And so it is, the Be(at) the Best column does not have any recent challenger to update.

Its been rather quiet from me in the analysis, and its because this week is the real crux of the whole thing. Its a crucial week where so many of the star players are out of some of the best teams, so after this week, we will have 5 weeks more, but most of them will have deeper and better coverage because the leaders will have factored that into their trading.

Currently there are 29 competitors within 500 points of the lead. Thats really close, particularly when you consider that 1000 points off the lead is the top 200, and 1500 points off the lead is the top 1000. Truly, Supercoach has become an exponential game.

It means that if you have a real stinker of a week, you go from respectability to nothing. If you have a brilliant week, like JEEZEBEL, you can go from contention to nearly into the lead.

Anyone in the top 30 with a few big rounds get the gap back, and with the injuries or poor form to contender defenders in particular, it means that points of difference can be found, and can be crucial. That, coverage in the midfield, a good R2 and the old captain selection will determine the run of the top 30 teams this season.

Good luck Impromptu on keeping the lead, and for the chasing pack led by Ex Prez (p2), Yamum (p5), Shagga (p7), bombers4ever (p9) and the fading Whorks (p19), heres hoping that this week becomes the one that moves you back into contention.