The Week That Was:
The intense media spotlight on the SCSPL was lifted momentarily during the week as attention turned to the birth of Prince George of Cambridge. Given the vast international following of the SCSPL, I for one was amazed that the newborn Prince was not named after one of our illustrious and noble coaches.
As popular as the monarchy may have become abroad and at home in recent times, surely nothing could unite the Commonwealth and secure the future of the Realm than if they had the foresight to name the Prince and future King after one of the coaches of the SCSPL?
I’m sure you’ll agree that nothing says Regal more than “Prince Brett the Arrogant”. Or perhaps something dating back to the 17th Century, “Prince Zim the Bulldog”, “Prince Damoz the Perfect”? Or perhaps “Prince Tim of the House of Goodie’s, the First of His Name”? I mean I have nothing against “George”, but when they had 18 stately names from the SCSPL to have chosen from, all of which are steeped in great heritage and tradition, one really does have to wonder.
Lost opportunity aside, with all the song and dance of the Royal birth now thankfully over, attention quickly (and rightly) returned to the imminent crowning of the King of the SCSPL and the awarding of the Premiership Cup and ‘Ol Rusty. With only 2 rounds remaining before the finals there’s still a lot to play for before the impending coronation ceremony. The battle for 8th and 16th is still in play, as is the jousting for a double chance at both ends of the likely finals draw. Depending on results there could still be a changing of the guard, heads could roll for some coaches and many will be fighting to ensure their order in the line of succession is maintained. Exciting times…
Round 18 – Ladder:
A drop in overall ranking last week saw the SCSPL clinging to a top 50 finish in 48th spot. Far too close for comfort however and with some big matches on the line this week, an improved performance all round, saw the SCSPL move back into40th overall of 31,657 leagues.
Awards for the movers and shakers of the week:
1. The Wounded Bull in Coach Shaun and Team OzRulesFooty2013 all but dashed the dreams of a double-chance for Team St. James on their way to a jump from 15th to 13th on the ladder;
2. A host of team’s managed to improve their standing by one this week:
(a) Yours truly and Team Maulers who once again punched above their weight and guaranteed themselves a berth in the quest for the Premiership Cup and moved from 4th to 3rd;
(b) Coach Zim and Team Bulldogs moving from 8th to 7th on their way to securing a top 8 finish;
(c) The Mastercoach and Team SCS had a great win over the then 3rd ranked Team IDIG and were rewarded improving their position from 12th to 11th;
(d) Coach Rowan and Team Rowsus won a tightly fought battle against Team TCSI! and have moved into double chance territory in the battle for ‘Ol Rusty moving from 13th to 12th;
(e) And last but definitely not least, Coach Damoz and Team B2P, at risk of a premature end to the season, their win against Team Value Bets have lifted them into 16th from 17th the week before.
As it stands with one round left of the home-and-away season, the only position guaranteed on the ladder is that of Team Mr_Arrogance who have tied up the minor premiership early. Fantastic effort Coach Brett. Congratulations!!! Give the man a round of applause….
A spot for the remaining 3 spots in the top 4 is still up for grabs where remarkably it is still conceivable that any team currently in the 8 could still fill one of the sought after spots for the double-chance.
A very large win by Team Lead Balloons this week and a corresponding heavy loss to Team St. James could conceivably see a change in the top 8 before the start of the finals series, but given the relative closeness of the match-ups in recent weeks, this is very unlikely and the current teams in the top 8 should find themselves battling for the Premiership Cup starting in 2 weeks’ time.
Only 2 teams remain in the hunt for the wooden spoon. The only way Team Value Bets can avoid the “honour” of the spoon is if it manages to win this week while Team Goodies lose. But with a huge percentage differential, Coach Matty and Team Value Bets unfortunately cannot avoid being one of the first 2 teams relegated in season 2013. Team Goodies and Team B2P will fight it out for the last remaining spot in the battle for ‘Ol Rusty. With Team B2P narrow favourites to get the nod, with Coach Tim needing his boys to get a win in the inaugural “Wretched Luckless Cup” battle against Team Muppets and for Team B2P to lose in order to sneak through. A big round ahead for both teams, with the SCSPL bidding a sad farewell to one of them for season 2103 come the end of this week.
Round 18 Match-Ups
(12) SupercoachScores 2,278 Vs (3) IsDonIsGood 2,229
On the back of 3 straight wins, gunning for a guaranteed top 4 spot and up against a team who’d lost 5 out of their last 6 and sitting in 12th spot, the early money before the first bounce was on Coach Hai and Team IDIG to come away with a win.
Tipping against the Mastercoach myself, the 2011 Champ was keen to prove the doubters wrong however coming out on Friday night keen to get an early advantage and gave Franklin the nod as VC. A decision which would have concerned Coach Hai given Franklin’s blistering start to the game. That Franklin’s 8 goal haul failed to equate to mammoth SC points was greeted with relief by Coach Hai and gave him the opportunity to test the waters on Saturday with Ablett. But it was from here that the wheels started to fall-off for the Chairman of the “No Trades Left Club”.
Both coaches went with Pendles over Swan and with Coach Hai’s ruck combination of “Big Boy” McEvoy and “Why are you still in my team” Jacobs failing to fire, Team IDIG were on the back foot leading into the final Sunday games. Despite Jack’s heroics and another 100 point game from Mitchell for Team IDIG, Lids and Cotchin did enough to secure the Mastercoach a memorable win by 49 points and deny Coach Hai a guaranteed top 4 spot.
Big matches for both teams next week, but especially for the Chairman as he hopes to hang on to a final 4 spot leading into the first week of the finals.
Next Week:
Team SCS Vs Team Jobi
Team IDIG Vs Team St. James FC
(15) OzRulesFooty2013 2,208 Vs (7) St. James FC 2,092
Sitting 0-1 in my first tipping efforts, I must admit that there were some nerves leading into this match-up between Team Oz and Team St. James. Despite noting that this would be a danger game for Coach Gary and his boys up against Coach Shaun (aka the Wounded Bull), as with the preceding game, the thinking was that with a possible top 4 spot up for grabs, Team St. James, with it all to play for, would win this tight encounter.
But the Wounded Bull was on fire this weekend. Griffen in for Shuey plugged a hole and using the emergency loophole as if he’s been doing it for years, the Wounded Bull ensured his boys stayed in the contest despite the absence of the likes of Ablett, Pendles and Swan in his team. By comparison Grimes, Nicholls and “Big Boy” McEvoy failed to fire when called upon by Coach Gary and with it came a defeat which could have repercussions come finals time for Team St. James.
The win keeps Coach Shaun in contention for a double chance in the battle for ‘Ol Rusty with a big match in store this week against Team Courtesans. Coach Gary and his team must re-group after dropping to 8th spot in what was the fourth time this year they’ve failed to get past 2 wins in a row. And for me, well I’m 0 and 2 in the tipping stakes. Clearly not a good start at all.
Next Week:
Team Oz Vs Team Courtesans
Team St. James Vs Team IDIG
(4) Moo Moo’s Maulers 2,381 Vs (11) Team Jobi-Wan Kenobi 2,322
With a less than stellar start to my SCSPL tipping career, this was one match-up I would happily have gotten wrong and gone 0-3 for the weekend after tipping Team Jobi-Wan for the win. The confidence of Team Mauler’s has taken a dent in recent weeks and having punched way above my weight during the season, it was starting to look like the SC Karma Gods were coming to bite my lads on the behind.
And it was well and truly looking that way for much of the weekend. Coach Matthew lucked out with Roughy on Friday night and left him with Ablett’s “human-like” performance as Captain, giving Team Maulers a free hit with Swan. And what a free hit that turned out to be!!! With Team Jobi-POD’s all performing well with none under 80, Team Maulers by comparison had 3 under 80. So Swan’s big haul on Saturday afternoon gave yours truly the edge at the end of the day winning by a mere 59 points. Great game Coach Matthew and as I seem to be saying a lot this season, “bad luck” mate.
So 0-3 in the tipping stakes now, but a win for Team Maulers securing them a top 8 finish. But up against Team Mr_Arrogance next week, I’m tipping Team Maulers to finish in 6th and out of the running for a double chance. But who knows, with my success at tipping, anything could happen. Team Jobi’s fall to 14th on the ladder following this loss makes a double chance for ‘Ol Rusty virtually impossible now. But a win against Team SCS this week could be just what’s needed to break their 4 game losing streak.
Next Week:
Team Maulers Vs Team Mr_Arrogance
Team Jobi Vs Team SCS
(9) Lead Balloons 2,122 Vs (6) Courtesans 2,356
With both teams coming off disappointing losses last round, there was a lot of interest to see who would bounce back hardest. Team Courtesans after their shock loss to the 18th placed Team Value Bets? Or Team Lead Balloons’ 38 point loss the weekend before that left them on the outer of the top 8? I tipped Team Courtesans, so a betting man would surely have put their money on the safe option in Coach Sam and Team Lead Balloons to come through with the win.
Back from frolicking in the French Alps, Coach Coco clearly put his foot down to his troops in training this week following their disappointing loss. The result was a stunning display by his POD’s who all put in a good solid performance. The selection of Pendles was not fatal, with Coach Sam able to recover only the smallest of lost ground with Griffen. But the damage was already done. Needing the win to have any hope of remaining in contention for a top 8 berth, Team Lead Balloons were a little unlucky coming up against a red-hot Team Courtesans and found it tough going this round keeping Coach Coco’s boys in with a chance for a top 4 finish.
With dreams of a top 8 finals berth now virtually impossible to achieve, Coach Sam will have to readjust his players’ priorities as they head into the final regular season match-up against Team B2P. ‘Ol Rusty is one fine piece of silverware (or rustware as the case may be). It’s got character. It’s priceless (trust me, I took into a second-hand store to see how much they’d give me for it and couldn’t even give it away). But it’s not about the riches after all. It’s the legacy. And that’s what Team Lead Balloons can still create in season 2013.
But hey forget about THAT result. I’m now 1-3 in the tipping. Woo hoo!!!
Next Week:
Team Balloons Vs Team B2P
Team Courtesans Vs Team Oz
(2) Eagles Convocation 2,306 Vs (1) Mr_Arrogance 2,433
I tipped an “upset” of sorts in this one, backing Team Eagles to get home in the battle of the titans clash between 1 and 2 on the ladder. In hindsight, not probably the best move on my part given that my lot find themselves up against Coach Brett and Team Mr_Arrogance next round. If my boys weren’t in for a “mauling” beforehand, they sure will be now.
By my calculations, Grimes came in for Coach Callan this week, while Coach Brett brought in McKenzie with both looking to bolster their defensive ends. And therein was the story of Team Eagles’ misfortune for the weekend. The defensive end failed to fire. Grimes’ 39 points coupled with Ibbotsons’ 58 for Team Eagles, up against McKenzies’ 102 and Heppell’s’ 99 for Team Mr_Arrogance. With no advantage able to be garnered on Captaincy picks and with limited POD’s remaining, Team Mr_Arrogance sent out a reminder to the competition that it was the team to beat in season 2013 winning by 127 points.
By no means a devastating loss for Coach Callan and Team Eagles who still have a firm hold on a top 4 spot regardless of next week’s results. But with a tough match this coming round against Team GTC, another loss would be a big dent in confidence going into the finals series. As or Team Mr_Arrogance, they’ve tied up the minor premiership a week early and going into the last round I wouldn’t be surprised if Coach Brett doesn't give a few of the boys the weekend off (hint, hint, wink, wink, nudge, nudge) up against Team Maulers.
Next Week:
Team Eagles Vs Team GTC
Team Mr_Arrogance Vs Team Maulers
(18) Value Bets 2,222 Vs (17) Built2Perfection 2,374
1-4 in the tipping stakes and my dreams of a 9-0 result were clearly foolish. So now it’s a matter of prioritising. A 5-4 result and I’ll be happy. And just like me with the tipping, the relative misfortune of both Team Value Bets and Team B2P during the course of the season has resulted in Coach Matty and Coach Damoz having to re-prioritise as the year has progressed.
Unfortunately for Coach Matty, the number of priorities available in the SCSPL has now dwindled to two. Avoiding the wooden spoon. AT. ALL. COSTS. And the win by his lads last week against Team Courtesans was a stunning start. A continuation of that sort of form and the second possible priority of making it into 16th spot is still within reach. The only stumbling block? Needing to win against an equally desperate Team B2P sitting on the same number of wins and just one possie higher on the league ladder.
Team Value Bets were able to get a slight advantage in Captain’s choice with Ablett over Pendles, but consistency across the board was not quite there this weekend for Coach Matty. By comparison, Grimes (39) and Priddis (94) aside, all of Coach Damoz’s POD’s scored 100+ on the weekend. A fantastic return to form, winning by 152 and reversing a string of 4 losses.
The loss will no doubt hit Coach Matty and his lads hard. But as one door closes, another opens. Planning for the Team Value Bets end of year trip can now get under away in full swing!!! But first thing’s first. A must win match against Team Rowsus next weekend, in a last gasp effort to avoid the wooden spoon. For Coach Damoz, avoiding the spoon becomes Mission Accomplished with this win. But no wild celebrations quite yet, with there still some work to do to secure 16th spot on the ladder.
Next Week:
Team Value Bets Vs Team Rowsus
Team B2P Vs Team Lead Balloons
(10) Maso’s Muppets 2,336 Vs (5) GrandTheftCotchin 2,524
Anyone lucky enough to be at the G last week for the Liverpool v Victory football game would have been blown away by the rendition of the Reds’ pre-game anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone” in front of 95,000 fans. But few know the back story to the whole thing…. Such is the reach of the SCSPL, rumour has it that the Reds had heard about Team Muppets run of bad luck in season 2013 and given their own absence of luck and failure to win a Premier League title for 20+ plus years, they agreed to play a pre-season match in Melbourne in order to dedicate, in solidarity, the singing of their pre-game anthem to their brothers-in-arms Team Muppets. True story…
So if that wasn’t enough to motivate Coach Craig and his players this week, perhaps the faint prospect of a final 8 berth would. While still needing results to go his team’s way, a win against Team GTC this round and again next round and they’d be in there with a sniff. But up against the Man U equivalent of the SCSPL in Team GTC, Coach Craig would need more than just skill and talent to get over the line in this one. He’d need some luck…
I probably needn’t go on because we all know where this is going. Luck is clearly allergic to Coach Craig. Maybe it’s that mirror he broke in the pre-season. Or perhaps the ladder he walked under during the renos at the Muppet Club Rooms. And while he has a contender to the title now in Coach Tim and Team Goodie’s, this week was another shocker for Team Muppets in the luck department.
A shocker for Nicholls. Stevie J over Swan as Captain. Nearly all of Coach John’s POD’s scoring above their pre-game estimates. Sure some of it comes down to educated guess/selections and strategy and no-one can accuse Coach John and Team GTC from lacking in that department. But there’s also an element of luck and unfortunately for Team Muppets, their quest for a top 8 finish was denied following their loss on the weekend.
A great win by Team GTC who couldn’t quite recapture their top 4 spot with the win. But winning such a big game like this was crucial given a couple of hiccups they’ve had in corresponding games during the season. Another big game awaits next round and I’m tipping they’ll be there or thereabouts once again. And with my tipping now 3-4, you can take that to the bank!
Next Week:
Team Muppets Vs Team Goodies
Team GTC Vs Team Eagles
(14) TippettCanSukIt! 2,256 Vs (13) Rowsus 2,299
Two foundation clubs battling against one another. Both with 6 wins to their name. Both after a double chance for ‘Ol Rusty. It doesn’t get any better than this (unless of course you manage to tip the winner and go 4-4).
I tipped Team Rowsus in a battle of attrition and I tipped there would be less than 50 points in it. I hate to spoil the surprise, but well, it’s not much of a surprise anymore. And I hate to say I told you so, but well yes, Team Rowsus had a narrow win, by….wait for it…. 43 points. Genius you say? Not for me to judge. I’ll let history decide on that question.
But enough of my brilliance. Back to the protagonists at hand. An absolute ripper of a match-up with more twists and turns than a Hardy Boys novel. Pendles for Coach Rowan. Jack for Coach Drew. Dusty for Team Rowsus in a head to head against JPK for Team TCSI! Little in it for much of the weekend, but the polish of Team Rowsus was just a little better around the contests. And we all know what more contested ball gets you? That’s right… goals. And Team Rowsus were able to hold their narrow advantage for much of the weekend.
To win ‘Ol Rusty from here, Coach Drew’s going to have do it the hard way. But knowing Coach Drew as I don’t, I’m sure he wouldn’t want it any other way. Big game for Coach Rowan this round. A win guarantees a double chance and keeps them on a roll. Great game boys!!!
Next Week:
Team TCSI! Vs Team Bulldogs
Team Rowsus Vs Team Value Bets
(8) Lolern Bulldogs 2,374 Vs (16) Goodie’s Guns 2,287
A big game this one. A win for Coach Zim and Team Bulldogs and they secure a top 8 berth. For Coach Tim and Team Goodie’s, a win gives them a good chance of securing the all-important 16th spot on the ladder. But more importantly, a win by Team Bulldogs and I go 5-4 in the tipping for the week. An absolute dream if it could happen.
A league low 9 POD’s between the 2 teams on the field and there was going to be very little to chance in this one.
For Coach Zim, the late out of Terlich hurt in the absence of any back-up. Either saving those trades up for the finals or he’s joined the Chairman of the “No Trades Left Club”. Goldstein, Fyfe and Franklin’s scores sure did come in handy though.
While for Coach Tim, he wisely sought counsel before Sunday’s game on whether to take Webster’s 59 or take a punt on Pittard. Being the great predictor of results that I am, I counselled Coach Tim to take a punt which reaped rewards (a whole 11 points). Now I’m in no way suggesting it was my advice that swayed Coach Tim, but who said this young man was not lucky. Rowsus needs to do the sums again. Because seeing my average tipping results this week, Coach Tim was very lucky not to have lost out big time and he would be very wise to ensure he never takes any advice from me. Ever!!!
Despite Coach Tim’s good fortune on that front, Team Goodie’s couldn’t quite replicate it across the entire weekend. Another very close match-up decided by only 87 points. For Coach Zim there will be clear relief at securing a top 8 berth and fighting on for an improved standing this coming round. Coach Tim’s team now find themselves in a somewhat precarious position. Sitting in 17th. Needing a win to control their own destiny. A win and they avoid the wooden spoon. A win and Team B2P loses, they’ll sneak through into 16th spot. Should the unthinkable happen and they lose? Well then their destiny reverts to Team Value Bets. A very tough week for the boys from the House of Goodie’s lies ahead this week.
Next Week:
Team Bulldogs Vs Team TCSI!
Team Goodie’s Vs Team Muppets
The Wind-Up
Another great week lads. Good effort in the overall league standings on the one hand, and on the other, a handful of super competitive match-ups. 4 games on the weekend were decided by less than 100 points and the largest winning margin was 234. Last week it was the Ablett/Pendles Captaincy dilemma influencing scores, while this round the Ablett/Pendles/Swan decision for the Captain’s armband which played a big part in some games. One thing’s for sure, in this final regular season match-up, the pressure is going to on for Captaincy selection. A lot could be at stake. Best of luck one and all!!! And just remember, if I get some time this week to do a preview of the coming round match-ups and I tip your team…bloody well make sure you win will ya? 5 from 9 is not a bad result. But some of you are really letting the team down…