3 rounds in and we have a clear leader at the top of the pack – the Vancouver Vixens on 3 wins. The Storm also made a move into the top 2 but there is a log jam from 2 – 7 with only 1 win separating everyone. At the other end are the Conservatives – for the last 2 weeks they have been the second highest scoring team only to be beaten… unlucky is not the word to describe it! Canberra Conservatives @bkp130 (0-3) vs Lima Llamas @hoschke118 (2-1) As mentioned the Conservatives have had an interesting time – their all out attack has been fantastic lead by Britt Bonnici however their defence has been way to leaky for their coaches liking. On the flipside Lima will need to match the Conservatives firepower if they are challenge the home side and are hopeful of another big score by Jasmine Garner. Lagos Royals @Peter W (1-2) vs Vancouver Vixens @dmandrews (3-0) The all-conquering Vixens hit the road again to take on the Royals in what shapes as a huge match up. The Royals will be hoping for a return by Nat Grider to shore up their defence, while the return to form of Erin Phillips must be pleasing for the coaching staff of the Vixens. Las Vegas Legends @Pearcey47 (2-1) vs Stuttgart Storm @TheTassieHawk (2-1) The proverbial 8 point match with one of these teams moving to 3-1 and the other heading back into the chasing pack. The Legends were outgunned by the Vixens last week however they look forward to a return to form from Ellie Blackburn while the Storm are chasing a road win off the back of the ever consistent work of Alyce Parker. Kyoto Kruisers @FreoDockers (1-2) vs Korean Kickers @Chloe (1-2) The battle for the Asian Cup is on this weekend as the Kruisers look to stop their topsy turvy season with a home win. With Maddy Prespakis on the sidelines this week thanks to the tribunal others will need to step up to nullify the Kickers midfield lead by the unbelievable Kiara Bowers who is averaging 119 so far. It’s on this week @Chloe…. Loser buys! Don’t forget to put your teams in nice and early in readiness for Friday night’s opening match…
Getting in early as I'm on the road today... The Kruisers team to face the Kickers Def: Hannah Priest, Janelle Cuthbertson, Kate Lutkins (Charlotte Wilson) Mid: Alison Drennan, Brianna Davey, Jenna Bruton, Jasmin Stewart (Mia King) Ruck: Celine Moody (Mim Strom) Fwd: Ebony Antonio, Kate Surman, Jordan Ivey (Darcy Vescio) Int: Amy McDonald, Hannah Button (Tarni Evans) In: Stewart Out: Prespakis (suspension)
Lagos Royals: D: Jess Duffin, Nat Grider, Stacey Livingstone (Denby Taylor) M: Georgia Patrikios, Lily Mithen, Ebony Marinoff, Tiah Haynes (Eliza McNamara) R: Emma King (Montana McKinnon) F: Tyla Hanks, Ashleigh Woodland, Eden Zanker (Sarah Perkins) INT: Ellie McKenzie, Jess Hosking (Phoebe Monahan) Good to welcome the Duff back!
A couple of swaps for the Kickers this week DEF: J. van Dyk, M. McDonald, G. Pound (K. Dempsey) MID: K. Bowers, K. Paxman, R. Dillon, M. Bowen (J. Crockett-Grills FWD: S. Scott, K. Brennan, S. Duffy (K. Loynes) R: B. Moody (R. Roux) INT: S. Hosking, G. O'Sullivan (S. Molan) Bring on the Asian Cup!
For round 4 the Storm selectors have made 2 changes with Bec Webster and Brooke Lochland replacing Gabby Newtown and Brittany Perry for the match at Las Vegas @Pearcey47 Def = Lucas-Rodd, D Pearce, Webster (Sheriff) Mid = Lamb, Egan, Riddell, A Parker (K Antonio) Fwd = Ashmore, Lochland, McEvoy (Perry) Ruck = L Pearce (Saad) IC = Gavalas, Watson (Newton) Unused (3) - Higgins, Exon, Molly McDonald
LAGOS ROYAL CHANGE: OUT: Lily Postlethwaite (ACL) - dropped from the Royals list of 21 IN: Maddy Gay - replacement player selected from the Premier League Free Agent List. Edited team: D: Jess Duffin, Nat Grider, Stacey Livingstone (Denby Taylor) M: Georgia Patrikios, Lily Mithen, Ebony Marinoff, Maddy Gay (Eliza McNamara) R: Emma King (Montana McKinnon) F: Tyla Hanks, Ashleigh Woodland, Eden Zanker (Sarah Perkins) INT: Ellie McKenzie, Jess Hosking (Tiah Haynes)
Lima Llamas: No changes despite the loss. Hoping for the bigger names to lift this week DEF: Elle Bennetts, Emma Swanson, Tarni White (Shelley Heath) MID: Olivia Purcell, Alicia Eva, Jamie Stanton, Emily Bates (Lucy Single) RUC: Aasta O'Connor (Jessica Allan) FOR: Gemma Houghton, Jasmine Garner, Sophie Conway (Haneen Zreika) INT: Tahlia Hickie, Nikki Gore (Kalinda Howarth)
Half time and the Kickers are kicking the Kruisers.... 8/487 @ 60 against 8/400 @ 50. Looking like my buy @Chloe ....
Vancouver Vixens Round 4 team and progress score Out: Tayla Harris (omitted), Belinda Smith (omitted) In: Kate Hore, Breanna Koenan Def: Chelsea Randall, Kerryn Harrington 49, Breanna Koenan 37 (Belinda Smith) Mid: Jamiee Lambert, Emma Kearney 114, Erin Phillips, Hayley Miller 59 (Hannah Dunn) Ruc: Sharni Norder (Lauren Bella) Fwd: Kate Hore, Aisling McCarthy, Georgia Gee 48 (Tayla Harris 28) Int: Elise O’Dea 51, Courtney Hodder 55 (Jesse Tawhio-Wardlaw 37) Vancouver Vixens 413/7 = 59 Ave Including 1 ton – Emma Kearney 114 Lagos Royal 244/5 = 48.8 Ave Vancouver Vixens are ahead on average however the Lagos Royals have their entire four player midfield line to play today whilst Erin Phillips will play for the Vixens meaning that in the two match-ups between these two coaches this round they each have Phillips playing for their them in one encounter and for the opposition in the other.
The Storm are poised to improve to 3-1 as they have reached 12/748 to lead the Legends 10/510 @Pearcey47 by 238 points heading into the final Sunday match.
Canberra vs Lima was an injury affected, but closely fought match with the Llamas winning by less than 20 points (if my calculations are correct). Lima's Olivia Purcell went down in the first game with an ACL injury which puts her out for the rest of the year, while Canberra's Rhiannon Metcalfe was rested with Parris Laurie coming in as a replacement. Final score Lima 808 to Canberra 789 edit: well I was close