After a heartbreaking one-point loss in the grand final on September 1, the promising Border campaigner has rocketed to the forefront of the competition with a bristling desire to go one better.

If anything is certain, Steamers are a closer than ever to their elusive premiership.

Now that the competition has been sorted into top and bottom divisions, premier division pretenders have nowhere to hide in the race to the first semi-final on August 17.

Finals experience and focus will account for important victories over the next five weeks with scores to settle and reputations to uphold.

If Steamers don’t race away with the premiership on August 31, which team will?

Advertiser sports journalist Pamela Whaley has cast an eye over the SIRU competition for the last 11 rounds, and shares her insights and predictions for the excitement to come.

Ag College

Coaches: Richard Turnbull and Stu Hodgson

So far: 5 wins, 4 losses, 1 draw

Status: 5th

Final five: CSU (h), Albury (a), Wagga City (a), Waratahs (a), Griffith (h)

Verdict: A far cry from the all-conquering outfit that stole the SIRU premiership on September 1, Aggies lost most of their power when a handful of the best backline stars in the competition walked out the door. Still coming to terms with their average record, Aggies are starting to settle the disruptions that have troubled the team through the start of the season. One thing Aggies are never short on is determination – anything can happen over the next five rounds. With a few personnel changes expect big improvements.

Albury

Coaches: Dave Stuart and Steve Stone

So far: 10 wins, 0 losses

Status: 1st

Final five: Griffith (h), Ag College (h), CSU (a), Wagga City (h), Waratahs (a)

Verdict: Many believe Steamers have a mortgage on the premiership, and not without reason. The Border improvers have the best record in the competition and have rarely been troubled in their last 10 games. A new coach, fresh faces and a burning ambition to claim the SIRU title has created a premiership monster that should expect to coast through to the grand final on August 31. However, many teams have dominated and fallen at the final hurdle, and Steamers need to be wary to avoid history repeating.

Cootamundra

Coach: Andrew Glover

So far: 4 wins, 6 losses

Status: 8th

Final five: Leeton (a), Tumut (a), bye, Young (h), Temora (h)

Verdict: The loss of captain Alex Hardie through injury was a huge blow for the Tri-Colours, who have languished at the midway mark this year. The Tri-Colours had the potential to finally crack the top six this season, a point proved when they held second-placed CSU to its first loss of the season in round eight. However, a handful of narrow losses were costly. There is no doubt Tri-Colours are a better team than the ladder indicates, and should cruise into the first division grand final on current form. 

CSU

Coach: Mick Wakeling

So far: 8 wins, 2 losses

Status: 2nd

Final five: Ag College (a), Waratahs (h), Albury (h), Griffith (a), Wagga City (h)

Verdict: The most under-rated team of the competition, CSU burst out of the gates at the start of the season and have been running on pure enthusiasm and confidence ever since. Reddies’ ability to grind out an 80-minute performance every week has snaked a plethora of last-minute victories this year, proving their reputation as an excitement machine. Opposition should tread carefully, any hint of doubt will be sniffed out and exposed by Reddies dangerous backline stars. A top two team worthy of the grand final, but efforts must not falter until it’s over.

Griffith

Coach: Lee Kimball

So far: 6 wins, 4 losses

Status: 6th

Final five: Albury (a), Wagga City (a), Waratahs (h), CSU (h), Ag College (a)

Verdict: Blacks desperation to swoop into the top six paid off this season with tried and tested coach Lee Kimball at the helm. Despite a mixed start to the season, Blacks have shaped up against some of the top teams so far. An outside chance to make the semi-finals, Blacks need to boost their effort against top teams with end-of-year experience to make a move up the ladder. Hosting Waratahs and CSU at Coro Club Ground should help their campaign, but Blacks have yet to prove their place.

Leeton

Coaches: Greg Horton and Matt Allen

So far: 4 wins, 6 losses

Status: 9th

Final five: Cootamundra (h), Young (a), Temora (a), bye, Tumut (a)

Verdict: The surprise packet of the premiership, Phantoms have talked improvement for years but actually made the grade this season. A trio of handy backline stars gave Phantoms a spark to match their forwards to finally make a move from the bottom of the ladder. Relieved to kiss goodbye the 100-point thrashings of days gone by, Phantoms are no longer considered an easy win. Will feature in week one of the first division finals, but who knows what Phantoms are capable of in the coming weeks?

Temora

Coach: Apenisa Tudulu

So far: 5 wins, 5 losses

Status: 7th

Final five: Young (a), bye, Leeton (h), Tumut (h), Cootamundra (a)

Verdict: Unlucky not to make the top six, Tuskers have been the only team to give Albury a real test this season, albeit in round one. Tuskers refuse to bow to intimidation and self belief is their biggest asset. A mid-season slump has cost Tuskers on the ladder, but their experienced campaigners will make a charge for the first division premiership. Expect big things from Tuskers over the next five weeks.

Tumut

Coach: Tim Graham

So far: 1 win, 9 losses

Status: 10th

Final five: bye, Cootamundra (h), Young (a), Temora (a), Leeton (h)

Verdict: Two weeks off the paddock could be a curse or a blessing to the Bulls coming into the final stretch of the season. Untimely injuries have afforded Bulls their lacklustre record, but they always refuse to cough up victory easily. A trip to Jarrah Park is never easy, and Bulls will be keen to rattle any team that dares to venture over the next five weeks. A dark horse to make the second week of the first division finals, Bulls are a chance if they can pull it together.

Wagga City

Coach: Mick Small

So far: 5 wins, 4 losses

Status: 3rd

Final five: Waratahs (a), Griffith (h), Ag College (h), Albury (a), CSU (a)

Verdict: Touted as the team to beat in the pre-season, Wagga City has fallen off the pace with lapses in the attitude and the fit roster it takes to be on top. Injuries have been a distraction, but unexpected losses to Leeton and Waratahs indicate a deeper issue. Destructive on their day, Boiled Lollies need to rediscover their drive or risk being squashed out of the premiership race.

Waratahs

Coach: Hugh Palmer

So far: 6 wins, 4 losses

Status: 4th

Final five: Wagga City (h), CSU (a), Griffith (a), Ag College (h), Albury (h)

Verdict: Pride and premiership experience goes a long way in the SIRU competition – qualities that Tahs boast by the bucket load. After a solid start to the season, Tahs slipped off the radar before surging back to defeat old foe Ag College in round seven. With a mix of excitable young talent and old heads, Tahs can never be underestimated. A lofty chance to shake up the premiership with one eye on the finals.

Young

Coach: Luke Eldridge 

So far: 0 wins, 10 losses

Status: 11th

Final five: Temora (h), Leeton (h), Tumut (h), Cootamundra (a), bye

Verdict: A sad and sorry season for the Yabbies, problems with player numbers have been a stake in the heart of last year’s first divison premier. Several young stars will benefit from a season of first grade. Have the potential to boost their confidence in the latter half of the season. One thing is certain, coach Luke Eldridge lives and breathes the game and will not be far from rebuilding the ranks.