swannies
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Armchair Endzone Minor Comp Winner
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It gets very interesting now, with Souths having the bye, but 3rd and 4th play each other so the Bulldogs stay well in contention. The Falcons will be looking to arrest an alarming form slump coming into the finals whilst the Tigers look to bounce back and consolidate top spot as well.
All games are the traditional Saturday afternoon. Let's start with the match of the round.
Lions v Sharks
Massive game, particularly for the Lions, as they had the bye last week and are a game behind the 3rd and 4th placed teams, but with a better percentage. The Lions play Peel next weekend and the Sharks play the Bulldogs, to take the rivalry to another level.
The Lions lose Anthony, but whenever I've seen them play they perform better without him. Broadhurst has taken his game to another level, with 63 goals, 20 clear of the next player, and he will be a tough match up again. Horsley, Bristow, Kerr, Blechynden, Waters, Hilder, Hughes, Phelan will need to be on their game to get on top of the Sharks runners. Subi's defence is well placed to handle the Sharks forwards, although B O'Brien will be a handfull for Wheeler or Worthington.
The Sharks have great run, we all know that, but it's not just midfield run. They attack a fair bit from their half back line as well and with Stevens in the middle they have a massive battering ram, then the O'Briens finishing the work up forward. I actually didn't think they could kick enough scores with their makeshift, undersized forward line, but they have done that. They still don't have a big target, unless Mitch Brown is thrown forward? Now there's food for thought. They bring in another couple of youngsters in Boyle and Monaco for this game, so they have a very even spread of talent.
I expect the Sharks might just prevail in a close one.
Teams
Lions
B R Forrest D Rumble K Bloxsidge
HB B Randall A Parker A Davey
C D Hughes C Phelan S Hildebrandt
HF P Hassett B Stevenson R Kerr
FF S Worthington B Broadhurst C Wheeler
F M Rix J Bristow K Horsley
Int. R Blechynden, A Cockie, G Hampson, D Headland, R Muller, A Pickett, R Waters
In G Hampson, R Muller, A Pickett
Out
Sharks
B D Chidlow L Weller A Stephen
HB J Mcnamara S Dodd B Sheppard
C T Houlihan M Mcgough S Horsburgh
HF B Dalziell T Howlett C Leslie
FF B O'Brien R Hadley L Teakle
F R Young L Fasolo R O'Brien
Int. J Bayliss, S Lee-Steere, C Yeo, M Boyle, R Dunn, K Monteath, J Monaco,
In J Bayliss, C Yeo, M Boyle, R Dunn, K Monteath, J Monaco,
Out J Brennan, M Brown, K Stevens
Tigers v Thunder
This doesn't look to be too dangerous for the Tigers, but the Thunder have not been blown away all year, except 1 game against the Falcons.
The Tigers have been a little more inconsistent this year than last, yet find themselves on top of the ladder. They also have a very good running division but with a decent mixture of talls. Wilkes back will be a very big in, especially as C Jones hasn't found his feet too well this year. Blackwell continues to lead from the front, with great support from Mitchell, Brabazon, Foster, Stevenson, Swift, Andrews through the middle and Laurie and Lee in defence or wherever they're thrown. Richardson seems to have been down a bit and Broome, after a blistering start to the season, hasn't been able to sustain that output.
The Thunder will feel the loss of Lycett, who has had a positive impact down forward for the Peel based team. Wilson is listed as out and he will be missed as well. The Thorntons lead this team from the front and Holmes, Healey, Eddy, Jones, Battye provide valuable run. Herring will need support up forward and Pohlenz-Saw has been good in the ruck, from what I have seen.
I think the Tigers, with their ins, might be comfortable winners.
Teams
Tigers
B A Browne B Franz J Laurie
HB C Rudeforth B Jones J Murphy
C A Foster L Blackwell K Mitchell
HF I Richardson D Crawford L Broome
FF T Handley C Jones A Gilligan
F T Lee J Bradshaw T Swift
Int. C Mclernon, T Willett, R Brabazon, B Wilkes, J Thomson, M Andrews, M Williams
In J Laurie, B Jones, T Willett, B Wilkes, J Thomson, M Williams
Out L Stevenson, G Weedon, A Gillespie
Thunder
B M Battye J Flaherty R Beswick
HB L Meyers A Thornton J Jones
C L Mckenna R Healey C Eddy
HF J Warren R Herring B Thornton
FF J Beasley B Holmes M Brown
F P Pohlenz-Saw K Thornton B Jones
Int. M Green, M Lleyendekkers, A Payrits, B Triplett, D Mcfarlane, M Murdoch, B Piggot
In M Lleyendekkers, M Murdoch, B Piggot, J Warren, M Green, R Herring
Out S Lycett, B Wilson, J Williams
Swans v Falcons
I was very wrong about Swans last week, rather gladly, so maybe I should be as pessimistic this week?
The Falcons need to get the team back on to the winning ways of earlier in the year and this year has not seen the close fought contests of the past couple of years, so what will we get?
Swans kicked 100 points last week, somewhat of a rarity for the season. That was without a significant input from Geappen, on the scoreboard. He did chase like a rocket had been lit under his behind a few times, it's taken a long time for the message to get through. Newman, Garlett and Shea were fantastic for the Swans, providing great run and enthusiasm for the team. They broke open the Souths midfield/defence quite a few times. Hansen looked better as the main target, rather than Geappen, but he may have been injured late in the game, he will be a key for Swans hopes if they are to cause an upset. Roberts will need Davis, Wolfy, along with the young kids to fire to hold the formidable Falcons running division.
The Falcons need to get their mojo back and this probably needs to start with running the footy. I can't see Salecic not putting in, but he will need the Rices, Guadagnins, Bartholomews, Bewicks, Van Berlos to all up the ante and put in. Looking forward to seeing young Lockyer and Nelson, to very bright young stars. LeCras, will he be used forward or back? If back, I'd play a Simpson type as a negative forward to simply stop his influence, as when he's been on song this year he has produced massive numbers for a CHB.
Could actually be a close one, but I expect the Falcons to win comfortably.
Teams
Swans
Falcons
Demons v Royals
The winner of this match guarantees themselves not to win the spoon. Is that a big enough incentive for them? Well, they're playing a bitter enemy, so that adds a bit more spice to the mix.
The Demons have unearthed a number of promising youngsters, I believe, but also continued to develop the talent they discovered in the last couple of years. Guys like Busher, Rogers, Fiegert, Vidot, O'Sullivan, Billings, Jacobs, Hodge and of course, O'meara. Along with Moody, McDougall, Zucconi, Young, K-T there is starting to form a good mix of experience and talent. Can it be kept together for next year though?
The Royals have again come good later in the season, but they also have shown a fair bit of promising talent. Kommer, Brookes, Lee, Sweet, Higgins, Delborello and Clutterbuck has really developed this year. Moss and Seal are still young, with Seal probably needing to develop some more consistency and Prior needs to recapture the 2010 form and the Royals will be a big threat again.
This is tough to pick, but I'm going to say the demons, at home.
Teams
Demons
B C Vidot A Zucconi N Kane
HB M Tedesco C Billings D Robinson
C J Kayler-Thomson S Armstrong M Florio
HF M Moody J Houghton C Sibosado
FF S Donovan H Busher J Leeson
F R De Jongh M Rogers R Young
Int. J O'Meara, B Hodge, J Jacobs, D White, D O'Sullivan, J Brennan, M Edwards,
In B Hodge, D White, D O'Sullivan, D White,
Out J Fiegert, S Siekierka
Royals
B N Kommer N Blee B Dobson
HB F Clutterbuck K Anderson A Sweet
C C Wulff D Macaulay D Stirling
HF M Swan H Shepheard M Seal
FF S Mckenzie A Prior G Moss
F J Smith P Travers B Lee
Int. B Higgins, J Keath, S Payne, J Birrell, J Stott, R Brookes, J Delborrello,
In R Brookes, J Stott, J Birrell, J Delborrello
Out D Chartres
All games are the traditional Saturday afternoon. Let's start with the match of the round.
Lions v Sharks
Massive game, particularly for the Lions, as they had the bye last week and are a game behind the 3rd and 4th placed teams, but with a better percentage. The Lions play Peel next weekend and the Sharks play the Bulldogs, to take the rivalry to another level.
The Lions lose Anthony, but whenever I've seen them play they perform better without him. Broadhurst has taken his game to another level, with 63 goals, 20 clear of the next player, and he will be a tough match up again. Horsley, Bristow, Kerr, Blechynden, Waters, Hilder, Hughes, Phelan will need to be on their game to get on top of the Sharks runners. Subi's defence is well placed to handle the Sharks forwards, although B O'Brien will be a handfull for Wheeler or Worthington.
The Sharks have great run, we all know that, but it's not just midfield run. They attack a fair bit from their half back line as well and with Stevens in the middle they have a massive battering ram, then the O'Briens finishing the work up forward. I actually didn't think they could kick enough scores with their makeshift, undersized forward line, but they have done that. They still don't have a big target, unless Mitch Brown is thrown forward? Now there's food for thought. They bring in another couple of youngsters in Boyle and Monaco for this game, so they have a very even spread of talent.
I expect the Sharks might just prevail in a close one.
Teams
Lions
B R Forrest D Rumble K Bloxsidge
HB B Randall A Parker A Davey
C D Hughes C Phelan S Hildebrandt
HF P Hassett B Stevenson R Kerr
FF S Worthington B Broadhurst C Wheeler
F M Rix J Bristow K Horsley
Int. R Blechynden, A Cockie, G Hampson, D Headland, R Muller, A Pickett, R Waters
In G Hampson, R Muller, A Pickett
Out
Sharks
B D Chidlow L Weller A Stephen
HB J Mcnamara S Dodd B Sheppard
C T Houlihan M Mcgough S Horsburgh
HF B Dalziell T Howlett C Leslie
FF B O'Brien R Hadley L Teakle
F R Young L Fasolo R O'Brien
Int. J Bayliss, S Lee-Steere, C Yeo, M Boyle, R Dunn, K Monteath, J Monaco,
In J Bayliss, C Yeo, M Boyle, R Dunn, K Monteath, J Monaco,
Out J Brennan, M Brown, K Stevens
Tigers v Thunder
This doesn't look to be too dangerous for the Tigers, but the Thunder have not been blown away all year, except 1 game against the Falcons.
The Tigers have been a little more inconsistent this year than last, yet find themselves on top of the ladder. They also have a very good running division but with a decent mixture of talls. Wilkes back will be a very big in, especially as C Jones hasn't found his feet too well this year. Blackwell continues to lead from the front, with great support from Mitchell, Brabazon, Foster, Stevenson, Swift, Andrews through the middle and Laurie and Lee in defence or wherever they're thrown. Richardson seems to have been down a bit and Broome, after a blistering start to the season, hasn't been able to sustain that output.
The Thunder will feel the loss of Lycett, who has had a positive impact down forward for the Peel based team. Wilson is listed as out and he will be missed as well. The Thorntons lead this team from the front and Holmes, Healey, Eddy, Jones, Battye provide valuable run. Herring will need support up forward and Pohlenz-Saw has been good in the ruck, from what I have seen.
I think the Tigers, with their ins, might be comfortable winners.
Teams
Tigers
B A Browne B Franz J Laurie
HB C Rudeforth B Jones J Murphy
C A Foster L Blackwell K Mitchell
HF I Richardson D Crawford L Broome
FF T Handley C Jones A Gilligan
F T Lee J Bradshaw T Swift
Int. C Mclernon, T Willett, R Brabazon, B Wilkes, J Thomson, M Andrews, M Williams
In J Laurie, B Jones, T Willett, B Wilkes, J Thomson, M Williams
Out L Stevenson, G Weedon, A Gillespie
Thunder
B M Battye J Flaherty R Beswick
HB L Meyers A Thornton J Jones
C L Mckenna R Healey C Eddy
HF J Warren R Herring B Thornton
FF J Beasley B Holmes M Brown
F P Pohlenz-Saw K Thornton B Jones
Int. M Green, M Lleyendekkers, A Payrits, B Triplett, D Mcfarlane, M Murdoch, B Piggot
In M Lleyendekkers, M Murdoch, B Piggot, J Warren, M Green, R Herring
Out S Lycett, B Wilson, J Williams
Swans v Falcons
I was very wrong about Swans last week, rather gladly, so maybe I should be as pessimistic this week?
The Falcons need to get the team back on to the winning ways of earlier in the year and this year has not seen the close fought contests of the past couple of years, so what will we get?Swans kicked 100 points last week, somewhat of a rarity for the season. That was without a significant input from Geappen, on the scoreboard. He did chase like a rocket had been lit under his behind a few times, it's taken a long time for the message to get through. Newman, Garlett and Shea were fantastic for the Swans, providing great run and enthusiasm for the team. They broke open the Souths midfield/defence quite a few times. Hansen looked better as the main target, rather than Geappen, but he may have been injured late in the game, he will be a key for Swans hopes if they are to cause an upset. Roberts will need Davis, Wolfy, along with the young kids to fire to hold the formidable Falcons running division.
The Falcons need to get their mojo back and this probably needs to start with running the footy. I can't see Salecic not putting in, but he will need the Rices, Guadagnins, Bartholomews, Bewicks, Van Berlos to all up the ante and put in. Looking forward to seeing young Lockyer and Nelson, to very bright young stars. LeCras, will he be used forward or back? If back, I'd play a Simpson type as a negative forward to simply stop his influence, as when he's been on song this year he has produced massive numbers for a CHB.
Could actually be a close one, but I expect the Falcons to win comfortably.
Teams
Swans
Falcons
Demons v Royals
The winner of this match guarantees themselves not to win the spoon. Is that a big enough incentive for them? Well, they're playing a bitter enemy, so that adds a bit more spice to the mix.
The Demons have unearthed a number of promising youngsters, I believe, but also continued to develop the talent they discovered in the last couple of years. Guys like Busher, Rogers, Fiegert, Vidot, O'Sullivan, Billings, Jacobs, Hodge and of course, O'meara. Along with Moody, McDougall, Zucconi, Young, K-T there is starting to form a good mix of experience and talent. Can it be kept together for next year though?
The Royals have again come good later in the season, but they also have shown a fair bit of promising talent. Kommer, Brookes, Lee, Sweet, Higgins, Delborello and Clutterbuck has really developed this year. Moss and Seal are still young, with Seal probably needing to develop some more consistency and Prior needs to recapture the 2010 form and the Royals will be a big threat again.
This is tough to pick, but I'm going to say the demons, at home.
Teams
Demons
B C Vidot A Zucconi N Kane
HB M Tedesco C Billings D Robinson
C J Kayler-Thomson S Armstrong M Florio
HF M Moody J Houghton C Sibosado
FF S Donovan H Busher J Leeson
F R De Jongh M Rogers R Young
Int. J O'Meara, B Hodge, J Jacobs, D White, D O'Sullivan, J Brennan, M Edwards,
In B Hodge, D White, D O'Sullivan, D White,
Out J Fiegert, S Siekierka
Royals
B N Kommer N Blee B Dobson
HB F Clutterbuck K Anderson A Sweet
C C Wulff D Macaulay D Stirling
HF M Swan H Shepheard M Seal
FF S Mckenzie A Prior G Moss
F J Smith P Travers B Lee
Int. B Higgins, J Keath, S Payne, J Birrell, J Stott, R Brookes, J Delborrello,
In R Brookes, J Stott, J Birrell, J Delborrello
Out D Chartres
