GV 2019 Week 7 Predictions and Power Rankings

The season is just over the half way point.

A bottom of the table clash might actually be our game of the week.

Apparently there is another code of Football on Saturday so all our games are on Sunday.

Bendigo Dragons (2-3) 8th V Melbourne University Royals (5-0) 2nd

The Dragons had the week off which hopefully gave them time to get over some niggling injuries. Unfortunately they come up against the Royals.

The Royals will be looking forward to a physical battle after a run of not so difficult match-ups.

The Royals offense will be too much for the Dragons and they will win fairly well.

PREDICTION – Dragons 8 Royals 44

**** GAME OF THE WEEK****

Monash Barbarians (1-5) 10th V Pakenham Silverbacks (1-5) 11th

Despite their rankings on the table, this will probably be the closest game of the week on the scoreboard. That’s why it has been chosen as game of the week.

I give the Barbarians the edge in this due to the fact they have more experience in their team. Either way there will be less than a Touch down in this one

PREDICTION – Barbarians 12 Silverbacks 8

Ballarat Falcons (3-2) 7th V South Eastern Predators (3-3) 6th

Another home game for the Falcons who had a solid performance against the Buccs last week.

The Predators are a stronger side than Geelong at this point in the season, however they have struggled to be consistent.

The Preds should put the Falcons to the sword and win comfortably.

PREDICTION – Falcons 8 Preds 44

Geelong Buccaneers (5-1) 4th V Peninsula Sharks (0-5) 13th

A soft start to their schedule will see the Buccaneers pile on the points against the lowly Sharks.

To the Sharks credit they keep on showing up and giving it their all. I don’t see anything changing this week and another heavy defeat is on it’s way.

PREDICTION – Buccaneers 60 Sharks 0

Monash Warriors (5-1) 3rd V Northern Raiders (0-6) 12th

Monash are just chugging along and winning where they need to. The Defense gave up 2 Touch Downs last week (One was a bit unlucky) and Dearman was picked off twice, which included a Pick 6. Just give the ball to Luke Jackson and this one is over in the 1st quarter.

There has been a bit of backlash after the Raiders had a record score set against them last week. Lack of numbers (15 has been reported) saw them smashed by the Crusaders but they never gave up. So full credit to the players and the supporters.

A Punting game and some form of running plays may have helped prevent the record setting score. Only the Raiders will know why they didn’t do either of these things.

PREDICTION – Warriors 66 Raiders 0

Western Crusaders (5-0) 1st V Croydon Rangers (4-1) 5th

I can hear you all now, “Why wasn’t this called game of the week?”, and it’s simple. If the Warriors couldn’t get close to the Crusaders what makes you think the Rangers will be any different? It might be a very high skilled match-up but the scoreboard will show otherwise.

I know there will be quite a few hoping that the Rangers can beat the Cru or at the very least challenge them. So far no one has come close and I only see one club having some sort of chance of knocking them off and it’s not the Rangers.

Stranger things have happened……..

PREDICTION – Rangers 14 Crusaders 36

BYE – MELTON WOLVES

Only 4 teams change this week. Let’s hope results have an impact on next weeks rankings.

NOTE – # = CURRENT RANKING – ( ) = PRESEASON RANKING

WESTERN CRUSADERS 1 – (1)

Do you need a reason? Surely you don’t disagree?

MELBOURNE UNI ROYALS 2 – (2)

Just waiting for them to play the Crusaders.

MONASH WARRIORS 3 – (3)

Not as dominant as previous years but still one to watch.

CROYDON RANGERS 4 – (4)

Seem to be stuck on this ranking. Can’t see it moving anytime soon.

GEELONG BUCCANEERS 5 – (5)

Softer schedule see’s them ranked higher….Preds are hot on their heals though.

SOUTH EASTERN PREDATORS 6 – (7)

Probably should have been above the Dragons last week but inconsistency cost them.

BENDIGO DRAGONS 7 – (6)

The Bye didn’t help. Flip a coin between them and the Preds at this point.

BALLARAT FALCONS 8 – (8)

Hard to tell if they have improved or if last weeks opponent isn’t as strong as their current record.

MELTON WOLVES 9 -(9)

Scored 3 times against the Warriors. Most they have against any other former DIV 1 side.

MONASH BARBARIANS 10 – (10)

The Barbs are the Barbs. Hard to know what you’ll get from them.

PAKENHAM SILVERBACKS 11 – (11)

Rookies and rebuild. Can jump a spot if they knock off the Barbs.

PENINSULA SHARKS 12 – (13)

Ranking rise helped by the team below them.

NORTHERN RAIDERS 13 – (12)

You have a record score set against you and you don’t want to Punt under ANY circumstances…yeah you might deserve this ranking.