VPL Title Race: the run home

With the Victorian Premier League set to reach an amazing crescendo over the final three rounds, The Football Sack steps in to give you the run down on the run home.

Image courtesy of Melbourne Knights.





Dandenong Thunder (currently 1st) 43 points
No surprises here as they have been far and away the best side all season. Dandenong will finish on top if they manage a point this week in the top of the table clash against Oakleigh. Should they fail against Oakleigh a win in the last two games will be enough. Luke Sherbon has been outstanding this season and will be the one to watch in the finals.

Run Home: Oakleigh (H) Green Gully (A) Richmond (H)
Our Prediction: 1st

Oakleigh Cannons (currently 2nd) 36 points
Always the bridesmaid, the big questions is can Oakleigh shake the tag and snare the big one? The Cannons need to win this week and then hope Dandenong drop the last two games if they are to be Minor Premiership which is not going to happen.

The Cannons though are a quality side and will finish in second place. Will last year's heartbreak spur them on to bigger and better things this year?

Run Home: Dandenong (A) Northcote City (H) Bentleigh Greens (A)
Our Prediction: 2nd

Green Gully Cavaliers (currently 3rd) 33 points
Green Gully just keep on keeping on. Proven winners on the big stage they are in prime position to defend their back-to-back titles. No easy run home though as they face two finals aspirants and the dominate Thunder. Anyone keen to write them off please comment below, we'd love to hear from you.

Run Home: Melbourne Knights (A) Dandenong (H) Northcote City (A)
Our Prediction: 3rd

Bentleigh Greens (currently 4th) 31 points
Bentleigh are just flying under the radar, picking up the neccasary points to give them a shot when it counts. A young side with plenty of talent but do they have the winning edge at the pointy end of the season? A likely Elimination Final in Week One of the finals will be the litmus test.

Run Home: Heidelberg United (H) South Melbourne (A) Oakleigh (H)
Our Prediction: 4th

Northcote City (currently 5th) 30 points
Northcote also have a tough draw for the final two rounds which could prove too big a hill to climb. A huge game this week against rival South Melbourne will be one for the ages. We can't see them snaring a point away at Oakleigh and Green Gully will be equally as tough on the last day.

Run Home: South Melbourne (H) Oakleigh (A) Green Gully (H)
Our Prediction: 6th

Hume City (currently 6th) 27 points
A good run home for Hume should see them not only make the finals but go in with confidence. Could jump as high as third if results go their way, they will be a formidable force in the finals.

Run Home: Richmond (H) Southern Stars (A) Moreland (H)
Our Prediction: 5th

Richmond (currently 7th) 25 points
The run home looks too tough for Richmond as they face off against two teams battling for finals spots and the rampant Thunder.

Run Home: Hume (A) Melbourne Knights (H) Dandenong (A)
Our Prediction: 9th

South Melbourne (currently 8th) 25 points
The sleeping giants were tipped for big things this season with a host of quality signings. The signings for whatever reasons have not 'gelled' and the season has been a poor one. Remaining games against mid table sides mights see them push for the finals, but I doubt it.

Run Home: Northcote City (A) Bentleigh (H) Heidelberg United (A)
Our Prediction: 8th

Melbourne Knights (currently 9th) 25 points
An improvement on last season for the other sleeping giants but that won't satisfy the fans down at Sommers St. The season looked to be going pear-shaped again until club legend Andrew Marth took the helm. A big derby game this week followed by two winnable games could see the Knights within touching distance of a finals spot

Run Home: Green Gully (H) Richmond (A) Southern Stars (A)
Our Prediction: 7th

Southern Stars (currently 10th) 23 points
The Stars get another shot in the Victorian Premier League next season and they've got to be happy about that. Went about their stuff rather quietly and picked up the points they needed to. An ok run home might see them pick up a few more points and lift the confidence going into next season.

Run Home: Moreland (A) Hume (H) Melbourne Knights (A)
Our Prediction: 10th

Moreland Zebras (currently 11th) 11 points
Plenty of hype at the start of the season for the newly promoted Zebras but they just weren't up to it with Griffin McMaster continually left high and dry between the sticks. Former Melbourne Victory hard man Grant Brebner was unable to save them either.

Run Home: Southern Stars (H) Heidelberg United (H) Hume (A)
Our Prediction: 11th (relegated)

Heidelberg United (currently 12th) 10 points
With only two wins for the campaign and a -24 goal difference the mighty Warriors have been out of their depth at all times this season and will head to State League One. A year that had much promise with Andy Vlahos taking the reigns turned sour quickly. This club will be back very soon though. Games against finals hopefuls will not help that awful goal difference over the next three weeks.

Run Home: Bentleigh (A) Moreland (A) South Melbourne (H)
Our Prediction: 12th (relegated)

Our Final Ladder
1- Dandenong Thunder
2- Oakleigh Cannons
3- Green Gully Cavaliers
4- Bentleigh Greens
5- Hume City
__________________
6- Northcote City
7- Melbourne Knights
8- South Melbourne
9- Richmond
10- Southern Stars
__________________
11- Moreland Zebras
12- Heidelberg United