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The ladder has Nedlands and Cottesloe with seemingly unassailable leads for the top two positions, but are they that safe?
Nedlands are reasonably secure in my view. They have strength down the grades. However while they have won most games clinically through good stewardship and discipline they don't appear to have the flair and exciting talent that sets them apart most seasons. A team able to produce that je ne sais quoi when it matters can beat them, and there are several such teams still in the hunt.
Cottesloe have shone early through their Force connections and win at all costs mentality, but the latter only breeds determination in their opposition, and the former will be long gone the minute the Super Rugby season is over.And the interesting bit has been that even with their full Force contingent, and despite their success so far, they really haven't been that much better than the teams four or five positions below them on the ladder.
Associates and Wests have been solid and have been able to produce enough to get them over the line when the going got tough. But they too have been reliant, albeit to a lesser degree, on their coterie of Force fringe dwellers, and as Cottesloe will find, they are soon to fold their tents like the Arabs, and silently steal into the night. Both Wests and Soaks have the character and depth to compensate for these losses and will be there at the end.
Palmyra's results have been enigmatic so far, having the most powerful front row in the competition, yet not being able to transform their forward dominance into points against the better sides. Against Perth this weekend just gone however their backline clicked, and melded well with the forwards, finally demonstrating a ruthlessness missing from their performances over the last five seasons. They may have turned the corner.
Kalamunda and University have what it takes, having recruited judiciously, if not economically, and possess well balanced teams. The only concern for them is their lack of quality depth. Having a fantastic fifth grade won't cut it for Uni if they aren't competitive in seconds and thirds, despite their numbers. And Kalamunda are even less well endowed in that department.
Unfortunately the season appears over for the remaining clubs, and their ongoing concerns at this time are probably to retain player numbers for next season and recruit as well as they can to be in a position to regroup for next year.
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Originally Posted by westies man
