The second half of the season is underway, and as usual we have some cracking matchups that will shape the ladder! Stuttgart Storm @Jono Steven (3rd) vs. Lima Llamas @hoschke118 (2nd) We start with the match of the round, with this one a classic 8 point game. The winner will move a game ahead of the other and potentially into outright first if results go their way, so Stuttgart will be hoping to use all of their home ground advantage (and current Brownlow favourite Laura Gardiner) to get over a Lima team in fine form thanks to Bronwlow second favourite Jas Garner! A must watch this one. Korean Kickers @Chloe (7th) vs Vancouver Vultures @Athos123 (8th) We move to the other end of the ladder where the Kickers and Vultures will be looking to bank some much needed points. Fresh off the mid-season draft, last placed Vancouver will be hoping that their big name recruits can have instant impact, with young gun Keeley Sherar likely to come straight into their midfield as they look to get their first win of the season. The Kickers have a settled squad looking for their second win, but will be hoping that the big losses of Paxman and Bowers won't hurt their chances of a second win. Kyoto Kruisers @FreoDockers (6th) vs Darmstadt Dynamos @WillH_VI (1st) The biggest ladder gap of the round doesn't tell the story here, in a match that should be a closely contested game. Kyoto are coming off a strong mid-season draft and will likely be unleashing new recruit, young gun Zarlie Goldsworthy. Darmstadt are on a four game winning streak but have a long road trip to defend their first place positioning, and will rely again on an even midfield to get them over the line. Majorca Islanders @TheTassieHawk (4th) vs Lagos Royals @Peter W (5th) Another match with big ladder ramifications, Majorca will be hoping to solidify their position in the top four and will be relying on a star-studded midfield to overcome a Lagos team who have had their last 2 games decided by a combined margin of 3 points! Watch for new recruit Nicola Barr to have instant impact up front for the Royals. Good luck for round 6 everyone, and all the best for the rest of the season!
The Kruisers have a mighty task ahead of them against the league leading Dynamos, hopefully the home ground advantage and a rabid supporter base will get us over the line Def: Hannah Priest, Charlie Thomas, Lauren Butler (Madi Scanlon) Mid: Bri Davey, Amy McDonald, Maddy Prespakis, Alison Drennan (Mimi Hill) Ruck: Alice Edmonds (Lauren Wakfer) Fwd: Zarlie Goldsworthy, Dana East, Daria Bannister (Ebony Antonio) IC: Claudia Whitfort, Jenna Bruton (Sofia Hurley) In: Zarlie Goldsworthy, Alison Drennan, Jenna Bruton Out: Jasmine Fleming, Issy Huntington, Mimi Hill
Def: Ange Stannett, Emma O'Driscoll, Claudia Gunjaca (Ange Foley) Mid: Jasmine Garner, Emma Swanson, Emily Bates, Liv Purcell (Alicia Eva) Ruc: Mim Strom (Lucy Wales) For: Gemma Houghton, Sophie Conway, Keeley Skepper (Haneen Zreika) Int: Eliza MacNamara, Marianna Anthony (Tahlia Hickie) Omited: Tarni White, Cynthia Hamilton, Brenna Tarrant, Rebecca Privitelli, Sarah Goodwin In: Marianna Anthony, Claudia Gunjaca Out: Tahlia Hickie, Ange Foley I've brought in a couple of new draftees to give them run. Edit: Except I forgot Anthony is injured. Oops.
Round 6 winners in the 2023 Premier League were Lagos by 25, Lima by 101, Kyoto by 127 and Vancouver by 143 - with Kyoto high scoring with 1030 and Korea (again) low scoring with 812. The round 6 results have seen Lima again move a game clear of the pack, with Darmstadt and Stuttgart remaining in 2nd and 3rd despite copping losses and 3 teams are now tied for 4th ahead of a frantic fortnight of Premier League action.
Also congrats to @Athos123 on the Vultures opening win of the season and also a reminder that it is your allocated round thread week this week if you are available to do so ahead of team selections on Thursday.