WXV Round 1: Festival of Hope & Optimism

[Purple 77]

Round 1 is approaching; and with it, marks our fifth season of our tremendous comp that we call the World XVs  :D

In other words? On our horizon; amazing displays of football, bewildering turns of events, exceptional efforts of team management and of course, exciting drama of unprecedented levels!  8)

Last year was simply outstanding.

We saw the well-oiled and often flaunted machine that was Dublin glide with ease all the way to their second consecutive grand final, but only to fall apart at the final hurdle to the slowly but surely building Mexico City Suns. It was the Suns second premiership but first with coach JROO8, and it showed that the home & away season is merely a prelude of the truly greatest of achievements.

But the home & away season is not to be discounted, as that was pretty amazing too.

We saw Beijing take further steps in their rebuild from the doldrums of 2014. We saw Pacific's meteoric rise from Wooden Spooners to elimination finalists which saw coach Jayman take out the coach of the year. We saw the debut seasons of the Christchurch Saints and Rio de Janeiro Jaguars. But really, what we saw and consistently experienced was amazing weeks of WXVs footy where you couldn't know for certain what was going to happen.

So, dear Worlds Community, it's hard to not get excited that it is about to start all over again!

As always, it is a pleasure being the administrator of this comp, and I'll forever be striving to make it the best form of fantasy football for all our high quality coaches that take part.

So without further ado, let's get this started!

PARTIAL LOCKOUT

Thursday night: Carlton vs Richmond

Just to re-iterate, this means that all Carlton and Richmond players you choose (or don't choose) to be in your team, will be 'locked' meaning you cannot drop (or select initially un-chosen) players as soon as the first bounce occurs.

The rest of the round will be locked out at the commencement of Melbourne v GWS on Saturday afternoon.

Round 1, AFL Round 1, Easter Weekend

Home Team	Away Team	Venue	Head-to-Head
Buenos Aires Armadillos	New York Revolution	Estadio de River, AAP Alliance, Americas	3  v  1
Cape Town Cobras	Cairo Sands	Neutral, Gabba, AAP Alliance, Africonia, Africa Cup	4  v  0
London Royals	Dublin Destroyers	London Olympic Stadium, EurAsia, Europe, British Isles Cup	4  v  0
Mexico City Suns	New Delhi Tigers	Fireball Stadium	4  v  0
Pacific Islanders	Moscow Spetsnaz	Neutral, Subiaco Oval	1  v  4
Rio de Janeiro Jaguars	PNL Reindeers	Maracana Stadium	0  v  1
Seoul Magpies	Beijing Thunder	Seoul World Cup Stadium, EurAsia, Asia	2  v  2
Tokyo Samurai	Berlin Brewers	Tokyo Olympic Stadium, EurAsia	1  v  3
Toronto Wolves	Christchurch Saints	Rogers Centre, AAP Alliance	0  v  1

It is with great intrigue I look at this match. As we all know, the Buenos Aires Armadillos list was redrafted in what has seen the Armadillos come out much stronger than when they came in. So how will they step up against New York? The Revolution were a consistent force last year; cruelled by the injuries of star midfielders throughout the year and no more noticeable was Tom Liberatore (whom has since been traded). But, with another high list turnover (only 7 players that played a game with New York last year remain!), and with a bit of luck regarding injuries, we expect them to be a force again. Round 1 is always a little bit hard to make tips, but I'm tipping a loss for the debut coach combo of Vinny/iZander in favour of the RD/AK coaches Revolution, whom will be determined to make the finals again.

In our first neutral game for the year, rivals Cape Town & Cairo go head to head at the Gabba in what could be a serious indicator for the year to come. Cairo's 2015 was... forgettable. A combination of unrelenting injuries to key staff and perhaps a small reduction of competitive depth spelt, well, a horror season for the Sands that in the end, finished 16th. And with star midfielder Dayne Beams down indefinitely, we can only hope it doesn't continue this year. The Sands nevertheless can be confident of an improved season; the quartet of quality coaches can make it happen. The Cobras had a somewhat topsy-turvy season last year; I pinned it down to a bad start to the year which saw them lose 4 of the first 5 matches. They wouldn't want that to repeat this year, and they'd be hopeful of a large array of quality youngsters stepping up and taking steps up the ladder. Who will win this game? I'll pin the liability of my claim on Dayne Beams, and back the Cobras. They have after all, never lost to the Sands.

This is without a doubt... I'll say that again, WITHOUT A DOUBT my favourite statistic in 4 years of this comp, and have no hesitation in naming it my MATCH OF THE ROUND! The mighty Dublin Destroyers... starting off as wooden spooners in 2012, building a storm in the second half of 2013, winning the premiership in 2014, and runners-up last year... HAVE NEVER BEATEN the comparatively lesser opponents of the London Royals. Ever. The Royals were a funny team last year; often rising to meet the challenge of the big teams, but losing to the teams that they should have beaten. They have taken a change of direction in regards to their list, thinking of the future but still maintaining the ability to compete for the 2016 year. Dublin, meanwhile, will think that they didn't do much wrong last year, and were the victims of the resting of players in the final round. However, with that likely not to be an issue this year, they focused on releasing their old stars for fewer young ones, confident that the introduced lack of depth will be compensated by the star power of their remaining best XV. Still, a fully fit Dublin is easily the best team in the comp, and I personally am tipping them for the premiership. But for this game? Phwoah, I wanna say London, but I can't. Dublin to break the duck.

The reigning premiers would no doubt have partied for a long time at the end of last year, but... did they drink enough water? Does the light sting their eyes? Do they have a pounding headache? Where did they wake up? Another busy trade period saw the Suns keep just 12 of their past representatives, but still have the mighty experienced core that rebounded from a qualifying final defeat to a premiership. Ah, and New Delhi. I often wrote about the Tigers with a deflated tone and outlook last year as they received their wooden spoon and first round priority pick. Now? On the surface at least, the Tigers look like they have a genuinely competitive list! Instead of fearing if they will get 15 players on the park, they now have to concern themselves about whether to captain Stefan Martin or Steele Sidebottom? Historically, the Tigers have been stone cold dreadful in Round 1; with scores of less than 100 being achieved in the past. Really, so long as the Tigers post a score of 130+, you could say the positives outweigh any negatives. Nonetheless, I still feel they have some ways to go to matching Mexico City (most of the comp included) and having never beaten them. I will assume the Suns took an aspirin for this one. 

The elimination final replay has a lot of intrigue about it. From a distance, I could feel the bad blood from Pacific as they let a home elimination final slip and end their inspiring season, as and such were determined to officially make Moscow their main rival. The Islanders kept relative faith in their 7th placed list last year; keeping 26 past senior representatives. But the losses of Hurley and Howlett sure do sting, and the loss of Bonty & Tom Mitchell's forward statuses. What remains? An exceedingly promising midfield, a defence spear-headed by the impressive Rory Laird, and a forward line lead by Michael Barlow. It's still a pretty good list. Moscow were a dominant force for the first two thirds of 2015, before they hit the wall incredibly to be considered a chance to lose to the 17th placed Buenos Aires in the final round to miss out on finals. However, they have some of the most promising young talent you'll ever cast you eye on, and will be welcoming the eventual return of Jaeger O'Meara with open arms. Like Pacific, the loss of Hooker & Heppell is a punishing blow to Moscow's 2016 prospects, but again, like Pacific, they still have quality players to compete. I have these two teams on level pegging terms, so I'll be comparing them often throughout the year I think. Despite the familiarity of Western Australia of co-coach Jukes, I think I'll back the midfield charges of Pacific to get the job done.

I think it's safe to say that Rio was the hard luck story of 2015. Despite boasting an offensive game ranked in the top 8 with little help of the almighty GAJ, the Jaguars almost unbelievably finished 15th and with a point to prove. A trading period which shuffled the Jaguars decks has made their scoring power even better IMO, and with GAJ looking to have a full season... watch out, this team will do damage. So tt's appropriate that they take on the formerly unlucky PNL Reindeers in Round 1 as really I think they might be in the same conversation all year. The Reindeers won their first ever final last year against the Berlin Brewers with a poultry score in the 130s... unlucky my arse... and was genuinely deserving of their top 4 finish; a mark of a consistent dominance over most teams in 2015, and they look to be having a similar year in 2016. I look forward to the result of this game. I think a lot of it has to do with GAJ, and seeing as I think he will come back to the AFL with style, and that it is a Rio home game, that I will tip the Jags on this one!

You could mark down Seoul's last year as a year of development; I often say that they have a really promising list, and I was surprised they didn't win more games. But if the last 3 games of last year were anything to go by, then Seoul can really make a push this year. Captain Danger looks ominous; a forward line that teams would would be chuffed with and a host of potential break out players make Seoul both dangerous and unpredictable. Beijing would be counting their lucky stars that they managed to trade Cale Hooker before his year long ban happened, as it would only compound the early season losses of Thurlow and Jaensch even harder. The Thunder have a midfield that ranks with the best, so by default they are a finals contender IMO. But those defender losses... that could decide some close games. I look to the Thunders year with intrigue, as they look to continue their rebuild under coach Toga. I'll back the Thunder here, mainly because Dave Swallow and Liam Shiels are unavailable for the Magpies.

Tokyo were another interesting prospect last year. They were a team that was in fact very close to making the finals last year but somehow fell under the radar. Often crippled by a lack of ruckman, the Samurai finished 10th and were just a couple of games (where they were capable of winning) away from creeping into the eight. Unfortunately, the Samurai's boom recruit to address their ruck woes in Paddy Ryder will be unavailable for the year, and might carry that disadvantage for a further season. But, with a largely intact list that finished 10th last year, means that there is no reason why the Samurai won't challenge for the eight. The Brewers went to the trade table last year with an identifiable tactic of bringing in older, competitive players to compliment an impressive midfield core of players, led by no other than Nat Fyfe. On the surface, the Brewers have an arsenal that can beat anyone. Also on the surface, you'll find that they can be injury prone and that will be the major vulnerability of Berlin going forward... that, and the availability of Fyfe. I'll back my Brewers to get the job done. Oh, and this game too :P.

The other team to be redrafted, the Toronto Wolves, are likely to face a year of development and are so far the early favourites for the spoon. However, boasting young guns on every line, there is plenty of reasons to suggest Toronto will experience some success this year and going forward. Pavlich and Angus Litherland are the only two Wolves on the list to have represented Toronto in the past, so it will be interesting to see how this young group gels. Who knows? They might be the Western Bulldogs of 2015? Christchurch are definitely a unique team in this comp; there is no other list like them. They may not have the best (fully fit) XV (which is still really good), but without question have the best depth in the competition and like it was shown last year, that will win them more games than they'll lose. Fully expect the Saints to challenge for the top 4 and the premiership, and it is of that reason I'll tip them to win this game.

[Levi434]

I've missed reading this Purp, great work as always!  :)

[Holz]

The grandfinal was just a warm up to this monster match.

Again a few boys missing this time injury.

Surely i have enough though

[Levi434]

Surely i have enough though

Don't you say that every time?  ;D ;D

[Holz]

Surely i have enough though

Don't you say that every time?  ;D ;D

Well game 1 i got the spoon so was big underdog
Game 2 was before my hot finish so not favoured.

Last 2 i should have won.

[DazBurg]

great work as usual purps i love the weekly write ups so missed them and look forward to that each week :D

[Ringo]

Surely i have enough though

Don't you say that every time?  ;D ;D

Well game 1 i got the spoon so was big underdog
Game 2 was before my hot finish so not favoured.

Last 2 i should have won.

Bring it on - Hanners ready to shake you to the bone again.

[Nige]

Time to snap the streak. The African Cup will finally come north.  8)

[Torpedo10]

Yeah we will definitely be underdogs for the season, but I still think with Pacifics losses we are a chance this week.

I sure am regretting that award trade now.  :-[ Hopefully Bell can be our star!

Jukes to name the team this week I think.

[AaronKirk]

1st cab off the rank for 2016

New York Revolution

Def: B.Houli (VC)
Mid:
Ruck:
Fwd:
U:

Emg: A.Walker

[Toga]

Love the write up Purps, glad that WXV is back!

Beijing Thunder:
D:
M: B.Ellis (VC)
R:
F: K.Lambert
I/C:

Emg:

[Adamant]

Great stuff Purps! I can definitely see the Bulldogs comparison.

Appoint new head coach (Beveridge/Adamant) √

Trade away Ryan Griffen for a former #1 draft pick (T. Boyd/Kreuzer) √

Have a former high draft pick announce himself as a superstar in just his second season (Bontempelli/De Goey) √

Reinvent a former tagger into an attacking midfielder (Picken/Crowley) √

Jack Macrae √

And just like Bulldogs in 2015, we're going to win our first game of the season too.

[Holz]

CHRISTCHURCH SAINTS

B: Matthew Boyd, Sam Gilbert, Nathan Wilson, Harris Andrews
M: Sam Mitchell (VC), Bryce Gibbs, Hamish Hartlett, Ryan Griffen (C)
R: Shaun McKernan
F: Leigh Montagna,  Jake Stringer, Luke Breust, Jeff Garlett
U: Koby Stevens, Jack Steele

E: Aaron Vandenberg, Sean Dempster, Kyle Langford

Rest: Aaron Vandenberg

[Holz]

A.Rance, G.Birchall, L.Hansen, H.Grundy
J.Selwood, R.Sloane, A.Treloar, M.Murphy
T.Goldstein
D.Martin, L.Franklin,J.Gunston, J.Riewoldt
N. Dal Santo, R.Schoenmakers

Emg:O. McdonaldJ.Weitering, N.Jetta

I should have picked more mids im looking in trouble. Jetta kennedy please come back quick. SJ I miss you.

[Ricochet]

Great writeup as always Purps. Love reading through these


New Delhi Tigers

We'll be Attacking

DEF
MID
UTI
RUCK
FWD

EMER: Griffiths,