WXV Finals Week 1: Jaguars & Tigers Finals Initiation

[Purple 77]

No one forgets the Finals Experience.

Qualifying/Elimination Finals, AFL Round 20

Home Team	Away Team	Venue	Head-to-Head
Dublin Destroyers	PNL Reindeers	Crooke Park	3  v  3
Rio de Janeiro Jaguars	Mexico City Suns	Maracana Stadium	1  v  1
New Delhi Tigers	Buenos Aires Armadillos	Tata Stadium	1  v  4
New York Revolution	Pacific Islanders	MetLife Stadium	1  v  4

With that boring, pesky and drawn out Dublin Home & Away season done and dusted; see how the Destroyers sights intensify. Our Minor Premiers have showed once again why they are such the dominant force that they have been for 3 straight years with another season that was simply bettered by no-one. It's especially amazing to think that they've achieved this despite suffering the third highest drop in total points in the competition compared to 2015 (231 WXV points less). It's either that, or it's amazing just how unstoppable they were last year; except on premiership day. Dublin are no more or no less of a threat to the premiership than they were last year; favourites, considering last weeks' score of 160 against arch-rivals Mexico City suggesting they've come to form at the exact right time. Against PNL however, they've struggled of late, with their most recent clash back in Round 14 seeing a Reindeer win (142 v 132) to even the ledger 3-3 in the head-to-head. The Reindeers season has actually been one of my favourites to follow from afar. After a truly horrific start to the season; once being 2-5 and ranking 16th in total points from rounds 4-7, I didn't believe. I said (somewhere) that their season was done, I mean, just look at what I wrote in the Round 9 previews:

The Reindeers have been making attempts at turning their horror start to the season around with good wins against New Dehli & Seoul in recent weeks and have increased their scores every week since Round 5. But, it will take a MIGHTY effort to make the finals from here ...

And mighty it was. The Reindeers would go on to win 9 of their next 10 games to eventually sit 6th overall on the points ladder and 3rd in the most recent month! The turnaround has been remarkable, even if in those last 10 games they registered 2-1 against teams that made it to the finals... but still! That most recent win against Dublin will give it a much needed confidence boost. Had these two teams played every week of the year, Dublin would lead 12-5 but those 5 Reindeer wins would have come in the last 7 weeks! I give PNL a red-hot chance, but this Dublin team has been casually waiting for finals all year... they won't slip up now.

There wouldn't be many that forgot the Jaguars start to the season; and the message it sent. After unluckily finishing in the bottom four in 2015, what the Jaguars did in response in the opening month was simply scary... like, anger management issues much? The Jags rightfully sat as the number one team in all facets of the game after Round 4 (and Round 5 too); averaging 157.5 points per game and quickly ascending to the status and reputation of "undeniable top 4 team", and that lasted pretty much for the whole season. I mean, they finished second for a reason after all! But there is a bit of doubt about the Jags going into their first ever finals appearance (Brazil's 4th). Three time Jim Stynes Medalist Gary Ablett went down a few weeks ago and that has seen the Jaguars sit 13th on the points ladder in the past month. Have the Jags lost their competitive advantage? If Sam Jacobs doesn't get up for this week either, Rio will be in huge trouble, against the most successful WXV team ever in the Mexico City Suns. This team, is just super. Like its only real peer in Dublin, the Home & Away season was just a necessary formality to endure before the real stuff starts. The Suns; despite its "unsuccessful" last month in which it won 1 game (the same month in which it score the most points), sit number 1 on the points ladder for the entire year and some would argue are the real favourites to win their third premiership despite losing to Dublin just last week (and the minor premiership). The last time these two teams went head-to-head was back in Round 4 where Mexico City scored its lowest score of the year; handing Rio the win and squaring the head-to-head ledger at once a-piece. Had these two teams played against each other in every week of the year, Mexico City would lead 12-5, with 11 of the past 12! Brazil has deep history with the Suns though, which is not to be underestimated and I expect that to be a factor when Rio go in as, lets be honest, the underdogs. A ripper clash ensues, but I'll tip the Suns.

Feel good story of the season much? And yet, I feel like it's been done (more on that later). 12 months ago, the New Delhi Tigers were the undoubted "winners" of the Wooden Spoon with a list that made you wince when you looked at it, despite the few gems it had. What a transformation it has been, and what a ride too! The Tigers make their first ever finals appearance and, in my eyes, complete a truly tremendous list transformation after it was ruined by its predecessor coaches at the end of 2012. I mean, just LOOK at where this team came from! At the late season charge the Tigers had to do to get here? Inspiring. The Tigers had to win all 5 of their last games to give themselves a chance; where losing any of them would have resulted in missing finals. And they did it! No matter the result, just, like, congratulations Ricophants. But it's interesting to note that, the wooden spooners before the Tigers also went on to finish 5th before finals in the Pacific Islanders! Some hope for Cairo perhaps? The Islanders lost their final however, and coming up against Buenos Aires, history is every chance to repeat itself. The Dillos' mid-season transformation, like the Reindeers, has also be phenomenal. Winless after Round 4 and 15th on the points ladder, the Dillos would unbelievably go on to win their next 7 games with average to above average scoring to set up an unlikely finals appearance from 11th on the points ladder. In Scott Pendlebury and a host of worthy contributors, the Dillos have a team & leadership that can beat anyone on its day. This is a far cry from its 2015 side whom came out the (at least short term) winners in the re-draft with Toronto, and credit has to go to the drafting & trading skills of then sole coach Vinny, and the team management of now co-coach iZander. The last time these two teams played was back in Round 15 where the Tigers won 146-133; scores both reflective of each teams form at the time. Had these two teams played each other every week this year, the Tigers would lead 12-5 including the last 5 games, so New Delhi will enter in as favourites. But you know what? I reckon this will be the upset game of the week as New Delhi has spent all their energy making finals. Oh, and these two teams also play in a Reserves Qualifying final too!

Oh it was a nervous finish to the season, but the Revolution have made it; and so they should! The team that sits 4th on the points ladder definitely deserves its rightful place in finals. New York's year has been one of dizzying highs and just amazing lows; it'd take only the strong hearts of its coaches to sit at the front of this rollercoaster ride. But how good were those highs? Beating Dublin by 30 WXV points (178-148) was amazing, and all 7 other times the Revolution scored more than 140 is always a good feeling too. But how does the team that sits 4th on the points ladder lose to BOTH of the bottom two teams?! Goodness me... hey, at least they're not in the finals! In fact, only three teams in finals have beaten New York; Rio, Mexico City and... the Islanders. Pacific found itself in the eight right at the perfect moment, having last been in the eight in Round 9! I have to admit, I had my doubts especially entering the final month of the season, but winning 4-1 of its last 5 games and sitting 7th on the points ladder means the Islanders have thoroughly deserved their spot; successfully maintaining their list rebuild in making finals in back-to-back years, this time WITHOUT the suspended Michael Hurley! If I had to point to a season defining moment in Pacific's year, it would be its Round 11 one SC point win over Beijing (the winner would end up making the finals at the losers' expense) where it scored its second highest score of the year. That game not only demanded a high score, but it demanded a win for the Islanders season and it achieved it. The last time these teams played was back in Round 15 where the Islanders posted their 4th ever win over the Revolution, and had these teams played each other each week of the season, New York would be leading 8-7. But it's interesting to note that it would be 3-3 in the past 6 weeks, with no consecutive wins to either team! This is probably the most even match of the round, and I'll ring the bell late and it declare it my MATCH OF THE ROUND! That recent pattern suggests New York will win, but with no ruck, I think that disadvantage alone gives the Islanders the win.



And don't forget reserves!

There are four teams (Berlin, Christchurch, London and Tokyo) who have made Reserves finals but not the seniors. What I require from you, is that you NAME YOUR BEST SENIOR XV like you were playing finals. I will be scrutinising your best XV to determine if that is really who you would play, so as to ensure that the players available for the reserves matches are the ones that would normally be available. If I don't agree, then I will name one for you.

Qualifying/Elimination Finals, AFL Round 20

Home Team	Away Team	Venue
Copacabana Capuchins	Wellington Weta	Maracana Stadium
Mumbai Elephants	La Plata Armada	Nepal
Rhineland Rum-Runners	Imperial Princes	Berlin Olympic Stadium
Washington Rebellion	Yuzawa Yakuza	Michigan Stadium

[RaisyDaisy]

Another fantastic write up Purps!

What a massive weekend coming up!

[Toga]

I want to see NDT do well but I'd be more than happy to see Buenos Aires go alright this week as well! Good luck to all teams!

[JBs-Hawks]

#anyonebutdublin

[Nige]

#anyonebutdublin

[Holz]

#anyonebutdublin

Carn dublin i feel the love from the other coaches and want to do you guys proud.

This wont just be a win just for Dublin but all the dublin Fans out there. You might not strap on the boots but you will always be in our Hearts.

[Ricochet]

So pumped!

Awesome writeups as usual Purps

[Ricochet]

meow I think you should send Stringer back to where he belongs

New Delhi
1   Jacobs   Ben
2   Cassisi   Domenic
3   Ibbotson   Garrick
4   Black   Simon
5   Blair   Jarryd
6   Cheney   Kyle
7   Duigan   Nicholas
8   Horlin-Smith   George
9   Dawson   Zac
10   Edwards   Shaun
11   Montagna   Leigh
12   Wellingham   Sharrod
13   Bastinac   Ryan
14   Horsley   Kyal
15   Melksham   Jake
16   Palmer   Rhys
17   Mullett   Aaron
18   Milera   Terry
19   Dunell   Sam
20   Rutten   Ben
21   White   Matthew
22   Buckley   Dylan
23   Bailey   Max
24   Hille   David
25   Renouf   Brent
26   Mattner   Martin
27   Giansiracusa   Daniel
28   Podsiadly   James
29   Bartlett   Callum
30   Roberts-Thomson   Lewis
31   Murdoch   Jordan
32   Michie   Viv
33   Koschitzke   Justin
34   Callinan   Ian
35   Dell'Olio   Cory
36   Langford   Will
37   Stringer   Jake
38   Vlastuin   Nick
39   Reid   Sam J
40   Ellis-Yolmen   Cameron
41   Ugle   Gerald
R   McCarthy   Lincoln
R   Kelly   Jordan
R   Helbig   Bradley
R   Ferguson   Jackson

[meow meow]

meow I think you should send Stringer back to where he belongs

Sure thing. Get me my former Moscow players Fyfe, Ward, Treloar, Tyson, Dusty, Shaw, NicNat, Walters, Higgins and Bling and I'll throw Joey in too.

[ossie85]

Great read Purps!

I'm loving the New Delhi v Buenos Aires double header! Two teams that were basket cases last year. And great depth judging by the strength of the reserves.

And should be noted that New York and the Pacific are also fighting for the John McCarthy Memorial Cup for the second time this year.


My tips:

PNL
Mexico City
New Delhi
New York



I think Rio, if they are without Jacobs, will have a real issue beating Mexico City. Given Rio's injury problems, I think the winner of New York and the Pacific are a real shot at making a prelim

[RaisyDaisy]

Great read Purps!

I'm loving the New Delhi v Buenos Aires double header! Two teams that were basket cases last year. And great depth judging by the strength of the reserves.

And should be noted that New York and the Pacific are also fighting for the John McCarthy Memorial Cup for the second time this year.


My tips:

PNL
Mexico City
New Delhi
New York



I think Rio, if they are without Jacobs, will have a real issue beating Mexico City. Given Rio's injury problems, I think the winner of New York and the Pacific are a real shot at making a prelim

You're a brave man picking us Os. We might have HGA, but we also have OOP ruck  :'(

Agree though re Rio and the winner of our match - I think either of us can push Rio considering their injuries

[Ricochet]

Don't discount Rio too quickly, Jacobs could be back pretty quickly and Aaron Hall might be back next week

[RaisyDaisy]

Don't discount Rio too quickly, Jacobs could be back pretty quickly and Aaron Hall might be back next week

Definitely not discounting them - but would rather face them then Dublin or Mexico :P

[Purple 77]

 :-X

Adelaide will be without ruckman Sam Jacobs against Brisbane this weekend but will debut fellow big man Reilly O'Brien.

[Adamant]

Scotty T is out too for the Jags. Massive blow.