions. With Auckland, Newcastle, and the Stallions in a three way battle for the eighth position in the finals- the Stallions played stupid football and gave Colombo easy opportunities. Colombo welcomed back inspirational halfback, Matt Dawson, in style.
Fairfield: Dane Dorahy and Scott Magro. Magro 2/2
Colombo: Anthony Himmler 2, Brorten Levy, and Martin Johnson. Appo 5/5
PoM Points: Martin Johnson 3, Anthony Himmler 2, and Aaron Moule 1.

New England dragged themselves out of last place once again this week, the return to form of Ben Walker important in an uninspiring but much needed 16-6 win over the Christchurch Carnage.
New England: Frankie Grills 2 and De Wet Barry. Tallic 2/4
Christchurch: Matt Rua. Connery 1/1
PoM Points: Ben Walker 3, Toori Tatu 2, and Frankie Grills 1.

An absolutely inspiring and emotion charged second half comeback from the Newcastle Fear has taken the side closer to its finals' dream, as well as ending Port Moresby's record shattering winning streak. The Fear stormed home from 18-4 down, fuelled by adreneline to record a stunning 22-18 home win. Young five eighth Thomas Leullai came up with the winning try in the 76th minute, collecting a spiralling Grothe Jr bomb to score beneath the sticks.
Newcastle: Thomas Leullai, Rob Parker, Mick Higham, and Craig Hall. Fien 3/4
Port Moresby: Deon Bird, Daniel Carter, and Mohammed Zian Ali. Zian Ali 3/3
PoM Points: Mohammed Zian Ali 3, Eric Grothe Jr 2, and Gareth Ellis 1.

North Queensland leapt into fifth position on the Division Two ladder today courtesy of a powerful 28-6 molestation of the Pacific Sharks. Kris Radlinski continued his run of recent good form- another man of the match performance staking his claim on England's #1 jersey for the post season tri-series final.
Pacific: Fifita Moala. Lamaisson 1/2
North Queensland: Kris Radlinski, Linden Drummond, Malcolm Alker, Giovanni Piazza, and Lars Gjolnier. Drummond 0/1. Martin 4/4
PoM Points: Kris Radlinski 3, Malcolm Alker 2, and Giovanni Piazza 1.

Auckland's emphatic late season charge for a finals berth took a bit of a beating today as the side were outclassed 26-6 by the second placed Penrith Highlanders. Thanks to Fairfield's shock loss, however, the Marlins remain in eighth position and need only win next week to end the hopes of Fairfield and the Newcastle Fear.
Penrith: Juan Martine Hernandez, Michael Vella, Ben Roarty, Trent Williams, and Evarn Tuimavave. Riddell 2/2. Tuimavave 1/3
Auckland: Mangus Reece. Fields 1/1
PoM Points: David Vaealeki 3, Michael Vella 2, and Mark Riddell 1.

Redlands have once again found form at the right time, hammering South Melbourne 26-6 to stop themselves from slipping dangerously close to the bottom of the eight and giving Fairfield or Newcastle a little extra hope. Veteran lock Nick Graham had a true veteran's knock, leading by example in the desperately needed win.
South Melbourne: Luke Lewis. Salem 1/3
Redlands: Ben Beckett, Melvin Hart, Keiron Dawson, Nick Graham, and Chris Beattie. Takawira 3/6
PoM Points: Nick Graham 3, Brett Finch 2, and Allianya Takawira 1.

St George have cast some serious doubts over Tamworth City's claims for a top four berth today, the Breakers putting on a real show in a shock 36-8 beating of the high flying Titans. The entire Breakers team was on fire, but it was former Cairns hooker Harris Knofke who turned heads with his brilliant dummy half running.
St George: Reece Simmonds 2, David Humphrys, Hassan Saleh, Harris Knofke 2, and Nathan Blacklock. Bunce 4/7
Tamworth City: Phil Waugh. Cummins 2/2
PoM Points: Harris Knofke 3, Ben Galea 2, and David Humphrys 1.

alright! go surfers. some big upsets this week! your going down this week josh!

hmm david humphrys comes back and we are back on fire!

don't know why he didn't goalkick for me as i listed him to!

You can't specify who kicks your goals in the more up to date versions of the sim. They pick based on which goal-kickers are in the best form. If Humphrys was injured but in better form, a second string kicker would have taken over.

i dare say its only sydney and adelaide competing for that last spot considering adelaides poor for and against in ninth spot, and sydney being the only team they can jump in actual comp points. but with 4 losses in a row i dont like our chances!

Good to see another win for the Harlequins. Pity this form patch didnt come earlier in the season or we may have been locked in a battle for the finals. Oh well theres always next season. It would be good to finish up with another win though :rolleyes: