The Love Sparkles (1835) vs The Redshins (1859)
This game was radical. We’ve all had time to process it. But even so, the events that transpired are still amazing. There is as new saying in Ultimate Footy – “it ain’t over ‘til the fat lady sings and then time-on-ground emergencies have been allocated”.
The incredible end to the match should not obscure our vision of how good the Redshins are. I certainly underestimated them and with scores like this, they could make finals. 1859 was one of the higher scores this weekend and Chris’ team looks very solid, especially his forward line with McLean (110), Lynch (139) and Jenkins (114). Symes’ mob had no fewer than seven centuries in total, with the highlight for me being Cam Ellis-Yolmen getting 121. This prompted Chief Recruiting Officer Mr Auto-Pick to demand a raise from Redshins HQ.
It’s a bitter pill for the Love Sparkles. Rejoicing in their win, only to be stopped short by a late announcement. Not since last year’s Oscars have there been more awkward scenes. The blame can be shared – Mitch Robinson’s suspension meant James Parsons (45) had to play. And you can also blame the English (35). But, of course, the big talking point is Tom Rockliff (33) who has looked very poor in both games so far. The fans are demanding blood, but we know the coach’s position is safe – he’s something of a Phil Jackson to the Sparkles fans. Tommy being put on trade may be the move the fans need to see. Although if the Love Sparkles can’t beat Solomon’s Soldiers next week, they will be baying for more blood than just Rocky’s.
Defenestrators (1903) vs Such is ‘Fyfe’ (1835)
Another game, another display of strength from the premiership fancies. Mitchell (137) and Coniglio (120) were huge…again. Ed Curnow was the surprise packet with 160. But what impressed me most was the influence that Paul had over Brendan Bolton. I obtained a copy of a conversation they had before the Carlton game:
BB: Hi Paul, lovely to hear your voice, how are you?
PZ: Yeah, ok. Now listen, I need you to drop Kreuzer from the team.
BB: What? He passed his fitness test and is good to go.
PZ: You have to do it. I have Toby Nankervis on my bench who scored 98. That score must count, so I need Matt Kreuzer to be omitted from the side. I don’t have Dawson Simpson anymore to be my non-playing ruck.
BB: But, but
PZ: Do it!
And the rest is history. Kreuzer a late withdrawal, Nankervis’ 98 counts. That’s how well Paul is going – he can afford to drop Dawson Simpson.
On the purple side of the fence, it wasn’t all doom. 1835 is a reasonable score and there were some positive signs – Nathan Wilson’s 108 and Luke Ryan’s 113 providing plenty of hope for the purple army. They are 0-2, but a win is surely nearby, especially with Mitch Duncan returning soon.
Puttanesca Chiefs (1871) vs The Bailout Plan (1371)
This was not close. Not at all. Having said that, Once Luke actually fields 22, we will see his true potential. He has gone up from 18 to 20, so next week might see the full complement.
I felt a bit for the Bailout Plan when Brad Scott dropped Jordan Murdoch, fresh off a round one ton. Only Nat Fyfe (123) and Robbie Gray (119) were able to pass the ton this week. And it looks like Luke’s plan of copying Chris and selecting tigers is backfiring badly – see Jack Graham (48), Jacob Townsend (32) and Jason Castagna (29). Leave the tiger-picking to the team in yellow and black I reckon Luke.
The Puttanesca Chiefs are comfortably second in the betting markets for the premiership now. Two big wins and a healthy percentage have them well placed. In this match-up, seven hundreds made for a big score. Rory Laird is also making an early play for the Dangergawn. With Docherty out of the side and Adams in the midfield, he is the chief rebounding defender and his two scores thus far have Coach Buscumb beaming.
Rico’s Roughnecks (1699) vs Solomon’s Soldiers (1675)
That was close. Very, very close. Let’s just say the Roughnecks aren’t scaring anyone when they need an old, bald guy to bail them out against the teenage rampage.
It really was a bad week for Adam’s mob. Ten players failed to pass 70 and there were no hundreds after four games of football. Several players look down as well. Hannebery hasn’t hit his straps, Treloar looks afraid of his own feet and Martin looks like he could use a hand in the ruck department. These may just be early season kinks – time will tell. But boy, oh, boy is Adam happy to have gotten over the line here. A loss would have been very hard to overcome (in terms of the season and in terms of general pride).
The closeness of the game bodes poorly for Adam, but well for Alex. He didn’t have many tons (just two), but another six got nineties. There is definitely hope for the Soldiers. He will have a hard time picking his team each week as he seeks to avoid the scores in the twenties. After Luke Davies-Uniacke last week, Ryan Clarke dished up a 23 this week. There’s actually a bit to like about this team, even though they fell just short of a stunning win. Still, I can’t help but feel they missed a golden opportunity and they may not get another chance at a win for weeks.
MaherShalalHashBaz (1807) vs Shire Scourers (1804)
And then we get to my game. That was close. Very close. Jarrad Waite was the early star for me with 146 off the bench. Jarryd Lyons was the star for Nelson with 134 in the guts. Coincidentally, Lyons scored his massive ton the same week as Patrick Cripps, the player for whom he was traded, signed a no-trade contract. Maybe Lyons is in for a similar deal in New Zealand.
Anyhow, the game went down to the wire. I was ahead by 154 with none to play. Nelson had Sam Menegola and Zach Tuohy up his sleeve. If they both got 77, that would be enough for the draw. The game was fascinating. Tuohy was awesome, compiling 101 with plenty of mark-kick combos. I thought I was watching Joel Bowden for half of the match. Menegola saw how well Tuohy was doing and decided to take it easy. Then things got tight in the last quarter. After Jarryd Roughead’s behind, with forty seconds to play, the Scourers trailed by just three. Tuohy took the kick-in. If he kicked to himself, it was a draw. However, Nelson wanted the hail-Mary win. He asked Tuohy to torp it towards Menegola, hoping for a mark-kick-incredible-win combo. It didn’t pan out and MaherShalalHashBaz held on for a beautiful win. A classic game to complete a classic round. Bring on round three!