WXV Round 16: Jaguars v Reindeers Rumble for Respect

[Purple 77]

A NORMAL WEEK! CELEBRAAAAAAATE!

Round 16, AFL Round 18

Home Team	Away Team	Venue	Head-to-Head
London Royals	Dublin Destroyers	London Olympic Stadium, EurAsia, Europe, British Isles Cup	4  v  2
New Delhi Tigers	Tokyo Samurai	Wipro Stadium, EurAsia, Asia	3  v  3
Buenos Aires Armadillos	Seoul Magpies	Estadio de River	3  v  3
Pacific Islanders	New York Revolution	Linkbelt Oval, AAP Alliance, John McCarthy Cup	5  v  2
Toronto Wolves	Berlin Brewers	Tuanaimato International Stadium	3  v  4
Cairo Sands	Christchurch Saints	Borg El Arab Stadium, AAP Alliance, Africonia	0  v  3
Rio de Janeiro Jaguars	PNL Reindeers	Maracana Stadium	2  v  1
Beijing Thunder	Mexico City Suns	Beijing Olympic Park	2  v  4
Moscow Spetsnaz	Cape Town Cobras	Luzhniki Stadium	1  v  5

It’s well documented that London are a bogey team for Dublin, and if you haven’t been paying attention, the head-to-head is actually 4-2 in London’s favour. Just last week, London missed the out on an unlikely victory by the narrowest of margins, so they’ll probably be buoyed by the fact they can snag a win at any time, especially if they perform and their opponents miss a beat. Speaking of missed beats, Dublin have faltered this season and it looked like they were in trouble for a while. But in recent weeks, they appear to be back to the Dubin that is sometimes feared. Does Queen Lizzy like pie? My guess is yes, but we’re about to find out.

New Delhi are fresh off a strong outing with a pretty consistent effort across the board, minus a few passengers. With finals on the radar, they’ll be keen to ensure that performances like that are the norm from here on out. Meanwhile, Tokyo had a poorer week compared to their much improved standard this year. With two games left and finals out of reach, Tokyo are playing for pride and to try and maintain ladder position, as Cairo and Buenos Aires breathe down their neck. New Delhi should have what it takes to get it done.

Buenos Aires have 5 wins to their name in 2018, and that’s probably still a surprise to just about everyone, but this Dillo train rolls on and is actually in the hunt to finish 10th, which is truly remarkable in all honesty. The big bad in Seoul put together an effort that would intimidate the competition, with captain Dangerfield looking as sharp as ever. With an outfit full of stars, including the recently returned Toby Greene, this is where they make the statement about being a serious contender, and I’m not sure the Dillos will be able to stop them.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock this past week, the world has been extremely critical of Pacific. Their co-coaches, list management and credibility have come under scrutiny, which you think will have lit a fire underneath them. Scoring has never been much of an issue this season, but they won’t want to slip up now. On the other side of this week’s saga stands New York, who have been very vocal as the team in 9th. Put simply, it’s do or die for New York. They have to win or their 2018 is all but over. If they want to do that, they’ll need all guns blazing or it’s gonna be curtains. New York to keep their season alive.

Back on top after Beijing limped over the line against London, Toronto will be looking to potentially get a step closer to locking away the minor premiership. They got Jack Macrae back last week, which could be the key securing the big prize, and with the rest of the team appearing to be performing like a well-oiled machine, can anyone stop the Wolves? The Brewers will want to be that team, but based on last week, that’s going to be a tough ask. They dropped from 4th to 7th and if they lose this, and other results go against them, it could spell disaster and be the most disappointing story since Germany not getting out of the World Cup group stage. Toronto to inflict further pain upon Berlin.

This, my friends, is the MATCH OF THE ROUND! Oh, but you disagree? Why do you choose to be wrong? Anyway, Cairo picked up a nice win over Mexico City, which propelled them into 11th and they now eye down 10th place, which would be a tremendous result and also make two wins on the trot. Wanting to crush that dream is Christchurch. If they win this, the top 8 is just about locked in and New York’s season is dead in the water. It’s also important to note that should Christchurch get the W, then they’re basically a lock to win the premiership. Karen’s boys will be up and about to make sure the streak becomes a thing and leave Christchurch coach meow meow demanding compo, and Jeff Garlett on the first plane back to New Zealand.

Does anyone else want off Mr Levi’s wild ride? The Rio roller coaster involved two out of position players last week, but still put up a decent showing despite the fact. That means that they can do some damage with a proper team on the park. PNL have had their moments as well this season, and the lovable lads from France simply enjoy themselves no matter what happens, but they’ll enjoy a win if they can get it. Given how unpredictable both these sides are, you may as well flip a coin to pick the winner, my landed on tails which was PNL, and tails never fails.

Beijing was extremely lucky to get the win last week, but at least they got the win. That’s the good news. The bad news was that they coughed up top spot to Toronto, which may prove costly when it’s all said and done. However, they should be able to get the ‘jing train steady on the track this week. It’s not fair to underestimate Mexico City, because they have shown an ability to prove the doubters wrong this season and a bit like London, could strike if Beijing let their guard down and leave the door open. That task certainly is tougher without shining light James Sicily though. Beijing with relative ease.

The men of Moscow have fired at times this season, but have also let teams do the same against them. This week, they will look to be the ones who stand tall. They’ve got a few issues with personnel right now, but should have the cattle to get the job done, especially given the quality of their opponent. You hate to kick a man while they’re down, but it’s been an awful season for Cape Town who have comfortably been the worst team this season, for whatever reason the coach chooses to select. Ultimately, with a whole two wins to their name, it’s hard to believe that this team can produce another one given their struggles. Expect Moscow to have no issue here.

[Purple 77]

Updated Team Selector for those interested

[Nige]

Thanks to Nige for the previews!

[Purple 77]

Thanks to Nige for the previews!

!!!!!!

[RaisyDaisy]

You must be on crack to be picking us to win!

Ryder is out

The irony that we'll be finishing out the year with OOP ruck and HGA against lol

Pacific should romp us

[Purple 77]

Fyfe, Hibberd, Viney, JPK. It's my turn with injuries I guess!

Please be gentle Toronto.

[Holz]

Fyfe, Hibberd, Viney, JPK. It's my turn with injuries I guess!

Please be gentle Toronto.

Wouldn't count on it, there season is built around getting opponents at their weak point.

Dublin would have beaten them the last 3 weeks straight now that we are almost full strength.

[JBs-Hawks]

Seoul

Def: Haynes, Salem, Tuohy, Marchbank

Mid: Dangerfield (C), Kelly, Oliver (VC), Swallow

Ruck: Ceglar

Fwd: Greene, Curnow, Fisher, Rioli

Int: Shiels, Smith

Emg: Parfitt, Myers, Obrien

[Holz]

Alex Rance, Steven May, Tom McDonald, Phil Davis
Rory Sloane (CC), Joel Selwood, Matt Crouch (CC), Dustin Martin
Todd Goldstein
Jack Riewodlt, Jack Gunston, Justin Westhoff, Tom Hawkins
Nick Holman, Colin O'Riordan

Majak Daw, Jack Henry, Oscar McDonald

Resting: Brett Deledio



Very Excited to Unleash Colin for his first game in a Dublin Uniform. Also good to have lids back

[JBs-Hawks]

Seoul

Def: Haynes, Salem, Tuohy, Marchbank

Mid: Dangerfield (C), Kelly, Oliver (VC), Myers

Ruck: Ceglar

Fwd: Greene, Curnow, Fisher, Rioli

Int: Shiels, Smith

Emg: Parfitt, Weller, Obrien

Resting: Swallow

[Holz]

Resting: Swallow

Its on

[Adamant]

Fyfe, Hibberd, Viney, JPK. It's my turn with injuries I guess!

Please be gentle Toronto.

Sorry Purps, but we're going to need all the percentage we can get in order to sew up the minor premiership. It's nothing personal, but we're going to flower you up.

[Nige]

Karen

Jeremy McGovern, Shane Savage, Nick Vlastuin, Tom Stewart
Dayne Beams (c), Taylor Adams (vc), David Zaharakis (evc), Ricky Henderson
Dawson Simpson
Ben Brown, Rory Lobb, Mitch Robinson, Hugh McCluggage
Andrew McGrath, Daniel McKenzie

Mark Hutchings, Bailey Rice, Jay Kennedy-Harris

[meow meow]

PREMIERSHIP FAVOURITES

Flood

B: Shaw, Langdon, Wilson, Richards, Morris
M: Parker (C), Ablett (vc), Gibbs, Murphy
R: Darcy
F: McLean, Cox, Moore
I: Crossley, Boyd

E: Cedric, Daniels



Griffen and McKenna resting up nicely along with the other lads, will be cherry ripe for finals.

[Jroo]

Mexico City Suns - FLOODING
D: Darcy Byrne-Jones, Jarryn Geary, Bernie Vince, Jacob Weitering, Sam Wright
M: Lachie Hunter (C), Jared Polec (VC), Jordan Cunico, Nic Newman
R: Tom Hickey
F: Christian Petracca, James Harmes, Callum Moore
U:  Luke Davies-Uniacke, Lewis Jetta

Emg: Adam Kennedy, Aaron Naughton, Jack Silvagni