WXV Round 7: Cairo-mania

[Purple 77]

Normal week  :D

Round 7, AFL Round 7

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

*record skips*

NIGE TAKES ON THE WORLDS

Step into the mind of our local Karen boy as he previews each of your teams  :o

Cape Town are a team that promises so much and just hasn't quite delivered yet. Unfortunately for our South African friends, a mix of injuries and a bunch of their personnel performing well under what's expected of them have led to sub-optimal results. This week they have a chance to get back into the swing of things with when they host a team that has probably surprised pretty much everyone, probably the coaching staff included. Flashback to Round 1 of this season, London put in one of the insipid efforts you'll ever see in this mighty fine competition and yet here we are, about to enter Round 7, and they're sitting 4-2. 4 wins and 2 losses since properly embarrassing themselves in their first outing of the year. Cape Town have the coveted home ground advantage, but London have the form. Cape Town, without their superstar ruck that isn't in the leadership group - Toby Nankervis, might not be a match for a Royals outfit keen to continue their winning ways, but I'll back them in anyway.

Ah yes, Berlin. A team that really should be doing a hell of a lot better than 9th! However, their coach will blame it all on the absence of that bearded behemoth. Still, a team with Nat Fyfe and Lance Franklin heading the list should be romping teams left, right and centre. They haven't been scoring enough lately, which wouldn't surprise too many people if you told them they decided to flood last week against New Delhi. Is the coach struggling to find the winning formula? Should he started following a successful model like the one at the Cairo Sands? To save face and get back in the 8, Berlin has to defeat a Seoul outfit that suffered their first loss of the season to London after perma-captain Dangerfield had a rather indifferent outing. Is one of the stars of the competition entering a form slump or is he going to prove that true captains don't have two bad games in a row? Seoul have the perfect opportunity to inflict a savage blow to Berlin and show that they are very much a contender in season 2017, and there's enough evidence to prove that's exactly what they'll do this week.

It's been a rough year for Moscow, they're just not able to put competitive scores on the board in the absence of key members. They do have a win to their name, but it's hard to imagine they'll be adding to that this week. However, you can expect them to continue to blood the youth and potentially aim to have another one of their youngsters get a rising star nomination. In their way of the second of this season stands New Delhi, the highest scoring team of the year. Although, it should be noted that they have been sliding in scoring output since Round 3. Did they spend all their tickets too early, or are they just lulling the opposition into a sense that they're beatable when the Tigers juggernaut is actually ready to roll on full stem ahead? This matchup has the potential to get real ugly, so look away if you're a Russian national.

Scott Pendlebury is back folks. And as a result, Toronto look like they can take it just about any team of their day. Most would have considered the Wolves to languish at the bottom of the ladder but instead, they sit 12th at 2-4 and have a pretty decent percentage. Toronto also just posted their highest score since Round 17, 2015. That's a long time between drinks. Unfortunately for Wolves, they're facing one of the form teams of the competition. The Cairo Sands are well and truly exceeding the expectations of their peers. They have depth, superstars on each line, some of which haven't even hit form yet and are building to something special in 2017 while they currently sit 4-2. A favourable draw in the next month sees them tackle Buenos Aires, London and Beijing after this week and rumour has it, they're daring to dream of sweeping the next month 4-0 which would be truly remarkable. Can Toronto terminate the Cairo hype train or are Karen's boys running express the finals station? Stay tuned and you'll find out in 7 days.

A wise man once said "I don't think I'm that wise, but it's no secret that the world can be cruel." Beijing are certainly finding that out. They're amazingly 8th on total points yet 14th on the ladder. That's both insane and unfortunate. Coach Toga is no doubt scratching his head and wondering what the hell is going on for his team to have such bad luck. Things may turn around this week though as 'Jing face Christchurch who are also quite up and down this year. The Saints have a good mix of experience and youth as well as a clever coach at the helm, but are only at 3-3. They'll see this game as a chance to further add to Beijing's woes and also take a step closer to a entering the top 8. Both teams will want this win desperately, but Beijing might just want it that bit more to prove they're better than 1-5 suggests. The winner of this clash also moves ahead in the head to head as it stands 1-1.

Buenos Aires are really going through hell and back. Limited scoring power, missing personnel and sitting bottom of the ladder without a single win, they're looking for signs of life. They should continue to hold faith and believe that a win is around the corner, and who knows? This could be the week they break the duck. They come up against the Tokyo Samurai who were the most recent team to exit World Idol and that only happens when a team has had a week they'll want to forget. So, with that said, it's fair to say that Tokyo will want to bounce back and grinding the Armadillos into the dirt might just be the way to go it. They'll just be hoping that they have more players than just guys like Parker and Dahlhaus come to the party or they might just give the hungry Dillos the sniff at their first win. However, Tokyo should win, and comfortably, especially if they want to push towards the 8.

I believe in one Gaz, the almighty, the leader of the Rio De Janeiro Jaguars. The bald master himself reminded the competition that there is still life left in him by displaying some serious star power. It's important that Gary and his team back up that incredible performance with another strong effort as they'll need to be on top of their game as they face the ladder-leading Dublin Destroyers. Dublin haven't been at their devastating best every week, but just keep getting the job done. Coach Holz would be loving the form of Rory Sloane who is well and truly leading from the front and inspiring some of his teammates to also put in some quality efforts, but they seem to have a couple of passengers from week to week. However, this matchup is fast becoming a fierce rivalry and this is bound to be a high scoring affair which is why it gets the label of MATCH OF THE ROUND! Rio to get into that scary scoring zone again and give credence to the growing notion that Dublin are pie.

Looking at the head to head, you'd be forgiven for thinking that this could be a one-sided affair in favour of PNL. The truth is, the team with the 5-0 lead is the team that's really struggling this season. 16th on the ladder, just the one win and in a somewhat of a transition phase, the Reindeers are going through the motions. They have moments where they still look like the PNL that was a real contender but they've also become a side that just can't kick into gear. That's an issue too, mainly because their opponents are the quiet achievers of the competition. You don't hear too much fuss out of Pacific but they are the third highest scoring team this season and they rarely have a bad week. The Islanders will want to prove that they can in fact hang with the big boys of the world and pummelling PNL is exactly the way to showcase that and get their first win against the French folk.

Mexico City are still one of the top teams in the competition but they're just struggling for consistency right now. They're a bit hot and cold and coach JROO8 will undoubtedly want that to stop. Add the fact that the last time Mexico City had two consecutive 120-130 scores was Round 3 & 4, 2015. That's not exactly the best sign. It's not panic stations just yet because they're still 5-1 but when teams like Dublin, Rio and NDT are pumping out some big numbers, the Suns will be looking to lift their game. Their opponents this week might be facing their biggest enemy, an OOP ruck and HGA against. Can they conquer this and Mexico City in the process, we'll find out. The Revolution will certainly want to bounce back from their first loss and avoid falling out of the top 4 and believe it or not, I reckon it might just happen.

[Purple 77]

In case you missed it, thank you to Nige for doing this rounds write-up!

I for one think you are too unfair on Berlin, and need to ease up  :-\

[Torpedo10]

Nige roasting us as per usual.   :P

Always quality though.

[Nige]

You're welcome folks.  8)

[Purple 77]

For any interested, below is a modified version of one of the tabs in my spreadsheet that contains all the player scores so far this year.

Just thought a few of you would be curious and like to take a closer look at your players :)

WXV Player Scores

*be sure to click the download button at the top right of the screen

[Toga]

Nice work Nige, cool to have a different point of view every now and then! Good idea Purps :)

[Toga]

BEIJING THUNDER
D: J.Hunt. S.Wellingham, S.Mayes, H.Taylor
M: D.Zorko (C), L.Neale (VC), O.Wines, C.Ward
R: B.Grundy
F: J.Jenkins, C.Petracca, J.Caddy, K.Lambert
IC: B.Ellis, J.Polec

Emg: T.Williamson (d/m), D.Butler (f), D.Howe (d/m)

Rest: B.Hill

[Adamant]

De Goey back this week. Mabye Paparone too. Scooter probably the week after. Hanley and Brayshaw not long after that.

Hrovat has improved every week of the season and is now producing the sort of output that was expected of him.

Mitchy Duncan is finally realising his potential and has gone to another level this year.

Lewy Taylor proving why he was the deserved Rising Star winner over the Bont.

Pedo is the new #1 forward in SC now that he's going to do a Stef Martin.

Finally things are starting to look a bit more positive at Toronto. The boys at Cairo seem to be in need of a reality check and we'll be happy to give it to them. ;)

Nice write up btw Nige. :P

[Nige]

De Goey back this week. Mabye Paparone too. Scooter probably the week after. Hanley and Brayshaw not long after that.

Hrovat has improved every week of the season and is now producing the sort of output that was expected of him.

Mitchy Duncan is finally realising his potential and has gone to another level this year.

Lewy Taylor proving why he was the deserved Rising Star winner over the Bont.

Pedo is the new #1 forward in SC now that he's going to do a Stef Martin.

Finally things are starting to look a bit more positive at Toronto. The boys at Cairo seem to be in need of a reality check and we'll be happy to give it to them. ;)

Bit disappointed Pearce Hanley's not gonna play his former club.

Pulling a Sammy Mitchell, clearly in his contract to conveniently miss the game against his old side.  :P

[Purple 77]

Clayton Oliver is averaging 114.2. He is 19 years old.

The reason why I didn't throw the kitchen sink at him was because I was getting proven scorers in my quest for the flag at last years trade period, and I thought getting a 19 year old whom might average 85-90 at best was against that interest.

flower me though, I knew deep down that this kid was going to be special, and I ignored it because I thought it was my bias getting the better of me.

114.2! That's be the best player on my list!

Please AFL world, get about him.

[Nige]

Clayton Oliver is averaging 114.2. He is 19 years old.

The reason why I didn't throw the kitchen sink at him was because I was getting proven scorers in my quest for the flag at last years trade period, and I thought getting a 19 year old whom might average 85-90 at best was against that interest.

flower me though, I knew deep down that this kid was going to be special, and I ignored it because I thought it was my bias getting the better of me.

114.2! That's be the best player on my list!

Please AFL world, get about him.

Might well struggle to get your hands on him now. I think Seoul are gonna try to keep OliveField together for as long as possible.

[Purple 77]

Clayton Oliver is averaging 114.2. He is 19 years old.

The reason why I didn't throw the kitchen sink at him was because I was getting proven scorers in my quest for the flag at last years trade period, and I thought getting a 19 year old whom might average 85-90 at best was against that interest.

flower me though, I knew deep down that this kid was going to be special, and I ignored it because I thought it was my bias getting the better of me.

114.2! That's be the best player on my list!

Please AFL world, get about him.

Might well struggle to get your hands on him now. I think Seoul are gonna try to keep OliveField together for as long as possible.

He's avearging more than Fyfe. I'd have to add something to him now!

I even remember JB saying that a while ago, I think at about the time he drafted him  :-X

[GoLions]

Kate Upton Chokers Cobras

DEF: Jasper Pittard, Callum Mills, Luke McDonald, Lachie Hansen
MID: Josh P Kennedy (C), Dion Prestia (VC), Lachie Hunter, Mark Blicavs
RUCK: Ivan Maric
FWD: Blake Acres, Peter Wright, Taylor Garner, Timothy Broomhead
UTIL: Touk Miller, Tom Papley

EMG: Darcy Lang, Jake Carlisle, Jack Bowes

[Holz]

Clayton Oliver is averaging 114.2. He is 19 years old.

The reason why I didn't throw the kitchen sink at him was because I was getting proven scorers in my quest for the flag at last years trade period, and I thought getting a 19 year old whom might average 85-90 at best was against that interest.

flower me though, I knew deep down that this kid was going to be special, and I ignored it because I thought it was my bias getting the better of me.

114.2! That's be the best player on my list!

Please AFL world, get about him.

Might well struggle to get your hands on him now. I think Seoul are gonna try to keep OliveField together for as long as possible.

He's avearging more than Fyfe. I'd have to add something to him now!

I even remember JB saying that a while ago, I think at about the time he drafted him  :-X

lets see what happens with him. Its only early.

JOM averaged 106 in his first 8 games of his second season.

And interesting enough was traded for Fyfe.


not the biggest of calls but i  put it a 90% chance he averages under 105 from here on out.

[JBs-Hawks]

I'm not greedy I'll take a 100 average from here on out :)