GV 2019 Week 8 Predictions and Power Rankings

Week 8 will sort out the weak from the rest of the herd, as well as giving us an idea on who will finish on the bottom of the standings.

Melbourne University Royals (6-0) 2nd V Pakenham Silverbacks (1-6) 11th

Early morning in Croydon will see the Royals add another W and most likely 50+ points on the Silverbacks.

PREDICTION – Royals 66 Silverbacks 0

Bendigo Dragons (2-4) 8th V Monash Warriors (6-1) 3rd

After testing the Royals last week, the Dragons look to try their luck again and squeeze out a victory over the Warriors. If they can get the playing numbers on the day, it’s a possibility we’ll see a Dragons win like last year.

Monash only played half a game last week and will be looking forward to facing a hard hitting opponent like the Dragons.

I’m not willing to tip an upset here but don’t be shocked if it happens.

PREDICTION – Warriors 26 Dragons 18

Croydon Rangers (4-2) 5th V Ballarat Falcons (3-3) 7th

The Rangers will be happy with heir defensive efforts from last week but will be hoping for more output from the Offense.

The Falcons, although scored on heavily, will be reasonably happy they were able to score on the Preds twice last week.

The Rangers Offense will get back into full swing this week.

PREDICTION – Rangers 52 Falcons 14

GAME OF THE WEEK

Geelong Buccaneers (6-1) 4th V South Eastern Predators (4-3) 6th

This will be an intriguing battle under the lights in Corio on Saturday night. The result will have a baring on the power rankings and also show if the Buccaneers have improved or taken a step back from last year.

The Predators would be upset they let the Falcons get into the end zone twice last week. They value shut outs of the lower clubs.

PREDICTION – Predators 28 Buccaneers 20

Northern Raiders (0-7) 13th V Peninsula Sharks (0-6) 12th

The battle of the cellar dwellers is here. Both clubs have had their struggles in 2019 and will hope to get that first W for the year.

The Raiders were only able to get through half a game last week due to injuries.

The Sharks didn’t even take the field against the Buccaneers and will hope there are enough players to start this contest on Sunday morning.

Really torn on this one. The Raiders SHOULD win but going for it on 4th Down every time might turn the game in favour of the Sharks.

PREDICTION – Raiders 24 Sharks 6

Western Crusaders (6-0) 1st V Melton Wolves (2-4) 9th

Pencil this one in the W column for the Crusaders.

After struggling offensively against the Rangers, we should see the offense hit full speed against a Wolves defense that has struggled in most games.

Wolves QB Lachlan Vella was a positive and with the week off and more practice under Centre, we might see him guiding the Offense again. Both Offensive and Defensive Lines will have their work cut out for them.

With a number of former Wolves players on the Crusader sideline, we could see some interesting match-ups.

PREDICTION – Crusaders 66 Wolves 0

BYE – Monash Barbarians

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

WESTERN CRUSADERS 1 – (1)

Closer than expected result last week. No reason to move them.

MELBOURNE UNI ROYALS 2 – (2)

Struggled a little last week but still not enough to see them drop.

CROYDON RANGERS 3 – (4)

Defense kept the Cru to their lowest score in years. Offense could improve however.

MONASH WARRIORS 4 – (3)

Although they won easily, it was more what the Rangers did than what they did that saw them slip.

GEELONG BUCCANEERS 5 – (5)

Won by forfeit. This week will determine whether they stay or drop.

SOUTH EASTERN PREDATORS 6 – (6)

As per Geelong. Win and they go up. Lose, they stay or possibly drop.

BENDIGO DRAGONS 7 – (7)

Could have almost put them up a spot after last weeks efforts. Was really a flip of the coin.

BALLARAT FALCONS 8 – (8)

Scored twice on the Preds. No way up from here at this point.

MELTON WOLVES 9 – (9)

Had the Bye last week. Will want to prove something against 5 former Wolves.

MONASH BARBARIANS 10 – (10)

Defeated the team below them. Could move up a spot.

PAKENHAM SILVERBACKS 11 – (11)

Probably stuck here for the rest of 2019.

PENINSULA SHARKS 12 – (12)

A loss of forfeit WILL see them drop to last.

NORTHERN RAIDERS 13 – (13)

Still not Punting????? A win will see them jump a spot.