by Rik E Boy » Thu Apr 02, 2015 1:26 pm
HOGG PREMIER PREVIEW 2015
Normally the Premier League is the Who’s who in the Hogg Shield but this year it’s more like Who the hell is who after six new teams lobbed in the top league this season. So this post is more of an introduction than a preview which is just as well as my predictions are shocking. Teams listed in seeded order.
Hondo SSC
I predicted that Hondo would win the flag last year so he had no hope really after that. Hondo is something of a HPL senior citizen now who has gotten into the habit of belting young up and comers over the calves with his walking cane. Top four.
Les’s Men
Of the six new teams, Logan’s Les’s Men had the most impressive season last year and if he can replicate that he will go a long way to winning the title. After playing in the Elite League last year facing up to top opposition week after week won’t faze Les. Top four.
Underdogs
Despite scoring well over the entire season, the Underdogs somehow missed the finals last year. While a repeat of that scenario would surprise, perhaps the Dogs are due for a downer. As someone who is sick of losing to them, I hope that this Dog has had its day. Top eight.
Cork in the Ocean
Corky bobbed up last year to claim his first Hogg Premier flag but history is against him here. Only one side has ever won back to back titles in Premier League although the Captain and Q went close when they doubled up in successive Grand Finals. This year I’m tipping Corky to be stuck in the log-jam but they should scramble into the eight. Top eight.
Q Before You
The Q Man is always a contender in the HPL these days and it’ s hard to see the Q missing out on his normal place in the Queue. I always worry about the Q Man but his year he’s thinking of selecting Daniel Wells so maybe this is the year he drops the ball. Not sure if he can go top four but top six seems about right. Top six.
Captain Who?
Q’s old sparring partner the Captain got off to a shocker last season but came roaring back to be one of the form sides of the comp before crashing in the first week of the finals. I expect a brighter start from Groover this season and a return to top four action. Top four.
Has Been
The Beeners are another quality combination who will hover anywhere from 4th to 12th throughout the season and be in contention when the whips are cracking late. I reckon this team makes the finals at least. Top eight.
Honey Badgers
Premier League newcomers Honey Badgers are a bit like the Underdogs, a gun side that scores points but somehow fails to convert their scoring patterns into wins. A bit like trade-burning patterns high scoring losing is also a tough SC habit to break. While you might make the eight in Divvy I it won’t be good enough here. Top twelve.
Ecky’s Fevolas
One thing you can’t accuse the Eckys of is trade burning and that makes them a good bet to make the top eight for mine. A high scoring team that wins the matches that count, I expect the Fevolas to be kicking goals late in the season. Top four.
Ben Rolfsburgers
The Rolfs have been an impressive team that have had a habit of stalling just before greatness beckons. While winning matches during the minor round hasn’t been a problem for them, winning finals has been a worry. As the Rolfs progress through the ranks you have to think at some stage that winning minor round matches will get tougher. This is the year for that. Top ten.
Squeakeroos DTC
The last remaining AFL Online coach and Premier League veteran will find this season even tougher than usual. Unlike some bottom ten sides, Squeaky will be in Elite this season and that can prove a distraction. This is the year I’m tipping that Squeaky might make a bit of a stumble. Bottom four.
REBCats
At some stage I’m going to threaten to make the top eight but I can’t see it happening in this company. Might scam the odd win against a top side but I reckon the REBCats aren’t a genuine contender. Top ten.
Buddy Franklin
Buddy looked like a million dollars last year but showed himself to be a true trade burner. Masha will have to work hard to rid himself of this affliction if he expects to make the finals. An astute coach, he will survive, but not prosper. Top twelve.
sharks
The sharks showed that they can win a premiership despite being surrounded by better scorers but along the way he had a few bunny teams to keep him in the hunt last season. This year he will be like Elmer Fudd, vainly trying to find Bunnies but finding instead Hogg Premier coaches. I can’t see Spiro making much of an impact despite last year’s impressive result. Bottom four.
Peptide Army
The Poon Army is one of two original Hogg Premier League coaches but I reckon the enforced name change spells doom for Troy. The Poon Army was a feared and respected opponent but the Peptide Army will need an injection of skill to survive another year. It will be a bitter pill for Hammo to take but relegation is coming and he will be forced to take his medicine. Bottom four.
Cotch Lickers
The lickers, aka Richo Richo whatever Tiger man, should improve seeing as you don’t need to worry about which way the wind blows in fantasy footy. I reckon the presence of his mate Logan in premier league will lift CoverKing and his brother wycbloods but he’s been dead ordinary in recent seasons. Top twelve.
wycbloods
See above. I reckon it might be brothers in arms but the bloods are overdue for a decent season after a less than impressive follow up to their finals debut. The bloods may be watching over their shoulder and could become embroiled in a relegation battle but should do enough to survive. Top fourteen.
Longwood Lions
The Lion sleeps tonight has been the theme song here for Alaska’s form has been decidedly cool since entering the Premier League. Of all the Hogg Premier coaches it seems as though Alaska might actually have a life which is a severe drawback in this league. Bottom Four.
REB sez
1. Captain Who?
2. Hondo SCC
3. Les’s Men
4. Eckys Fevolas
5. Q Before You
6. Underdogs
7. Cork in the Ocean
8. Has Been
9. Ben Rolfsbergers
10. REBCats
11. Honey Badgers
12. Cotch Lickers
13. Buddy Franklin
14. wycbloods
15. Squeakeroos DTC
16. sharks
17. Longwood Lions
18. Peptide Army
Sorry about that Captain but the kiss of death has struck!
regards,
REB