WXV: The Moscow Spetsnaz

[meow meow]

Beginnings

Moscow was selected to be one of the foundation teams in the WXV competition.
Moscow is the 5th largest city proper in the World, and boasts a population of over 10.8 million people. The city is a major political, economic, cultural and scientific center in Russia and on the continent of Eurpope. Based on Forbes 2011, Moscow has the largest community of billionaires in the world. Moscow is the northernmost megacity on Earth, the second most populous city in Europe.

The general managers and marketing team decided that the team would be known as the Moscow Spetsnaz. Spetsnaz (in Russian: спецназ) is an umbrella term for any special forces in Russian, literally "special purpose forces".

meow meow was appointed as the senior coach of Moscow ahead of it's inaugural season.

Smirnoff was named as the major sponsor. The Smirnoff brand began with a vodka distillery founded in Moscow by Pyotr Arsenievich Smirnov.



Gazprom was named as the secondary sponsor. Gazprom is the largest extractor of natural gas in the world and the largest Russian company.




Home Ground

The Grand Sports Arena of the Luzhniki Olympic Complex, or briefly Luzhniki Stadium was selected as the home ground of the new Moscow franchise. It is the biggest sports stadium in Russia, and it's total seating capacity is 89,318 seats, all covered.









Playing Strip

Moscow's logo and playing strip is based on the skull and crossbone design, but we have substituted the Russian designed and built AK-47 for the bones. The AK-47 ties in with the military focused Spetsnaz name. We have also included a vector point of Moscow City, and an outline of Russia.



Season 2012

Drafting and Trading
2012 Season
Kalashnikov Medal

[meow meow]

WXV Draft

The WVX draft began on the 17th of October, 2011 and will be seen as the most crucial factor in the future performances of all the WXV teams. The task was huge and the pressure to get picks right was on. There was an amazing amount of talent up for grabs. The following is a complete list of every taken by Moscow in the draft, and the coaches thoughts behind drafting them.


#1 (11 overall) Nic Naitanui
"Our whole plan is to gather the best young talents in the land, and take a couple of years to develop them further. We see Nic as a player who is on the verge of greatness. We believe he will be the standout player in his position in the near future. At just 21 years of age he will be around for a very long time. The best tap ruckman by a mile, and when he adds more marks and possession to his game he will be an elite scorer"

#2 (26) Dustin Martin
"We expect Martin to be one of the best forward/mids in the competition in a year or two. We draft him expecting him to be classed as a forward. If he is a mid only, then it won't be bad either. 20 years old with 10 years ahead of him. An exceptional kicker of the ball, which bodes well for his scoring possibilities"

#3 (46) Heath Shaw
"In our view Heater is the best backman in the competition. Never gets beaten in a one-on-one contest, and is usually a very good long kick. He's younger than people think and we plan to have him lead the backline for the next 5+ years."

#4 (62) Shaun Higgins
"A surprise to a lot of people to see Shaun taken here. We see him as a consistent scorer, who is capable of scoring 100's regularly, while rarely ever producing terrible games. Will be a forward forever. Talented and never wastes a disposal. His injury history has been due to bad luck and we think he'll prove a few doubters wrong. At 23 years old he has time on his side"

#5 (83) Brian Lake
"Brian has been one of the best key backmen in the league for years, and his scoring reflects this. Wins contested marks at will. Had a terrible year last year due to injury, but we'll back him in to bounce back, and we think he has a few good years left in him yet."

#6 (98) Dayne Beams
"We considered taking him with our 4th round pick, so we're happy to get him in round 6. Has shown steady improvement every year and hopefully he can continue the trend. Another good long kick, and goal kicking midfielder. 21 years old and has room for improvement."

#7 (119) Jonathan Brown
"30 years old and has a few good seasons left in him yet. Hopefully he can be a solid contributer, and if he returns to anything like his best form, then he'll be amazing value at #119"

#8 (134) Marty Clarke
"Marty is an elite kick, and is in the age bracket we're looking for. Should form a good partnership as a rebounding defender with Heath. He was excited to play football again after hearing that the competition is going worldwide."

#9 (153) Tyrone Vickery
"Booted 36 goals in 2011 and we think he will be a solid contributor to our forward line. Has plenty of upside and we think he'll develop into a really good forward."

#10 (170) Tom Liberatore
"Libba burst onto the AFL scene in amazing fashion. His decision making and disposal in a contested situation is first class. Has a very accurate left foot and rarely wastes a possession. We're hopeful that he'll continue to improve and eventually become one of the premier mids."

#11 (190) Allen Christensen
"A premiership player in the AFL at just 20 years of age. This guy is pure class, but he's also a hard worker. Could win league best and fairest in 5 years time."

#12 (205) Thomas Lynch
"We think Tom will be one of the best centre half forwards sooner rather than later. Has excellent mobility for a big man and is the kind of guy you can build a forward line around. Rarely goes missing like a lot of key forwards tend to do."

#13 (226) Harley Bennell
"Smooth moving, long kicking and clean with his hands, Harley Bennell is a star of the future. Will be a part of our emerging midfield that we hope will dominate the competition in a few years time."

#14 (242) Jordan Roughead
"Good mobile ruckman who is more than just backup to Nic Nat. Will get plenty of opportunity to show his wares and he is another of our 19-23 year old midfielders."

#15 (263) Brandon Matera
"We think Brandon will play his whole career in a role similar to Paul Chapman and ROK. Small forward who is ultra dangerous around goal, but can also accumulate possessions and score well even if he's not booting goals."

#16 (278) Ryan Bastinac
"Another of the young midfielders who is due to improve. The best handballer in the game over 20 metres. Ready to breakout."

#17 (299) Justin Sherman
"We recruited Justin as a forward, and we hope he can find his form of a couple of seasons ago when he averaged 90. He's not too old at 24 years of age and he should be entering the prime of his career."

#18 (314) Brodie Smith
"Talented young backman who will be one of the better scorers in his position in a few years due to his clean ball use. Needs to bulk up a little bit but he has a lot of upside."

#19 (335) Steven Morris
"This guy attacks the ball like very few players do. May not be ultra skillful but we know we'll get 100% effort, 100% of the time. 24 years old and has plenty of football ahead of him."

#20 (350) Chris Masten
"Masten's best is elite, his worst is terrible. We hope that he is at the age where he starts to remove the inconsistency from his game, and can perform at a high level regularly, instead of sporadically."

#21 (370) Jarrod Witts
"Monster is a word that comes to mind when asked to describe this guy. He is huge, but he has very good hands for a man his size. Needs to work on his tank, but we think he will dominate opponents in 3 years time. Forms a trio of under 22 rucks that will dominate the WXV for years."

#22 (386) Kelvin Moore
"Kel is a bit of a forgotton man. He had some brutal injuries. We think that he will return well, and be a solid contributor for a few years while our young backmen develop."

#23 (407) Dustin Fletcher
"Still one of the best kicks in the game, and we think he has got a couple of good years left in him. Has been a very good scorer in the past, and he will play a role much the same as Moore."

#24 (422) Matthew Panos
"Panos is probably the best set shot in the entire AFL. Kicked 26 goals straight in the last 6 weeks of the VFL season and we think he'll be a pretty handy forward."

#25 (441) Mitch Brown
"Pick 14 a few years back but couldn't break into the Geelong team. Could turn out to be a very good player if given the opportunity."

#26 (456) Richard Tambling
"Have high hopes for 'bling. A new role across half back, in a new team should provide him with a fresh burst of enthusiasm."

#27 (478) Tom Young
"Every team needs a ranga, and Youngy has shown a bit in the past to suggest he could develop into a handy half back."

#28 (494) Alex Sexton
"Who? That's what most people would be saying about this guy right about now. Extremely talented youngster who can play anywhere on the ground. We have full faith in this guy, and expect him to add to our young, emerging midfield group."

#29 (515) Jack Hutchins
"In our eyes Jack is the next Nathan Bock. Powerful athlete who takes the game on, which is rare for a key backman. Came 2nd to Eamon Sullivan at the national championships one year, which shows how much of an all round athlete this fella is."

#30 (530) Ben Sinclair
"Silky small forward who is due for an opportunity soon. Had a bad run with injury and needs a lucky break. Can find the footy well for a small player."

#31 (551) Nathan Wilson
"An unknown to most people, Nathan Wilson is an elite set shot at goal. Can kick goals from outside 50 with ease. We hope he learns how to find more of the football, but when he does get it good things happen.

#32 (566) Jackson Allen
"Possibly the best kick on our entire list. Good in a contest too. Was hidden away up in Queensland so not too many people got a look at him. We're happy to have gotten both of Sexton and Allen. In a few years time he will be an important component of our backline.

#33 (587) Tom Williams
"We thought he showed a bit in the absence of Lake. Entering the stage of his career where he could start to have impact on games. Recruited him as backup mainly, but hope he can improve."

#34 (602) Jon Ceglar
"20 year old ruckman who may get an opportunity soon. Not outstanding at anything, but no major defects to his game either."

#35 (623) Steven May
"If Hutchins isn't getting a gig, then Steven May will be. Typical defensive backman, but is strong enough to take a few contested marks here and there."

#36 (638) Sam Schulz
"The first player ever selected by GWS. We don't expect too much from him considering he was taken in the 36th round, but there have been some gems taken late in drafts so who knows?"

#37 (659) Paul Cribbin
"The mid sized Irishman has shown steady improvement since swapping codes. If he keeps up his current rate of improvement he may become a decent half back/mid."

#38 (674) Paul Seedsman
"We selected Paul purely as a joke. He's not the sharpest tool in the shed but he is fun to pick on. Has a nice sidestep though, and is young enough and skilled enough to be given a chance."

2011 National Draft

#1 (8th pick overall) Will Hoskin-Elliott
"We are absolutely thrilled to get Will to the club. We would have taken him with pick #1 if we had it. He has elite running capabilities, is an excellent 60 metre kick which will see him score well, and has a huge leap which sees him able to outmark just about anyone. We see him as a faster version of Nathan Fyfe."

#2 (29) Sam Kerridge
"Sam is a tough inside mid who can also play up forward to great effect. We don't think he'll take long to find an opportunity at senior level due to his body size. Will be a beast in a few years."

#3 (44) Tory Dickson
"This guy should get an opportunity immediately and will provide depth or a starting option from day one while Matera and Lynch get more experience. Looks to be a good all round player."

#4 (65) Jason Blake
"Jason was recruited as a veteran who may be called upon for a handful of games here and there while our youngsters develop."

2011 Rookie Draft

#1 (6th overall) Caolan Mooney
"Mooney is a super athlete but has never played a game of AFL. He was a star at Gaelic football and appears to have plenty of outstanding qualities. Had he have been at the draft camp, he would have broken the record for the 20m sprint, the standing vertical leap, and the agility tests. He'll take some time, but he could be absolutely anything."

#2 (31) Richard Newell
"Richard is a running machine. Hard at a contest. Not overly skilled but he has a crack."

#3 (42) John Heslin
"Another Irishman. Plays a brutal style of game that saw him get suspended regularly back in Ireland."

#4 (67) Corey Gault
"We like the look of this guy. Very mobile for a ruckman and we think he is perfectly suited to the Leigh Brown role. Has good disposal by foot and gets some nice hitouts to advantage. Needs to work on his fitness but we think he has a good shot at making it."

Trades

1. Moscow trades Brian Lake to Beijing for Adam Treloar
"While we think that Brian is a star, we think Treloar will be a superstar of the future. We gave up our 5th pick of the WXV draft for Adam so we obviously rate him extremely highly. He'll add to the group of super talents in the midfield."

2. Moscow trades Chris Masten to Cairo for Jordan Russell
"We think Masten is too inconsistent, and we'd rather have a player who MIGHT come good playing for us in the backline, rather than in the vital midfield position."

3. Moscow trades Jarrod Witts to the Pacific Islanders for James Frawley
"We think that Witts will be a superstar, but we have enough quality in the ruck department so we could move him on. He'll take a few years. James Frawley is 24 years old and has plenty of years left, but can also make Moscow more competitive straight away."

Preseason Update.

John Brown smashed his face. Again.
John Heslin decided he wanted to go back to Ireland.
Cribbin has had his teeth knocked out and a bone in his face broken, while he was out drinking with Mooney..
Treloar has been spotted once, wearing a moonboot. Wouldn't have any miles into his legs - is way off AFL fitness.
Beams hasn't been spotted at all, due to shin soreness.
Tom Williams dislocated his shoulder and is out for 16 weeks or so.
Jack Hutchins managed to roll an ankle, stretch a ligament in his knee, hyperextend his elbow and dislocate a finger in one single incident.
Kel Moore hasn't recovered from his hip injury yet.
Justin Sherman has had hand surgery to repair damaged ligaments.
On a positve note, Ceglar, Kerridge, Sexton, Dickson are all putting their hand up to play early in the season.

[FisherSaints]

Wondering if any of your team will be playing

[meow meow]

I can rely on Higgins to stay fit and healthy.

[PowerBug]

LOL

[ossie85]

Player   AFL12   WXV12   RXV12   AVEAFL   AVEWXVU   AVERES
Dustin Martin   7   7   0   85.43   85.43   NA
Ryan Bastinac   7   7   0   78.29   78.29   NA
Shaun Higgins   7   7   0   70.14   70.14   NA
Allen Christensen   7   6   1   83.86   89.83   48.00
Martin Clarke   7   6   1   82.29   87.67   50.00
Jordan Roughead   7   6   1   60.86   55.83   91.00
Dayne Beams   6   6   0   97.67   97.67   NA
Harley Bennell   7   5   2   90.29   89.40   92.50
Dustin Fletcher   7   5   2   90.43   89.00   94.00
Brodie Smith   7   5   2   62.14   64.80   55.50
James Frawley   6   5   1   86.00   84.40   94.00
Nic Naitanui   5   5   0   107.20   107.20   NA
Heath Shaw   5   5   0   105.40   105.40   NA
Jonathan Brown   5   5   0   62.40   62.40   NA
Tom Liberatore   6   4   2   71.17   73.25   67.00
Tyrone Vickery   6   4   2   46.17   40.75   57.00
Justin Sherman   4   4   0   99.25   99.25   NA
Brandon Matera   5   3   2   60.20   57.00   65.00
Adam Treloar   4   3   1   73.75   74.00   73.00
Ben Sinclair   7   2   5   52.29   55.00   51.20
Jason Blake   7   1   6   81.43   94.00   79.33
Tom Lynch   7   1   6   60.00   30.00   65.00
Jordan Russell   5   1   4   54.00   24.00   61.50
Paul Seedsman   5   1   4   30.20   20.00   32.75
Will Hoskin-Elliott   2   1   1   52.00   80.00   24.00
Steven Morris   7   0   7   63.14   NA   63.14
Tory Dickson   3   0   3   60.33   NA   60.33
Steven May   2   0   2   50.50   NA   50.50
Mitchell Brown   2   0   2   25.50   NA   25.50
Nathan Wilson   2   0   2   18.50   NA   18.50
Thomas Young   1   0   1   48.00   NA   48.00
Sam Kerridge   1   0   1   5.00   NA   5.00
Kelvin Moore   0   0   0   NA   NA   NA
Matthew Panos   0   0   0   NA   NA   NA
Richard Tambling   0   0   0   NA   NA   NA
Alex Sexton   0   0   0   NA   NA   NA
Jack Hutchins   0   0   0   NA   NA   NA
Jackson Allen   0   0   0   NA   NA   NA
Tom Williams   0   0   0   NA   NA   NA
Jonathon Ceglar   0   0   0   NA   NA   NA
Sam Schulz   0   0   0   NA   NA   NA
Paul Cribbin   0   0   0   NA   NA   NA
Caolan Mooney   0   0   0   NA   NA   NA
Richard Newell   0   0   0   NA   NA   NA
John Heslin   0   0   0   NA   NA   NA
Corey Gault   0   0   0   NA   NA   NA

[meow meow]

I'll step down if we finish last this year

Feeling reasonably confident that I'll be able to hold my spot next year.

I'm declaring finals as our goal for the year, and if we don't get there the club will be disappointed, but still bullish about the future.

Sitting at 6-5, and with 4 of the remaining 6 games to be played at home has us in with a chance of scraping into the eight. Not bad considering our list's best 15 averaged the least of any team's best 15 based on last year's scores.

The next two weeks are crucial for us. Both home games against quality opposition. The Warriors will be without their gun Marc Murphy, while we will be bringing back superstar Heath Shaw, with Christensen also a chance of returning.

Sensational effort in round 11 by our first selected player, Nic Naitanui. Performing and improving as expected, and we couldn't be any more thrilled with him. He was instrumental in the upset win against the previously undefeated Pumas.

Dustin Martin can lift, but he's one of three who have played every game thus far and has been reasonably solid. The other Dustin has been superb in defence. Higgins hasn't missed a game and is showing he's capable of big games. J. Brown is starting to come good and we'll be happy with 85's from him. Had one monster score which not only dragged us over the line in that game, but also served as a reminder that he's not done yet. Marty Clark is doing exactly what we expected and hoped for.

Dayne Beams and Harley Bennell have taken their games to elite levels, while Heater has maintained his status. GUNS.

I would like to see more out of Bastinac, Smith, Matera, Russell and Vickery. They have the potential and ability to rise to the challenge. Liberatore, Frawley and Roughead are a touch inconsistent but solid mostly. Sherman was on fire early, but may have burnt out too soon. Hopefully he can re-light the flame.

Young guns Sinclair, Treloar, Lynch and Sexton have been playing some good football in patches and are progressing nicely. Seedsman, Young, Hoskin-Elliott, Wilson, Brown, May, Schulz and Kerridge have had a taste and will be hungry for more. Mooney and Allen will be pushing hard in the latter part of the season. Plenty of depth here, and we've had more players get AFL games than any other team. Amazing stuff considering Moscow has the 2nd youngest list.

Christensen and Matera have been interrupted by injury and have room for improvement when they regain full fitness.
The trio of injured key defenders Williams, Hutchins and Moore are the only major injury concerns. Williams will be back in a couple of weeks.

Tory Dickson and Steven Morris have been providing valueable back up, while our last player selected, Jason Blake has performed amazingly well when required.

The Tambling experiment is the only failure. It's a blessing in disguise though, since someone has to make way for the next draft, and 95% of our list deserve to be retained.

[PowerBug]

You are never gonna stop saying how Higgins is ever so reliable are you?? :P

[CrowsFan]

How many players have you had who have played AFL this year meow?

33 of my 40 senior listed players have played a game this year, well actually played at least 2 games. Think mine must be right up there too

[meow meow]

How many players have you had who have played AFL this year meow?

33 of my 40 senior listed players have played a game this year, well actually played at least 2 games. Think mine must be right up there too

Schulz getting his first game this past week was number 34.

You are never gonna stop saying how Higgins is ever so reliable are you?? :P

Higgins is gunning for Jim Stynes' consecutive games record.

[ossie85]

I've got you penciled into the 8 meow, you've won 5 of the last 6 I believe

[meow meow]

Dustin Martin suspended for 2 weeks by Moscow management

Martin had had "a couple of bourbon and Cokes" and taken sleeping medication on the night before failing to turn up at training.

We at Moscow don't really have an issue with Martin missing training, or with him going out drinking on a monday night. The real issue is that he was drinking an alcoholic beverage that was NOT Smirnoff Vodka. The board has decided that this behaviour is simply unacceptable and disrespectful to our major sponsor, and as a result we have handed down a two match ban.

"We want to send a strong message that we don't accept this sort of behaviour and Dustin is now fully aware of this."



Announcement brought to you by Smirnoff - The official drink of international nightlife.

[ossie85]

Good press conference meow, putting the others on notice for that dispicable behaviour

[ossie85]

Higgins! Mr. Reliable fallen down :(

[meow meow]

It's amazing that he lasted this long.