The top five is done and dusted with Camden, Thirlmere, Picton, The Oaks and Oakdale cementing their spots for the 2019 finals with one round to go.
But there remain some unfinished business for round 18 this coming weekend.
For starters it will determine who wins the minor premiership, with Thirlmere (29 points) hosting Camden (29 points) on Sunday.
The final home and away round will also give Campbelltown City Kangaroos one last chance to win their first match in 2019 when they travel to Narellan to take on the Jets.
MIKE SHEAN reports that Oakdale won their way into the finals with a 13-point win over Narellan on Saturday evening in what was effectively a sudden-death playoff at Sid Sharpe Oval.
The Workers sprung out of the blocks, with two tries inside the opening 10 minutes to Beni Nawai and Alec Bush.
Matt Jones scored a well-deserved solo try to extend the lead to 14-0, before the Jets responded through a try to Hakaraia Toi Toi.
The Workers headed to the rooms at halftime in front 16-6, but coaches Brendan Reeves and Russell Lewis knew the game was far from over.
Jackson Kuli gave the few brave Narellan supporters some hope with a try just after play resumed, but that was the lone highlight for the visitors.
Oakdale kicked into gear with tries to Arthur Little and Jake Steadman sealing the victory and a finals berth.
Arthur Little kicked a field goal in the last minute for the Workers.
A consolation try to Leon Longbottom improved the final scoreline for Narellan, 29-16.
Sunday afternoon saw another finals bound side, The Oaks Tigers, prove too strong for a young and competitive Lions side at Mittagong Sportsground.
The Lions started well through Blake Jeffrey, who scored a nice solo try from dummy half to have Mittagong leading 6-0 after 18 minutes.
The cool and blustery conditions made life difficult for outside backs – the exception was Mitchell Brasington, who caused havoc for the Lions.
Ben Scambary, who was playing in the Tigers’ back row, finished with a double, as the tries flowed for the visitors after the 30-minute mark.
The Tigers scored tries either side of the halftime break, and then added three in an 8-minute period to put the game out of the reach of the home side.
Brasington was also accurate with his goal kicking, landing all eight attempts at goal for a personal haul of 16 points.
The home side scored one try in the second stanza, but it was all the Tigers, who walked away with a 48-10 win.
RESULTS – ROUND 17 – FIRST GRADE:
Oakdale Workers 29 Narellan Jets 16;
Campbelltown City 22 Thirlmere Roosters 34;
Mittagong Lions 10 The Oaks Tigers 48;
Picton Magpies 32 Camden Rams 6.
LADDER: Camden 29; Thirlmere 28; Picton 25; The Oaks 21; Oakdale 20; Narellan 19; Mittagong 14; Campbelltown City 6.
RESERVE GRADE
Oakdale 20 Narellan 38;
Campbelltown City 10 Thirlmere 40;
Mittagong 26 The Oaks 6;
Picton 24 Camden 26.
UNDER 18
Mittagong 34 Mt Annan Oakdale 12;
Picton 4 Camden 46.
WOMEN’S LEAGUE
Camden 46 Moss Vale 0;
Thirlmere 46 Picton 0.
LEAGUE TAG
Oakdale 14 Narellan Blue 6;
Picton 0 Camden 20;
Mittagong 4 The Oaks 38;
City Blue 52 Narellan White 12.
City Gold – bye.
SECOND DIVISION
Mt Annan Knights 16 Narellan Jets 36;
Campbelltown City 26 Thirlmere 0;
Picton Magpies 52 Oran Park Chargers 20.
NEXT WEEK – ROUND 18 – FIRST GRADE
Narellan v Campbelltown City (Saturday 7pm);
Mittagong vs Picton (Sunday 2.30pm);
Thirlmere vs Camden (Sunday 2.30pm).
