Money rounds to sort out playoffs

RUGBY LEAGUE: With all teams in the Toowoomba Rugby League set to play 18 games in 2020, the all-important run to the finals will carry increased significance.

This means that following on from the Madsen-Rasmussen Trophy final after round 11, teams will have a seven-game run into the finals.

With all sides playing each other through the opening fixture round, finishing the season strong is vital to ensuring a finals berth.

The Chronicle assessed each team’s run home over the course of the final seven rounds, looking at strength of opposition through last season’s ladder position.

THE WINNERS

Warwick – Over the course of the final seven weeks, they play just two sides from the top-five (Valleys and Dalby), while taking on all three sides at the bottom of last year’s ladder (Pittsworth, Highfields and Oakey).

Wattles – Similar to Warwick, they play two opponents from last year’s finals (Valleys and Dalby), and two from the bottom (Highfields and Oakey).

Goondiwindi – A carbon copy of Wattles sees them play two finals sides from last season (Valleys and Dalby), and the same two bottom sides as the Warriors. Both of their games against top sides are on the road.

THE LOSERS

Southern Suburbs -The Tigers have been dealt a tough final schedule to try and work their way back into the finals. They have to play four of the topfive sides from last season (Goondiwindi, Dalby, Wattles and Warwick), as well as sixthplaced Gatton, with their solitary game against a bottom-three side coming against Pittsworth.

Highfields – The task isn’t any easier for the Eagles, with four games against finals sides from 2019 (Wattles, Warwick, Valleys, Goondiwindi) and Pittsworth the only side from the bottom-three they will come up against to close out the season.