Round one of the Dunedin premier grade wraps up at the weekend and a layer of complexity will be added to the competition table.
Remember, round one is a half round with four teams playing five games and five teams playing four games.
In an attempt to level the playing field, points will be awarded for the bye on a pro-rata basis.
Yes, it is completely nuts, but here is how it works.
The teams who had a bye — Kaikorai (11 points), Southern (10 points), Harbour (five points), Zingari-Richmond (two points) and Alhambra-Union (no points) — will be awarded either four, three, two, one or no points depending on where they ranked at the end of the half round.
So, for example, should Kaikorai beat Dunedin and pick up five competition points at Kettle Park tomorrow, it will also secure another four points for the bye and will move from 11 points to 20 points.
Southern can also make a big leap up. It will travel to Mosgiel for a tough encounter with Taieri.
Those two games shape as fascinating.
Dunedin (19 points) and Taieri (18 points) have set the benchmark with four consecutive wins.
The Sharks had healthy wins against AU (99-0) and Zingari-Richmond (38-15) and edged Southern (19-14) and Harbour (29-27), while the Eels beat Zingari-Richmond (44-10), Harbour (17-12), AU (50-5) and Kaikorai (15-12).
Both teams are in the running for the Speight’s Cup, which is awarded to the highest ranked team after the opening round.
Dunedin has a one-point buffer courtesy of an extra bonus point. The Sharks boast arguably the most formidable pack in the competition and have some pace out wide as well.
Kaikorai is a hardy side, though. It has a quality loose forward trio in Hayden Michaels, Lucas Casey and Semisi Tupou-Ta’eiloa.
Filipo Whitehouse-Opetaia Tovio is a bruising runner in the midfield.
Southern’s only loss came against Dunedin in the opening round. The Magpies struggled up front in that fixture.
First five Ben McCarthy has been in good form and he will be a key player in the match against Taieri at Peter Johnstone Park.
The Eels are sound up front but pack more punch in the midfield with the Whaanga brothers Matt and Josh.
The game between Zingari-Richmond and Green Island at Montecillo should be evenly contested as well. The Colours have shown signs of improvement but have not managed to eke out a win yet. They have a big pack and will look to apply some pressure through the likes of loose forwards Israel Otunuku and Simon Pupualii.
Green Island started with back-to-back losses but has got back on course with wins against AU and Harbour.
Blindside Oliver Haig and powerful No8 Delany McKenzie are key men up front for the Grizzlies, while the combination between halfback James Arscott and first five Caleb Williams could determined the outcome of the game.
Harbour fans have endured three closes losses and the Hawks need a win against University at Watson Park tomorrow.
University has been well-served through loosies Aaron Withy and Will Stodart, and first five Jacob Waikari-Jones’ goal-kicking proved critical last weekend.
Harbour has named former All Black Waisake Naholo on the wing and halfback Nathan Hastie is making his way back from injury and is one to watch.
Alhambra-Union has the bye this weekend.
