2017 Round by Round Chat

Thanks for the write up mate... This WILL be my first non finals year and we are sliding towards an early draft pick.

A very sad state of affairs in deed.

 

I am heading back to OZ late Wednesday for 16 days and will need to post my team early Wednesday before I leave, as access to the internet while away is not guaranteed. I am also the home team for this weeks final round and have advised @Tomster of the situation....
Good luck to all teams for this final round, especially @Batfink . A win for Hughenden gives the Barcrawlers Pick 1 in the PSD....

 

I'll also be hoping that you lose this weekend so that I can avoid adding another wooden spoon to my kitchen drawer.

 

I think the "wooden spoon" is just about assured of a new resting place here in Banchang....

EDIT.....and as there are no drawers in our Thai kitchen, it'll have to sit up there in the shrine with Buddha.....

 

I too am jumping on the Pdawgs bandwagon as it gives the Smugglers a chance to play finals.

Always loved Hughenden!!!

 

I support my fellow West Aussie , three wa teams in the finals is a great outcome

 

Hey hey hey, I think Gisborne are still a mathematical chance for the spoon

 

Gisborne Grenades 1170 defeated by Staghorn Flat Bulls 1327 @tyze1

The Bulls managed to keep their finals hopes alive with an easy win over the struggling Grenades, who after pushing for a finals birth 3 weeks ago could soon find themselves on the bottom of the ladder.

In what was an uninspiring round competition-wide, the Bulls managed to pull out the 4th highest score of the week, at the time they most needed it. This was led by Andrew Swallow with a 131, proving doubters wrong. Big Boy McEvoy "Big and Stiff" also held up his end of the agreement, with 113, as did Tom Lynch who scored the same. The other ton for Staghorn was Stephen Hill, who in his first match against his old club proved that it was no up-hill battle (ha ha...) with a vintage 103. [Side note: nearing the end of the season, this trade appears to be pretty fair. Hill is averaging 78, and has been injury affected, while McGovern is averaging 69 with lots of upside. Oh, and some picks changed hands.] Jarryd Roughead continued the fairytale comeback with 130 - how good is it to see him back out there! It wasn't all rosy though; the defence for the Bulls did show some holes. They only combined for 259 points, with Mayes and Wood holding them back.

For Gisborne, I want to single out Luke Ryan. A mature-age recruit who only got a go fairly late in the season. Without being spectacular, he's been serviceable, until now. In his first match on-field, he smashed out a match-high 136, earning 3 votes for the first time in his career! And in his Gisborne debut as well! Well done young man. Also, Neale tonned up, Billings missed a tackle on Robbie Gray but still got 100, and Douglas continued his form, but the focus should be well and truly on Ryan!

Gisborne finish their season with the notorious Master vs Apprentice clash with @choppers and his Barcrawlers - the loser could end up with the spoon. The Bulls head home to face the Parasites. A win leaves them a chance for finals, if other results go their way. Whatever the result, it should be an enthralling final round, with 12 teams still a chance and 8 matches involving these teams!

Also, thanks @tyze1 for some updates

Big Tap
Witts 82 defeated by McEvoy 113

BAFFU
3. Ryan 136
2. Swallow 131
1. Roughead 130

 

I have held the bottom spot all year, even when I've won the 17th placed team won in the same week, needless to say I bring out the best in teams each week, the Baracudas nearly won with the Tomahawk getting enough points for 2 players, a loss for Hughenden is a strong possibility given the season so far. Hang in there @JPK

 

Round 16 review: Southern Cross Sandgropers 1410 defeated @choppers Banchang Barcrawlers 1270

Round 16 provided the Sandgropers with an opportunity to consolidate a top two spot in front of their adoring fans at the Sandpit, all that was required was a win over the Barcrawlers. Conversely a loss for Banchang would see them move to the bottom of the ladder and outright favouritism for the wooden spoon.

Much to the coaches chagrin, the Barcrawlers burst out of the blocks to take an early lead of 187 points to 0 at the first change. Where was the home team? Rumour has it that after what has been an excellent season the boys were getting more likes on tinder than Elliot Yeo. The fame had gone to their heads and the team was more interested in playing the field than taking to it.

A "Brad Scott blast" woke the home side up for the second period with Ryder (130) controlling the ruck, flicking the ball to Fyfe (132) and Duncan (118). Hanley (119) & Higgins (109) fought bravely for the visitors but their efforts were in vain as the Sandgropers forced a 385 point turn around to take a sizeable lead into the last stanza.

With the match on the line Adams (144) put in a BOG performance to try and get the W. His efforts coupled with some solid performances from his team mates reduced the margin but Hurley (118) & Sheed (100) combined well to lead the Sandgropers to a comfortable 140 point victory.

Another week and another win for Southern Cross. 5 tons to 3 set the Sandgropers up for victory but it was the fact only two players scored under 76 that got the team over the line. The Barcrawlers on the other hand had six players score under 76 and with that many passengers it was always going to be tough.

The Southern Cross locals are excited about the impending finals football in the goldfields and are dreaming of a local derby against @JPK's gold diggers. On a side note, with a home final locked away the merchandising department are working feverishly on something special to commemorate the occasion; stay tuned for updates as this will be a must have piece of memorabilia. For Banchang it was a score that would have won most matches in the league and with the prospect of pick one on the horizon the opportunity to add a quality youngster would have all their supporters excited for 2018.

The final round of an enthralling season sees Southern Cross travel to King Island and Banchang hosting Gisborne. There's a lot riding on these matches with ultimate glory and ultimate reward on the line for the Sandgropers and Barcrawlers.

Attendance: 743

Big Tap: P.Ryder (SCS)

BAFFU
3 Votes - T.Adams (BB)
2 Votes - N.Fyfe (SCS)
1 Vote - P.Ryder (SCS)

 

Christmas Island defeated Pakenham 1382 – 1124

The Smugglers kept in touch with the top 8, running out comfortable winners against the Parasites at Flying Fish Cove Park.

The Smugglers' new No.1 ticket holder, Peter Dutton, understanding the importance of a victory, pulled some strings at Border Force and decreed that no Parasites over 6’2 would be allowed to disembark the charter yacht. Therefore NRoo, Vardy and Blicavs were all outs for Pakenham. While Buddy (65 points), Bellboy (58) and Hogan (37) managed to sneak to the ground hidden in vats of rum bound for the Smugglers’ coaching box, unfortunately the overproof meant the visitor’s talls had little impact on the game.

On the field it was unsociable footy from both sides, with Setterfield and Hogan for the visitors and Kreuzer and Hartlett for the home team suffering injuries. Thankfully the Kreuz missile had done enough before his concussion to take out the big tap contest. He’s a doubtful starter this week, but if the Smugglers’ doctors give him the all-clear a potential Big Tap determining contest with Sauce Jacobs awaits.

The Smugglers’ midfield brought their own ball, literally, as we were the home team and haven’t received a cheque to cover equipment costs from FU House in quite some time, and figuratively with Beams (41 touches), Hall (40), Dusty (34) and Heppell (29) all outpointing their Parasitic opponents.

The performance of Hall, along with Isaac Smith (111 points in the forward line) was the best in yellow, green and blue for both mid-season recruits and hopefully can be maintained as the side pushes for a finals berth. Helping this is the likely return of Jake Lever (although we did say that last week also), Dan Menzel and the first appearance this year of Brett Deledio.

Nos-tyze-mus has predicted a 6th place finish for the Smugglers, but the coach and players are just focused on what’s in their control and not getting ahead of ourselves and listing as many clichés as we can before the weekend trip to Blanchetown. The Parasites are on the road to Staghorn Flat, in what is a must-win match for the hosts.

BAFFU

3 – Martin (CIS)
2 – Hall (CIS)
1 – Beams (CIS)

Big Tap – Kreuzer (CIS) 74 defeated Bellboy 58 (PP)

 

Unfortunately the Smugglers are in a precarious financial position after a forensic audit revealed that the head coach had embezzled funds which were subsequently lost punting on “The Bachelorette”.

However, we are committed to continue to provide our “licence fee” via shipments of cream liqueurs to the Commish (or his partner, the final recipient of said liqueurs has never actually been determined).

 

Hughenden v Coolgaride Preview
In one of many key clashes that will shape the top 8 and in this instance the race for the wooden spoon Coolgardie travel to Hughenden knowing a win will secure a finals berth. Lose and its a real possibility that they miss the 8 Coolgardie's destiny is in their own hands.
A victory could see Hughenden finish as high as 15th... do they tank or build on the momentum they have built over the last month?

Hughenden currently sit 17th on the ladder whilst Coolgardie sit in the 8 in 7th position. @Batfink has often been on the wrong side of the ledger this year however the Prairie Dogs have only scored 146 points fewer than Coolgardie YTD and over the last month have averaged 84ppg more than the Prospectors.

This is no lay down misere for the @JPK 's Prospectors!

At the selection table it will be interesting to see if the P Dogs take a gamble and elect not to play one of their 3 ruckman in an attempt to run the Propectors off their feet. Sandilands is done for the year however Campbell or Smith could get the opportunity to take on big Stef Martin. The alternative is running with Sheppard who has done a huge job in the last few weeks. Regardless in the rucks its advantage Coolgardie.

The advantage gained by the Prospectors in the ruck appears to be quickly handed back to the P Dogs in their defensive line with potentially only 2 recognised defenders suiting up for the clash. Perryman & Macmillian look likely to miss due to injury and in total 6 / 8 listed defenders may not get up for the clash. In an attempt to the fill the hole in the defensive line up JPK will again call on an OOP in Majak Daw to fill the void and perhaps Parfit to add some dash to the half back line. Its possible that all of the P Dogs forwards could get off the chain this week, Garlett in particular will look to burn his Prospecting opponents, whilst Yeo may push in to the midfield to give space for Membrey to lead up into.

The midfield battle will be key and some enthralling contests will ensue, veterans Jack & Ebert will go head to head as will young premos Shiel & Wines, Ward will need to on his game as Miller will look to out run him moving forward and finally Oliver looks like he will get Clarke for the day as the Prospectors try to quell his ability to engage the crowd in addition to auditioning for rolls post football.

Whilst the P Dogs are looking at going small across the ground int this clash its the opposite for the Prospectors as Watts, Petrie, Redpath, Sicily & Westhof all vie for starting forward positions as they tempt to stretch the likes of Henderson, Mills & DBJ.

All in all this appears to be a tight contest. For me its based on the numbers and over the last month it points to a Hughenden victory in the vicinity of 70 to 100 points.

HPD 1225
CP 1150

 

Agreed, great preview @tyze1
The P Dogs have endured a tough year at the wrong end some results that would have easily won other games in the week but that is football. I have plenty of defenders to choose from which can cause its own problems, might need to have a chat @JPK .
Will we have a ruck for this week? Probably not which has been a problem ever since the 1 ruck curse was highlighted in the 2016 year preview, with the P Dogs strugling ever since. Needless to say we haven't tanked all year and I don't see the players taking this game lighlty with some under delist scruitny. Should be a great match, go the P Dogs.