WXV Grand Final: Seoul v Pacific

[Purple 77]

WXVs proudly presents...

Grand Final, AFL Round 18

Home Team	Away Team	Venue	Head-to-Head
Seoul Magpies	Pacific Islanders	MCG	9  v  1

There will be a FULL LOCKOUT at the commencement of North Melbourne v West Coast at 7.10pm AEST this THURSDAY NIGHT

YOU MUST NAME EIGHT ( 8 ) EMERGENCIES



What were we saying prior to Round 1?

Asian powerhouses Beijing & Seoul have been sizing each other up for years now, both with a strong argument for the best midfield in the comp. The Thunder had a very strong season in 2019 before going down to eventual premiers New Delhi in a prelim, whilst Seoul would have felt they had more to give in 2019. Personally, I think Seoul have the best lookin list of the lot. Having just reminded myself of this weird bias I have tipping the Magpies... I don't see that changing. Seoul for me!

The Islanders had to grit their teeth a bare it without 2018 Jim Stynes Medalist Tom Mitchell. A loss like that would significantly hurt any team, and I suppose missing the finals reflected that. The Islanders will be expecting a change back to normal broadcasting now that he is back.

Season 2020 has been like no other. WXVs has had to adapt to a reduced AFL season, and one that had many rounds cross-over with each other. The biggest change this year was the introduction of 4 simultaneous rounds, which had the potential to give teams a huge advantage over the rest of the comp if they timed their big games well enough. Subsequently, this year had the potential to progress teams perhaps further than they deserved.

Fortunately, these two teams more than deserve to be in the GF.

Seoul have unquestionably been the #1 team of the season, having won the minor premiership off the back of scoring the most points in the H&A season. The midfield runs deep, the bookends have big ceilings, and perhaps most enviable of all, the age profile of a developing team.

Meanwhile, Pacific's second half to the season has been epic. Since round 9, they have averaged 148ppg and only lost once (but more on that later). That Pacific midfield could actually be the best in the business - the starting 4 averages 450! The defence is very solid too, led by Rory Laird. The only chink the armour really is that misfiring forward line... but when it does fire, the Islanders are basically unstoppable.

Last time they met

Pacific Islanders (25.11.161) lost to Seoul Magpies (26.6.162)

Of course this game was the grand final preview! This was undoubtedly the best game of the H&A season, featuring 15 tons, none grander than Bontempelli's 199. But it wasn't enough for the Islanders on the day in what would be their only loss since Round 9, pointing to a concerning trend against Seoul. Of the 10 times these two clubs have clashed, Pacific has only won ONCE, dating back to Round 16 of 2015, when Bontempelli & Tom Mitchell was its F1 and F2. In fact, the Islanders have 5 players that played that day playing this week, but I digress.

Form & Experience

The evidence shows that Seoul have the mental edge over Pacific. But, face a bit of a mental demon of their own this week... the minor premiership curse. Although this may be our 9th season, all previous 8 minor premiers have failed to win the flag. All 8! So it'll be exciting to see one of these mental demons banished this week.

In 2020, if Seoul played Pacific every week, they'd be ahead 12-7. But, Pacific will have beaten Seoul in both the Qualifying and Preliminary finals, so they have the form. In fact, Seoul's last two scores - 146 and 131 - is well down on its normal output... they'll need to get out of the slump pronto to have any chance against Pacific.

In terms of finals experience, for Seoul, this is their second Grand Final, having made it back in 2017.  That day, the went down to a powerful Dublin outfit 161 to 149, despite Patrick Dangerfield claiming best afield honours. For Pacific, this is their first ever Grand Final, with its previous best effort also coming in 2017 and also going down to eventual premiers Dublin, 148 to 116. Nothing went right that day, with only Tom Mitchell (161) and Rory Laird (124) going hard at the footy.

So, who wins?

I know they've been down on form, but as always, my tip is with Seoul. I reckon those who were down last week rebound this weekend, and I think Pacific may cop a bit of the opposite. But at the end of the day, I'm stoked a team will be winning their first flag this weekend, and that they will have thoroughly deserved it!

Good luck teams!



And don't forget reserves!

Beijing - if you would like to name an indicate best 23, for the purposes of working out your reserves side, you are more than welcome.

Grand Final, AFL Round 18

Home Team	Away Team	Venue
Port Morseby Iguanadons	Shanghai Storm	Gabba

[PowerBug]

Still playing the WXV Grand Final at the MCG? :P

[upthemaidens]

Still playing the WXV Grand Final at the MCG? :P

It's ok, due to Covid restrictions the opposition won't get within 1.5 metres of the ball.

[Holz]

Still playing the WXV Grand Final at the MCG? :P

It's ok, due to Covid restrictions the opposition won't get within 1.5 metres of the ball.

the Seoul defenders maybe

[upthemaidens]

     Pacific Islanders    --- The Grand Final 23 ---

DEF: Rory Laird, Michael Hurley, Bailey Williams, Liam Duggan
MID: Tom Mitchell (CC), Marcus Bontempelli (CC), Andrew Gaff, Jarryd Lyons
RCK: Jarrod Witts 
FWD: Devon Smith, Matt Taberner, Josh Jenkins, Peter Wright
UTL: Harry Perryman (M), Zac Bailey (M/D) 

EMG: Andrew McPherson(D), Aliir Aliir(D), Adam Tomlinson(M), Tim O'Brien(F/D), Sam Day(F), Tom McCartin(F), Zac Smith(R), Bailey J Williams(R/D)

After a strange 2020, both the Seniors and Reserves have made the Grand Final.
    Didn't enter the season expecting a top 4 finish.  Now time to crack a 1600+ in the last dance of the year.

[JBs-Hawks]

Seoul

D: Nick Haynes, Christian Salem, Lachie Weller, Zach Tuohy
M: Clayton Oliver (C), Patrick Dangerfield (VC), Josh Kelly, Will Setterfield
R: Ben McEvoy
F: Charlie Dixon, Jamie Elliot, Jonathon Ceglar, Jake Riccardi
I: Ed Curnow, Liam Shiels
E: Marc Murphy, Nathan Wilson, Bailey Scott, Lachie Fogarty, Rhylee West, Darcy Fogarty,Caleb Graham, Liam Henry,

[upthemaidens]

Gaff and Duggan combine for 220, nice start again by the Eagles pair.

[Toga]

For the purposes of the reserves.....

BEIJING THUNDER:
D: Caleb Daniel, Bachar Houli, Heath Shaw, Tom Jonas
M: Lachie Neale [C], Dayne Zorko, Brandon Ellis, Tom Rockliff
R: Brodie Grundy [VC]
F: Jy Simpkin, Kane Lambert, Luke Breust, Daniel Butler
IC: David Swallow, Callan Ward

Emg: Daniel Howe, Wil Powell, James Aish, Taylor Walker, Max King, Kyron Hayden, Tom Cutler, Daniel Rioli

[upthemaidens]

Gaff and Duggan combine for 220, nice start again by the Eagles pair.

Recent coaches award winner Harry Perryman with a solid 109.

[Purple 77]

OP updated with the write-up both teams deserve - sorry for the delay Seoul & Pacific!

I'll now get to work updating the scores :)

[JBs-Hawks]

No need for the score updates  :'( :'(

[Purple 77]

After Friday

A sensational start for Pacific, with effectively 3 tons from 3 players! The Duggan 97 would be particularly pleasing for Pacific, given the potential for a lower score from him.

For Seoul though... Nick Haynes has really hurt them. That 34 would be hard to bounce back from, effectively now needing to rely on say an Islander forward matching that effort. Josh Kelly probably did the minimum required, whilst I think Seoul would probably take 76 from Riccardi.

Still, a 110 point lead already has Seoul on the back foot early.

	Seoul Magpies					Pacific Islanders
POS	Traditional	SCO	PEN	ADJ	POS	Traditional	SCO	PEN	ADJ
D1	Nick Haynes	34		34	D1	Rory Laird	0		0
D2	Christian Salem	0		0	D2	Michael Hurley	0		0
D3	Lachie Weller	0		0	D3	Bailey Williams	0		0
D4	Zach Tuohy	0		0	D4	Liam Duggan	97		97
M1	Clayton Oliver	0		0	M1	Tom Mitchell	0		0
M2	Patrick Dangerfield	0		0	M2	Marcus Bontempelli	0		0
M3	Josh Kelly	109		109	M3	Andrew Gaff	123		123
M4	Will Setterfield	0		0	M4	Jarryd Lyons	0		0
R1	Ben McEvoy	0		0	R1	Jarrod Witts	0		0
F1	Charlie Dixon	0		0	F1	Devon Smith	0		0
F2	Jamie Elliott	0		0	F2	Matt Taberner	0		0
F3	Jonathon Ceglar	0		0	F3	Josh Jenkins	0		0
F4	Jake Riccardi	76		76	F4	Peter Wright	0		0
U1 (MID )	Ed Curnow	0		0	U1 (MID )	Harry Perryman	109		109
U2 (MID )	Liam Shiels	0		0	U2 (DEF MID)	Zac Bailey	0		0
E1 (MID )	Marc Murphy	0	0	0	E1 (DEF )	Andrew McPherson	0	0	0
E2 (DEF )	Nathan Wilson	0	0	0	E2 (DEF )	Aliir Aliir	0	0	0
E3 (MID FWD)	Bailey Scott	51	0	0	E3 (MID )	Adam Tomlinson	0	0	0
E4 (MID )	Lachlan Fogarty	0	0	0	E4 (DEF FWD)	Tim O'Brien	0	0	0
E5 (FWD )	Rhylee West	0	0	0	E5 (FWD )	Sam Day	0	0	0
E6 (FWD )	Darcy Fogarty	0	0	0	E6 (FWD )	Tom McCartin	0	0	0
E7 (DEF )	Caleb Graham	0	0	0	E7 (RUC )	Zac Smith	0	0	0
E8 (MID FWD)	Liam Henry	0	0	0	E8 (DEF RUC)	Bailey J Williams	50	DNP	0
C	Clayton Oliver	0		0	CC	Tom Mitchell	0		0
VC	Patrick Dangerfield	0		0	CC	Marcus Bontempelli	0		0
		Total:	219	3			Total:	329	3

[upthemaidens]

Gaff and Duggan combine for 220, nice start again by the Eagles pair.

Recent coaches award winner Harry Perryman with a solid 109.

Smith just makes his average, Hurley not so much. 

[Purple 77]

After Ess/Melb/Adel/Rich

Captain Clarry started so well! His second quarter was particularly awesome, scoring a good 50-60 points in that alone. Alas, Oliver waned and scored a slightly below average 112. Seoul really, really would have liked more from its captain, but its certainly not a terrible result. Fortunately for Seoul, Salem came to the party with 111, whilst Pacific duo Hurley and Smith only combined for 144.

Seoul still with some work to do.

	Seoul Magpies					Pacific Islanders
POS	Traditional	SCO	PEN	ADJ	POS	Traditional	SCO	PEN	ADJ
D1	Nick Haynes	34		34	D1	Rory Laird	108		108
D2	Christian Salem	111		111	D2	Michael Hurley	60		60
D3	Lachie Weller	0		0	D3	Bailey Williams	0		0
D4	Zach Tuohy	0		0	D4	Liam Duggan	97		97
M1	Clayton Oliver	112		112	M1	Tom Mitchell	0		0
M2	Patrick Dangerfield	0		0	M2	Marcus Bontempelli	0		0
M3	Josh Kelly	109		109	M3	Andrew Gaff	123		123
M4	Will Setterfield	0		0	M4	Jarryd Lyons	0		0
R1	Ben McEvoy	0		0	R1	Jarrod Witts	0		0
F1	Charlie Dixon	0		0	F1	Devon Smith	84		84
F2	Jamie Elliott	0		0	F2	Matt Taberner	0		0
F3	Jonathon Ceglar	0		0	F3	Josh Jenkins	0		0
F4	Jake Riccardi	76		76	F4	Peter Wright	0		0
U1 (MID )	Ed Curnow	0		0	U1 (MID )	Harry Perryman	109		109
U2 (MID )	Liam Shiels	0		0	U2 (DEF MID)	Zac Bailey	0		0
E1 (MID )	Marc Murphy	0	0	0	E1 (DEF )	Andrew McPherson	79	0	0
E2 (DEF )	Nathan Wilson	0	0	0	E2 (DEF )	Aliir Aliir	0	0	0
E3 (MID FWD)	Bailey Scott	51	0	0	E3 (MID )	Adam Tomlinson	70	0	0
E4 (MID )	Lachlan Fogarty	0	0	0	E4 (DEF FWD)	Tim O'Brien	0	0	0
E5 (FWD )	Rhylee West	0	0	0	E5 (FWD )	Sam Day	0	0	0
E6 (FWD )	Darcy Fogarty	59	0	0	E6 (FWD )	Tom McCartin	0	0	0
E7 (DEF )	Caleb Graham	0	0	0	E7 (RUC )	Zac Smith	0	0	0
E8 (MID FWD)	Liam Henry	0	0	0	E8 (DEF RUC)	Bailey J Williams	50	DNP	0
C	Clayton Oliver	112		112	CC	Tom Mitchell	0		0
VC	Patrick Dangerfield	0		0	CC	Marcus Bontempelli	0		0
		Total:	554	5			Total:	581	6

[Purple 77]

In play

At quarter time in Brisbane v Carlton, Seoul have Ed Curnow (23) and Marc Murphy (26) off to good starts. Pacific meanwhile have Jarryd Lyons (19) and Zac Bailey (7) off to less than ideal starts, but its still early days.