Rico’s Roughnecks (1818) vs Such is ‘Fyfe’ (1768)
The two most in-form teams (without pink on their Guernsey) clashed and it was an epic. Nathan’s mob got out to the early lead with huge contributions from Joel Selwood (120) and Mitch Duncan (115) on the Friday night. Five other centurions helped build the score for Such is ‘Fyfe’ and they held a hefty lead. With one game to play it was Nathan on 1644 leading Adam on 1411 by a handy 233 points. Adam had four players in the Brisbane-Collingwood game and Nathan had two. Who wouldn’t want a 233 point lead, even if the opposition had two players in hand?
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Such is ‘Fyfe’ |
Rico’s Roughnecks |
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Charlie Cameron 52 |
Allen Christensen 76 |
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Scott Pendlebury 72 |
Stefan Martin 130 |
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Adam Treloar 100 |
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Sam Murray 101 |
An incredible come-from-behind win steal for the Roughnecks. They will be absolutely elated with that clutch performance. Three tons when it was needed most. As for Nathan, the fact Scott Pendlebury got injured hurts a lot, but it’s never a good moment when the fate of your team depends on Charlie Cameron.
And so the oddity* of this league continues. Nathan is coaching the second-highest scoring team and Adam the third-highest scoring. Yet Nathan is on 2-5 and Adam on 6-1.
*Other words for oddity include joyful unpredictability or unjust stupidity, depending on your scores-to-ladder position differential
Defenestrators (2049) vs Puttanesca Chiefs (1826)
What a match! Last year’s premier versus the premier scorer of the last two years. Two teams with just the two losses between them. Turns out this match was the most lopsided of the round.
A 223 point win to Paul.
The Defenestrators had winners everywhere with nine centurion. The continued excellence of Tom Mitchell (119), Stephen Coniglio (92) and Ed Curnow (137) amazes me. Paul boasts three of the top four midfielders in the competition. It means the scores of Dylan Shiel (110) and Andrew Gaff (110) are mere bonuses.
What was particularly intriguing was Paul’s decision to drop Josh Kennedy for the annual “show-Mark-what-he’s-missing display”. However, the diminishing scores of Kennedy are no concern for Paul, who has coached Jack Darling (114) to an average of 86.0. That is incredible in its own right. And, if I’m not mistaken, Jack Darling was on Mark’s list for two years, without this level of output. And so the “show-Mark-what-he’s-missing display” rolled on nonetheless.
I can’t be too hard on the Puttanesca Chiefs though, because
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They have one more premiership trophy than me
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Everyone other Aussie-based coach has lost to Paul
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They still posted a decent total
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Jack Macrae (151) not only scored the three Dangergawn votes, but is now the top midfielder in the land
I expect a very similar score for the Chiefs next week, but probably a win. In the meantime, let’s all take Coach Bridge’s advice, concede the games to the Defenestrators, and hope Paul has Nelson as an opponent in August!
The Redshins (1653) vs The Bailout Plan (1830)
Huzzah! Hurrah! The Bailout Plan are on the board! Not only that, but they are no longer the worst scoring team in the league.
It was done in fine style too. Nat Fyfe (128) has shown himself to be one of the best eight midfielders in the land and I expect an AA gong at the end of the year. With the way he played against the tigers, he could also be one of the best eight ruckmen (seven hit-outs).
Callum Sinclair (112) has got his average up to 99.6 and is proving to be, by far, the best first round draftee. His average certainly looks good compared to Luke Davies-Uniacke. (36.2).
The Bailout Plan boasted seven tons, including six in the midfield. All hail the new premium midfielders – Ben Jacobs (119), Mark Hutchings (126) and Richard Douglas (115). Plenty of positives for the Bailout Plan in this long-overdue victory.
That loss hurts the Redshins. Say what you will about Chris’s score – putrid, low, embarrassing. But at least they stay in the top six. They will need more than one hundred next week if they hope to kickstart their season. Having said that, if you are only going to have one century, have one like Toby McLean (143).
Shire Scourers (1778) vs Solomon’s Soldiers (1718)
Shire Scourers (1718) vs Solomon’s Soldiers (1778)
I am still struggling with this. I was wondering which of the following shocking statements best captures the magnitude of this result:
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Solomon’s Soldiers have doubled last year’s win tally.
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Solomon’s Soldiers are one game outside the top six.
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Solomon’s Soldiers are on equal points with Such is ‘Fyfe’ and the Love Sparkles
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Alex beat Nelson
Nevertheless, for everyone not named Nelson, this was a great result. The true evenness of the league is on display. Alex managed to present his highest score of the year in the same round Nelson gave one of his lowest. The truth is Alex, kept up with Nelson quite well all weekend, and his select few dominated when they had too. See the average scores below.
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Shire Scourers |
Solomon’s Soldiers |
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Defenders |
80.5 |
77.0 |
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Midfielders |
80.3 |
76.3 |
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Forwards |
70.0 |
78.7 |
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Ruck |
105 |
131 |
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Utility |
68 |
103 |
It turns out that Nelson’s much-vaunted forward line is actually capable of producing spud-like scores. Also, Jarrod Witts in the ruck and Josh Thomas in the utility spot played a big part in this upset win.
I have absolutely no idea where the Scourers go from here. I don’t know the last time the Soldiers beat a top-six side and I definitely couldn’t be bothered going through the annals of the Dangergawn site to find out.
MaherShalalHashBaz (1809) vs The Love Sparkles (1733)
Dad, you have done so much for me as a person and I’m very thankful for everything you’ve done in my life – but boy oh boy did I enjoy that win!!
The Love Sparkles weren’t helped by their selection policy with Tom Stewart (103) and Mason Wood (105) failing to make the starting 22. To be fair to General Soreness the Love Sparkles, they fronted up again without their injured star trio Rockliff, Sloane and Murphy. However, in the absence of these inside midfielders, Jack Redden bobbed up with an epic 138. In a game that was not reaching great heights, that score looked to be the difference. Indeed, the Love Sparkles led by 130-odd after Saturday and I had just the one player in hand. How did I win? I normally go into great detail, but the reason I won is:
Dayne Zorko (176)
It was incredible. Dayne Zorko hasn’t scored 176 in the last three weeks combined! But he modelled Tom Mitchell and went beserk against the Buckley-led pies. It was a beautiful performance.
It was one of the worst showings from three MaherShalalHashBaz debutants – Wayne Milera (20), Jasper Pittard (35) and Mitch Hannan (38). But all three got to enjoy the Gatorade shower post match because of
Dayne Zorko (176)
This week, to inspire my troops, I have had a plaque attached to the wall. We will be staring at it all week. It reads:
Dayne Zorko (176)