It’s not always bang on the money, but if you look back at the past couple of seasons it is usually enough for teams to play in the post-season. 

This season that won’t be the case and I put that down to how strong the state’s top tier has become in 2017.

With three rounds remaining, fifth-placed Sydney United 58 are already on 33 competition points.

They could realistically reach more than 40 before the season is out.

Sydney Olympic (31 points) and us at the Wolves (31 points) aren’t far behind either, with Blacktown City (45 points) setting the pace.

It certainly makes playing in the post-season a lot more difficult this season and is a testament to how competitive the league has been, particularly at the pointy end. 

In my eyes, there is no doubt that’s happened in large part because the standard has gone up across the board.

With that in mind, it certainly adds some fuel to conversation of a national second tier at some stage in the coming years.

There is obviously already a decent push for the competition and you’d expect those calls to only grow strong over the next few seasons.

Bulli will deservedly go into the Bert Bampton Cup Final this weekend against Albion Park White Eagles as favourites.

Former Wolves player Matt Bailey has done a terrific job in charge there this season and will bring his side into the Cup decider in top form.

The northern suburbs powerhouse have already gone within a whisker of qualifying for the FFA Cup main draw this season, but can put behind the disappointment of missing out on that in the Illawarra’s knockout final.

Of course they won’t go into the match underestimating the White Eagles.

Park didn’t win the Illawarra Premier League grand final last season by a fluke and have plenty of talent on this roster still despite not going as well as they’d probably hope in the league.

It should be a cracking contest either way.