WXV: Beijing Thunder

[Toga]

Pumas too good for depleted Beijing outfit

D: C.Hooker (VC) (69), H.Taylor (38), E.Yeo (82), J.Hunt (68)
M: O.Wines (C) (190), M.Rosa (61), J.Aish (144), D.Stanley (86)
R: B.Grundy (65)
F: S.Mayes (93), E.Betts (84), J.Petrenko (41), T.Varcoe (72)
I/C: L.Neale (82), S.Gray (52)

A huge performance from young gun midfielder James Aish was not enough to get the Thunder over the line in what was always going to be a tough trip to Sao Paulo to take on the reigning premiers of the WXV competition. The Pumas were well lead from the front by captain Gary Ablett Jnr and emerging superstar Rory Sloane, who were too good for the Thunder on the day. The recently in-form Cale Hooker wasn't able to hit the heights he had in earlier rounds, while the experienced Harry Taylor has some real form worries at the moment. Aish was clearly our best on ground for the weekend, while Ollie Wines again put up a solid captain's performance. Sam Mayes, Danny Stanley and Lachie Neale were all impressive. We hope we can really test the Spetsnaz next week in what should be a hotly contested encounter.

Sao Paulo Pumas (23.13.151) defeated Beijing Thunder (19.8.122)

Best
Sao Paulo best: G.Ablett, R.Sloane, M.Wright
Beijing best: J.Aish

MVP Votes:
3. James Aish
2. Oliver Wines
1. Danny Stanley

Reserves: Rio de Janeiro Jaguars (8.8.56) lost to Shanghai Storm (10.7.67)

[Toga]

Aish a rising star

Congratulations to young midfielder James Aish who has been awarded the club's second WXV rising star nomination for his huge effort in our Round 6 clash against the Sao Paulo Pumas. In his fifth game for the club, which was easily his best to date, Aish showed just why Beijing decided to draft him with the #2 overall draft pick in the 2013 International Draft. Matched up against the competition's premier midfielder in Gary Ablett Jnr, Aish registered 25 disposals, going at 76% efficiency, along with 8 marks, four tackles and a goal.

Along with a nomination for the WXV rising star award, Aish was also recognised for his feats on the weekend in being named on the interchange in the Round 6 WXV Team of the Week.

[ossie85]

Great write ups as usual.  A lot to like about Beijing

[Toga]

Spetsnaz fight off resilient Thunder

D: C.Hooker (102), H.Taylor (106), E.Yeo (41), D.Glass (39)
M: O.Wines (C) (182), J.Aish (61), M.Jones (64.9), M.Rosa (116)
R: B.Grundy (66)
F: S.Mayes (VC) (86), E.Betts (28), T.Varcoe (36), J.Petrenko (67)
I/C: D.Stanley (66), L.Neale (119)

Despite another disappointing loss this week, there were some good signs that Thunder supporters can take away from the defeat. While the rested Matt Jones and everyone in our forward line bar Sam Mayes putting in a disappointing effort this week, there was a lot to like about how some of the boys went about their business. Cale Hooker continued his run as the competition's in-form defender with a classy job on the Moscow forward line, while star backman Harry Taylor returned to form with a bang. Ollie Wines was again serviceable as skipper, however he hasn't been able to hit his usual lofty heights in recent weeks. The big stories from the weekend however were underrated midfielders Matt Rosa and Lachie Neale, who both put in resounding efforts that will have the league on notice heading into the mid-season break. Neale was fantastic playing off the interchange bench, while Rosa battled well against a classy Moscow midfield. Coaches Master Q and Toga are upbeat despite the loss, and think there is a lot to like about the young Thunder outfit, confident that another win is on the card in the coming weeks.

Beijing Thunder (18.13.121) lost to Moscow Spetsnaz (20.12.132)

Best
Beijing best: L.Neale, M.Rosa, H.Taylor, C.Hooker
Moscow best: C.Ward

MVP Votes:
3. Lachie Neale
2. Matt Rosa
1. Harry Taylor

Reserves: Shanghai Storm (2.3.15) lost to Siberian Wolverines (14.11.95)

[Toga]

And woo Kane Mitchell upgraded from Port's rookie list, might be in line for a recall in the next couple of weeks! Had 31 touches in the ressies on the weekend so is in some fine form, could definitely use him at the moment with our injuries!

[Toga]

Mitchell impresses in return game

Kane Mitchell returned to the senior team this week in our Round 8 clash against the Berlin Brewers in resounding fashion earning team-best honours in a dominant display. Despite being named as emergency, Mitchell was recalled to the senior team to replace the unnamed Jared Petrenko, and grasped his opportunity with both hands, amassing twenty disposals, including 15 by foot, along with  eight tackles and two goals.

Kane's return has come at a good time for us, after our depth has been seriously hit by injuries to key players. We hope he can continue his good form into the coming weeks and establish himself as a Best XV player for the Thunder!

[Toga]

Reserved for Round 8 Review

[Toga]

Reserved for Round 9 Review

[Toga]

Reserved for Round 10 Review

[Toga]

Glass retires

In another blow to the club's depth, defensive guru Darren Glass has decided to retire from the game effective immediately. Having been with the club since the origin draft, Glass was an important member of the squad, coming in as a late replacement many times over the three years the club has been playing. Whilst not generally regarded as a Best XV player, Darren has provided much needed depth for us, particularly in the last two seasons where our list has been tested by youth and injuries, however after stringing together a few games this year, ankle and hip injuries have gotten the better of him, and he has decided to retire at 33 years of age.

We thank Darren for his time at the club and wish him all the best for the future!

[ossie85]

Some stats for Darren Glass.

- 20 WXV Games, twice named in the best, at an average of 61.15
- 18 Reserves Games at an average of 71.78

Achievements:
- 2012 Reserves All-Worlds Team

[Toga]

ROUND 8:
Berlin Brewers (23.12.150) defeated Beijing Thunder (19.10.124)

MVP Votes:
3. Kane Mitchell
2. Cale Hooker
1. Oli Wines

Reserves: Rhineland Rum-Runners (6.5.41) defeated Shanghai Storm (4.7.31)



ROUND 9:
Beijing Thunder (16.13.109) lost to Buenos Aires Armadillos (21.13.139)

MVP Votes:
3. Harry Taylor
2. Lachie Neale
1. Liam Shiels

Reserves: Shanghai Storm (0.6.6) lost to Buenos Aires Armadillos (8.3.51)



ROUND 10:
New York Revolution (17.17.119) defeated Beijing Thunder (16.15.111)

MVP Votes:
3. Oli Wines
2. Elliot Yeo
1. Liam Shiels

Reserves: Washington Rebellion (5.2.32) lost to Shanghai Storm (7.6.48)



ROUND 11:
Beijing Thunder (15.14.104) lost to Mexico City Suns (23.17.155)

MVP Votes:
3. Eddie Betts
2. Ollie Wines
1. Matt Rosa

Reserves: Shanghai Storm (7.4.46) lost to Mexico City Suns (15.11.101)



ROUND 12:
Beijing Thunder (20.12.132) lost to PNL Reindeers (21.16.142)

MVP Votes:
3. Lachie Neale
2. Ollie Wines
1. Matt Rosa

Reserves: Shanghai Storm (3.7.25) lost to Marseille Kings (30.12.192)



ROUND 13:
Dublin Destroyers (22.19.151) defeated Beijing Thunder (17.12.114)

MVP Votes:
3. James Aish
2. Ollie Wines
1. Eddie Betts

Reserves: Belfast Braves (15.11.101) defeated Shanghai Storm (6.7.43)

[Toga]

Thunder wins the Billions Cup!

D: H.Taylor (VC) (129), C.Hooker (52), A.Toovey (23)
M: O.Wines (C) (150), L.Shiels (80), M.Rosa (87), K.Mitchell (82)
R: B.Grundy (49)
F: J.Caddy (95), S.Mayes (49), T.Varcoe (54), E.Betts (114), B.Kennedy (123)
I/C: L.Neale (124), J.Aish (31)

Thunder win!! Thunder win!! In what was set to be a close encounter between two of the league's cellar dwellers, a relentless Beijing outfit were able to snap their 9-game losing streak with a win over the New Dehli Tigers. Lead by a mixture of the team's older heads, in Harry Taylor and Eddie Betts, and some of our young stars, namely Lachie Neale and Ben Kennedy, the team fought hard to deliver a 22-point win on our home deck. The win was soured by a season-ending injury to consistent midfielder Matt Rosa, who tore his pectoral muscle in a contest with an opposition player, while youngsters James Aish and Brodie Grundy look to be hitting a late-season wall with their performances gradually dropping over the last few weeks. Coach Toga was quoted saying he was thrilled with the team's performance, in particular the resounding displays put on by small midfielder/forward players Neale and Kennedy, who look to cement their spot in the team ahead of the end-of-season trade period in which the Thunder is sure to be an active player.

Go Thunder!

Beijing Thunder (19.13.127) defeated New Delhi Tigers (15.15.105)

Best
Beijing: H Taylor, L Neale, B Kennedy, E Betts
New Delhi: M Duncan, S Savage

MVP Votes:
3. Harry Taylor
2. Lachie Neale
1. Ben Kennedy

Reserves: Shanghai Storm (5.7.37) lost to Mumbai Elephants (12.7.79)

[Toga]

Injured trio set to sit out rest of season

   

In a disappointing blow for the club, we have found out over the last couple of weeks that three key members of our team are set to miss the rest of the season with injury.

Matt Rosa suffered a tear to his pectoral tendon in the weekend's clash with the New Delhi Tigers. The experienced wing man has been a central member in the Thunder midfield this season and has polled well in the club's MVP voting, and will be sure to be missed over the remainder of the season. The club will look to fringe players Matt Jones and Sam Gray to fill the void left by the veteran midfielder. Defender and part-time midfielder Elliot Yeo has also suffered a serious injury blow, breaking his hand during a game which will see him miss at least a month of football, however with the right rehabilitation we are hopeful he may be able to return to the team late in the season. His progress will be monitored.

Robbie Tarrant, who has struggled with injury concerns of his own for a majority of the season, has succumbed to a problem with his tibia, and will miss the rest of the season in hope of being 100% for the start of the 2015 season.

[Toga]

Mid-season: MVP in focus

Getting towards the pointy end of the season, the club's MVP award is gaining a bit of attention around the clubrooms... So which Thunder players are in the box seat to take out the medal? Here's our ladder to Round 14 of the WXV home and away season:

Player	Votes
O.Wines	22
L.Neale	11
C.Hooker	10
M.Rosa	8
=H.Taylor	8
J.Aish	6
E.Betts	4
=L.Shiels	4
K.Mitchell	3
=T.Varcoe	3
E.Yeo	2
B.Kennedy	1
=M.Jones	1
=D.Stanley	1

Our young captain this year in Ollie Wines is the clear leader in the race for the medal, but Lachie Neale has been impressive in recent weeks so has a chance to close in on Wines. Harry Taylor will be looking to consolidate his position on the leaderboard after winning last year's award, while James Aish would love to place in the top few in MVP rankings in only his first year at the club.