...VICTORY!

This week the Viking Quest recovered from an average round 11, and moved up a massive 679 places in the overall rankings to 449. It was a week inspired by a forward line, which averaged 140 points, and big games from the leadership group in Ablett and Goodes.

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[span style="color: #ff9900;">The V.Q. TEAM BLOG! - ROUND 13

<img border="0" alt="Vq_blog" title="Vq_blog" src="http://tooserious.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/06/17/vq_blog.jpg" />


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Team: Viking Quest
Round 12 Score: 2,419
Overall SuperCoach Ranking: 449
Cash stashed: $56,400
Trades to burn: 8



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BACKS:
Rd 12 Scores:&nbsp; H. Shaw (31), Mattner (72), Roughead
(96), Gilbee (88), C. Cornes (100), Goddard (88), Ibbotson (62), Myers
(46), Proud (0)

This week the Chad regained some much needed form. After an abysmal first half tagging Joel Corey.
It finally clicked in the second half, where he amassed 82 of his 104
total points. Port have a very reasonable draw here on end. I dont
think itll be long before the front-runner starts pointing at the
scoreboards and winding crowds up again.

Roughead showed again that, in this Buddy conscious
world, hell perform well on a consistent basis. It came as suprise he
was only rewarded a nominal 98 points considering his impact. Perhaps
Champion Data only reward stars with their game breaking stats? VQ none
the less saw some very good signs.

The weakest link, yet again, was Heater Shaw. His performance
of 31 was about as impressive as his bulldog-looking uncles special
comments... To state the obvious. Considering the focus on his game and
his coachs reluctance to release him further up the ground, VQ is
expecting a big game this week against. Theres hardly anything to be
gained by trading him in any event.

Ibbotson has very likely peaked in value and there are a number of very reasonable upgrade options being considered this week. McLeod
scored 66 point in the first quarter alone last week, so is surely not
far from a return to form. This coupled with his low-price almost makes
it a certain trade. At this stage it appears, at worst, McLeod will produce Ibbotsons
numbers, but has potential for far more. Dont forget he was name
All-Australian Captain last year. Hell bounce back and provide me with
a profit. The 27k profit, coupled with the 56k banked will enable the
future upgrade of Fevola, Simmonds or Cotchin, without necessitating the use of a cash cow and thus saving a valuable trade.
CENTRES:
Rd 12 Scores:&nbsp; Ablett (161), Goodes (147), Scotland (92), Stevens (68), Priddis (83), Cotchin (66), Masten (49), Armfield (47)

Ablett dominated again to back up his Footy Show interview
earlier in the week. Port set out to intimated a seasoned Geelong and
paid the consequences. Ablett was the recipient of a massive 6 free kicks. Thats Daniel Kerr numbers. Goodes
yet again slipped under the radar with a casual 147, notably at the SCG
where historically he hasnt been so dominant. The thing which sets
these two apart are their contested possession numbers. They are both
averaging high numbers in this statistic and Champion Data love to
reward those who get down and dirtaaay!

Priddis struggled without the assistance of Kerr, who was a late omission and VQ prays to the footy gods that Kerr is fit this week against the Cats. I shudder to think how Priddis will go if the Pink Pig from China runs with him after being schooled by Welsh.

Stevens was poor this week. Its his second week in a row, if
you exclude a single quarter last week, and for VQ this signals alarm
bells. Stevens is still a fantastic price and VQ would be lying if he didnt admit a trade for Boomer Harvey
was being considered. However, Carlton have some very winnable games
approaching which, with attention being diverted by the recent form of Judd and Murphy, likely keeps Stevens in Viking Quest colors.

Armfield looks a beauty, and on current form must be a
shoe-in to play out the entire season. It has been increasingly evident
that mature-aged draft picks make solid picks and Armfield is no exception. VQ was right last week about Cotchin likely to receive a Rising Star nomination, and had Armfield being eligible, hed have come very close too.
RUCKS:
Rd 12 Scores: Cox (56), Simmonds (71), Wood (0), Meesen (0)

As predicted, Cox was poor again this week. For those very few who dont have Cox, the next couple of weeks should provide an affordable opportunity. This week Cox plays Geelong against arguably the next best ruckman in the league in Ottens (wholl be cheap himself in coming weeks), so is unlikely to be too dominant.
FORWARDS:
Rd
12 Scores: Pavlich (164), Deledio (138), Porplyzia (151), Brown (118),
OKeefe (119), N. Riewoldt (102), Fevola (185), McKinley (0), Tippett
(16)

This week VQ traded out Rioli for the ever reliable OKeefe. ROK is destined for AA honours this year and is playing for his next contract renewal. VQ traded for ROK knowing full well that his scores, prior to Hall being suspended (injured), were consistently high. Franklin was of course an option, but a poor game was always likely against the Crows. Fortunately for everyone, except VQ, Franklin was let-off. Big deal if the mans ineligible for the Brownlow... he was never a chance!

This week both Fevola and Pavlich kicked 8 goal apiece. Fevola
could have easily reached double-figures having kicked 6 behinds
aswell... but beggars cant be choosers. Any score above 25 would have
been an improvement and 183 is a definite improvement. The addition of
Waite and Kruezer to the forward line is obviously giving Fevola more
space. With the next three games against Essendon, Richmond and St
kilda, VQ could well see Fevola amidst a... dare it be said... form streak! Hes a new man with that haircut... well at least VQ hopes he is.

Deledio got his usual midfield numbers, but unlike last week,
was far more efficient. This showed in his score of 138. Richmond have
the easiest run of any team from here on end. They still have games to
come against all the bottom sides, including another against Melbourne.
For this reason alone, Deledio, NG Brown and Richoman should not be overlooked.
CAPTAINS:
Rd 12 Scores: (C)Ablett (161), (VC)Goodes (147)

Down on last week, but hardly a disappointment. Goodes is playing the bottom of the league Melbourne this week and is red-hot form, so hes an obvious captain choice. This week Goodes plays at Manuka which is almost the size of the MCG and Goodes
seems to favour wide open expanses, which should suit his game. The
still is some uncertainty associated with playing at Manuka and this
might mean Ablett gets the nod yet again...

Selwood is a capable tag, but so is K. Cornes and Ablett
is just too hot right now. You cant deny the mans form and Subiaco
should allow him to get off the leash with his superior fitness and
ability to read the play. Ablett would have learned lessons from his last game at Subiaco (being molested by Jazz-Hands Crowley)
and if anything it should steel his performance. West Coast are rabble
at the moment and you always go for a captain in a winning team... and
there is little doubt which side that will be.

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Good Luck for Round 13!

-VQ