I was 10 points away from going 5 from 5 last week, but it’s a sign that the calls are improving as we draw closer to the final rounds, and there are some very important matchups to be won this week.
Defenestrators vs Such is Fyfe
Last 5 record:
April 11, 2019 Defenestrators 1939 – 1720
June 1, 2018 – Defenestrators – 1755 – 1669
March 29, 2018 – Defenestrators – 1903 – 1835
August 4, 2017 – Defenestrators – 1920 – 2045
May 19, 2017 – Defenestrators – 1730 – 2047
Such is Fyfe: 0
Defenestrators: 5
Last time they met:
All the attack was out of the back half for the Defenestrators, scoring 610 between the back 6. Andrew Gaff (134) played his first game since outraging Lethal Viper’s fans nation-wide, by clocking new recruit Andrew Brayshaw and missing the AFL grand final. The Viper’s had great leadership from Touk Miller (149), David Mundy (125) and a purple-patch from Matt Taberner (115), and lost no respect in this loss.
What tips the scales:
For the Viper’s, Patrick Lipinski (100 avg in his last 4) is still getting it done and Sam Petrevski-Seton (91 avg in his last 4) is having a mini breakout. For the Defenestrators, Sam Walsh (116 avg in his last 3) just never stops running (I thought I’d keep reminding coaches of that ;P).
Verdict:
The Defenestrators will look to extend their streak and show
all the signs of being too good for their rebuilding opponents.
MaherShalalHashBaz vs The Love Sparkles
Last 5 record:
April 11, 2019 The Love Sparkles 1863 – 1933
July 27, 2018 – MaherShalalHashBaz – 1783 – 1910
May 4, 2018 – MaherShalalHashBaz – 1733 – 1809
August 18, 2017 – MaherShalalHashBaz – 1922 – 1166
August 4, 2017 – MaherShalalHashBaz – 2024 – 1966
MaherShalalHashBaz: 4
The Love Sparkles: 1
Last time they met:
A great battle in this one with Pies running machine Tom Phillips (132) and the rising stock of Brad Sheppard (113) not good enough to stave off The Love Sparkles. Marc Murphy loves getting up for the battle of the Burgi, scoring 135 and 139 in his last 2 against them. The Sparkles had 12 scores above 90, 5 of those above 120.
What tips the scales:
All the same names I mentioned in the last article I wrote about these 2 teams are cropping up again in this one. Got that Deja Vu feeling. Josh Dunkley (avg 123 in his last 8) and Tom McDonald (avg 97 in his last 2) have found themselves since then, while Charlie Dixon’s return bolsters the MaharShalalHashBaz forward line. While ex-Sparkle Jamie Cripps has upped his average in the last 4 weeks to 76. The only dampener is how Max Gawn pulls up from a rolled ankle this week. The Love Sparkles lose Jeremy Howe but gain Tom Rockliff on the back of 57 disposals in the SANFL. While the aforementioned Marc Murphy always gets up for these games, and this is on the back of leading Carlton to victory and a 114 fantasy score last week.
Verdict:
A big game for both these teams as a win will solidify their
spot in the finals. Only 3 points separated these teams last week, so expect a
close one. But form and history suggest MaharShalalHashBaz wins here.
Rico’s Roughnecks vs Solomon’s Soldiers
Last 5 record:
April 11, 2019 Solomon’s Soldiers 1931 – 1943
June 1, 2018 – Rico’s Roughnecks – 1835 – 1566
March 29, 2018 – Rico’s Roughnecks – 1699 – 1675
July 21, 2017 – Rico’s Roughnecks – 1890 – 1610
April 28, 2017 – Rico’s Roughnecks – 1821 – 1574
Rico’s Roughnecks: 4
Solomon’s Soldiers: 1
Last time they met:
The Soldiers won this in a thriller, a stat-line which has come to define the Roughnecks season. This largely came on the back of Lachie Neale (139) and Patrick Cripps (163) going beast mode. This is despite a solid effort from the Roughnecks who had 18 players score 80 or more, including Brad Ebert (121) and Ryan Burton (102).
What tips the scales:
Patrick Cripps is injured, probably says enough. Caleb Daniel injured just compounds the worry for the Soldier’s. However, Jack Martin’s a lot better than the 55 he dished up last time these teams met. For the Roughneck’s 104 from Conner Blakely is an encouraging sign he’s returning to his best. Josh Battle, acquired as steak-knives from the Soldier’s, is averaging 103 in his last 2. This will also be the first encounter between Reilly O’Brien and Stef Martin since their mid-season trade, who have both increased their production since their respective moves. The only disappointing thing about this trade is that it means that Coach Alex now has one of his inaugural players listed in his team, after parting with all of them over the various seasons.
Verdict:
While injuries are hurting the Roughneck’s, I think they’re
going to hurt the Soldier’s more. Roughnecks to win this in another good
contest.
The Redshins vs The Taxmanian Devils
Last 5 record:
April 11, 2019 The Redshins 1547 – 1607
July 27, 2018 – The Redshins – 1660 – 1700
May 4, 2018 – The Taxmanian Devils – 1830 – 1653
July 28, 2017 – The Redshins – 1729 – 1651
May 5, 2017 – The Taxmanian Devils – 1617 – 1664
The Redshins: 3
The Taxmanian Devils: 2
Last time they met:
With this last win, the matchup ledger flips in the Redshins favour. Seb Ross (128) and Dane Rampe (94) were the stars for the Taxmanian Devils, but this team learnt a valuable lesson from this game. Carrying 8 scores under 60 (six of them under 45) is a sure-fire way to lose a matchup. While in the yellow and black corner, Brandon Ellis (116) was the standout and Tom Lynch (88) of the Richmond variety, kicked 6 goals to put together his best game for the year.
What tips the scales:
Nic Naitanui (75) returned for the Redshins at the opportune time, as Tom Bellchambers went down to injury and should be out for a few weeks. Great signs from this midfield with Liam Shiels averaging 115 since the break, and Dustin Martin and Jack Ziebell are 20 points better in their last 4 than their season averages. Reece Conca has also had a good run at it (avg 86 in his last 4). There are a lot of parallels between these teams with the Taxmanian Devils also having some impressive recent performances from their midfield (Dion Prestia (avg 115 in last3), Ross (avg 105 in last 3) and Nat Fyfe (avg 112 in his last 4)) while also losing their key ruckman, Callum Sinclair. In another parallel between these teams, the Devils replacement ruckman (Tom Hickey) is competing for minutes with the Redshin’s ruck replacement, Nic Nat.
Verdict:
This should be a thrilling game, and I’m backing the
Redshins for the win.
Puttanesca Chiefs vs Shire Scourers
Last 5 record:
April 11, 2019 Puttanesca Chiefs 2105 – 1687
August 17, 2018 – Puttanesca Chiefs – 2121 – 1849
August 3, 2018 – Puttanesca Chiefs – 2219 – 1721
May 11, 2018 – Puttanesca Chiefs – 1908 – 1851
August 25, 2017 – Puttanesca Chiefs – 1883 – 1958
Puttanesca Chiefs: 5
Shire Scourers: 0
Last time they met:
The battle between the only ultimate keeper league champions is a very one-sided affair. Last time I reviewed these teams it was noted that the average winning margin between these teams was 220 points in the favour of the Chiefs. This has now blown out to 250 in their last 6 matchups.
It makes for compelling reading when a team scores 12 hundreds, including 153 from the weekly feature, Brodie Grundy. In contrast, Elliot Yeo (105), Jacob Hopper (108) and Issac Heeney (105) were the only centurions for the Scourers.
What tips the scales:
It’ll be more pain for the Scourers if Lachie Whitfield returns from injury as expected while Jack MacCrae (avg 152 in his last 3) is making up for lost time. The Scourers have a resurgent Jarryd Lyons (avg 111 in his last 4). While Zak Jones (99 avg in his last 2) has picked up where he left off. A return from injury for Cam Ellis-Yolmen will should provide additional support, but may just leave the Scourers with a midfield selection dilemma.
Verdict:
You can’t deny history here, no matter how good the Scourer’s look on paper. Puttanesca Chiefs win comfortably, and this could make the chase for finals for the Scourers that much harder.