MILESTONES
150 Games
- Max Gawn (Defenestrators)
- Rory Laird (Roughnecks)
100 Games
- Cam Guthrie (Threat Level Midnight)
50 Games
- Chad Warner (MaherShalalHashBaz)
- Jayden Hunt (Threat Level Midnight)
GAME OF THE ROUND
This is a brilliant round of matchups, but this one takes the cake.
Both teams are coming in scorching hot, having each won their last 5 games. The Defenestrators are a game clear on top and have only lost once so far this season. The Devils toppled the Sparkles in last week’s game of the round that most definitely lived up to the label.
There is a bit of a depth v stars approach to these two teams. The Defenestrators have firepower. They have the two highest averaging players in the league in Gawn and Walsh. They’re supported by Treloar who is also averaging over 110 (editor’s note: I did not anticipate Treloar being injury free, playing most weeks, and still delivering at this level when I traded him… perhaps I was the problem. I’ll always love you Adam)
The Devils only have one guy averaging more than 110 – Nic Martin. In fact, they only have 3 players averaging 100+ so far, and Cripps is barely over that mark (100.11 across his 8 games). But they make up for it by batting real deep each week. Last weekend they had 14 guys go 80+. That sorta consistency softens the blow of the occasional poor performance (like Treacy and his 30).
The Defenestrators have lost one of their merry band of Giants in Josh Kelly. Tom Mitchell is still incognito. The Devils will be hoping Rozee is named, but they are a team built to withstand injuries like that. Their entire bench are players you would feel reasonably comfortable starting if you had to. They have Ridley, Sheed and Parker waiting in the wings. It’s an enviable spot to be in.
This should be a cracker and I look forward to watching it unfold.
SNEAKY INTERESTING MATCHUP
After six straight victories to open the season, the Sparkles have lost 2 of their last 3 and their grip on the minor premiership as a result.
Great timing for a tune-up against a team that has made a habit of losing against the best.
The Roughnecks are 5 & 4 and it’s not particularly clear how good (or not) they are. Like the Bulldogs of circa 2008, they’re pretty good, maybe, but have a real unfortunate habit of not beating anyone of consequence.
They’ve fallen short against every true competitor they’ve faced – these same Sparkles back in the opening round. The Defenestrators in round 3. The Devils in round 8. Fourth times the charm?
Perhaps not, as this issue has been in play for the last few seasons. They’ve lost their last 3 against the Sparkles. They’ve lost their last 7 against the Defenestrators. All evidence suggests they’re middling. Probably why they keep finishing 5th or 6th. Might be a connection there.
Point is go out and win one of these at some point, or watch as the suddenly brilliant MSHB or Gulrongzel led Threat Level Midnight leave you in the rear-view mirror.
STRAY OBSERVATION
This really is a great round. The Chiefs upset Threat Level Midnight last week, and are now tied with both them and MSHB on four wins. And would you look at that, they play the Soldiers this weekend. They’re keeping pace and it wouldn’t be unreasonable to dream of a finals push if they wanted it.
As luck would have it, those two teams they’re level with are facing one another this weekend. MSHB are 7th on the ladder and by some distance the highest scoring team over the past 3 weeks. Is this merely a purple patch? Or are they a legitimate contender right now?
Their opponents have had a couple of close loses in the last month (and an extremely tight win, albeit over the struggling Vipers) and on form, feel rank outsiders for a victory. The Chiefs could pass them by Sunday night if things break a certain way. TLM would love to avoid that with a statement win here.
The two teams at the foot of the ladder are the other combatants this week. The Vipers made an aggressive trade the other week, and losing holds no incentive as a result. They’ve really struggled to get out of first gear so far in season 2024, and their core isn’t that different from the team we saw dropping 1900+ scores pretty consistently last season. It just feels like everyone (at least those not named Luke Ryan) has lost a step at the same time.
Those struggles mean this is a game Pukekos could feasibly win. The question is do they want to. They’ve lost 38 on the trot (their last win was Round 9 in 2022). Would be nice to break that run, no?
ELIMINATOR
All hail the Love Sparkles!
Defenestrators (Round 9)Lethal Vipers (Round 5)- Love Sparkles
MaherShalalHashBaz (Round 3)Puttanesca Chiefs (Round 4)Roughnecks (Round 7)Solomon’s Soldiers (Round 6)Taxmanian Devils (Round 8)Te Puke Pukekos (Round 1)Threat Level Midnight (Round 2)