WXV: Sao Paulo Pumas

[Purple 77]

Berlin are missing a bunch of players -including Fyfe, Steven and Crouch - leaving Wells as their big mid. Lose to them and alarm bells will sound!

It would be a bloody miracle if my personnel can win me this match.  :-\

[CrowsFan]

Meanwhile the Buenos Aires Armadillos are watching from the distance praying the Pumas go 0-3

I'm sure there are many who are hoping that. On the bright side better draft picks for me 8)

Berlin are missing a bunch of players -including Fyfe, Steven and Crouch - leaving Wells as their big mid. Lose to them and alarm bells will sound!

Well I'm sure they can name a defense. White survived the Friday arvo cull, but still waiting for word on Silvagni. Apparently he is still in Perth, yet named to be playing tonight in Melbourne... ???

[ossie85]

Should give my congratulations to GARY ABLETT JNR

Who has just become the first player to cross the magical 10,000 point barrier (10,288) points in the last round. Very comfortably in front, but Pendles not too far back.

Ablett   Gary jnr   10288   Sao Paulo
Pendlebury   Scott   9153   Toronto
Swan   Dane   8243   Buenos Aires
Selwood   Joel   7434   Cape Town/Dublin
Jack   Kieran   7035   Tokyo
Stanton   Brent   6601   London
Rockliff   Tom   6293   New Delhi/Pacific/Dublin
Deledio   Brett   6087   Seoul/Wellington
Cox   Dean   5986   New York/Buenos Aires
Kennedy   Josh P   5933   Cape Town

[Torpedo10]

Does that include Captaincy points?

[ossie85]

Does that include Captaincy points?

Yup

[Ringo]

Does that include Captaincy points?

Yup

Which is why Stanton is on the list.

[CrowsFan]

Round 3 - Pumas Prove They Still Have Bite

Berlin Brewers (18.14.122) lost to Sao Paulo Pumas (23.18.156)

Best
Berlin: D Jackson, R Conca, M Hibberd, D Wells
Sao Paulo: G Ablett, R Sloane, Ja Roughead, W Minson, J Gunston, H Hartlett, M Wright

An inspired performance by captain Gary Ablett has lead the Pumas to an impressive 34 point victory over the Berlin Brewers. After a disappointing opening two rounds there were question marks over the capabilities of the Pumas this year, but this performance has put the rest of the competition on notice that the Pumas aren't done yet. In a must win match the Pumas made four changes from the previous round with Sam Jacobs, Jake Stringer and David Zaharakis all omitted whilst Roberton missed through injury. In to the side came club best and fairest Will Minson and league MVP Andrew Walker, as well as Jared Polec and Marco Paparone who were both making their debuts for the club. Polec battled with injuries last year and only managed 1 game for the Jaguars, but has impressed so far this year, whilst Paparone was picked up in the draft last year after being delisted by the Revolution after just one season.

There were many fine performances all over the ground, with perhaps White the only disappointment. On a sour note Chris Masten picked up an injury and will miss the next 2-3 rounds, whilst Devon Smith has been suspended for a round. Hopefully this match was not a one off and the Pumas can replicate this form over the next few rounds, starting first against Toronto in the next round.

Reserves
Rhineland Rum-Runners (7.5.47) lost to Rio de Janeiro Jaguars (9.7.61)

Best
Rhineland: Nil
Rio de Janeiro: S Jacobs

Another match another win for the Jaguars who are now 3-0 for the season. Despite such a low scoring affair Sam Jacobs responded terrifically to being dropped to the reserves by putting in a man of the match display, and find himself wearing Puma colours very soon.

[ossie85]

Great read,  I'm backing a Wolf epic this week

[CrowsFan]

Round 4 - Back to Back Wins Puts Pumas Back in the Eight

Toronto Wolves (22.15.147) lost to Sao Paulo Pumas (23.16.154)

Best
Toronto: S Pendlebury, L Adams, B Cunnington, J White, M Johnson
Sao Paulo: G Ablett, J Gunston, R Sloane, S Jacobs, M Wright, B Houli

The Pumas are back in the eight after a solid performance against a strong Toronto side lead by superstar Scott Pendlebury. Despite missing Chris Masten and Devon Smith the Pumas performed admirably to record their second win of the season, putting them at 2-2. Ablett was brilliant as usual, whilst his understudy Sloane is fast becoming one of the games elite players. Gunston and Wright were dominant up forward, Houli dynamic down back and Jacobs bossed the game from siren to siren. Harwood made a welcome return to the side and Polec continued his impressive change of fortune this year.

Overall it was a great performance, and great to back up last weeks game to show that the Pumas still have strength despite a poor start to the season. Next week Sao Paulo travel to New York to take on the 5th placed Revolution. Win that and the season will be looking a lot brighter than it was just one week ago.


Reserves
Toronto Wolves (11.6.72) defeated Rio de Janeiro Jaguars (4.5.29)

Best
Toronto: J Lisle
Rio de Janeiro: Nil

The Jaguars tasted their first defeat of the season this round, going down to a strong Wolves reserves team. The team was struggling to get players on to the side, but should be bolstered with the returns of a few from suspensions to look for that next win.

[Nails]

In other news Pumas thanking their lucky stars that they weren't fixtured against Dillos this week and were lucky to have Wolves.

[CrowsFan]

In other news Pumas thanking their lucky stars that they weren't fixtured against Dillos this week and were lucky to have Wolves.

Could say the same thing for last round. In fact I will...

Dillos thanking their lucky stars that they weren't fixtured against Pumas this week and were lucky to have Wolves.

We'll just have to see when we play in round 17 ;)

[Jukes]

Not worth sacrificing the reserves perfect record for a league win imo

[Nails]

In other news Pumas thanking their lucky stars that they weren't fixtured against Dillos this week and were lucky to have Wolves.

Could say the same thing for last round. In fact I will...

Dillos thanking their lucky stars that they weren't fixtured against Pumas this week and were lucky to have Wolves.

We'll just have to see when we play in round 17 ;)

Toronto Wolves - the team to play when scoring just enough is good enough.

[CrowsFan]

Round 5 - Pumas Continue Climb Up Ladder After New York Mauling

New York Revolution (17.11.113) lost to Sao Paulo Pumas (22.13.145)

Best
New York: T Cloke, J Macrae
Sao Paulo: G Ablett jnr, J Gunston, S Jacobs, J Polec, R Sloane, M Wright, A Walker

A dominant performance by the Pumas saw them walk away 32 point winners over the wayward Revolution. Ablett once again lead from the front and was aided by his deputy Sloane. Jacobs made it easy work for the mids winning taps at the stoppages all day, which then lead to Gunston and Wright capitalizing up front. With Zaharakis and Stringer filling in down back it was important for Walker to find the form he had last year when winning the leagues MVP, and he did just that, putting in his best performance so far this season.

The biggest positive was Jared Polec, who continues to show an amazing turn around this year after making no impact last year whatsoever. He was daunted during his first season at the club, struggling to make the transition from a poorly run New Delhi team to the tightly run Pumas. He has adapted to the playing culture this year and it is truly showing benefits. A hot tip to pick up the most improved award come the end of season.


Reserves
Reserves
Washington Rebellion (5.6.36) lost to Rio de Janeiro Jaguars (8.9.57)

Best
Washington: B Griffiths, K Kolodjashnij
Rio de Janeiro: C Masten

After missing last weeks match through injury Chris Masten had to settle for a spot in the reserves this week. A man of the match performance, leading the Jaguars to their 4th win of the season, will see him reclaim his spot in the Pumas side to face Beijing next week. Simon White and Marco Paparone were serviceable down back and up forward respectively, whilst Masten was aided by Ben Jacobs and Mitch Wallis. After winning the Rising Star in 2012 Wallis has really struggled to impose himself on the game in the following seasons, but we hope he can turn himself around and display the form which won him the medal soon enough.

[roo boys!]

In other news Pumas thanking their lucky stars that they weren't fixtured against Dillos this week and were lucky to have Wolves.

Could say the same thing for last round. In fact I will...

Dillos thanking their lucky stars that they weren't fixtured against Pumas this week and were lucky to have Wolves.

We'll just have to see when we play in round 17 ;)

Toronto Wolves - the team to play when scoring just enough is good enough.

Bit late to reply to this...but unfortunately it is true.

I do remember knocking a certain Buenos Aires side out of finals a couple years back though