This week saw an off week in the world of AFL (aside from the make up game between Essendon and Gold Coast Suns), the NRL world had it’s minor premiership secured, and Oscar Piastri claims his seventh win for the season.
AFL
The home and away season officially concluded on Wednesday night with a make-up clash between the Suns and the Bombers, where the fate of who will make the eight in the balance. The Bulldogs needed the Bombers to defeat the Suns to make finals, but it was not meant to be. As the Gold Coast Suns defeated Essendon with a final score of 153 – 58, securing the Suns first ever finals trip this week coming.
NRL
The Canberra Raiders have dominated the table the majority of the season, and after they defeated the West Tigers on Saturday night they locked in the minor premiership, their first since 1990. Around the grounds this week we didn’t see any massive changes to the ladder aside from the Warriors falling from fourth to sixth place after a 22-26 loss to Parramatta on Friday night. The top eight for finals going into the final week of the regular season is mostly locked in with room for potentially one upset. The Dolphins have a stressful week ahead, for them to steal the final spot in the eight they need two highly unlikely events to occur. Firstly, they need the Rabbitohs (13th) to defeat the Roosters (8th), by a sizeable margin. Secondly, they need to win their last game this week and the larger the margin the better. But who do the Dolphins have standing in the way of their finals chances this week? None other than the minor premierships the Canberra Raiders.
F1
Piastri continues to pull away in the championship after winning his seventh race of the season in the Dutch Grand Prix. It seemed to be McLaren’s day as Piastri led the race entirely from start to finish and it was none other than team mate Lando Norris in second trying to edge ahead. Yet sadly with less than 10 laps remaining, Norris’ car begun to spew smoke from the back which resulted in him being called out. Norris was left visibly distraught after the race. Behind Piastri was Verstappen in second place, with French rookie Isack Hadjar finishing third.
