WXV Round 3: New Delhi Blockbusters Continue

[Purple 77]

What's that? A normal Friday-Sunday week of football?! AFL IS BACK!

Round 3, AFL Round 3

Home Team	Away Team	Venue	Head-to-Head
Dublin Destroyers	Cape Town Cobras	Crooke Park	3  v  2
Tokyo Samurai	PNL Reindeers	Tokyo Olympic Stadium, EurAsia	2  v  3
Beijing Thunder	New York Revolution	Beijing Olympic Park	1  v  4
Mexico City Suns	Cairo Sands	Fireball Stadium, AAP Alliance	5  v  0
New Delhi Tigers	Pacific Islanders	Tata Stadium	3  v  2
Seoul Magpies	Rio de Janeiro Jaguars	Seoul World Cup Stadium	2  v  0
London Royals	Buenos Aires Armadillos	London Olympic Stadium	2  v  3
Christchurch Saints	Berlin Brewers	AMI Stadium	1  v  1
Toronto Wolves	Moscow Spetsnaz	Rogers Centre	2  v  4

The Destroyers backed up their 150+ score in Round 1 with yet another to claim the top spot on the points ladder early in the season. Two games in a row, they have had two players step and score 130+ and when you look at the XV they churn out every week, it’s obvious why. Dublin have the most players that can step up and that’s why they continue to be my premiership favourites. This doesn’t sound pretty for the Cobras after coming off a truly awful and disappointing Round 2 performance in spite of the promise they showed in Round 1. Cape Town would be looking to rebound strongly, and the most satisfying wins are those against Dublin, Mexico City and... for this team, I’d wager Cairo. Even if the Cobras channel the power of the Nank, I’ll have to back the Destroyers here.

The Samurai continued to tease last week; two years in a row pulling off a great Round 1 win only to cast doubts about its legitimacy the week after. They had New York right there for taking, but Captain Luke Parker really let them down as the opportunity went begging. They’d certainly be looking for at least one of their midfielders to score more than 90 this week which would complement the solid performances of its bookends nicely. The Reindeers were a lot better last week against an opponent that was probably always going to win. Priddis, Zerrett and Shiel reminded us that the Reindeers might not take the fall from grace that I certainly expect them to do. Although I will note that they were close-ish to full strength, I expect competition for the last 3 spots of the XV will eventually address the likes of Smedts 47, Miles 47 and Nelson’s 45. A really interesting game this one... my gut says Reindeers, because Tokyo will be sure to bounce back and randomly beat a top 4 team soon (hello Mexico City Round 4?).

The Thunder went BOOM last week, and the comp took notice. I’ll admit, I started to suspect the ‘Jing should have went harder at the trade period to take the next step, but shows what I know when its 5 mids (ruck included) combine for 627 points to convincingly beat the Suns again. A ripper win because not only was it a giant scalp, but like I say, made the comp take notice just in case they thought the ‘Jing would tread water this year. Phwoah though, the Revolution got unluckily lucky last week. Kurt Tippett going down really, really hurt both the game but the immediate future. I can’t help but think though, after New York went down to 2016 bottom 2 teams Cairo & Toronto last year, that maybe they have a few mental demons? I mean, sure it won’t matter if they make finals because they won’t play bottom 6 teams there, but will the bottom 6 teams threaten to derail their quest for finals? That’s your challenge now New York, prove me wrong. In the meantime, I think they’ll rebound despite Tippet doing down and Lewis taking care of Cripps. I’ll back my gut and the Revolution.

The Suns suffered a shock loss to a motivated Beijing outfit last week despite the efforts of Captain Cotch and offsider Rockliff. Although a slight aberration, the Suns fielded 3 forwards last week in the absence of key player Nick Riewoldt; perhaps highlighting a potential vulnerability if Brett Deledio doesn’t come back in a hurry. Shaw, Simpson & Baguley aren’t going to score less than 60 every week though and it’s highly likely that that mediocre score of 134 won’t repeat itself two weeks in a row. CAIRO! What. A. Win! Done on HGA, I can confirm that 148 was Cairo’s highest score since Round 1 2015 where they managed the same score. To do it against the Islanders was a mighty effort and I can’t help but not fake my admiration about the team this week. It was a great consistent effort across the board and, should it happen again, could realistically topple the Suns! I’ll back the Suns at Fireball Stadium, but I’ll watch Cairo go at it again with a curious eye.

Yep, I’m doing it again. In the third consecutive week involving the New Delhi Tigers, I am declaring this game as my MATCH OF THE ROUND! The Tigers let out a roar last week heard across the whole competition to the tune of a 1610 point score thrashing the reigning premiers. Phwoah. Although I totally called it, I was sure as heck impressed as 7 centurions inspired by Robbie Gray (164) obliterated the Jaguar defence even with Sidebottom and BTB Crouch combining for just 151 points. The Islanders would be seething about the loss to Cairo last week; an unlikely one of three teams to better its Round 2 score. The Islanders sit #2 on the points ladder (1 more WXV point ahead of New Delhi) and with good reason; that midfield is scary. Although maybe Beijing could be argued to boast a slighty better starting 4, the depth quality of it is unparalleled; basically guaranteeing at least a competitive score EVERY week. HGA could be the decider in this game and, being the fence sitter that I am, I’ll pin my tip on it. I’ll be disappointed if less than 300 points is scored in this game. Entertain me guys.

The Magpies... I have mentioned I like the Magpies? Seoul churned out four 130+ scoring players last week in just another display of potential this group has. When some of last weeks’ passengers kick on (Shiels, McEvoy, Thompson, Daniel) they simply will beat anyone on their day. Besides, if there was ever a team deserving of a finals spot it’s this team and with Oliver clearly ready to take up the mantle of captaincy should Danger falter, they could easily take one. Rio perhaps got a wake-up call last week at what’s required to go back-to-back this year. Although their score was fine, they’d be worried with how much their main rival has progressed over the summer and would be looking to reach those heights as soon as possible for reassurance. However, GAJ is a concern, and Lewis wanted Cripps to miss game so the Jaguars might have to look to guys like Aaron Hall, Sam Jacobs and Shaun McKernan to pick up the mantle. With concerns in mind, and that Oliver is a Magpie, I’ll back Seoul at home to claim a very important victory.

The Royals surprised the living heck out of me last week; maybe even more so than Cairo. Not only was that a good score (off the back of another bad Captain Hanners performance), but it was a notable scalp they claimed in the Saints. In fact, that was London’s highest score since Round 16, 2015 so in terms of responding to a dreadful Round 1 performance.... they did pretty well! All of a sudden London has one of the better functioning forward lines and if they pick the right captain, they could prove to be a dangerous opponent for whomever they face. The Dillos haven’t started as well as they’d like; sitting 2nd last on both the real and point’s ladder.  They just need players to score a ton! They’ve only had two so far in Tuohy (R1) and Curnow (R2), so they need guys like Dumont, Parish and Boak to really break that ton and provide a core for the rest of their capable XV to build off of. A playing ruckman would also help, but until they got more centurions, I’m not sure they are beating anyone at the moment. London to make it two in a row for me!

The Saints would be bitter about letting London win last week, especially given that it had an OK game bar the performance of Captain Gibbs and Blakely. Had they scored say, 110 & 60 respectively, they would have taken home the win. So really, at this stage the Saints just need to make sure they pick the right XV along with the right captain and they could realistically beat anyone in the comp on their day, especially when the likes of McVeigh, Griffen, Wells and Waite come back from injury. The Brewers were feeling pretty nervous all the way up to the second last AFL game last week where Gawn & Fyfe secured the win against Toronto. Gee, basically replace Toronto in that sentence with *insert opponent here* and that’ll sum up all the wins I get this year. The Brewers have been solid without being amazing so far this year, and for the paranoia/mental health of their desperate coach, a 150+ score anytime soon would be just, swell. I’ll back my boys in to take on the injury depleted Saints, I say whilst constantly wiping my forehead and straightening a loose tie.

The Wolves were again competitive last week; clearly demonstrating an improved squad on its 2016 team with sound leadership from players outside of Jack Macrae for a change. Unfortunately for the Wolves, its younger brigade let them down in Brayshaw (46), Hopper (63) and Hrovat (57)... I’m not sure what Melksham’s (54) excuse is though. The midfield was strong, but they need just a little more support from the forward and backlines where if they do, will have a great opportunity this week to grab its first win of the season. The Spetsnaz were oh so lucky to win last week from producing the 17th highest score of the round, and it didn’t help their points ladder position either; 18th after two rounds. But, a win is a win, and with Crisp (37), Burton (104 for Siberia) and Hombsch (36) looking to make Moscow stronger this week, therein lies hope that they can start to produce more respectable scores again. This is an interesting match! But as a Toronto admirer (you really won me over with the Pendlebury trade), I think I will back the home team here!
 

[RaisyDaisy]

Another fantastic write up Purps, but you made it sound like we lost last week referencing Cairo and Toronto!

Massive game this week, and with our recent form and missing stars I don't know how you've tipped us. Reckon Beinjing is primed to knock us over

AK has given me the reigns this week with naming the team, and I'm toying with dropping Josh Gibson!

[Nige]

Exclusive vision from Cairo HQ waiting for the day Purps actually backs us in for a win:

[Purple 77]

Top quality gif as always Nige :P

But it was Mexico City! If I can't beat them*huff*, well...

[RaisyDaisy]

New York Revolution

B: Shannon Hurn, Robbie Tarrant, Lachie Henderson, James Harmes
M: Joel Selwood (C), David Mundy (VC), Tom Scully, Dom Tyson
R: Darcy Cameron
F: Josh J Kennedy, Jarryd Roughead, Jake Stringer, Sam Reid
I: Josh Gibson, Richard Douglas

E: Jade Gresham (F), Alex Sexton (M), Ben Reid (D)

Gibson has survived... just... on the interchange though which is a first

Hopefully Cameron gets the call up, otherwise an OOP ruck and HGA against will make it extremely difficult to challenge Jing

[Holz]

Hang on are you calling Jing and Pacific the top 2 mids in the comp?

[RaisyDaisy]

Hang on are you calling Jing and Pacific the top 2 mids in the comp?

I think he's just referencing how good they are

FWIW I think Jing has the best starting 4 mids. You've got the best 3 - Hill/Jones solid, but Ward, Wines, Neale, Zorko is super juicy, and super young too

[Torpedo10]

Hepp, Conigs, JOM and ....

Well whoever slots into that 4th position will make a good midfield.  :P

[iZander]

Hepp, Conigs, JOM and ....

Well whoever slots into that 4th position will make a good midfield.  :P

It would be a better mid if youd just name Hep captain for once, two bombers supporters too, BACK HIM IN!!!

[Torpedo10]

Hepp, Conigs, JOM and ....

Well whoever slots into that 4th position will make a good midfield.  :P

It would be a better mid if youd just name Hep captain for once, two bombers supporters too, BACK HIM IN!!!

The Docherty captaincy decision was a master stroke.  :P JOM, well, that was just delusional.  :-X. I might back him in this week, I'd love to have Conigs and Nic Nat back though. Hoges is gone for a couple too now! Luckily Moore comes in with his rest bonus and there's a couple others pushing selection.

[iZander]

Hepp, Conigs, JOM and ....

Well whoever slots into that 4th position will make a good midfield.  :P

It would be a better mid if youd just name Hep captain for once, two bombers supporters too, BACK HIM IN!!!

The Docherty captaincy decision was a master stroke.  :P JOM, well, that was just delusional.  :-X. I might back him in this week, I'd love to have Conigs and Nic Nat back though. Hoges is gone for a couple too now! Luckily Moore comes in with his rest bonus and there's a couple others pushing selection.

haha Heppel 150 this week, make no mistake ;)

[meow meow]

CHRISTCHURCH SAINTS

B: Bob, Andrews, Montagna, Wilson
M: Gibbs, Mitchell (vc), Masten, Fiorini
R: Vardy
F: Boyd (r), Higgoat (C), WHE, Steele
I: Sandilands, Griffen

E: Lester, Blakely, Lever

[upthemaidens]

Big game this week, Islanders need to perform under the pressure of "The match of the round".
 
I feel like New Delhi have the edge in Defence and Ruck and Pacific in the Mids and Utility. With Forwards fairly even.
  They have HGA, we have a rested Barlow.  let's hope both sides are at full strength and can give the fans an entertaining high scoring game. :)

[Ricochet]

Another massive game this week!

Well played with the Barlow rest boys, have a feeling the GC boys will respond this week

Huge Friday night for us with Sidey Lloyd Howe to start us off.

Hopefully the curse makes its first 2017 appearance for the first opening Friday night game of the year

[GoLions]

"The power of Nank", I love it Purps ;D

Kate Upton Cobras

DEF: Jasper Pittard, Callum Mills, Cameron Sutcliffe, Sam Collins
MID: Josh P Kennedy (C), Dion Prestia (VC), Lachie Hunter, Kieran Jack
RUCK: Toby Nankervis
FWD: Touk Miller, Blake Acres, Peter Wright, Dean Kent
UTIL: Mark Blicavs, Ben Ainsworth

EMG: Stewart Crameri, Luke McDonald, Jake Carlisle

Hopefully Pittard and Kent get up this week, provide some much needed stability to the team. Collins also looks like a chance of coming in which would be good. 5 changes made after last week's effort.