It’s Group 10 Rugby League finals time again, which means it’s also Central Western Daily sports desk prediction time too.
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Anyone who has followed this desk’s predictions across any sport in recent years will know Nick McGrath and I have all the foresight of a pair of pinecones, but we’ve got to get some right eventually.
Don’t we?
Well, I guess it’s either that or give another couple of teams the kiss of death.
It’s very rare Nick and I completely agree on anything, but we’re steadfast in our predicitions for this year’s finals series.
It’s a race between two teams, Orange CYMS and Bathurst Panthers.
That’s right, groundbreaking stuff from us – please note that’s laced with sarcasm.
CYMS and Panthers have been a class above the other sides this season and neither of us can see Oberon, Mudgee or Lithgow running with them when the whips are cracking.
Here’s how your finals play out, week by week.
Panthers account for Oberon on Sunday, Mudgee knocks out Lithgow on Saturday.
If it’s dry, CYMS beat Panthers in the major semi-final and host a third straight decider but if it’s wet, Panthers win. Either way Oberon beats Mudgee thanks to home ground advantage.
Whether it’s CYMS or Panthers in the preliminary final, they beat the Tigers, setting up a Bathurst-Orange grand final.
CYMS win a thrilling decider 27-26 thanks to a man-of-the-match show from Mick Sullivan, iced by a match-winning field goal from 29 metres out.
There you have it, put the house on it.
Just for good measure, Panthers will win first division, CYMS will win under 18s and Hawks will take out the league tag title.