WXV Round 7: The Champion of the Redraft

[Purple 77]

It's super saturday this week, but still a normal lockout  :D

Round 7, AFL Round 7

Home Team	Away Team	Venue	Head-to-Head
Beijing Thunder	Tokyo Samurai	Beijing Olympic Park, EurAsia, Asia	1  v  3
Berlin Brewers	London Royals	Berlin Olympic Stadium, EurAsia, Europe	2  v  2
Cape Town Cobras	Dublin Destroyers	Newlands Cricket Ground	2  v  2
Christchurch Saints	New Delhi Tigers	AMI Stadium	1  v  0
New York Revolution	PNL Reindeers	MetLife Stadium	1  v  3
Pacific Islanders	Cairo Sands	Tuanaimato International Stadium, AAP Alliance, Africonia	2  v  2
Rio de Janeiro Jaguars	Moscow Spetsnaz	Maracana Stadium	0  v  1
Seoul Magpies	Mexico City Suns	Seoul World Cup Stadium	0  v  4
Toronto Wolves	Buenos Aires Armadillos	Neutral, Melbourne Cricket Ground, AAP Alliance, Americas	1  v  4

The Thunder notched up their 4th 140+ score last week, but it was the first time that it hasn't proved enough; gallantly going down against New York by just 3 WXV points. Sitting 3-3 on 7th on the ladder, it has been quite a promising season for Beijing as they look for their first finals appearance since 2012 when they were known as the Bears! The Samurai's form has wildly fluctuated this year and are easily the most unpredictable team in the competition. A rotten run of form from Rounds 3-5 has seemingly ended last week with a score that would have TIED with Beijing last week, so I watch on with great interest in a match that could really go either way. I'll play the probabilities though! Beijing for mine.

The Brewers showed last week that life does go on without WXV star Nat Fyfe; and can even prosper! In the past four matches, the Brewers have worked tirelessly to arrest a faulty start to the season; ranking 4th in points scored in this time and entering the eight for the first time for the year. The Royals have copped it pretty bad in the last two weeks with consecutive opponents scoring 152 against them to go with their 153 scored against them in Round 1. Unsurprisingly, they've lost these games. Also unsurprisingly, the games they've won have happened when their opponents have scored less than 124. So which Royals defence will turn up? I dunno guys, I feel like every time I get hopeful about Berlin I get smacked in the face, but I'll tip the higher scoring team in my Brewers.

The Cobras last two weeks have been pretty good if... well, they hadn't fallen at the last hurdle against Buenos Aires last week and lose by just 6 SC points. Ouch. However, I feel confident that that margin won't repeat itself this week; far from it in fact! But more on that later. The Cobras were actually pretty decent last week coming off their 148 the week before, but had 3 players score less than 42 which isn't ideal. With this rectified, who knows? They might put a decent showing against Dublin? Speaking of good showings, the Destroyers were pretty classy and composed last week in one of my favourite victories in the season. With captain Goldstein stinking it up early, the rest of the team responded to reclaim top spot over the Jaguars and once again assert itself over the competition. Impressive. But they're not New York; they won't have their captain score that low two weeks in a row and I just feel like they might muster up something fierce so the Destroyers for me.

A little less clear than previous weeks, but this game is my MATCH OF THE ROUND! Why? Coz it's a big danger game for the Saints, and a really good opportunity for the Tigers to do some damage to the eight. I actually looked at the Christchurch list recently and there is something that really stood out to me; nothing. Although easily the team with best competitive depth in the entire competition (and as such that affords a game winning consistency), they have only ONE player that averages over 100, five players averaging over 90 and four over 80. That's not a premiership winning team, and it appears especially so when it loses 129-127 against a quality opponent having an off day in Pacific. The Tigers are also coming off arguably its most disappointing week of the season; scoring just a paltry 116 that New Delhi of yester-year would have called a good week. But that's to be expected from a developing team that's come as far back as it has, and it shouldn't detract the amazing potential it showed in only the week before where it celebrated being the team of the week! Who will win? I know I've been harsh on Christchurch here, but that's only because I expect much more from a top 4 contending team so I continue to urge it to break the 150 barrier. Although New Delhi has shown more firepower, I just think the Saints will respond.

The Revolution are back! Well, if being away for two games was really being away... but still! Responding from its two losses against Cairo & Christchurch, the Revolution arrested its sliding offensive output with an impressive 147 in an equally impressive win against up and comers Beijing. It's amazing what even a solidly scoring (98) scoring captain does! The Reindeers are just... a really different team to what they were in 2015. But hey, they needed to win last week and they did although its paltry 129 means that they have been the third lowest scoring team in the past month and that's just unbelievable. Adding to the struggle will be the unavailability of Luke Hodge for the next while which continues to put pressure on its midfield brigade to deliver. The Revolution have the cattle to take on PNL of last year, so I'll most certainly back them here.

What would you say about the team that sits equal 5th on the points ladder? A team that has gone 2-1 from teams currently in the top eight? You'd say they're doing alright wouldn't you? So I just wanna make this clear, that Pacific need a bit more attention to come their way because they don't have the right to quietly go about their business anymore. They sit between New York and Beijing on the ladder and I feel like I drone on about those teams so lets breath them in the same sentence as those teams! The Sands, well, I've actually really enjoyed their season this year. Although they sit 2-4 and with only one score over 130, they've inflicted pain. They took down PNL when they were still considered top 4 contenders and then they took down New York whom as mentioned, are above the Islanders. Are Pacific then in their scope? Absolutely. Will they win? Maybe, but the Islanders for me.

What is... losing? I've been told the Jaguars sat down in a circle in intense thought about to process the events that took place last week, and how they can't simply comprehend that they didn't take home four premiership points. In the space of just one week, the Jaguars outstanding season is now just the second best: on the ladder, in points scored... and in general pride I'd wager. But hey, Dublin will do that to you. The Spetsnaz are just crying out for their better players to come back from suspension & injury as when available, they really have the list that could go right into September. Unfortunately, until then they'll just have to make do with Hogan and his lesser known friends and strive to match their Round 1 score of 141 on a semi-regular basis. They could win after all; crazier things have happened. But I'll back the Jaguars.

The Magpies hit that magic 140 again last week with that high-potential list of theirs, so its comes as no surprise that they took home their third win of the season to sit 9th on the ladder. With wins against its peers in Cairo and Buenos Aires and another higher ranking win against Christchurch, the Magpies would see no reason why they couldn't keep going to make the finals for the first time in their history. But the Suns, reflecting their 4-0 record over the Magpies, have made it every year and continue to set the benchmark for achieving success after top-scoring last week. Still, the Magpies best would have beaten the Suns 3 times so far this year, so you never know! Otherwise I'll guess, and tip the Suns.

These two modern rivals would be keen to test each other out this week and let the other know who came out on top in the redraft at the end of last year. Toronto, although anchored on the bottom winless and two wins behind the rest, haven't been the worst team every week and in fact would have beaten Buenos Aires in Round 4 had they have played then, so really they can't possibly feel that the Armadillos are out of their reach. But the Dillos sure would be excited! They STOLE the match away from Cape Town last week on the back of the late efforts of its Captain Pendlebury and his offsider Jack Crisp to make it back-to-back wins for the Dillos after a tough start to the season against some of the competitions best. A great opportunity to make it three in a row presents itself against Toronto, but also the potential to be greatly wounded in the context of the season and bragging rights over the winner of the redraft. Who will win? flower it, go Toronto!

[Ricochet]

Match of the round - NDT boys live for the big stage

[RaisyDaisy]

If we're ever going to beat PNL, then now is the time - ripe for the picking!

Some serious selection decisions this week for us with several guys in the two's knocking on the door to get a call up

[meow meow]

How many times did Christchurch break the 150 barrier last year? Not many. I have no idea why Purps thinks that's what we're capable of. No Sandi, no Griffen and no Watson (where's my compo?) means it's pretty much impossible for us to score anything above 145. We're not that good, as our 127 with HGA last week showed.

[Toga]

BEIJING THUNDER:
D: H.Taylor, L.Brown, S.Mayes (rested), D.Howe
M: C.Ward (C), O.Wines (VC), L.Neale, B.Ellis
R: B.Grundy
F: D.Zorko, A.Christensen, B.Kennedy, C.Petracca
I/C: J.Caddy, J.Polec

Emg: J.Jenkins (f), B.Hill (m), T.Jonas (d)

OUT: J.Jenkins (omitted), H.Lumumba (omitted), K.Lambert (ribs)
IN: J.Polec, S.Mayes, D.Howe

[Jay]

Danger game for us here with a depleted team and Cairo getting Sir Dayne back :-X

[GoLions]

Danger game for us here with a depleted team and Cairo getting Sir Dayne back :-X

And also hopefully Adams, Kmac, and Nick Smiddy. Think Roberton is back next week so you're lucky there ;)

[Hellopplz]

If we're ever going to beat PNL, then now is the time - ripe for the picking!

Some serious selection decisions this week for us with several guys in the two's knocking on the door to get a call up

Shame you guys won't win :P. The boys will want to put in a mighty effort consisting hodge is now out again long term, so time to promote somebody else up onto the leadership group! We'll leave that surprise until later this week ;).

[DazBurg]

If we're ever going to beat PNL, then now is the time - ripe for the picking!

Some serious selection decisions this week for us with several guys in the two's knocking on the door to get a call up

Shame you guys won't win :P. The boys will want to put in a mighty effort consisting hodge is now out again long term, so time to promote somebody else up onto the leadership group! We'll leave that surprise until later this week ;).

gonna be tough for NY simply because finally purps picked against us

we usually win then :P

[Purple 77]

If we're ever going to beat PNL, then now is the time - ripe for the picking!

Some serious selection decisions this week for us with several guys in the two's knocking on the door to get a call up

Shame you guys won't win :P. The boys will want to put in a mighty effort consisting hodge is now out again long term, so time to promote somebody else up onto the leadership group! We'll leave that surprise until later this week ;).

gonna be tough for NY simply because finally purps picked against us

we usually win then :P

I totally backed you guys last week against a team that went 159 the week before, and you won :P

I call unfair perception :P

[Holz]

Backs:  A.Rance, G.Birchall, H.Grundy, C.Bryne
Mids: J.Selwood (C), R.Sloane, A.Treloar (VC), M.Murphy
Ruck: D.Currie
Fwds: D.Martin, L.Franklin,J.Gunston, J.Riewoldt
Interchange: N. Dal Santo , L.Jetta

Emg: N.Jetta, S.Frost

OMMITED: TODD GOLDSTEIN (general soreness)

bad news Dublin fans, the legend Weits is out for a few. Thats my D3 D4 D5 and  D7 out injured.

in huge news Coach Holz is furious at his favorite player for almost costing us the win. He is listed as general soreness but rumors are he could be dropped.

[RaisyDaisy]

If we're ever going to beat PNL, then now is the time - ripe for the picking!

Some serious selection decisions this week for us with several guys in the two's knocking on the door to get a call up

Shame you guys won't win :P. The boys will want to put in a mighty effort consisting hodge is now out again long term, so time to promote somebody else up onto the leadership group! We'll leave that surprise until later this week ;).

Based off your last few scores I reckon we can rest someone this week ;)

[RaisyDaisy]

New York Revolution

DEF: B.Houli (CC), J.Gibson, S.Thompson, S.Hurn
MID: M.Duncan (CC), J.Lewis, D.Mundy, S.Hill
RUC: K.Tippett
FWD: J.Kennedy, J.Waite, I.Heeney, D.Menzel
I: M.Rosa, S.Grigg

EMG: A.Sexton, L.Picken, N Cockatoo

Resting: Tom McDonald

[Adamant]

Ah yes the infamous re-draft. I still remember copping it for taking Shane Biggs before the popular trio of A. Swallow, Isaac Smith and Richard Douglas.

Still early days but Biggs is currently going at 89.5 as a defender. Swallow 87.5, Douglas 80.6 and Smith 76.8... ;) #whoslaughingnow #notme #tradedoutbiggsanyway ::)

Can already see Shano going huge to lead Buenos Aires to victory, just to rub salt into the wounds haha.

[Hellopplz]

If we're ever going to beat PNL, then now is the time - ripe for the picking!

Some serious selection decisions this week for us with several guys in the two's knocking on the door to get a call up

Shame you guys won't win :P. The boys will want to put in a mighty effort consisting hodge is now out again long term, so time to promote somebody else up onto the leadership group! We'll leave that surprise until later this week ;).

Based off your last few scores I reckon we can rest someone this week ;)

Should totally rest Waite if you wanna take us lightly ;).