Throw a dart.
That seems to be the best method to pick a winner of the Citizens Shield this season.
At one point, it seemed certain Kurow — with its rock-star backline and the recent experience of winning a final — was going to go all the way again.
Valley and Old Boys have also had their moments, and while both have been patchy at times, both know what it takes to win the big show.
Maheno? As long as Robbie Smith and Lachie Kingan and Hayden Tisdall are around, the green and blacks can never be discounted, as they showed by tipping up Kurow last week.
And, incredibly, long-struggling Athletic Marist is back in the mix after its upset win over Valley.
It all comes to a head this weekend in the final round of regular-season games, followed by straight semifinals and the final on July 2.
Old Boys (33 points) will be favoured, though perhaps not as heavily as expected, to beat Athletic (24) to win the minor premiership.
The old formula still applies: if Old Boys kick into gear, they will not be stopped.
Athies have the whiff of fairy tale about them but their bunch of talented youngsters may be a season or two away yet.
Valley hosts Kurow at Weston. Both are on 30 points, so this is either a straight shootout for home advantage in the semifinal, likely against the other country side, or a chance to claim top spot if Old Boys stumble.
Valley are gutsy and have a core — not as big as it used to be — of class acts who relish the big stage, but Kurow will be favoured if the Haydens, Parker and Todd, and Matt Faddes get their share of ball.
Maheno (23) heads into town to play Excelsior (9). Luckless Blues, who defaulted last week, are playing only for pride, while Maheno needs to get competition points and hope Athletic gets beaten.
The huge impact Pasifika people have had on North Otago rugby for the past three decades will be marked at Whitestone Contracting Stadium on Saturday.
Old Boys and Athletic Marist are hosting a Pasifika festival featuring food, music, , bouncy castles and a flu vaccine clinic.
