WXV Round 15: Soaring Seoul v Powerful Pacific

[Purple 77]

Gotta love those normal weeks

Round 15, AFL Round 17

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

The Wolves slipped up last week against the Reindeers, all but ending their slim finals hopes. I guess teams have made it from 9-8 before, but I'm not sure this is that season. The Cobras also had a slip up of their own, being obliterated by a team with premiership aspirations. This game presents an opportunity for both teams to get some respectability on their win/loss ratios. But I reckon Toronto have been in some better form, so I'll back them from here.

The Saints lost in incredible circumstances last week; with the last-minute withdrawal of Toby McLean costing them an otherwise essential win in their pursuit of finals. That loss just... really hurts, and might even cost them finals. I reckon they'll need to win all 3 of their remaining games from here. The Spetsnaz are a dangerous opponent for this desperate Saints team; seemingly able to consistently put up competitive 130+ scores without their star talent. Moscow are every chance this match, but no matter the result, they should be commended for turning around a season that was looking to follow the same path as 2016. You know what? Moscow for me in this one.

The Dillos I trust made some good progress on the trade talks front last week; because they continue to struggle on the field and just aren't looking likely. Still, they will probably be armed with Picks 1, 19 and 20 in a months' time, I just hope they don't take out their frustrations against me... I've been nothing but respectful, after all. Berlin breathed a sigh of relief with a win against Tokyo last week, and will once again feel the pressure to 'not-lose' against another opponent in the bottom 4 of the ladder. Honestly, if I were to lose this match in my delicate pursuit of finals, I might just rage quit. Please let me win.

The Jags have struggled without GAJ & Watts, and with Cripps being subbed out with a season ending injury, the struggle might just continue. It was about this time last year that GAJ went down on the eve of finals, but at least Cripps was there to begin an incredible two months of footy to eventually win Rio the premiership. Who will stand up now? The Royals might even fancy themselves this week if things go to plan. Hannebery and Shuey are due for big games, and all that's really needed for a win is for the rest of the team to just not score below 70 individually. London are a chance, but I think Rio's desperation to make finals will prevail.

It's second v fourth, third v fourth on the points ladder and clearly my choice as the MATCH OF THE ROUND! Seoul continue to reap the rewards of it's three outstanding midfielders; Danger, Oliver and Kelly who have shown time and time again that massive scores can still be reached even if you do have 3-4 passengers. The Islanders however are fresh from a 160+ score where the load was spread a bit more evenly than a typical Seoul 160+. A stronger performance from the Islander leaders could take this team to 170+ I reckon. But can OliveField do it again? Heh, why not ey? The Magpies for me.

The new guys vs the old firm. The Tigers continued their standing as the premiership fancy's with another 150+ score, and another win will basically win them the minor premiership. They're just expected to make the top 4 now and really, you could argue they've replaced Mexico City with that reputation. The Suns were finally looking like dropping back from a 5 year high, but when they blast out 150+ scores like last week, then all of a sudden they go from write-offs to finals dark horses. I'd kinda like to see the Suns teach the new guys a thing or two, I just don't think it'll happen. New Delhi for me.

The Revolution once again managed another victory despite scoring sub-130 in fortunate circumstances, but they should be commended regardless for finding ways to win; an ability that sees them remain in the top 4 despite an awful recent form line. Their injured players just need to get back in time for finals, and they might do some damage yet. Cairo have now fallen out of the 8 at an alarming pace, and might have to manage two more wins from their last 3 to consolidate a place in finals. On recent form alone, New York is the most winnable game they have left and if they were to lose this game, I don't think they'll make finals. Do or die here for Cairo, and I think they might just do.

The 'Jing won't make finals, but at least they have World Idol to fight for and if they keep up this form they will probably take it out. It's a real tragedy that this team won't feature in finals, because this formline would have had the potential to go deep in September, even from 8th. The fans might be able to swallow the season better if the got something to show for it, so the Idol is a good goal. The Reindeers are one of the nervous teams sitting 8-6 amongst 6th-10th so every game is just incredibly vital. They have New Delhi next week before they face Cairo in Round 17, and they probably need two wins to give themselves a shot. It'll be tough, that's for sure. I don't see Beijing losing at the moment.

The Samurai, although we don't condone tanking at all, will the see benefit of not winning another game this year. As it stands, they'll receive an end of first round priority pick and that'd be some handy currency come the trade period. With Dublin & Beijing coming up, the game against Cape Town will either be a morale boosting win, or a handy loss. The Destroyers survived a scare from Moscow last week in yet another instance where its midfield failed to fire. They desperately need them to win they play finals, because if they do for 3-4 weeks in a row.... they win the premiership in my opinion. For the moment, it's all about finding a way back into the top 4, and with Seoul or Pacific to lose, a big win here will see them back in I reckon. Dublin for me.

[Nige]

Been waiting for this match for a while.

[meow meow]

Still can't get over how bad we flowered up last week. Tbh I knew the season was done when we lost to London in round 2. But last week takes the cake.

CHRISTCHURCH SINNERS

B: Jake Lever, Nathan Wilson, Leigh Montagna, Harris Andrews
M: Connor Blakely (c), Sam Petrevski-Seton, Sam Mitchell, Alex Neal-Bullen
R: Sean Darcy
F: Toby McLean, Jack Steele, Shaun Higgins, Jarrad Waite
I: Bryce Gibbs (vc), Nathan Vardy

E: Jarrad McVeigh, James Stewart, Brayden Fiorini

[RaisyDaisy]

Been waiting for this match for a while.

LOL Why?  :-[

[Nige]

Been waiting for this match for a while.

LOL Why?  :-[

Felt like a winnable game all season.  :P

I also think of it as one of my favourite fixtures alongside the games against Cape Town and Berlin.  8)

[RaisyDaisy]

Been waiting for this match for a while.

LOL Why?  :-[

Felt like a winnable game all season.  :P

I also think of it as one of my favourite fixtures alongside the games against Cape Town and Berlin.  8)

Ahh yes I figured that was your reason

We really have become the easybets of Worlds lately  :'(

#Still2nd
#Not4Long

[Hellopplz]

Time to continue our fairy tale to the finals, up against the 'Jing who are fighting for World Idol :o.

[Adamant]

Still can't get over how bad we flowered up last week. Tbh I knew the season was done when we lost to London in round 4. But last week takes the cake.

[Nige]

After doing some Seoul searching and leaving South Korea with an empty feeling after a truly harrowing experience...

Part 2: Karen tries to end the Revolution

Taylor Adams, Jeremy McGovern, Dylan Roberton, Andrew McGrath
Dayne Beams (cc), Jack Newnes (cc), Rhys Mathieson, Dom Sheed
Shane Mumford
Ben Brown, Rory Lobb, Jeff Garlett, Travis Colyer (r)
Koby Stevens, Jack Lonie

Mark Hutchings (m/f), Nick Smith (d), Paul Puopolo (f)

Rest: Hugh McCluggage

[GoLions]

Kate Upton Cobras

DEF: Jasper Pittard, Callum Mills, Luke McDonald, Jake Carlisle
MID: Josh P Kennedy (C), Lachie Hunter, Mark Blicavs, Kieren Jack
RUCK: Toby Nankervis (VC)
FWD: Tom Papley, Ben Ainsworth, Peter Wright, Timothy Broomhead
UTIL: Dion Prestia, Touk Miller

EMG: Jack Bowes, Josh Battle, Griffin Logue

[Purple 77]

*outlandish statements*

Directed towards... Cairo, Pacific aaannddd PNL.

Awaiting your reply.

[Nige]

*outlandish statements*

Directed towards... Cairo, Pacific aaannddd PNL.

Awaiting your reply.

Well, the past two weeks have been pretty shower and I'm fairly sure that even though we'll somehow beat New York this week that we'll end up 9th and missing finals. Yeah, you heard it here first.  :P

[RaisyDaisy]

*outlandish statements*

Directed towards... Cairo, Pacific aaannddd PNL.

Awaiting your reply.

Well, the past two weeks have been pretty shower and I'm fairly sure that even though we'll somehow beat New York this week that we'll end up 9th and missing finals. Yeah, you heard it here first.  :P

Keep talking yourselves up buddy!

Your season will be over once this round is complete!  8)

[Nige]

*outlandish statements*

Directed towards... Cairo, Pacific aaannddd PNL.

Awaiting your reply.

Well, the past two weeks have been pretty shower and I'm fairly sure that even though we'll somehow beat New York this week that we'll end up 9th and missing finals. Yeah, you heard it here first.  :P

Keep talking yourselves up buddy!

Your season will be over once this round is complete!  8)

It was over when we lost to Christchurch. :'(

[meow meow]

*outlandish statements*

Directed towards... Cairo, Pacific aaannddd PNL.

Awaiting your reply.

Well, the past two weeks have been pretty shower and I'm fairly sure that even though we'll somehow beat New York this week that we'll end up 9th and missing finals. Yeah, you heard it here first.  :P

Keep talking yourselves up buddy!

Your season will be over once this round is complete!  8)

It was over when we lost to Christchurch. :'(

No shame in that. NY didn't beat us either, we beat ourselves.