The Love Sparkles (1915) vs The Bailout Plan (1679)
This was incredibly one-sided. The second-highest score of the round opposed to the lowest score of the round. Eight centuries opposed to one. A highest score of 163 opposed to a highest score of 100. This was an absolute bloodbath.
Once again, it was the Sparkly defence that shone brightest with the following outstanding scores:
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Jake Lloyd (163)f
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Jeremy Howe (132)
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Luke McDonald (86)
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Matthew Suckling (86)
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Jarrad McVeigh (101)
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Tom Stewart (55)
Last week, this defence posted a mammoth 651, and I said it would never again be beaten. Well, I am right so far, but the total this week was 623. Sheesh, they are playing well down back. The last fortnight of Jake Lloyd (163, 120) and Jeremy Howe (132, 123) have them in what I call “rare Laird air”.
The Bailout Plan’s top scorer was Shaun McKernan (100). Enough said.
Rico’s Roughnecks (1727) vs The Redshins (1775)
Don’t you just love an upset? Well, obviously Adam doesn’t. Actually, the Redshins winning made the finals race tighter for coaches in positions 4-6. Anyway, this was a cool result.
Truth be told, the story of this match was bad Roughnecks vs less-bad Redshins. Consider the Ablett (47) vs Martin (73) match-up, which left a lot to be desired. The following list of Roughneck centuries may reveal to you what went awry for Adam’s team:
As for the Redshins, three big centuries from Tom Cutler (126), Liam Shiels (122) and Travis Boak (113) helped them over the line, as well as another ton from best-and-fairest-favourite Toby McLean (101). Just as it looked the Redshins were falling off the pace, this crucial win has propelled them back into the race. When it looked like they would fall from grace, this clutch win has saved some face. Watch this space.
Solomon’s Soldiers (1837) vs Such is ‘Fyfe’ (1773)
Another upset win. What devastation for Such is ‘Fyfe’. No one has conceded more points than Such is ‘Fyfe’. Indeed, they have conceded more than any other team (except Paul) has scored. Therefore, with a degree of predictability, Alex achieved his highest score of the year, against this leaky, unlucky defence.
Alex’s score was boosted by five scores in the hundreds and five scores in the nineties (as well as the obligatory four scores in the forties). Patrick Cripps (140) is showing himself to be an absolute beast. Jarrod Witts (125) got his third hundred of the year, although his lowest hundred of the year. Things are definitely on track for the rebuild, and you cannot help but wonder how high Alex would have scored had Powell-Pepper not had seven frees against.
Selection was probably the biggest issue for Nathan, given Harry Taylor (25) was picked and Jarrod Harbrow (129) was not. Now, the biggest issue will be motivation. At 2-7, with a list built to win finals, will Nathan be able to keep motivating the troops, or will they just drop the bundle?
Defenestrators (1841) vs Shire Scourers (1874)
I think this was an upset win. Paul has the better team – look across the whole year for evidence – but we all know the Nelson lifts when he plays the best. So it was, that two weeks after losing to Alex, he can beat Paul.
Many of us were reminded of that preliminary final last year, where Nelson triumphed against the might of Paul. Yet, the men that led the charge were almost entirely different.
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2018 Rematch |
2017 Prelim |
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Elliott Yeo (110) |
Elliott Yeo (113) |
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Isaac Heeney (105) |
Jack Crisp (119) |
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Sam Jacobs (106) |
Zach Tuohy (106) |
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Billy Hartung (110) |
Steele Sidebottom (110) |
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Shaun Grigg (153) |
Ed “Up-Yeo-This-Week” Langdon (114) |
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Josh Kennedy (130) |
Lance Franklin (112) |
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Ollie Wines (106) |
Isaac Heeney (105) |
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Sam Menegola (132) |
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Sam Kerridge (100) |
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Well done Nelson. Someone different steps up every time and it is a real strength to have so many players who can score highly (yes, I include Sam Kerridge in that). I know his Scourers would really be enjoying their most impressive win of the year.
Paul had another loss, but when 1841 is your low score, and your loss is by 33 points, you are doing ok. Big wins and close losses makes for a very positive season.
MaherShalalHashBaz (1845) vs Puttanesca Chiefs (1960)
So big losses and close wins is probably not as good. Indeed, this 115-point loss is one of my closer losses. Yet, I am optimistic. I had nine hundreds. For the first time this season, both my star bombers (Merrett and Heppell) and both my star lions (Beams and Zorko) topped the ton. I had nine centurions and real reasons for optimism in the second half of the year.
As optimistic as I feel, Mark must feel doubly so. He top-scored this round, Macrae (144) was the top midfielder this round, Grundy (135) was the top ruckman this round. Yet the greatest joy for Mark was the performance of delisted free agent pick-up Bailey Fritsch (96).
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Fritsch at MaherShalalHashBaz |
Fritsch at Puttanesca Chiefs |
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74 |
88 |
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60 |
91 |
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47 |
88 |
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47 |
96 |
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Dropped from demons /cut from MSHB |
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Put it down to “Puttanesca Culture”. Coach Buscumb has a way of getting the best out his troops. Well played Mark. Well played.