MILESTONES
100 Games
- Dan Houston (Solomon’s Soldiers)
- Andrew McGrath (MaherShalalHashBaz)
50 Games
- Caleb Serong (Threat Level Midnight)
- Jarman Impey (Defenestrators)
GAME OF THE ROUND
At this point I’m feeling sheepish putting my Roughnecks in this slot so many weeks running, but it’s 1st v 4th, and the Sparkles will surely be out for revenge after their surprising loss in the opening round.
I think this should be a really good game. The Sparkles are in sizzling form, at least as far as winning streaks go. Their win last week was uninspiring though, getting over the line with a 1704.
The Roughnecks win over the Sparkles way back in round one is their crown jewel result so far this season. They’ve faltered against the Defenestrators and Soldiers. We won’t hold that against them – only one team thought they’d make finals this year, so they are performing well above expectation. But another win over the Sparkles may give them a veil of legitimacy alongside the other top tier contenders.
SNEAKY INTERESTING MATCHUP
A couple of options here, but I’m going the Devils v Defenestrators. Like the Sparkles, the Defenestrators didn’t have an overly convincing score last week.
The Devils meanwhile continued their trend of close losses and…. actually you know what, I’ve changed my mind.
This is the sneaky interesting matchup. Sixth spot is currently a two horse race between Threat Level Midnight and the Taxmanian Devils. But it can become a three horse race real quick if MaherShalalHashBaz can get some wins on the board, and what better way to start than this week against the current sixth spot holder.
TLM had a great score last week. MSHB less so. A TLM win here could put one nail in the coffin of MSHB’s finals aspirations. A MSHB win would make things real interesting.
STRAY OBSERVATION
Everyone has played everyone now, and it’s always interesting to see the state of play after one go on the merry-go-round.
The Love Sparkles would have to be feeling pretty good. They got jumped in the opening round (how many times have I mentioned this now? Not self-indulgent at all) and have emerged victorious every week since. They’ve got wins over the Soldiers and the Defenestrators, who one would assume loom as their most likely competition for the flag.
Sparkles: lost to Roughnecks.
Soldiers: lost to Sparkles. Lost to Defenestrators.
Defenestrators: lost to Sparkles. Lost to Vipers.
Roughnecks: lost to Defenestrators. Lost to Soliders.
In the middle of the ladder, there have been some interesting results. The Vipers would be looking to joint that top group, and do possess a statement win with victory over the Defenestrators.
Vipers: lost to Soldiers. Lost to Roughnecks. Lost to Sparkles. Beat Defenestrators.
The next two don’t have those statement wins. But they do have statement losses?
Threat Level Midnight: Have beaten those below them. Yet to beat anyone currently sitting above them.
Devils: lost to TLM. Have been within 60 points of the Sparkles, Roughnecks, and Defenestrators.
TLM and the Devils face off again in Round 12, and I’m looking forward to it (will it be Game Of The Week? There is a bit of competition that week….). Their Round 3 clash is in the mix for game-of-the-year, with Midnight winning 1848 to 1822.
ELIMINATOR
This turned out a bit anti-climatic! The Defenestrators and Soldiers faced off in the game-within-a-game and the Soldiers emerged triumphant. It wasn’t particularly close.
Round 1: Te Puke PukekosRound 2: Taxmanian DevilsRound 3: Puttanesca ChiefsRound 4: Threat Level MidnightRound 5: MaherShalalHashBazRound 6: Lethal VipersRound 7: RoughnecksRound 8: Love SparklesRound 9: Defenestrators
Winner: Solomon’s Soldiers