Competition [Congratulation, Edmund hunt – the WINNER!] S31 H.I.T. – The Headless' Interchange Trophy

[GremioPower]

The best competition for bench players in all of Sweet is back. This time, it is not run by Headless; but it will certainly be also a H.I.T.!

Welcome to S31 Headless' Interchange Trophy!

The Headless Trophy​

The first edition in S29 was won by Magus, who had an important contribution to the Swamprats' Minor Premiership that season. He was cut before Finals, and that's why some say this award is cursed. Headless himself didn't bring the award for S30.

Well, I have decided giving it a try.

The criteria are three:
- DT (adjusted for weather);
- ToG (if you are sitting on the bench, ToG matters!); and
- head-to-head against the opposition.

Every round will have a top-3, with #1 being the "IC of the Week." I will announce those here weekly.

I will also present a full ladder with all the players who have played on the bench ranked in accordance with the HIT point system. This ladder in the end of the season will define who is the winner of S31 Headless' Interchange Trophy.

WARM YOUR SEATS!


—


Hall of Winners



S31 H.I.T. Champion
Edmund hunt
(FUR)

Spoiler: Round Winners

Best IC of the Week

R01
AngryRanga (WON)
R02
Edmund hunt (FUR)
R03
TY24 (HAW)
R04
peterss (GUM)
R05
TheCoach16 (BOM)
R06
toxic (CIW)
R07
larrikin (HAW)
R08
Gadzorks (GCR)
R09
Danger in Texas (GCR)
R10
Spuddd (GUM)
R11
WaywardSonSon (ROY)
R12
VSTone (BOM)
R13
Cold Sober (DRA)
R14
TedDougChris (ROY)
R15
saintkildaman (GUM)
R16
Antonio BlueVein (BOM)

 

[GremioPower]

S31 H.I.T. Point System

Spoiler

 

[GremioPower]

ROUND 1

​

In Round 1, the top-3 really was above and beyond the rest.

#3 - ChappyUK (FUR)
In third, we have ChappyUK. In the Furies' clash against the Bears, Chappy was called early to replace Bastyy at RR. If the Furies kept the game close all the way, it was much because Chappy didn't allow Millky95 to dominate in cloudy conditions at the Stadium in the Sky.

#2 - LicoriceAllsorts (BOM)
In second, comes LicoriceAllsorts. It wasn't a good day for the Bombers, but no one can blame LAS. In a warm day in Coney Island, he replaced Santoz in at W early in Q1 and simply dominated FootyGuy13 for the entire match.

#1 - AngryRanga (WON)
The R1 winner is AngryRanga. It was cloudy in Dragon Island, which always lead to high score games. Ranga got into the game subbing in for SweetD at HBF. Still, despite conditions favouring offense, he was flawless against Woody..., against Knifey Spoony (who went to play FB in his next match), and was key for the Wonders' away win.

Spoiler: Match Stats

 

[GremioPower]

R1 - Leaderboard


P.S.: Yes. Someone can have more points than another placed higher, but only in the Top-3.

 

[GremioPower]

ROUND 2




​

In Round 2, there were two players who came close to the top-3 (Freofalcon and Easty), but close is not good enough. These were this week's best:

#3 - BlueMaster1 (WON)
In third, it comes the Master. The Wonders' coach had put Sab22 in first, replacing SSwans2011 at RO; but it took only 20” to fix his mistake. It wasn't a good day for the host team under the rain that poured over the Colosseum, but BM did his part containing Pugsley - who would have had a game for the ages otherwise.

#2 - FishingRick04 (SCS)
In second, comes R1 Gun of the Week and Port Board legend, FishingRick. He had been good in the previous week, but was even better in R2. This time, he replaced MannumPower at W. It was raining in Dragon Island, but apparently no one told Rick that. Playing as if he was carrying his own sun with him, he beat Bradesmaen with ease. Unfortunately for him, the Rats lost a tight contest; wasting his performance.

#1 - Edmund hunt (FUR)
The R2 winner is Edmund hunt. Yes, the Hawks went to hippodrome and ran over the Furies, but they did it going around Ed-h, who replaced Lady Godava at CHB. Ed made sure that the visitors would be Golumless for the entire match. The Hawks kept seeking their CHF, but they couldn't find him. The stats show the bloodbath: 6 marks to 1; 2 tackles to 0; 11 kicks to 5. If the rest of the Furies had played like hunt, under a great cloudy weather, they wouldn't have lost.

Spoiler: Match Stats

 

[GremioPower]

R2 - Leaderboard

There is a new leader! FishingRick04 climbs to first.

Spoiler: R2 Ladder

 

[GremioPower]

ROUND 3




​

In Round 3, Keg still on legs and Ok Boomer were the ones who almost made the top-3. They were barely beaten by two others. One interchanger, however, was the best of all by far:


#3 - BringBackTheAnchor (DRA)
Another rookie has gotten in the top-3, with BBTA coming in third. The Dragon coach decided that in a warm afternoon, there was no need for Anchor to be held stuck on the bench. Early in the game, BB replaced A Swallow at RR, and the newbie was able to put a check on Supersuns – who was barely able to make any meaningful contribution to the Roys. If the Dragons won their second match in a row, it was much due Anchor's defensive effort.

#2 - BlueMaster1 (WON)
A master is not a master by chance. BlueMaster1 has shown that being the first player to return to the top-3; and he did in consecutive weeks. So important he has been to his team, that the captains decided he should join them in suspension. They dropped him out of the Wonders' lineup! They lost the home match against CIW on the mud, but Master did his part. He came in for mezaire at BP. Conditions don't favor pocket players, but the Warriors managed to send the ball in Lord_Flashheart's direction. Lord (1g/2d) simply couldn't get much of it. Maybe the Master should have played on harry000 (6g/11d), instead.

#1 - TY24 (HAW)
This round belonged to Ty, and it wasn't close. It would have been even worse, if he had been subbed in earlier. It rained all day at the House. The Hawks were already winning by 30 points, when he got in; but Chipmunk was struggling against Riviat. Then, Ty was put in RO, and Riviat went straight into his pocket. The latter wasn't seen for the rest of the game. The Gumbies eventually reacted and made the game close, but not due Riviat's performance. The comparative stats speak for themselves: 23 disposals to 14; 6 tackles to 3; 2 goals to 0. All, while playing 15' fewer than his direct opponent. That's why TY24 was R3's IC of the Week.

Spoiler: Match Stats

 

[GremioPower]

R3 - Leaderboard

After three rounds, we have a new leader. But only 1 point separates ChappyUK (1st) and LicoriceAllsorts (2nd). Right behind them, but still within an easy-shot range, comes Easty (3rd). The H.I.T. Top-5 also has Edmund hunt (4th) and BlueMaster1 (5th).

Spoiler: R3 Ladder

 

[GremioPower]

ROUND 4




​

The H.I.T. is back! Now, for Round 4's action. This time, it was Edmund hunt who had a Top-3 entry denied right at the door. Among the best, there are two firsts: two rookies; and an IC-made-forward. And it was the near-400 gamer who ended up winning the round:


#3 - WaywardSonSon (ROY)
Rookies have been common so far in the top-3. It was warm at the BJO, but WSS almost didn't spend much time on the shade. The Roys' coach had second thoughts, and decided it was Way's time to shine. SonSon replaced Mooch at CHB in the 3rd minute and lead the Gorilla's defensive lines; being key in the win against the reigning premiers. He was better than CakeEater, who, despite not starving, didn't eat as much of the cake as he wanted; finishing with 5 fewer disposals and two fewer tackles than the Roy rookie.

#2 - Off Tap (WON)
Every round has had a Wonder in the Top-3. This time was Off Tap, a WSS's fellow rookie. OT entered the match in the end of Q1, replacing croweater 41 in a W. Most of time, he battled against por_please_ya in a warm day at Eyrie; but it was in the last quarter against eth-dog that Tap put his name in this week's H.I.T. Top-3. Giving his team a great help in boosting their percentage, he scored a goal and a behind. He also finished the game with 30 disposals and 6 marks.

#1 - peterss (GUM)
R4's IC of the Week is really close to his 400th SFA game. A Gumby legend, peterss entered the game, first, to deliver a message to lord The Jesus: "This is not your day." And it really wasn't. The Jesus went fasting in the desert and was practically a non-event for the entire game. Pete was determined to make his name at CHF, but his coach had other idea – a really bad one. peterss was wasted in the BP for a full quarter, struggling against Antonio BlueVein, before returning to CHF. After scaring a god, one can only imagine what he did to a devil. The snake, CALL ME SNAKE, didn't stand a chance. The Gumbies didn't hold on their lead in a fine afternoon at Abdu Prison, but one cannot blame peterss for that.

Spoiler: Match Stats

 

[GremioPower]

R4 - Leaderboard

After four rounds, there are 12 players, 50% of all of those who started on the bench in Opening Day, who have only played as IC. No suprise that 9 of them are in the H.I.T. Top-11 (there is a tie for 10th place).

ChappyUK is still the leader; but now followed by his fellow Fury Edmund hunt. Easty remains close in pursuit, while LicoriceAllsorts lost two spots after not having played in R4. Finishing the Top-5, there is Dragon Maylandsman.

Spoiler: R4 Ladder

 

[GremioPower]

QT - Club Leaderboard
After a quarter of the season gone, which club has the best IC Corps in the league?


The best bench currently belongs to the Fighting Furies, whose IC duo dominate the H.I.T. Ladder. In second, it comes a club with the opposite strategy, the West Coast Wonders, who have heavily rotate their players on the bench.

The rest of the clubs come far behind, with the Baghdad Bombers leading the pack of teams between 3rd and 10th places. Then, it comes the Bottom-2.

In 11th, one finds the Las Vegas Bears, followed by the worst bench in all of Sweet: the Mount Buller Demons. (Yes, Headless, you read it right.)

​

 

[GremioPower]

ROUND 5




​

It's time for announcing Round 5's best. First time with no Wonder, but the Royals have finally made the list. The acurate one was close to make the Top-3, but lost to his own teammate:

#3 - Paddles_ (GCR)
It was a great day for the Royals' bench in a warm day at the Eyrie. Pad got in the Top-3 due entering the field three minutes before his teammate TAO. He replaced Ulahoopski at HFF and gave Agent93 plenty of trouble. He ended the match with 16 disposals, 6 marks, and 2 goals.

#2 - bone2468 (GUM)
S29 Class is represented! Bone replaced Riviat at RR and spent the rainy afternoon at the VCP hunting down Warriors. He tackled a match-high 8 times (twice as much as the game's second tackler). Poor DockerDen5215 didn't stand a chance. If it weren't for his teammates fauling DD all the time, Bone would have won the award this week.

#1 - TheCoach16 (BOM)
No Licorice, no problem. TheCoach is the coach, after all. He entered the game with 40 seconds in, but at CHB, replacing The God Himself. The Bomber boss changed his mind 7' later. Still, his hunch that TC16 should play was strong, and in the 13th minute, Coach was back again for miggs. This time, at FF, for good. If Baghdad lost under the rain at the BJO, was not because of The Coach, who ended being the match's top scorer (5.3:33), beating Barrels in almost every time he got a chance to do it.

Spoiler: Match Stats

 

[GremioPower]

R5 - Leaderboard

A new leader! But not a new club. ChappyUK was taken out of the bench and lost his position at the top of the ladder to his teammate Edmund hunt.

Maylandsman is now third, followed by... [Is this correct? Are you sure this is right? Well, if you are certain, I will announce it.] ... followed by the SFA most famous interchanger, ... [Do I really need to say this? Really?! All right... All right... (sigh)] ... a qooty great, a Demon legend, no other than... (dramatic pause) ... Headless!

In fifth, closing the Top-5, we have Bear Ok Boomer.

Spoiler: R5 Ladder

After five rounds, only 7 players have been listed every match in their club's interchange.

 

[GremioPower]

ROUND 6

​

It's Round 6, and The acurate one was held at the door once again! Yet, the best interchanger of S31 is back at the week's Top-3, along with a couple of new faces. This time all three players were called up to play in the same position, on the wing, and they all excelled in it.


#3 - Gameova_ (SCS)
How about a pause from all the maddening Rats-talk that has been going on in Sweet? Well, then you must look elsewhere, because the Rats are back in the H.I.T. Top-3! [YES!!!] The Gameova_'s Witnesses are in frenzy after their favourite player came out of the bench to replace the current Mobbs-medal winner, Nunez, and dominated poor Ned Ryerson. Ova was among the Rats' best in their win against the Gumbies in a warm day at the House.

#2 - Edmund hunt (FUR)
It was a close call for first, but Ed's dominant performance ended up in second. It was raining at the hippodrome. Hunt replaced Bastyy and managed to beat Matt_352. Almost at the end, the Dragons put Ashman OG on him, but Ed kept his Fury BOG performance. If the rest of his team had played like him, the Furies would at least have kept the score close, instead of being completely roasted by the Dragons in the second half.

#1 - toxic (CIW)
Toxic's first half was so poisonous that his quieter second half couldn't take the first place away from him. In warm conditions at the Golden Throne, Toxic replaced Dinsdale and simply demolished ShaunDuggan. When Noobz0r went to W to slow Toxic down, most of the damage had already been done. Toxic lead the Warriors against the Royals, finishing the match with 27 disposals (many in center bounces), 4 goals, 120 DT points, and the R6 IC of the Week award!

Spoiler: Match Stats

 

[GremioPower]

R6 - Leaderboard

There is no new member in the H.I.T. Top-5 Club. Edmund hunt is still first and has build up considerable lead over the rest of the competition. The season is still long enough, however, for anyone to win it.

Ed's main competitor is Dragons' Maylandsman, who is followed by Headless (a bit further behind). ChappyUK has now fallen to 4th, and Ok Boomer once again closes the Top-5.

Just like Chappy, Easty (6th) and LicoriceAllsorts (7th) had been so good that even not playing from the bench for a while now, they kept their place among the best. Meanwhile, Fizzler, The acurate one, and (R6 winner) toxic have jumped into the Top-10.

Spoiler: R6 Ladder

After six rounds, only 5 players have been listed every match in their club's interchange.

 

[GremioPower]

ROUND 7

​

It's Round 7! A rookie returns to the Top-3; the best interchanger of the league leaves his mark once again; while the Hawks manage to be the first club to win a round twice. This time, it was Rat LukeParkerno1 who almost got a spot among the best.

These were this week's Top-3:

#3 - WaywardSonSon (ROY)
He may not post often or maybe ever, but WSS is revealing himself quite a Gun coming out of the bench for the Roys. He is now back at the Top 3, and he has played as IC only 4 times. This time he didn't play much (only 48' ToG), replacing Supersuns at RR. However, not even the rain could hide all Rioli8217's sweating after he entered on the field. SonSon finished the game with 9 disposals, 4 tackles, and 1 goal. Although he was better than Supersuns, his performance wasn't enough to secure his team a win.

#2 - Edmund hunt (FUR)
The Furies won again, and Edmund hunt was active, specially for a FP. He replaced Piggy Smalls right after the first bounce. He struggled a bit against windyhill, but had a field day against a struggling Supersuns. If not for his Stormtrooper skills, Ed would have been the match hero. However, his 2.5:15 statsheet doesn't look as good as a 5.2:32 one – regardless of the rain. Still, it was more than enough to give him his third H.I.T.'s Top-3 appearance; the first player to achieve that! It is no surprise, since Ed has been the best SFA interchanger this season by far.

#1 - larrikin (HAW)
The winner, however, is larrikin. The Hawks may have lost to the Warriors, but it would have been a pretty much one-way affair, if not for larrikin. He played only for 61', but was pivotal for his team reaction in a warm afternoon at VCP. He first came in as CHB, but his performance against Dinsdale convinced his coach to soon putting him on a W. Lord_Flashheart didn't see much of the qootball for the rest of the game. larrikin finished the match with 14 disposals and 5 marks in his way to become the second Hawk to win the IC of the Week award.

Spoiler: Match Stats

 

[GremioPower]

R7 - Leaderboard

Edmund hunt won't lose his spot on the top of the ladder even if he doesn't play on the bench next week.

Maylandsman (2nd) and Headless (4th) passed the entire round seated on the bench, scoring just the minimum of 25 points. In third comes Ok Boomer, who was a lot on the field, but didn't do much while there. Joining the Top-5 for the first time, there is WaywardSonSon (5th).

In the Top-10, Easty (6th), toxic (7th), ChappyUK (8th), and Fizzler (10th), are joined by Paddles_ (9th) and AngryRanga (10th) – who returns to his old place among the best.

Spoiler: R7 Ladder

 

[GremioPower]

ROUND 8

​

We have just played Round 8, and the H.I.T. brings a couple of surprises – and one known name (at least, for those following this competition). The reigning premiers, the Royals, decided to show Sweet that they deserve respect, with their interchangers being very involved in the win against the Dragons. Still, there's one fellow in strong pursuit of the title of "King of the Pine"...

Here, this week's Top-3:


#3 - WaywardSonSon (ROY)
His no-nonsense no-posting approach has been quite fruitful, so one should understand why SonSon doesn't change it. He has become the second player to be three times in the Top-3, but while Edmund hunt did in 7 rounds, WW did it in 5. This time, it took a while for the coach decide where he should play (3 changes in 11 minutes – one in each line!), but he finally settled at CHF, replacing RU_. RelaxMax tried his best to stop SonSon, but for no avail. Waywo finished the game with 22 disp., 5M, and 2G, among the Roys' best in their win over the Warriors in a perfect cloudy afternoon at the BJO.

#2 - Danger in Texas (GCR)
The Royals had two players in the Top-10 of the H.I.T. leaderboard. Still, Noobz0r and The Filth Wizard decided to take them out of the bench this week. Oh, boy! And how right they were! That which was already good only got better. Gold City obliterated the Dragons, and their bench had a lot to do with it. DiT was made into a rover, replacing nahnah, and dominated T2B_, who passed the day tackling anything in front of him, but couldn't get much of the ball at all. Danger finished with 22 disp., 5 marks, and a goal – which were all way more than what Teechoo did.

#1 - Gadzorks (GCR)
Still, DiT wasn't R8 IC of the Week. This week's winner is his teammate, Gadzorks. Gadz replaced ShaunDuggan in the wing and dominated Bradesmaen. He not only contained his opponent, but also helped the Royals to win in a warm day at Dragon's Island. In less than 80 minutes, Zorks got 24 disp., 7 M, and 2 T. This performance also made him the best interchanger of the round.

Spoiler: Match Stats

 

[GremioPower]

R8 - Leaderboard

Edmund hunt did well enough to preserve his lead over Maylandsman.

WaywardSonSon continues his meteoric rise and is now third. Below him, neck-and-neck, Ok Boomer (4th) and Headless (5th) close the Top-5.

There is a tie for 6th between toxic and Fizzler; closely followed by AngryRanga (8th). Bomber Keg still on legs is 9th, while in 10th comes Easty, who didn't participate of the H.I.T this week.

Spoiler: R8 Ladder

It took 4 rounds, but ChappyUK has finally lost his spot among the Top-10.

---

Note: Gadzorks actually scored 155 points in this round. From R11 onwards, his total points have been fixed.

 

[GremioPower]

HT - Club Leaderboard
After (almost) half of the season gone, which club has the best IC Corps in the league?


Last time we looked, the best bench belonged to the Fighting Furies. That was true from R2 to R7, but it's not anymore. Danger in Texas and Gadzorks did enough damage this week to put the Gold City Royals on top.

The rest of the teams seem not to be far behind from the leaders, specially The Roys. The exception is the Bottom-2. They seem to be playing in a league of their own.

And they have been playing in it from the get go. In every round, but one, the Las Vegas Bears, have been in 11th. In their turn the Mount Buller Demons have always been in dead last. (Yes, Headless, you read it right.)

​

Truth be told, the last four haven't changed since R6.

The club leaderboard will be back after R12, at the season's 3QT.

 

[GremioPower]

The full results from R1 to R8:

Spoiler

 

[GremioPower]

ROUND 9

​

It's a H.I.T.! Its 9th episode, actually. We have passed the season's mid-point. After Round 9, there are only eight more left. The race was the tightest so far, with LicoriceAllsorts and Ned_Flanders denied entry right at the Top-3's gate. Ultimately, there were three returns: one, after 4 rounds absent among the best; another, who has maintained a 100% record; and an extremely familiar face. Still, who has won the round?



#3 - Edmund hunt (FUR)
Absolutely unstoppable. It doesn't matter opponent, position, weather, nor venue. Ed seems to always deliver. It's his 4th time in the HIT Top-3. This time, it was against the Gumbies, playing at HBF, under the clouds at The House. 8 minutes in, and hunt was already on the field, replacing Wacky Tiger at HBF and playing against wherearemykeys. He tried his best, but was unable to beat Keys. Still, his performance was good enough for a third place this week.

#2 - bone2468 (GUM)
Bone is back at the top, after Round 5, where he got it for the first time. He was first put at BP, but couldn't do much against Fury benchman Ned_Flanders. After a while, he was called up again to replace Grimesy87 at C. Bastyy was having a good day until then, but bone made sure that Tyy's influence in the second half would be minimal. His performance was so good, that it was enough to compensate for the bad start and earn him a second place this week.

#1 - Danger in Texas (GCR)
It was his second game on the bench. It is his second time in the Top-3. Last week, he played in the midfield. This time, he was put forward, in Ulahoopski's spot. DiT only played three quarters, and Tommycash may have had his moments, but no interchanger had stronger stats than Tex. The Royals beat the Bears in a fine afternoon at the Golden Throne, and DiT's 16 disposals, 2 goals, and 5 marks played an important part for that to happen. It also conferred him the award for R9 Best IC of The Week.

Spoiler: Match Stats

 

[GremioPower]

R9 - Leaderboard

His third place helped Edmund hunt to increase his lead over Maylandsman.

WaywardSonSon lost ground behind the Top-2, and now feels Headless' breath on the back of his neck. The Top-5 also counts with Ok Boomer, who comes in 5th.

toxic kept his 6th place, followed by now by TheCoach16 (7th) – who's only 1 point ahead of AngryRanga (8th). Fizzler has fell from 6th to 9th. Closing the Top-10 comes bone2468, who have quietly climbed up after every single round since he joined the Gumbies' bench.

Spoiler: R9 Ladder

Eight rounds to go. There is plenty to happen yet, but Edmund hunt's lead is quite baffling!

 

[GremioPower]

ROUND 10

​

And here they come: the Round 10's best. All from the same match. Weather adjustment wasn't enough to take the spot from those who played in a fine weather, although LicoriceAllsorts and Spanna_ were awfully close. Gumbies' interchange tactics seem to begin to pay off, with a first-time Wonder completing this week's Top-3:

#3 - bone2468 (GUM)
It was a great day for the Gumbies' bench at the Colosseum. For the third time and the second consecutive week, Bone has made into the Top-3. This time he played roughly the same time as BP and as C. As a defender, in the first half, while the Wonders were the best team on the day, Bone managed to contain dogs105's influence on the scoreboard. In the second half, when the Gumbies mounted their comeback, Bone was in the very middle of the action, practically having a draw against Cadsky. Overall, Bone ended the match with 20 disposals, 5 marks, and 1 goal.

#2 - haydo (WON)
It was a tough call between haydo and this week's winner, but ultimately haydo fell short of the win. The Wonder captain (and former Rat) decided to put himself on the bench, and the decision seemed to have worked well. It's true, the Gumbies came back to win the game, but haydo did his part while trying to avoid that. Called early to replace ArdentEagle at R, haydo had to face his Gumby counterpart, Barrybran and did enough to beat him in their direct match-up – winning the HO count 19 to 11 and scoring twice as much as his opponent (2 behinds to 1).

#1 - Spuddd (GUM)
It took 20 seconds for Spuddd to come in for peterss at BP, but he was soon back on to the bench without seeing the ball. However, the Gumbies coach had more ambitious plans for him. So, in the 17th minute, Spuddd was on the field once again, taking GWS Goose's place at RR. SSwans2011 was having a field day over Goose, and it was up to the 3D Potato to end that. SS had found his match and more. Spuddd's 19 disposals, 9 tackles, and a goal – all while beating his direct opponent – have secured him the R10 IC of the Week title!

Spoiler: Match Stats

 

[GremioPower]

R10 - Leaderboard

Edmund hunt is now the "man of 1,000 points." His score of 89 points was exactly what he needed to be the first player to reach the mark. Maylandsman, for the fifth consecutive round, is in second – but now 237 points behind the leader.

Headless had closed the gap on WaywardSonSon last week and now has passed him to claim a spot in the season Top-3. Once again, Ok Boomer holds the 5th place.

However, bone2468 has jumped from 10th to 6th and is knocking at the Top-5's door. He is followed by LicoriceAllsorts, who returns to the Top-10 with only 5 games played on the bench.

toxic (8th) and Fizzler (9th) remain among the best, while ChappyUK, back on the bench after a long break, closes the Top-10.

Spoiler: R10 Ladder

Seven rounds to go!