British XV Round 14 Lodgement and Banter

[GoLions]

Some massive results last weekend that will shape both the top 4, and the top 8. This week is no exception, particularly for the teams still battling it out for a spot in the 8!

Fixture:



Rams vs Hurricanes: Well, the Rams are just waiting for this season to end, with just the 3 wins to show for, and only 2 games remaining in the season. Injuries have played their part, yes, but the lack of midfield depth is something that has hurt them the most I would say. The Hurricanes have now lost 3 on the trot, with a high score of 2130 over the last 3 weeks. All of a sudden, their spot in the top 4 isn't safe, after looking like going through the whole season undefeated yet again, not even a month ago. Now, I'm not saying they'll lose this one as well. But, the Rams are at home, and if their 2nd and 3rd tier players can step up to support Beams, Treloar, Heppell, and Goldy...I wouldn't rule them out completely. But the 'Canes should win this.

Steins vs Knights: Well, this is possibly the most important match of the season. The Steins are holding on to 7th, but on equal points with the Knights in 9th. The Knights have been on fire over the last month and a half, winning 6 of their last 7 games, after a 1-5 start to the season. The Steins will be hosting this one though, which gives them an extremely important advantage, one that could well be the difference come the end of the game. Now the Steins are no easy-beats, but the Knights have started hitting that 2400+ mark every week since the byes ended, and are one of the form teams of the comp if they can push into the 8. Steins will be hoping that Gawn can get closer to his career best form, along with the Bont and a few others, but until that happens, I'll back the Knights to get over the line, lead by another huge performance from captain Dangerfield!

Dragons vs Giants: The Dragons now sit 2 games clear at the top of the ladder, and with the superior percentage as well it'll be tough to see them dropping down to 2nd or worse. But, a win in either of their last 2 games will guarantee their spot at the top regardless of percentage, and with the Magic as their opponent next week, they'll want to lock it in now. The Giants have had two agonising losses against the Leeches and Werewolves the last two weeks, and are looking like a real threat for 2018. How good would it be for them to knock off the first placed team at the end of the season? It'd be amazing. But, Dragons at home to get it done.

Badgers vs Hawks: Well, last week was arguably the Badgers worst performance of the year. Players such as Cutler, Lynch, Prestia, and Sir Daniel of Caleb failed to hit triple digits, and had only the one score over 155. This week they will welcome the return of Michael Rischitelli, but lose Matty Boyd to injury in the process. zthe Hawks have been scoring really well, and have been sooo unlucky to be in the position that they are in, where it is preeeetty much impossible for them to make finals, unless a heap of results go their way. All they needed was 1 win in the last 2 weeks, and they would probably be in the 8 in two weeks time. But anyway, they should be too strong for the Badgers here, and maybe, just maybe, keep that extremely slim hope of finals alive.

Werewolves vs Magic: The Werewolves escaped a huuuge scare against the Giants last week after losing Cripps to injury, and unfortunately, they will not get him back for the rest of the season. Hopefully, this is not a repeat of previous years, where injuries have completely destroyed their flag chances. This weekend though they come up against an even stronger opponent in the Magic, who are sitting just the one game outside of the top 4! This makes it a very important game for both teams, as that second chance could be on the line. If the Werewolves can win this, they'll lock away their spot in the top 4, and possibly make a push for a home final in week one. The Magic would still be a chance at top 4 if the Hurricanes lose, but that is unlikely this week. If the Magic win, they go on equal points with the Werewolves, but would still need to beat the Dragons next week and hope that someone else from 2nd to 4th loses a game, particularly the Hurricanes. It should be a really close game, and the loss of Cripps will hurt the Werewolves, but I'll still back them at home, but not by much.

Hoods vs Breakers: Honestly, this could very well end up being a "nothing match" in terms of deciding ladder positions. But...who knows. If the Hoods were to win by enough, they could send the Badgers to last place! And it looks like the Breakers are set to remain in 12th after their win last week, unless they manage to upset the Bunnies next week, or if the Giants upset the Dragons or Hurricanes. Hoods have the home advantage, and were scoring slightly after the bye...I actually think they can win this one. Hoods to get over the line on HGA!

Leeches vs Hedgies: The Hedgies will be crushed after last week. 5th highest score, and still went down, but would have won if they had HGA instead of the Bunnies. This could have had them in a great position to make the 8, but finishing against the Leeches and the Werewolves was always going to make it tough anyway. The Leeches went down to the Magic after star players Jeremy Howe and David Mundy were late changes out of the side, however, they probably would have gone down regardless, unable to respond to the Magic's attacking pressure. They host the Hedgies this week who have been going really well lately, but I'd expect the Leeches to bounce back this week, and hold on to 2nd place.

Owls vs Bunnies: Gee, this is a huge game for both teams. The Owls almost went down to the bottom placed Hoods, saved by captain Docherty, and star midfielder Bryce Gibbs. They sit a game clear of a host of teams behind them, one of those being the Bunnies, who had a tight win over the Hedgies last week. If the Owls were to drop this one, they would fall behind the Bunnies into 7th, and pending results between the Knights and Steins, possibly into 8th as well. A loss again next week against the Leeches could even see them fall out of the 8...after only winning the premiership last year! I know I go on about this almost every week now, but I still can't believe the giant step that the Bunnies have taken this season. This has been a fantastic year for them, and they'll be wanting to give themselves a good a chance in finals as they can, and a home elimination final is still up for grabs if they can win this week. And you know what? I think they will!

[Rusty00]

(Potential) Milestones Games for Round 14

Lewis Taylor (Staines) 50 games

[Vinny]

Oxford Owls:

D: S.Docherty, J.Johannisen, Z.Tuohy, S.Mayes.
M: S.Pendlebury, B.Gibbs, O.Wines, A.Swallow.
R: T.Jonas. (OOP)
F: J.Gunston, J.Riewoldt, R.Lester, S.Lloyd
U: C.Guthrie, J.Redpath.

E: B.Williams (D) S.Thompson (M) J.Garlett (F)
C: S.Docherty
VC: S.Pendlebury

[nas]

Staines Steins.

Def: Adam Tomlinson - Brayden Maynard - Luke McDonald - Callum Mills.

Mid: Josh Kelly (VC) - Lachlan Hunter - Marcus Bontempelli (C) - Conor Blakely.

Ruck: Brodie Grundy.

Fwd: Christian Petracca - Elliot Yeo (EVC) (F/M) - Jesse Hogan - Lewis Taylor.

Util: Max Gawn (R) - Sam Menegola.

Emerg: A M-Tippa (D) - Nick Robertson (C/D) - Jarman Impey (F).

**Subject to Team line ups.**

[Pkbaldy]

Big game this week. Race for the 8.

[kilbluff1985]

Birmingham Dragons

D: Matt Suckling, Darcy Byrne-Jones, Martin Gleeson ,  Robert Murphy
M: Tom Rockliff, Tom Mitchell (C), Zach Merrett (VC), Mitchell Duncan
R: Tom Bellchambers
F: Josh Caddy, Josh Jenkins, Steven Motlop, Will Hoskin-Elliott
I/C: Jack Crisp, Brad Ebert

Emerg: Ben McEvoy (R), Will Langford (M), Luke Breust (F), Conor McKenna (D)

[Ringo]

Playing the Hoods and projected to lose - that No 1 draft pick looming closer.

[GoLions]

Playing the Hoods and projected to lose - that No 1 draft pick looming closer.

It's literally impossible for you to finish last haha

[nas]

Playing the Hoods and projected to lose - that No 1 draft pick looming closer.

It's literally impossible for you to finish last haha

Maybe failing eyesight?

[LF]

Playing the Hoods and projected to lose - that No 1 draft pick looming closer.

It's literally impossible for you to finish last haha

We won't win,the team of potatoes will somehow manage to screw everything up on Sunday again

[SydneyRox]

Playing the Hoods and projected to lose - that No 1 draft pick looming closer.

It's literally impossible for you to finish last haha

We won't win,the team of potatoes will somehow manage to screw everything up on Sunday again

ready to take that spud hanners off your hands

[nas]

Playing the Hoods and projected to lose - that No 1 draft pick looming closer.

It's literally impossible for you to finish last haha

We won't win,the team of potatoes will somehow manage to screw everything up on Sunday again

ready to take that spud hanners off your hands

Leaving the other potato Mills alone?

[SydneyRox]

Playing the Hoods and projected to lose - that No 1 draft pick looming closer.

It's literally impossible for you to finish last haha

We won't win,the team of potatoes will somehow manage to screw everything up on Sunday again

ready to take that spud hanners off your hands

Leaving the other potato Mills alone?

yeah, kids a gun, but still hasnt set fantasy world on fire yet.

Though, if he is the steak knives in the deal i wont say no.......  8)

[GoLions]

Playing the Hoods and projected to lose - that No 1 draft pick looming closer.

It's literally impossible for you to finish last haha

We won't win,the team of potatoes will somehow manage to screw everything up on Sunday again

ready to take that spud hanners off your hands

Leaving the other potato Mills alone?

yeah, kids a gun, but still hasnt set fantasy world on fire yet.

Though, if he is the steak knives in the deal i wont say no.......  8)

This kid, trading away JPK for chips, and then wanting to bring in Hanners and Mills? Smh.

[iZander]

Playing the Hoods and projected to lose - that No 1 draft pick looming closer.

It's literally impossible for you to finish last haha

We won't win,the team of potatoes will somehow manage to screw everything up on Sunday again

ready to take that spud hanners off your hands

Leaving the other potato Mills alone?

yeah, kids a gun, but still hasnt set fantasy world on fire yet.

Though, if he is the steak knives in the deal i wont say no.......  8)

This kid, trading away JPK for chips, and then wanting to bring in Hanners and Mills? Smh.

If only he would of taken your offer GL, that would of been heaps better ;)