The untimely upset dips Barnies to sixth on the top grade ladder heading into the penultimate round of the 2017 season.

The defending premiers must beat the bottom two sides in this year’s competition, Waratah Wildcats and Ex-Services FC, in the final two rounds of the season to sneak into fourth, with Saints Turbulance currently on the edge of the top four with 39 points.

Waratah United (38) and Barnies (38) appear likely to challenge for that final spot in the top four as the in-form Millthorpe Tigers (44), early-season pace setters Waratah FC (46) and competition leaders Waratah Old Boys (48) gear-up for the post season.

Barnies’ Glenn Harpley said his side is capable of earning maximum points out of its last two regular season fixtures.

“That’s certainly the situation at this point,” Harpley said looking at the ladder.

“We’ve got to notch up a couple of wins in the last two games and hope a few other results go our way.”

Saints play Waratah FC in the final round, Harpley identified that clash as the one to potentially help Barnies leap into finals contention.

And if they get there, he’s confident the red and whites will do much more than just make up the numbers – that’s with a vastly different side to the one that took out last year’s title too.

“We’ve lost a lot of players from last year’s team,” Harpley revealed.

“We’ve had a lot of under 16s boys make the jump up to A grade this season, and they’ve done a great job."

Harpley also said the club was expecting experienced duo Max Drion and Luke Massotti to return from injury for the final two weeks of the regular season, ensuring Barnies enter the final fortnight of 2017 near-to full strength.

“It’s been a challenge this season for coach Chris Jacobs but the guys are within striking distance of that top four,” he said.

“I think the boys have shown this season they’re capable of matching it with any side in the competition.

“The last two weeks aren’t going to be easy. We played a side (Waratah United) lower on the ladder than us last week and got hammered by four goals. But should they make the finals, absolutely, I think they’ll do more than make up the numbers.”

In other A grade results from the weekend, Millthorpe continued its sensational resurgence up the ladder with a 4-0 thumping of FC at Redmond Oval.

The Tigers have now won nine of their last 10 games, rocketing the club to third on the ladder.

Benefiting from FC’s loss, new competition leaders Waratah Old Boys went to work in a 2-1 victory over a tough Ex-Services side at Waratah Sportsground.

In the All Age B-C grade competition, the Waratah Ducks were the big winners, claiming an 8-2 win over KWS 2^nd XI on Saturday.

While Barnies maintained its undefeated record in 2017 with a 5-1 win over the finals-bound Ex-Services FC. The red and whites have scored 103 goals and leaked just 13 this regular season, giving the club premiership favouritism two weeks out from the finals. 

And in the over 35s, Barnies remains in first place after a one-goal win over Gladdy-a-tahs while Millthorpe recorded a 3-0 win over Denley Moor.