Mark lost his first match, the Dangergawn website got a birthday and only one team scored below 1760. A lot to celebrate as we take a look at this week’s predictions so let’s close our eyes and blow out the candles!
Solomon’s Soldiers vs The Love Sparkles
Last 5 record:
June 28, 2018 The Love Sparkles 1978 – 1800
April 6, 2018 The Love Sparkles 1755 – 1406
July 7, 2017 General Soreness 1637 – 1983
April 13, 2017 General Soreness 1598 – 2159
August 5, 2016 General Soreness 1731 – 1843
The Love Sparkles: 5
Solomon’s Soldiers: 0
Last time they met:
Both teams were remarkably consistent in their last encounter, with only 3 players going below 60 across the two teams. Luke Shuey (114) starred for the Sparkles while Rhys Stanley (104) was a surprise competitor for the Soldiers.
What tips the scales:
The Soldiers unpacked “The Suitcase” for the first time against his old side and he proved his ware, dropping 102. Coach Greg would be ruing trading Hugh McCluggage away. Toby Greene stamped his return to footy in a big way with 102 last week and will also be a big factor in determining this result.
Verdict:
As I’ve clearly established, I now own the Soldier’s soul and can bend their results to my will. I’m tipping The Love Sparkles to win. Which we all know means the Soldiers will win. But wait now that I’ve said it out loud does that reverse the effect and mean the Soldier’s lose? Or have I created my own paradigm shift? I must ponder this conundrum…
The Taxmanian Devils vs Defenestrators
Last 5 record:
June 28, 2018 Defenestrators 2109 – 1733
April 6, 2018 Defenestrators 1926 – 1801
May 25, 2017 Defenestrators 1894 – 1726
March 23, 2017 Defenestrators 1923 – 1392
June 10, 2016 The Bailout Plan 1798 – 1945
The Taxmanian Devils: 1
Defenestrators: 4
Last time they met:
It was the Tom Mitchell show, as he racked up the touches for a 195 and was ably assisted by Toby Nankervis (131). You know it’s a point’s fest when Ben Brown (93) cashes in on the action. But when Mark Hutchings (114) and Shaun McKernan (105) are your top scorers and Nat Fyfe (36) and Seb Ross (67) are some of your worst, you know it’s just not your day.
What tips the scales:
Dion Prestia comes up against his old side and is in red hot form averaging 103 across the past 4 games. While for the Defenestrators, it depends which Luke Dahlhaus turns up, as his scores have alternated from above 90 to less than 60 in the past 4 weeks.
Verdict:
Defenestrators win here. Nuff said
The Redshins vs The Lethal Vipers
Last 5 record:
July 12, 2018 Such is Fyfe 1885 – 1650
April 20, 2018 Such is Fyfe 2013 – 1776
June 30, 2017 The Redshins 1667 – 1971
April 7, 2017 Such is Fyfe 2012 – 1785
August 19, 2016 Such is Fyfe 1912 – 1646
The Redshins: 1
Such is Fyfe: 4
Last time they met:
Resurgent stars Jack Ziebell (122), Liam Shiels (128) and Brandon Ellis (101) bobbed up for some big ones in a year where they suspiciously went missing. While The Lethal Viper’s faithfulness to their Docker’s came through to secure them a win in this one with David Mundy (122), Luke Ryan (111) and Sean Darcy (103) top scoring.
What tips the scales:
That Richmond defence! The Redshins three Richmond defenders; Ellis, Bachar Houli and Nick Vlastuin combined for 360 points. The Western Bulldogs kicking inside 50 should be a little more accurate than Melbourne’s was last week, but this could actually be a sign that the Richmond defence is heating up! While for coach McClaren, Luke Ryan loves a team that bomb it blindly into their forward 50, and the Crows are great at that. Ryan’s intercept marking could see plenty of points come his way.
Verdict:
Bucking history here to tip the Redshins over the rebuilding
Vipers.
Puttanesca Chiefs vs MaherShalalHashBaz
Last 5 record:
May 18, 2018 Puttanesca Chiefs 1960 – 1845
June 30, 2017 Stranger Danger 1788 – 1919
April 7, 2017 MaherShalalHashBaz 1754 – 1727
July 7, 2016 MaherShalalHashBaz 1881 – 1980
April 15, 2016 MaherShalalHashBaz 1818 – 1827
Puttanesca Chiefs: 2
MaherShalalHashBaz: 3
Last time they met:
Jack Macrae and Brodie Grundy did Macrae and Grundy things, blowing our minds with 144 and 135 points respectively for the Chiefs. But it was a 116 from Tom Langdon and a 103 from Hugh Greenwood that got them over the line. While Coach Jordan had 9 100’s in this match, with Dayne Zorko leading the pack with 134. And even Bailey Williams scored an 89 in this game (We all mourn the day Luke Beveridge ensnared his soul and locked him away in the dreaded VFL. RIP). But a lack of depth ultimately saw the carpet pulled from under the MaherShalalHashBaz.
What tips the scales:
A good strong history between these clubs has seen many close games and after last week’s showing we could see another close one. Daniel Rich’s resurgent form (and lack of all opposition attention) has him well placed to exceed the 53 he scored against MaherShalalHashBaz. Shane Savage has kicked his way to back to back 100’s. Although a matchup against GWS may make it difficult to keep up this trend. While I never thought I’d mention Shaun Atley’s name in a fantasy footy article, but his recent form and a game against perennial cellar-dwellers Carlton, could make the difference.
Verdict:
I’m calling last week a blip on the radar and if anything, a
loss has sharpened up the Chief’s.
Rico’s Roughnecks vs Shire Scourers
Last 5 record:
July 12, 2018 Rico’s Roughnecks 1913 – 1809
April 20, 2018 Rico’s Roughnecks 1879 – 1705
June 30, 2017 Rico’s Roughnecks 2272 – 1849
April 7, 2017 Rico’s Roughnecks 2080 – 1886
August 19, 2016 Champs 16 1861 – 1869
Rico’s Roughnecks: 4
Shire Scourers: 1
Last time they met:
The Rico’s Roughneck’s can be bully’s sometimes, and despite admirable efforts from the Shire Scourers coach Adam came away with his fourth straight win against them. This streak includes the infamous 2272, our leagues highest round score, back in 2017. Although fun fact, the Puttanesca Chiefs have 3 2100+ scores against the coach Nelson, so maybe teams just like scoring big against Nelson?
But where was I? Jaeger O’Meara (123) showed signs of things to come and Devon Smith scored 122 entirely off of tackles. While Ollie Wines, pre-wakeboarding, scored 118 and old man Armo scored 110.
What tips the scales:
Coach Adam has done it. He found the chink in the Puttanesca Chiefs armour and struck true. Although investigations are still pending if Adam orchestrated the Whitfield injury, but regardless it affirms anything is now possible. And the hopeful return of Conner Blakely may make that possibility a reality for Rico’s Roughnecks if he can return anything close to his 90 average last year. While Heath Shaw may be the real beneficiary of the Lachie Whitfield injury, if Whitfield misses time. He had 83 last week and 121 last time these teams met. Zac Jones is firmly secured in that midfield and may well be one of the highest scoring back men come year end. While Zach Thuoy’s return gives Coach Nelson plenty of confidence.
Verdict:
Coach Ritchie is flying high at the moment and looking at his fixture who knows when he’ll next come back down to earth! Roughnecks for the win here.