WXV Semi Finals: Tigers v Revolution, Islanders v Wolves

[Purple 77]

Dublin get to realllly enjoy their week off, whilst Seoul gets Dangerfield to get match practice for next week. Who will these two teams be playing?

Semi Finals, AFL Round 21

Home Team	Away Team	Venue	Head-to-Head
New Delhi Tigers	New York Revolution	Tata Stadium	3  v  3
Pacific Islanders	Toronto Wolves	BSP Stadium	2  v  4

Well, we were suspicious last week that Dublin was this teams' weakness and were responded with more evidence that it is the case. This infallible Tigers outfit comfortably accounted for the Home & Away season to rightfully become the minor premiers. Is that it? Is it the curse of minor premiers, who are 0-5 for going on to win the flag? Or am I just overreacting to a loss where they still would have smashed Seoul & Pacific? Hey, I'm just asking questions. It's worth noting that the 149 they scored last week would have beaten 5 other finalists... 149 is bang on their season average. New Delhi had an average day, and lost, so even the mightiest of us need to lift for finals. This season would be a bitter disappointment if the Tigers were to falter now; surely they won't. You'll also notice I've written less about New Delhi than the other three... I like to discuss 50/50s, problems and controversy; this team don't have heaps of it.

New York's tight win against the reigning premiers both season validating and denying us a would-be 2016 Grand Final rematch. In fact, resenting New York has been a favourite past time all 10 teams that scored more points than they did throughout the Home & Away season. But you know what? They're still in the finals, and 5 of them aren't. Winning whoever is put in front of you is an underrated yet obviously necessary quality that this team seems to have better than anybody; no matter what adversity is present. Had these two teams played each other every match this year, New Delhi would lead 12-6. Getting back to New Delhi's season average of 149... New York's is 134, having equalled or bested it twice this season. One sided odds you might say! However, those two times were just 3 and 4 weeks ago and if any team could grind out a win under the odds; it's this one... but New Delhi to meet Seoul for me, in a thrilling preliminary final.

The Islanders' forward line troubles have been noted for some time now, but is fast becoming a costly deficiency with an incredibly disappointing loss against a down and Dangerless Seoul last week. Although a combination of under-performing defenders and mids contributed to the loss, it is the forward line that I believe is to blame for the Islanders' equal worst form-line (recorded in the space of a month) of their season so far. Devon Smith (84 av) would start at any team, but the Islanders next best is the inconsistent Motlop (75), sometimes-on-the-park Stanley (74) and Berlin-import Jordan Murdoch (70). You wouldn't want Geelong to have a bad game, is all I'm saying. However, this team deserves this second chance for a reason, and that reason is the 11 games scoring 140+. It'd be a cruel, salty, bitter, infuriating, life-reflecting, choice-regretting, internet-quit-contemplating way to lose now, to a team that laid firmly in a woven enclosure just last year.

The Wolves! AROOOOOOOO! Four straight 140+ scores for 4 wins in a row and the last one couldn't have been much better! This Pendle-less side doesn't dependle on him like those other 14s he's played with; Jack Macrae, Mitch Duncan and Matt Kreuzer are a tight-as-flower core that can single-handedly make opposition coaches resent their existence. This teams' aspirations were born from divine intervention in that wonderful Round 16... are they 'meant' to go all the way? Is this the New New Delhi, except scoring those extra few more points? I remember earlier this year, that coach declared his team was finally on the park and that he looked forward to seeing what they could do. Since then, the Wolves have turned on their 128 averaging first 8 rounds to a 140 averaging finals force... without Pendlebury! Losing Duncan for this match though, is just a huge blow to this team that desperately needs his leadership if they are to contend with Pacific. Had these two teams played every match this season, Pacific would lead 12-6. However, all 6 of Toronto's wins in the last 10 weeks; especially last week. Although down on key mids, Pacific must just choke in this game... I want to tip Toronto, but Pacific just won't let this slip for me.

And don't forget the reserves!

Three teams (Christchurh, London & Seoul) are playing this week but not in the seniors. What I require from you, is that you NAME YOUR BEST SENIOR XV like you were playing finals. I will be scrutinising your best XV to determine if that is really who you would play, so as to ensure that the players available for the reserves matches are the ones that would normally be available. If I don't agree, then I will name one for you.

Semi Finals, AFL Round 21

Home Team	Away Team	Venue
Wellington Weta	Mumbai Elephants	AMI Stadium
Imperial Princes	Pyongyang Chollimas	London Olympic Stadium

[meow meow]

A nice touch with the Selwood pic to further discredit NY's chances there Purps.

[RaisyDaisy]

A nice touch with the Selwood pic to further discredit NY's chances there Purps.

LMAO

I'd think our luck has finally run out for 2017, but we get one more free hit to see what we can do

[Jay]

Gee, Lewis Taylor would help with our forward line woes, Purps! :P #compo #neverforget

Tough matchup against the Wolves.. Hopefully Witts is back or at least Stanley so we don't have to go OOP.

[JBs-Hawks]

Carn NY :P

[AaronKirk]

If we come within 200 of NDT this week it is a good effort.

Selwood out is massive. Basically puts us in the same position as when Cotchin chose to kick against the wind in the final against Port Adelaide a few years ago.

[Adamant]

Great stuff Purps. I know that must have been hard for you to write. :P

Am I able to promote someone to my leadership group on the basis that the player they would be replacing was a dickhead? Shane 'The Saviour' Savage is demanding a spot. Five straight tons for a 110.2 average. Currently has the highest DE % of anyone in the comp averaging more than 20 disposals!

We've beaten Pacific once already this season but I don't think we can do it again. Pendles and Duncan out is too much of a handicap. Islanders by 13 WXV points.

[Purple 77]

Ha, honestly didn't know about Jelwood at the time :P

Am I able to promote someone to my leadership group on the basis that the player they would be replacing was a dickhead? Shane 'The Saviour' Savage is demanding a spot. Five straight tons for a 110.2 average. Currently has the highest DE % of anyone in the comp averaging more than 20 disposals!

No :P, Kreuzer & Macrae are performing well enough to warrant you enough quality selections for your LG

[Holz]

If we come within 200 of NDT this week it is a good effort.

Selwood out is massive. Basically puts us in the same position as when Cotchin chose to kick against the wind in the final against Port Adelaide a few years ago.

Geez the arrogance of this guy.

NDT is still a decent team i think a 200 point victory for you guys would be a great effort. a 100 point win well thats a good effort.

[upthemaidens]

Should point out Motlops average of 75 is due to playing injured.  Smith also had injury issues.  Just need them to click on the day.

Lyon, Witts, Motlop and Stanley all possible inclusions this week.   We could be fielding our strongest team in Months.
      An unexpected lose to Toronto earlier in the season was a pain, but catching them at a good time now for some revenge.

[Holz]

Meanwhile in Dublin.

Dusty just taking a little break clubbing.

[RaisyDaisy]

Should point out Motlops average of 75 is due to playing injured.  Smith also had injury issues.  Just need them to click on the day.

Lyon, Witts, Motlop and Stanley all possible inclusions this week.   We could be fielding our strongest team in Months.
      An unexpected lose to Toronto earlier in the season was a pain, but catching them at a good time now for some revenge.

Witts done for the year

[Ringo]

Question on naming teams for Reserves Purple:

What is the situation with injured players  eg Fantasia is now gone for season and as you would know been played all season. Can I name him or do I have to name a replacement?

[upthemaidens]

Should point out Motlops average of 75 is due to playing injured.  Smith also had injury issues.  Just need them to click on the day.

Lyon, Witts, Motlop and Stanley all possible inclusions this week.   We could be fielding our strongest team in Months.
      An unexpected lose to Toronto earlier in the season was a pain, but catching them at a good time now for some revenge.

Witts done for the year

Bugger

[meow meow]

Should point out Motlops average of 75 is due to playing injured.  Smith also had injury issues.  Just need them to click on the day.

Lyon, Witts, Motlop and Stanley all possible inclusions this week.   We could be fielding our strongest team in Months.
      An unexpected lose to Toronto earlier in the season was a pain, but catching them at a good time now for some revenge.

Witts done for the year

Bugger

Roughead still going strong :P