Such is ‘Fyfe (1730) vs Defenestrators (2047)
What a statement from the Defenestrators. Any doubt about their vulnerability has been quickly silenced with a ruthless display. Their 317-point win was set up by a very good team display – only five players scored less than 80. That, combined with Tom Mitchell (177) singing “anything you can do, I can do better”, made for yet another monster total from the men in pink. This was Paul’s sixth total above 2000 – the most of anyone in the league.
While the Defenestrators will take some catching, the boys at Such is ‘Fyfe’ need a lift from their Dockers. Lee Spurr (46), Cameron Sutcliffe (41) and Matt Taberner (40) all struggled…against Carlton. Such a poor end to the week really soured the score for the purple army after Joel Selwood (116) and Mitch Duncan (169) put on a heroic performance on the Friday. Now Nathan finds himself in that precarious seventh spot, which a talented coach will occupy at the end of the year.
Rico’s Roughnecks (2107) vs The Bailout Plan (1655)
Form alert! Rico’s Roughnecks are flying. Granted the Bailout Plan are back to bad habits and not picking a full team. Nevertheless, the Roughnecks form is ominous; their last three weeks read
-
2045, win
-
2099, win
-
2107, win
That’s a seriously foreboding form line. With a three round average of 2083, the Roughnecks are putting wins on the board in a tight competition. As with Fremantle, it’s easy to forget this team started 0-2. Yet with six wins in their last seven rounds, they are now primed for finals and gunning for top two.
Impressively, Adam’s team posted eleven hundreds, including twin debut hundreds to Scott Selwood (119) and Nic Newman (113). Newman’s selection is a fascinating strategy for a team that already has two swan defenders in Zak Jones and Callum Mills. If you pick enough players from one team, one of them is bound to do well.
When in form, this team is scary. Dan Hannebery, Jobe Watson, Isaac Smith are all guys who have had indifferent form across the season, but when they all fire at once, look out.
Also, I love what Cameron Pederson is doing. Look at his last three weeks.
|
Cameron Pederson |
Opposition |
Opposing Ruckman |
|
97 |
Hawthorn |
Ben McEvoy 124 |
|
94 |
Adelaide |
Sam Jacobs 132 |
|
120 |
North Melbourne |
Todd Goldstein 148 |
It’s like he makes a deal with the opposing ruckman: “I’ll give you a monster score and all the hit-outs you want, if I can have a decent fantasy score. Let’s just say I would love to own Jarrod Witts this week.
Stranger Danger (2025) vs General Soreness (1988)
Nelson vs Paul may have been match of the round last week, but this would have to be a close second. It was high-scoring, free-flowing and we saw some superstars return to form. Patrick Dangerfield (156), Todd Goldstein (148) and Rory Sloane (111) all put uninspiring fortnights behind them to play well for the team.
In a match, so close, it was hard to split the two teams. I think the match was decided by the following:
|
Category |
Stranger Danger |
General Soreness |
Victor |
|
Hundreds |
8 |
8 |
Even |
|
Supported Team Success |
Dangerfield 156 |
Wellingham 26 McGovern 48 |
Stranger Danger |
|
Rory Factor |
Laird 114 |
Sloane 111 Atkins 111 |
General Soreness |
|
The Big Return |
Whitfield 105 |
Wallis 97 |
Stranger Danger |
So as you can see, it was a very close affair. Patrick Dangerfield and his monster score getting Stranger Danger over the line and to a much healthier looking 6-3. General Soreness, if not flat-track bullies, at least look mediocre right now. Their four losses have come to the four teams above them on the ladder and their five wins have come against the five teams below them on the ladder.
Solomon’s Soldiers (1503) vs Champs16 (1788)
I have a transcript of Coach Nelson’s pre-game message: “Well done last week boys. We put in a huge effort and came away with the win. Now, we only play Solomon’s Soldiers. So take it easy. Don’t go the extra mile. Just relax, we’ll win no matter how much you score”
True to the form of this year and last, the Champs have assessed how much effort is required in the match-up and given the bare minimum to get the W. 1788 isn’t an impressive score, but they did what they needed to do.
The Champs only had four centurions, but so did Solomon’s Soldiers. This is one of those games that never reached any great heights. We could happily forget this game. We know that Champs16 will bring their A-game against General Soreness this week. We know that Solomon’s Soldiers will bring their “game” against Such is ‘Fyfe’.
MaherShalalHashBaz (1888) vs Redshins (1595)
We’re back! I’m calling it now. This win is the cornerstone of a massive comeback in 2017. 1888 may not look impressive, but given the conditions and the number of jumper punches Bernie Vince received, this is truly an inspiring score. For once, my team was on track to have 22 players score more than 50…and then Dale Thomas scored 30 in the last game of the week, just to annoy me.
The Redshins made a big statement pre-game dropping Josh Jenkins and Tom Liberatore. Unfortunately, they forgot to give other players a call-up and so the big statement left them with 20 players on the field. Now that’s a big statement. Chris would rather play nobody, than half-hearted, lazy footballers.
I also thought it was nice of Bryce Gibbs (133) and Eddie Betts (90) to show the Redshins what they missed when they “whoops-my-thumb-slipped” made a trade early in the season.
MaherShalalHashBaz has a big week coming up, against an in-form Rico’s Roughnecks. However, given that we have been working on our defence and that the Roughnecks haven’t beaten us in three tries, we are backing ourselves to continue this second half revival with a big upset win!