With just two rounds until the 2008 Tooheys New Shute Shield finals begin, eight sides are still vying for places and positions in the top six.

Listed below is a summary of each team still in contention to raise the Shute Shield in 2008, their run home and where they could finish after Round 22.

1st Sydney University 86pts
Round 21: Randwick (H), Round 22: Southern Districts (A)
Best possible finish: 1st.  Worst possible finish: 1st

The Students have already wrapped up the minor premiership, and are favourites to defend their title in 2008. They have dropped just two matches this year, however one of those was to Randwick who they meet this weekend in what is shaping as a fantastic ABC TV Match of the Round.

2nd Gordon 74pts
Round 21: Parramatta (H), Round 22: Northern Suburbs (A)
Best possible finish: 2nd.  Worst possible finish: 4th

The Highlanders have had a fantastic year, but lost a bit of momentum last week in their loss to West Harbour. They face sides over the next two weeks with no hope of featuring in the finals, however they will need two wins to assure themselves of a week off.

3rd Randwick 71pts
Round 21: Sydney University (A), Round 22: Eastern Suburbs (H)
Best possible finish: 2nd.  Worst possible finish: 5th

Randwick has had an up-and-down season but is still well-poised for an assault on the 2008 finals. They do however have the toughest run home of any club, meeting Sydney University and Eastern Suburbs in ABC TV blockbusters. The Galloping Greens could finish as high as second, however they could also slip as low as fifth if results go against them.

4th Eastern Suburbs 68pts
Round 21: Northern Suburbs (H), Round 22: Randwick (A)
Best possible finish: 2nd.  Worst possible finish: 6th

Eastern Suburbs have been in strong form in recent weeks and have their tails up going into the finals. They are assured of a place in the top six, but will have much higher goals with a last round local derby against Randwick set to decide where both teams finish.

5th Warringah 62pts
Round 21: Southern Districts (H), Round 22: Manly (A)
Best possible finish: 3rd.  Worst possible finish: 6th

The Rats have one of the most talented line-ups in the competition and have the ability to beat any team on their day. They have guaranteed themselves a place in the finals, but will definitely be playing sudden death in the opening week. Their Round 22 clash with the Marlins at Manly Oval is set to be a cracker.

6th West Harbour 59pts
Round 21: Penrith (A), Round 22 Eastwood (H)
Best possible finish: 4th.  Worst possible finish: 8th

West Harbour seemed to be slipping off the premiership radar until last week’s upset over Gordon. They need to maintain that momentum this week against Penrith, and if they do will deal a place in the finals. As long as they make the playoffs, they are a side no team will want to face.

7th Eastwood 51pts
Round 21: Manly (H), Round 22: West Harbour (A)
Best possible finish: 6th.  Worst possible finish: 10th

Eastwood need a minor miracle to feature in the finals, but they will not give up hope while it is still a possibility. The Woods need Penrith to defeat West Harbour this week and finish the season with two wins – and probably some bonus points – to feature in the finals. If part one of the equation occurs and Eastwood can defeat Manly this weekend, the last round clash with the Pirates will have everything riding on it for both teams.

8th Manly 49pts
Round 21: Eastwood (A), Round 22: Warringah (H)
Best possible finish: 6th.  Worst possible finish: 10th

The definition of a mathematical possibility, Manly a still an outside chance of featuring in the 2008 finals. Ten points adrift of West Harbour, as much as a bonus point to the Pirates in the last two rounds will kill Manly’s playoff chances. The Marlins would also need to score bonus point victories over Eastwood and Warringah for every piece of the puzzle to fall into place.

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