WXV Round 13: Trying Toronto to Triumph?

[Purple 77]

Normal week! A normal week!

Round 13, AFL Round 15

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

Rio was hit hard with injuries last week, but still managed to find a way a win in gritty fashion against the Samurai. Without GAJ,  Watts and others, the Jags would find comfort that 2017 struggler Vince and debutant Dale stood up to take the slack. Sitting 5th on the ladder at 8-4, we fully expect the reigning premiers to make finals but the target from here would be to secure that second chance by appearing in a qualifying final. They'll have to make sure they win every match they can to do so, given that they have a much inferior percentage than the two teams ahead of them. The Cobras were back on the winners list last week - claiming a top 4 scalp against the Revolution who although had a down week, the Cobras could have let it slip if it allowed past habits to surface. The win makes life that little bit harder for New York's top 4 hopes and at the end of the day, that's what Cape Town would love doing as finals are pretty much off the table. It'd take an effort to topple the Jags at home... one I'm not sure Cape Town has in them this year. Rio for me.

The Islanders finally got some reward for effort last week with an impressive win over the Destroyers; notching up 150 and much needed belief in preparation for finals. They are no longer the target side for the teams sitting outside the 8, but each game is important from here in trying to place themselves for a damaging finals assault, and ensuring that avoid slipping out of the 8. The Islanders already have a superior percentage teams compared to most, but this game poses as an opportunity to extend it further. The Dillos just aren't looking likely these days; they just can't seem to get anywhere near that 130+ mark required to give yourself a chance. As a result, there isn't a whole lot I can say that I haven't already said... except that they are currently a game behind 17th with a dreadful percentage to show for it. If they want to avoid the humiliation of a spoon... they basically need to win 2 more matches against opposition that will be more fancied than they are. Lets see how that desperation translates to game day? Pacific for me.

The stakes are high and they sit in the middle of the ladder, meaning this ladder shaping contest is my MATCH OF THE ROUND! The Suns have all of a sudden found themselves the target of the teams sitting outside the 8, only a game ahead and with a percentage that is achievable to overcome. When you look at their form line... this isn't surprising. What is surprising is that this once juggernaut of the competition is showing weakness for perhaps the first time in its existence; proof that all things come to an end eventually. What's this Purple? You're typing like you're writing the Suns off? Well reader... it's because I am. I don't believe anymore Mexico City, I now think you are one of us, One Of Us, ONE OF US, ONE OF US! Christchurch's win last week would have felt pretty satisfying. Having been written off pre-game by opposing Cairo coach, the Saints rallied to beat the once top 4 team in impressive fashion by scoring a nice 144. Christchurch are one of these nervous, desperate teams sitting outside of the 8 at 10th spot so every game is vital. However, they have been finding good form of late, I reckon they have what it takes to make it from here. I like 'em for this match.

Luck caught up with the Revolution last week, with a deflating loss and performance against a team they would have otherwise penciled a win. Jelwood is a vital player for this team and the Revolution would be sweating to see if he pulls up in time, because they aren't on stable footing in their top 4 position so each game is very important to ensure they stay there. If they lose this game they could drop to 6th, and given they play Cairo, Seoul and New Delhi in the final three weeks, these next two more winnable games are actually quite vital to make sure they make finals, let alone the 4. But how winnable is this game? The Wolves have averaged 146 ppg in the past 4 weeks but only have two wins to show for it. Scores of 149 and 154 last week have seen the Wolves lose to the form teams of the comp in Dublin & New Delhi, and it's high time they started getting reward. Coach Ada declared that Toronto was at practically full strength a month ago and as a result, we've seen a brand new team and one that I think is going to start hurting their opposition. This is the game for me, I'm backing Toronto.

Gee, these Reindeers ey? After a fantastic Round 7 & 8, the Reindeers lost their way in the proceeding three matches. However, they stepped up against the Suns last week with an impressive 149 and as a result, hope, however slim, remains. They are one of the three desperate and nervous teams sitting outside the 8 so therefore, a win here is essential to keep their season as a going concern. PNL's mids and leaders stepped up last week and they will once again be relied upon to perform against the Spetsnaz. Moscow themselves have been a surprisingly consistent (given their outs) 130-140 proposition ever since Round 7 and as such, have only lost one match since! It's amazing how much your fortunes change once you start consistently hitting that 135 mark; it means you're a chance in every match you enter and obviously this week is no different. You can't really say what the Reindeers will dish up, but I'm confident what Moscow will and as such I'm gonna back them in.

The Destroyers took a step back last week against the Islanders. Although they notched 140 - a score not to be disrespected - it was an example that come finals time, the better teams will step up and these commendable scores won't be enough. Will Dublin perform this way in a final? The Islanders will likely be amongst the teams to face off with Dublin so when they lose these relatively high quality games, it doesn't imbue confidence going forward. Now, it'd be silly to suggest Dublin will get more practice this week against a finals worthy team, but they really should be aiming to go big against these teams and gain the mental advantage for later. Speaking of mental advantage, Berlin have never beaten the Destroyers before and given they sit in the dreaded 9th position... that's not something I wanna hear when every week is a stress fest. I finally returned to some score respectability last week with a decent 140, and I can only attribute that to the double-whammy impact from the return of Gawn: 1) No more OOP and 2) A decent and trustworthy captain option, because Fyfe, Steven and Viney certainly ain't that. Looking forward to this BS year to finish, but if I could grab a win against Dublin... I think I could live with not making finals. For possibly the last time ever, I'm actually going to back my boys in here... I just have a feeling. Hey, 6th times' the charm ammarite?

Nearly made the title of this thread related to this game, because these two sides have been struggling of late - sitting 16th and 17th on the form and real ladder of past month. The Samurai started the year well at 2-1, but have since lost 9 games in a row and have not cracked 130+ for 7 weeks. I've gone on and on but the Samurai's lack of midfielder power as their key culprit of this form, and not even the foretelling of Billy Stretch could halt it. However, they have a golden opportunity to break this unwanted streak coming up against the similarly struggling Royals. The Royals' defensive game saw them start the year off at 4-2, but have since lost 6 games in a row; all games they failed to crack the 130+ barrier. That really is the magic number and it never fails to surprise me how often that score wins games. The Royals also lack the midfielder depth of firepower as the Samurai, so these two teams are quite evenly matched. I'm looking forward to one of these teams getting a morale boosting win, because they sure do need it. I think I'll back the Samurai here, and I think they might even trouble the 140 barrier in this match... just a feeling.

Big game this one! There is a few contenders for match of the round this week, and this is no exception. In the past 4 weeks, the 'Jing sit 5th on the points ladder as a result of their 5 consecutive 140+ scores, but as has been their story this year, only have 3 wins to show for it. These wins although have occurred in the last 4 weeks, taking out Berlin, Moscow and Buenos Aires in fine fashion. Finals isn't really a reality for this team, but history says if they win ALL of their remaining games... they actually are a chance. Each week is effectively an elimination final for Beijing, but if they keep this form up... amazingly, they are a chance. The Magpies though, have made 140+ scores look easy, having done so in 9 out of their 12 matches this season. Sitting rightfully in the top 4, the Magpies are set to FINALLY avenge the finals heartbreak of 2016 (and ossie will tell you 2012 as well) and not only feature in them, but could secure a second chance. To ensure they do, they need to bring their A-game against this no ordinary bottom 5 side and really, more than OliveField is needed to do so. I'm really looking forward to this match! I'm going the 'Jing in a thriller.

Well, that week sure did go wrong for the Sands. Captain Beams going down with injury is a HUGE blow for this team that faces every team in the top for in the next month... wow. How did the fixture work out like that? Damn. All of a sudden, the absence of a key piece in the Sands arsenal will probably mean Cairo goes into each match as the underdogs and, if they go down in each match, they may not actually make finals let alone the top 4. Losing against the Saints last week just hurts that little bit more.  But really, the Sands might only need one more win this year to make the finals, let's just hope we don't have to wait until their Round 17 encounter against the hot-n-cold PNL to find out. The Tigers reclaimed their #1 points ladder throne with big (and surprisingly necessary) score against a fired up Toronto last week - proof that teams are looking to get themselves up against the premiership fancies - a title that I can now safely say is secure again over at India. Still, despite the possibility that the Sands won't play finals, it's likely that they will and beating those teams now is a nice advantage to have later. New Delhi for me.

[GoLions]

Rolling lockout?

[meow meow]

B: Bob Murphy, Nathan Wilson, Jake Lever, Harris Andrews
M: Bryce Gibbs (c), Connor Blakely (vc), Sam Mitchell, Brayden Fiorini
R: Aaron Sandilands
F: Jarrad Waite, Shaun Higgins, Toby McLean, WHE
I: Nathan Vardy, Ryan Lester

E: Jarrad McVeigh, SPS, ANB

[Purple 77]

Rolling lockout?

Rolling your face.

[GoLions]

Rolling lockout?

Rolling your face.

Big if true.

[DazBurg]

Love it perps tipped against us again the reindeer wrath will be unleashed once again

[RaisyDaisy]

Another week of OOP ruck, Jelwood questionable, JJK still missing, Hendo possibly, and a lot of our starters under performing

Meanwhile Kreuzer is going banana's!

Massive game for us, and we're struggling atm!

[Toga]

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

Emg: T.Jonas (d), A.Black (f), D.Butler (f)

Rest: K.Lambert

[Jroo]

Rocky to single handedly get us the win this week

Rocky > Gibbs & Sandi

[AaronKirk]

Another week of OOP ruck, Jelwood questionable, JJK still missing, Hendo possibly, and a lot of our starters under performing

Meanwhile Kreuzer is going banana's!

Massive game for us, and we're struggling atm!

Not looking good eh?

[GoLions]

Kate Upton Cobras

Attacking

DEF: Jasper Pittard, Callum Mills, Luke McDonald
MID: Josh P Kennedy (C), Dion Prestia, Mark Blicavs, Lachie Hunter
RUCK: Toby Nankervis
FWD: Blake Acres, Tom Papley, Peter Wright, Touk Miller (VC), Mitch Honeychurch
UTIL: Kieran Jack, Ben Ainsworth

EMG: Timothy Broomhead, Jake Carlisle, Taylor Garner

[Purple 77]

Oh yeah, I finished the write-ups this morning :)

Five particularly interesting games in Mexico City v Christchurch, Beijing v Seoul, Cairo v New Delhi, Tokyo v London and New York v Toronto this week! And all for different reasons.

Perhaps Tokyo v London aside, all of these matches are real ladder shapers, so I'm interested to see how these pan out!

[Jroo]

Mexico City Suns
D: Nic Newman, Kade Simpson, Heath Shaw, Matthew Broadbent
M: Tom Rockliff (C), Trent Cotchin (VC), Brendon Goddard, David Zaharakis
R: Billy Longer
F: Nick Riewoldt, Eddie Betts, Luke Breust, James Sicily
U: Jarryn Geary, Mark Baguley

EMG: Lewis Melican, Ryan Davis, Josh Williams

[upthemaidens]

        Pacific Islanders

D: Rory Laird, Michael Hurley, Matt Suckling, Lee Spurr
M: Tom Mitchell (CC), Marcus Bontempelli (CC), Andrew Gaff, Jarryd Lyons
R: Jarrod Witts
F: Steven Motlop, Callum Ah Chee, Rhys Stanley, Jordan Murdoch
Int: Andrew Swallow, Sam Gibson

E: Cameron Guthrie, Matt de Boer, Adam Tomlinson

Resting: Devon Smith

[Nige]

#PutOutYourACJoints

Taylor Adams (c), Dylan Roberton, Jeremy McGovern, Andrew McGrath
Rhys Mathieson, Jack Newnes (vc), Dom Sheed, David Cuningham
Shane Mumford
Jack Lonie, Travis Colyer, Rory Lobb, Ben Brown
Koby Stevens, Mark Hutchings

Hugh McCluggage, Eric Mackenzie, Paul Puopolo