B!tches (6) vs Avengers (7)

Thursday, July 18
7:50pm
Bexley Oval

Tom Trbojevic returns to Bexley Oval with his confidence having deteriorated since a spate of hamstring injuries, which has mirrored the Avengers’ late-season form, in which they lost seven of their last nine games to drop from to seventh.

Former teammate Shaun Johnson has defended the under-fire fullback, saying that “people should not forget he is only human”.

Trbojevic’s individual form in recent weeks is back to his usual high standards but his body is a far cry from the man who played 20 of 21 games in 2018.

While the Avengers have faltered in recent weeks, the B!tches’ form is patchy at best, winning two of their last fives matches, including those against fellow finals contenders the Rampage and Dragons.

Their recent form spike comes after reports Talia might not coach the club as early as next year, and rumours the club might even fold.

They’ll enter the finals high on confidence after thrashing the Rampage by 861-739 away; while the margin was enough to earn them a home final, they narrowly missed out on finishing fifth by one win.

And despite defeating the Avengers in both games this year, they’ll have a good record against Eely Avengers at home to fall back on, having won their last two meetings at this venue.

For the winner
A shot at the loser of the Piranhas vs Rampage match, likely to be next Thursday night.

For the loser
Season over, and a long summer of soul-searching.

Prediction: Avengers by 28 points.