AXV: Round 3 Match Report

[BB67th]

Hey guys, here is my first weekly wrap on the weekend's matches, hope you like it :D

Bangladesh Bears 1845 def. Sri Lanka Strikers 1567

Late Changes
Bears: Alipate Carlile replaced Beau Waters
Strikers: Jamie Elliot replaced a twice named Josh Jenkins

Best
Bears: Nathan Fyfe, Nick Riewoldt, Andrew Walker, Greg Broughton, Paul Duffield, Mitch Robinson, Ben McEvoy
Strikers: Justin Westhoff, Josh J. Kennedy, Reece Conca

A quite comfortable win at home here for Bangladesh. Clearly the stronger team, they outclassed the Strikers. While skipper Joel Selwood disappointed, a whole range of players, lead by Nathan Fyfe and Nick Riewoldt, stepped up to the plate and scored big to make sure they won this game. Could Fyfe possibly be receiving the big C or VC next week? Both teams forward lines scored very well, with the Strikers showing that they have the best forward line in the league at the moment, with plenty of depth. However, Sri Lanka's midfield really struggled this week, with Jack and Sidebottom not doing much. While Kennedy and Westhoff had massive games, they just couldn't do enough to get the Strikers over the line. The Bears did lose Waters in the team warm up and he was replaced by Carlile, who did an able job. Waters is currently seen as a 50/50 chance to be fit for next week. Bangladesh is looking good though as current premiership favourites, and are sitting on top of the ladder.

KL Crocodiles 1697 def. by Manila Folders 1782

Late Changes
None

Best
Crocodiles: Harley Bennell, Luke Parker, Scott Pendlebury (C), Harry Taylor, Michael Hurley, Daniel Rich
Folders: Travis Cloke, Brock McLean, Dane Swan (C), Chris Mayne, Michael Johnson

This match was an interesting affair that went right down to the wire. In the end, Travis Cloke was the difference between the two teams and the match winner with 178 points and 5 goals. Big scores from Brock McLean and skipper Dane Swan also made sure that the game was won. There weren't too many big scores, but consistent scores across the board, with everyone chipping in. Dropping Bernie Vince for the returning Hayden Ballantyne proved to be a very good move as Vince was named the sub. The win puts Manila into second place on the premiership ladder, the only club undefeated along with the Bears.
For the Crocodiles there was a big game from Pendlebury, but with poor scores from Johncock, Dahlhaus, Frawley and Liberatore, they couldn't get to the line. Even with the home ground advantage they just lacked the consistent scoring ability that Manila possessed. There was encouraging signs though from young guns Parker and Bennell and Taylor showed why he is the best intercept mark defender in the league, and also chipped in with a couple of goals up forward.

Bangkok Crabs 1725 def. by UAE Tigers 1854

Late Changes
None

Best
Crabs: Jack Darling, Jack Steven, Steven Motlop, Adam Treloar, Tom Hawkins Jonathon Griffin
Tigers: Brett Deledio, Dustin Martin, Colin Sylvia, Richard Douglas, Ryan Griffin, Allen Christensen, Clancee Pearce

A competitive game, with Bangkok just going down. Vice Captain Jack Darling again continued the strong form of forwards this week, booting 5 in an impressive display. Skipper Jack Steven also continues to show his development as a player. Bangkok was looking to get a very competitive score, until they were hurt by an out of position Steven Morris and a bit of a let down from the defence and utilities.
The Tigers put in an impressive display through all lines with each position carrying it's own weight. It was a solid win, but was hurt with an injury to ruckman Stefan Martin. With Aaron Sandilands already out for half the season, and with Martin a good chance to miss next week, the Tigers could be left with no recognised ruckman. Shaun McKernan doesn't look likely to play, leaving the Tigers undermanned. They are going to need another big game from Deledio and Martin (who finally finished a game well) if they are going to win next week.

Tibet Llamas 1530 def. by Laos Elephants 1923

Late Changes
None

Best
Llamas: P.Dangerfield, J.Trengove, A.Gaff, M.Wallis, C.Wingard
Elephants: S.Selwood, J.Redden, O.Wines, T.Boak, T.Goldstein, M.Barlow

Tibet put in an insipid performance this week and seemed to give up against the Elephants. In a game they would have felt they had a chance of winning at home, they put in a dismal performance. The defence was extremely poor with scores of 22, 38, 61 and 91. The midfield stood up, with able assistance from Smith in the ruck, but the decision to put Ty Vickery as Vice Captain continues to confuse rival XV coaches and wonder what tbagrocks is thinking. Hopefully the Llamas can put in a competitive performance next week and actually play some good football. Tibet stays winless for the season.
Meanwhile the Elephants had a great match, with all lines contributing strongly. Sad news in this one though, with key forward and #1 Draft Pick Jon Patton doing his ACL and will be out for the season. It paves the way for Alex Fasolo to come in next week after decent performances in the reserves. The omissions of defenders Watts and Nicholson did not worry Laos this week, with replacements Stratton and McDonald both scoring well.

Kathmandu Eskimos 1680 def. by Taiwan Dolphins 1720

Late Changes
None

Best
Eskimos: T.Cotchin, D.Hannebery, P.Ryder, C.Rioli, B.Howlett, M.Hibberd
Dolphins: G.Ablett, R.Sloane, D.Jackson, B.McGlynn

Kathmandu played a solid game, but the choice of Brad Ebert as skipper cost them in a close one. Hannebery and Howlett were courageous in the midfield, but the work of Gary Ablett as Dolphins skipper won the game (again). Lewis Jetta continued his run of poor form to start the season and could find himself on the chopping block this week. Sam Rowe impressed in the ruck on his AXV debut.
Almost defeated after the injury to vice captain Matthew Kruezer, meaning he only scored 40 points, luckily Jason Blake was brought into the team this week and courageously waged a war in the ruck against Sam Rowe. The clearance work of Sloane and Ablett worked a treat, meaning small forwards Ben McGlynn and Matthew Stokes had a field day. Corey Enright did a solid job marshaling the troops up back and the Dolphins managed to secure a tough away win.

Australian Ales 2080 def. Vietnam Vipers 1633

Late changes
None

Best
Ales: Shuey, Birchall, J.P.Kennedy, D.Pearce, Wells, Monfries, Hodge, Masten
Vipers: LeCras, Judd

Australia showed here why on their day, they can be a very dangerous team to face. They scored a whopping 2080 points, with only 4 players not reaching triple figures. In his first game for Australia, Luke Hodge was best on ground with his midfield work a vintage performance. They have a very strong team, the Ales, and when their small forwards have big games, watch out!
Vietnam didn't play too badly, but were merely outclassed in every facet of the game by a much better team. Still missing skipper Dayne Beams, fill in Mark LeCras put in a great performance, considering he only broke his arm two weeks ago. Beams is definitely being missed in the midfield, but young players Hill and Jones still put in a decent effort. At least the Vipers played with some conviction this week, but they remain on the bottom of the ladder.

Turkish Gazelles 1731 def. Hong Kong Dongs 1671

Late Changes
Gazelles: Jordan Russel replaced Robbie Gray
Dongs: Chris Newman replaced Liam Anthony

Best
Gazelles: Cox, Duncan, Cunnington, Mundy
Dongs: Franklin, K.Cornes, Montagna, Bartel

Quite an upset here with the Gazelles taking down the highly fancied Dongs. Turkey got a solid effort from all of their midfielders and utilities, while the ruck combo of Dean Cox and Ivan Maric seems to be working a treat. The defence probably scored a little low, but the home ground advantage ensured Turkey of their second win of the season.
Hong Kong will feel they were robbed in this one, with Luke McPharlin being lined up and concussed before scoring a single point in his game. If he had played, he would have been the difference that got the Dongs over the line. Poor efforts from Fletcher, Schulz and Pavlich meant that they just couldn't get the win away. Kane Cornes played a very good game though and showed some vintage form.

PNG Head Hunters 1993 def. by Mongolian Lambs 2059

Late changes
PNG: Jeff Garlett played in the ruck as no one was named
Mongolia: None

Best
PNG: Armitage, Rockliff, A.Swallow, Burgoyne, Heppell, Ward, DeBoar, J.Bolton
Mongolia: Murphy, O'Keefe, McVeigh, J.Riewoldt, J.Hill, S.Johnson, Malceski, Houli, Hanley

Well the last game of the round was a very high scoring one with both teams almost scoring over the 2000 mark. Players on both sides played big games, but David Armitage's run down the wing for PNG and strong goalkicking from Jude Bolton couldn't quite get PNG over the line.
A big bag for Jack Riewoldt and strong midfield form from O'Keefe and skipper Murphy managed to secure Mongolia an important away win. After a couple of dismal performances to start the season, the Lambs really bounced back and showed that they will be a contender this year with a very good score. Still, they sit only 12th on the ladder and will be looking to consolidate on this win in the next couple of weeks.

Round 3 Premiership Ladder



Next Week

Round # 4 â€" 19th April 2013

FOLDERS v BEARS
TIGERS v STRIKERS
ELEPHANTS v CROCODILES
DOLPHINS v CRABS
VIPERS v LLAMAS
DONGS v ESKIMOS
LAMBS v ALES
HEAD HUNTERS v GAZELLES

The big match next week is the top of the table clash with Manila hosting Bangladesh in a contest between the only two teams who remain undefeated. Both teams are carrying strong form into the match, so it should be a cracking contest. Also on the other end of the scale is the match between the bottom two sides, Vipers and Llamas. Will Ty Vickery by Vice Captain again?

[Justin Bieber]

Wow great effort and nice work :)

Elephants vs Crocs will be match of round. This could catapult the Elephants into the top 8 :o

[Jay]

Nice write-up BB.

Tigers vs. Strikers will be match of the round, lez. Two evenly matched teams going for top 4

[Justin Bieber]

Nice write-up BB.

Tigers vs. Strikers will be match of the round, lez. Two evenly matched teams going for top 4

I wouldn't be heading for top 4 with a sub standard 1500 score :o

[Nails]

Yeah flower the Gayzelles.

Should have stuck with J. Brown - after showing nothing first 2 rounds he smashed in round 3. If we stuck with him over Schulz or Pavlich, we would've won even against a team with HGA

or if McPharlin played out the game - a win there too.

Now it looks like we're a middle of the pack team thanks to a pathetic showing from most of our team.

Biggest issue for the Dongs is getting right who to and who not to field.

Cheers BB, nice write up.

[Jroo]

Nice write up BB  :)
Going to be a close match with the Tigers and the Strikers.

[Shihan7]

Nice write up BB :)

[Justin Bieber]

Folders even though massively hyped and overrated. They only ave less than 15 points more than me. Pretty embarrassing I must say. On form and consistency Ales, Bears and HeadHunters are te favourites as they can score well every week.

[Colliwobblers]

great work BB.

[Memphistopheles]

Quietly confident to take down the Crabs this week despite probably having no ruckman.

They say the sign of a good team is being able to win when you're not playing well. We've played rubbish in the first three games and have two wins so I guess that makes us a good team :D

Waiting for Ablett to go bang again this week and going to slap the VC on Sloane permanently (watch him get injured/tagged now with my VC curse).

[Adamant]

Very nice work BB, really enjoyed it. :)

Hopefully we can get Captain Boydy and Danny Stanley back this week and smash the Folders. ;)

[monstrum]

damn! really blew it this week with my captain choice :( oh well lol..

could really use a ruckman as well!!.. was quietly happy when Ben Reid went down as for a split second i thought it was Hudson and i thought the pies would have no chance but to play Witts next week!! .. I need my man Zac Clarke back big time :(


great work to BB for the write up!! :)

[Justin Bieber]

Quietly confident to take down the Crabs this week despite probably having no ruckman.

They say the sign of a good team is being able to win when you're not playing well. We've played rubbish in the first three games and have two wins so I guess that makes us a good team :D

Waiting for Ablett to go bang again this week and going to slap the VC on Sloane permanently (watch him get injured/tagged now with my VC curse).

Ablett injured and looked hampered by it. Maybe he should leave the skipper role? haha

[Memphistopheles]

Quietly confident to take down the Crabs this week despite probably having no ruckman.

They say the sign of a good team is being able to win when you're not playing well. We've played rubbish in the first three games and have two wins so I guess that makes us a good team :D

Waiting for Ablett to go bang again this week and going to slap the VC on Sloane permanently (watch him get injured/tagged now with my VC curse).

Ablett injured and looked hampered by it. Maybe he should leave the skipper role? haha

Scored three straight tons and 192 the first week. No way he's leaving the skipper role. Sloane has scored better the last two games though but Gaz's ceiling is just to hard to pass up.

[Noz]

#GazellesForPremiership