Reviewing this round from Vietnam feels appropriate. Much like trying to cross a busy Ho Chi Minh street, this week was chaotic, unpredictable, and required a bit of courage just to get through it. Some coaches navigated the madness like seasoned locals, weaving through traffic with confidence. Others hesitated, got stuck halfway, and were eventually overwhelmed. Add in a site that behaved like peak-hour Grab scooters, stopping and starting at random, and you’ve got a round where adaptability mattered more than perfection. Venus Bay Vultures (1204) def. Wagga Wagga Wombats (1074) Highlights: Houston (135) set the tone, with Crisp (103) and Yeo (104) controlling the midfield. Pickett (113) added the finishing edge. Low lights: Outside LDU (112) and Impey (102), the Wombats lacked consistent output. Observations: The Wombats felt like a team selected mid-refresh, parts of the squad clearly loaded, others stuck buffering. Vietnam pairing: Pho Bo + Saigon Beer Dependable and well-balanced, just like the Vultures’ even spread of contributors. Junee Jaguars (1302) def. Nareewillock Nuffers (1206) Highlights: Sam Berry (171) was immense, supported by MacDonald (125) and Kelly (121). Nuffers fight: Dale (141), Ross (129), Richards (117) kept them in the hunt. Low lights: The Nuffers couldn’t quite connect all their strong pieces. Observations: Looked like the Nuffers locked in the stars before the site froze and had to hope the rest sorted itself out. Vietnam pairing: Bun Cha + Hanoi Beer Explosive, punchy, and full of big moments, just like this high-scoring clash. Cradle Mountain Devils (1297) def. Birdsville Battlers (1170) Highlights: Peter Wright (147) and Rowan Marshall (121) dominated forward, with Zorko (108) driving from defence. Battlers effort: Ryan (119) and Jeffrey (106) stood tall. Low lights: Battlers lacked firepower up forward to match. Observations: Battlers had structure, but it felt like key pieces never fully synced up. Vietnam pairing: Banh Mi + Tiger Beer Simple, effective, and clinical, reflecting the Devils’ ability to execute. Charlies Opening Spelunkers (1465) def. Mount Beauty Uglies (1273) Highlights: Jackson (143), Whitfield (117), Blakey (115), Bontempelli (118) powered a massive score. Uglies resistance: Balta (152), Petracca (136), Butters (117) were elite. Low lights: Uglies couldn’t match the depth of scoring. Observations: Uglies loaded the premium guns, but depth looked like it was still trying to load the page. Vietnam pairing: Com Tam + 333 Beer High-quality, premium output from top-end talent, fitting for a heavyweight clash. Lovely Banks Lilacs (1240) def. Waikickamoocow Incorrigibles (1203) Highlights: Bolton (134), Heeney (129), Wines (126) dominated the midfield. Incorrigibles fight: Bailey (122), Treacy (105), Morris (103) kept it tight. Low lights: Just lacked that final punch. Observations: Incorrigibles were right there, but felt like they missed one crucial selection window. Vietnam pairing: Bo Luc Lac (Shaking Beef) + Red wine Solid, reliable, and built on fundamentals, much like the Lilacs’ midfield grind. Larrikin Lagoon Lefties (1269) def. Gariwerd Cockatoos (1205) Highlights: Xerri (165*) and Sharman (132*) exploded, with Sweet (116) controlling the ruck. Cockatoos standouts: Holmes (149), McInerney (110), Miller (104). Low lights: Not enough across the rest of the field. Observations: Cockatoos had a strong core, but depth looked like it never fully rendered. Vietnam pairing: Bun Bo Hue + Rice wine Bold, powerful, and capable of big hits, mirroring the Lefties’ scoring spikes. Gundagai Grasshoppers (1251) def. Iron Knob Codpieces (1055) Highlights: Grundy (130), Oliver (113), Newcombe (105) controlled the contest. Codpieces effort: Sinclair (93), Peatling (91), McKercher (85) solid but not decisive. Low lights: Lacked match-winning performances. Observations: Codpieces looked like a side that gave up waiting for the site to stabilise and just locked in what they had. Vietnam pairing: Cao Lau + Local craft lager Balanced and methodical, just like the Grasshoppers’ controlled approach. Wineglass Bay Packers (1293) def. Shark Bay Tigersharks (1218) Highlights: Noble (132), Campbell (119), Keays (111), Callaghan (110) delivered across all lines. Tigersharks effort: Milera (122), McAuliffe (115), Aliir (103) strong. Low lights: Couldn’t maintain consistency across the field. Observations: Tigersharks had quality pieces, but felt like a page that only half-loaded. Vietnam pairing: Goi Cuon + Vietnamese mojito Fresh, balanced, and consistent contributions, reflecting the Packers’ even spread. Ladder Context Top of the table: Spelunkers (6-0) and Grasshoppers (6-0) are setting the pace, as expected at the start of the year... can they sustain it? Chasing pack: Lilacs (5-1) and Wombats (4-2) remain firmly in contention. Mid-table congestion: Jaguars’ win keeps them in the hunt at 3-3. Strugglers: Codpieces (0-6) still searching for their first win, with the site offering convenient excuses for their shitness. Round Summary Top score: Spelunkers (1465) Performance of the round: Sam Berry (171) – dominant Theme of the “no theme” round: Fake it until you make it Closing A round that proved you don’t need a theme to create chaos.
Red wine with the Lilacs and cows repast - very fitting. Thanks Banditto. Random Observation - with scores of 1203 (cows), 1204 (vultures) and 1206 (nuffers) there could have been some very close games. Interestingly, 1204 was the only winning score.
Quality, mouth watering review bandit. Think you spelt Lefties wrong in the chasing pack. Understandable as I’m sure no one actually expected us to be 5-1 with five in a row at this point. Feels weird..