Hogg Premier League 2011

[Rik E Boy]

The Run Home Part II

Two weeks to finals now with only the Blue_Guns dropping out of the race after Round 13. I picked seven winners out of eight last week with Woody's Dropkicks defying my prediction with a win over Hawkeye. In retrospect this match was tippable seeing as Woggy has more Hawks than most in his team. Here’s the lowdown on the rundown.

1. Darksiders SCE (44)
To play – Woody's Dropkicks and Poon Army

Nothing’s changed from last time with Darksiders SCE scoring very well against Q Man last week. Woody pulled a surprise last week and will provide tougher opposition than the Poon Army in the final round but in all probability Darkside wins both.

2. REBCats (36)
To play - Squeakeroos DTC and Far Q

The REBCats booked a place in the finals last week with a win over Poon Army but will need one more win to secure a place in the top four. I don’t reckon I can win both but I reckon I can scam one of these games but the question is which one. On last week’s scoring I beat Squeaky but not Far Q but in recent rounds Squeaky has been the better team. One out of two will do me.

3. Hondominators YSCC (32)
To play – dunKsKrew and Mr Football

Hondo jumped to third spot after thrashing Boxhead United last week but will find things tougher against dunKsKrew and Mr Football. The Ginger Ninjas found out last week that dunKsKrew are not easybeats at the moment and Mr Football racked up an impressive score in the last round. Like me I reckon Hondo gets one out of two and the odds favour it to be a win this weekend but not the next.

4. Mr Football (32)
To play – chardy socialists and Hondominators YSCC

Mr Football will be a deserving top four side this year but the job isn’t done just yet. They face a couple of very tricky assignments to finish the year with chardy socialists improving just like dunKsKrew and Hondominators YSCC also capable of some big scoring. I reckon Mr Football can win them both and be sitting pretty come finals time.

5. Dusty Tunnels (32)
To play – Poon Army and Woody's Dropkicks

CoverKing needs to win both of these to make the top four with a slightly below par percentage. At his best he wins both but Lady Luck deserted the Tunnels last week which is never a good omen so close to finals time. I’m starting to believe that Dusty Tunnels won’t make the top four this season but a solid win against the Poon Army puts him right back in the picture.

6. Squeakeroos DTC (32)
To play - REBCats and Hawkeye

After last week’s stunning win Squeaky has an equally important match this week against the REBCats. Providing that one of my defenders doesn’t blow a gasket at quarter time I could pull off the upset but you’d have to select Squeakeroos DTC on current form. If he gets me he beats Hawkeye and will go very close to the top four with Hondo playing Mr Football in the last round. Might just scrape in instead of Dusty Tunnels.

7. Far Q (28)
To play – Hawkeye and REBCats .

The Q Man went down hard against Darksiders SCE and on that form can beat Hawkeye. The match against REBCats will be very close as earlier in season in the Pineapple league REBCats stablemate $traycat $trut defeated the Far Q by a point so we have two coaches with a very similar approach. Unfortunately for Hawkeye and REBCats, Far Q appeared to turn the corner last week. Can still make it despite their mid-season slumber.

8. The Ginger Ninjas (28)
To play – Boxhead United, Blue_Guns

Gingernuts shouldn’t miss out from here with a very soft run into the finals. That means he’s done it the hard way earlier on in the season. The Ginger Ninjas will fall short of the top four but can win both of their remaining matches to set themselves up for an elimination final against an out of form side in the bottom half of the eight.


9. Poon Army (28)
To play – Dusty Tunnels and Darksiders SCE.

It’s pretty hard to make a case for the Poon Army here. After failing to topple the REBCats last week Hammo now faces two sides that I couldn’t beat in Dusty Tunnels and Darksiders SCE. If the Poon Army can pull one out of the fire against Dusty Tunnels they could yet make a surprise entry into the finals but if they don’t win this week they are as good as gone with an appointment with the dark side in the final round.


10. chardy socialists (24)
To play – Mr Football and dunKsKrew

The chardy socialists are a long shot tomake the finals but if they can defeat Mr Football then they might make a dramatic late appearance into the finals. The chardies have struggled against the top sides so far this year but are playing their best season in Hogg Premier and to avoid the relegation zone shows that finny is on the ball. Beat Mr Football and who knows how far they can go but I reckon he’ll come up short against Pup.

11. Woody's Dropkicks (24)
To play – Darksiders SCE, Dusty Tunnels

Woody's Dropkicks returned to their 2010 best last week to smash Hawkeye last week but they’ll need to find even more points next week to remain in the hunt for the Hogg Shield. Any team that is a – out of the eight and b- drawn to play Darksiders SCE is in a bit of strife and both Poon Army and Woody's Dropkicks remain unlikely finalists. At least Poon get to play Dusty Tunnels before being dumped out of contention in the last round. For Woody, it’s D Day now.

12. Hawkeye (24)
To play – Far Q and Squeakeroos DTC

Hawkeye blew it last week when they couldn’t put Woody's Dropkicks away last week and both upcoming opponents are capable of matching Woodys scoring. Hawkeye seem to need a crisis before they produce their best but Woggy has run out of chances and their next loss will be their last. And it will be this week when Q Man breaks his run of outs.

REB’s Eight

1. Darksiders SCE (52)
2. Mr Football (40)
3. REBCats (40)
4. Squeakeroos DTC (40)
5. Hondominators YSCC(36)
6. The Ginger Ninjas (36)
7. Dusty Tunnels (36)
8. Far Q (32)

regards,

REB

[Hondo]

I expect to drop the round 20 game while I have Boyd on the bench.

[CoverKing]

Dusty Tunnels

Embley, Joel Selwood, Moloney and LeCras

v

Poon Army

229, Enright and Sylvia...

Think im in strife

[Q.]

Selwood FTW!!!

[Q.]

Finally.

[Rik E Boy]

**** sake! My defence sucks and the bloke I brought in to boost the shitpile got subbed off in the first quarter just for a ******* change get ******.

regards,

GRRR

[CoverKing]

[Q.]

Top 8 sealed.

[Pup]

Where is the Monday write up REB?

Got 2400+ with Smith 10 and Batchelor 14. Darkisiders with a Score

[Rik E Boy]

The Darksiders have sounded out a warning to all of the coaches in the Hogg Premier League as he racked up a massive 2679 to seal the minor premiership. The top eight looks settled now with Poony needing to knock over the Darksiders and hope for a loss to The Ginger Ninjas or Far Q to sneak into the eight.

FOOTYLEDGENS moved one step closer to overhauling Blue_Guns in a bid to play next week's opponent Boxhead in their relegation final while the top four opened right up as the REBCats got cleaned up by the Squeakeroos.

Dusty Tunnels and those Squeakeroos are still outside the top four despite their wins last week but during the last round Mr Football is playing against Hondominators so an opportunity still exists for one or both if Far Q can beat REBCats next round.

regards,

REB

[Rik E Boy]

Hogg Premier League Preview Round 15

The final round in Hogg Premier is a bit of an anticlimax as far as finals qualifications go because the only team that has a chance outside of the eight, Poon Army plays the runaway leader Darksiders SCE in the final round.

The only thing that needs to be settled are the final placings within the eight. Of great interest to teams currently outside the top four is the matchup between Hondominators YSCC and Mr Football and the recent totally crud form of what is left of the REBCats who are long shots to retain their traditional Grand Final place this season. Squeakeroos DTC and Dusty Tunnels are the two sides that are poised to sneak into the top four in the last week and provide some real competition for the incumbent top four sides although fourth spot could prove to be a poisoned chalice.

Darksiders SCE vs. Poon Army

The Darksiders haven’t put a foot wrong nearly all year long and they racked up over 2700 last week in yet another stunning scoring performance. The Darksiders SCE are red hot and look a pretty good thing to go on to be the first ever two time Hogg Premier winner after they won the 2009 title. Darksiders SCE are also the number one ranked side in the Hogg rankings as well so even though Hogg Premier as a league has been surpassed by rivals, no rivals have gained ground on the Darksiders. Poon will miss the finals again here as Darksiders SCE will record yet another victory.

Hondominators YSCC vs. Mr Football

This is the match of the round with both coaches having so much to play for. Mr Football appeared to have the edge with Hondo losing defender Chris Newman but now that Ablett has withdrawn that takes this edge away. Another mid-defender factor is that while Hondo loses Boyd to the bye, Pup loses Bob Murphy from his backline. Hondo can cover the loss of Boyd in midfield as long as Hodge plays and he looks stronger in the forward line and in the Ruck. Despite the loss of Newman and the unavailability of Boyd, I predict a Hondominators YSCC victory.


REBCats v Far Q

After some really panicky trading this season, the REBCats are not a contender this season and the wheels have well and truly fallen off for my mob. Ablett’s late withdrawal with a heartstring this week is the icing on a the shitburger that has been my season. Unfortunately for the REBCats, we play against a resurgent Q Man who has rediscovered some top form at the right end of the season. Even though I’m scoring respectable points, It won’t be enough and Far Q will get the four points here.

Dusty Tunnels v Woody's Dropkicks
CoverKing’s Dusty Tunnels are poised on the cusp of the top four but have to overcome the not insurmountable obstacle that is Woody's Dropkicks before he can claim his place in the safety of the double chance zone. This looks like a very evenly matched game with both sides losing Ablett but Dusty having to cover the loss of Boyd. The tunnels have gambled on the Jamar/Maloney combination paying off when Melbourne gets the easy last three games but if they don’t get the double chance then they can’t bank on Beamer’s bonanza during the last three weeks. CoverKing will have to decide on whether or not to keep Boyd’s donut or trade up to match the Dropkicks in midfield. If he goes in with his current Mids I reckon he gets done with Woody's Dropkicks about even in defence and up forward but with a superior Ruck set up. I reckon CoverKing makes the trade and makes a big for the double chance. And I reckon Dusty Tunnels gets the win.

Squeakeroos DTC vs. Hawkeye

The Squeakeroos DTC have been in awesome scoring form lately and the drop off of my side has opened the door to a top four spot that looked unlikely a few weeks ago. Squeaky has a good finals record as he won the 2009 Division I premiership over Darcy DTF who went on to win Premier League last year. If he gets into the top four I reckon he’s the best bet to make the Grand Final against Darksiders SCE so more than a few coaches should be hoping he misses the double chance. Hawkeye’s season has finished with a whimper and while he’ll be back in Hogg Premier next season it’s all over for him this year. Squeakeroos DTC to win this one quite comfortably.

The Ginger Ninjas vs. Blue_Guns

Gingernuts is rolling nicely now against some of the lesser sides and he’s done enough this season to get back into Hogg Premier finals territory. The Ginger Ninjas shouldn’t have too much trouble accounting for the Blue_Guns if last week’s 2500 is any guide. The Blue_Guns have more to play for than they perhaps realise as FOOTYLEDGENS is poised to overtake them which would force the Guns to play against dunKsKrew rather than Boxhead United in their upcoming relegation final. Somehow I don’t think Blue_Guns are aware of this and for this reason I reckon The Ginger Ninjas will win this one as they have more to play for, at least on the surface of things.

chardy socialists vs. dunKsKrew

While they have missed this season after a brave effort, the chardy socialists should account for dunKsKrew in this dead rubber. While the Krew are not without a chance like all bottom four sides this match is only a prelude to a bigger match next week as they attempt to fight it out for Premier League survival. While the chardy socialists know all about relegation finals they don’t have to worry about that this year and they should go out a winner while dunKsKrew have to wait and see who they will be playing in their relegation final match in a fortnight.

FOOTYLEDGENS vs Boxhead United

If the Cub can play his cards right he can set up an relegation final rematch against this year’s wooden spooner with a win this week. Cub’s strategy has been to avoid relegation rather than win matches towards the end of the year but in this match the aims are one and the same. Boxhead United hasn’t been scoring well all year and while Cubby has had a poor year he should be able to get over the line here. FOOTYLEDGENS will win this game and take on the same opponent next week in a fight to stay up in Hogg Premier League.

REB’s Final 8

1. Darksiders SCE (52)
2. Hondominators YSCC (40)
3. Dusty Tunnels (40)
4. Squeakeroos DTC (40)
5. Mr Football (36)
6. Far Q (36)
7. The Ginger Ninjas (36)
8. REBCats (36) 

Regards,

OUCH!

[CoverKing]

Needed 218 from embley, le cras, foley to beat woody dropkicks!

Adding them up from coveritlive, it will be a tie as they added up to 218!

[CoverKing]

Won by a point

[Rik E Boy]

That's the minor round done and dusted for another year even though the top eight was settled last week. Not too many surprises in this week's results but CoverKing almost pulled a clanger against non finalist Woody's Dropkicks in the last round. Dusty Tunnels and Squeakeroos DTC snaffled top four spots at the death with the wheels falling off the REBCats and Mr Football scoring poorly in the last round. In the relegation zone it was job done for Cubby's FOOTYLEDGENS who earnt themselves a rematch against the Wooden Spooners after The Ginger Ninjas took care of Blue_Guns who now face dunKsKrew in the other relegation final.

Sheesh I hope Ablett is back in this week!

regards,

REB

[Hondo]

Things derailed for me today - Puopolo 58, Hurn 57 and Cox 78 as my captain. I thought I was headed for 2500+

Still happy to get the win. Well done to CoverKing I noticed the 1 point win there!

[CoverKing]

Things derailed for me today - Puopolo 58, Hurn 57 and Cox 78 as my captain. I thought I was headed for 2500+

Still happy to get the win. Well done to CoverKing I noticed the 1 point win there!

Cheers mate. Will be a close battle since you have no Petrie or harvey, both may lose cox and I may nothave ablett

[Hondo]

CK, I think I will be using the double chance to save trades so my best case scenario is Mzungu and Krakouer covering Harvey and Petrie. If Cox doesn't play I'll have a donut. If Goodes misses I may be tempted to trade but even then I may just play Lynch to cover him. I reckon you'll be earning a week's rest while I live to fight another day.

Ablett missing may even that up.

[CoverKing]

CK, I think I will be using the double chance to save trades so my best case scenario is Mzungu and Krakouer covering Harvey and Petrie. If Cox doesn't play I'll have a donut. If Goodes misses I may be tempted to trade but even then I may just play Lynch to cover him. I reckon you'll be earning a week's rest while I live to fight another day.

Ablett missing may even that up.

Cox and goodes miss it could be very interesting

[Rik E Boy]

Hogg Premier League Finals Preview

Hogg Premier has had it’s reputation tarnished somewhat this season with Hogg Division I and Hogg Division IV overhauling it on the rankings table although that can’t be attributed to those teams who have made the finals. The 2011 season saw the return to prominence of Darksiders SCE who have taken over the top spot following the voluntary defection of last year’s premier Darcy DTF. Hondominators YSCC, as expected have made a strong showing in his debut season and fellow Division I promoted side Dusty Tunnels has also earnt the double chance.

The most improved side this year is Squeakeroos DTC who hardly won a match last season but represents a very real threat to the Dark Side for the Hogg Premier title. In the relegation zone we have three teams that have been in Hogg Premier for many seasons as they fight for one more year in the top flight.

Qualifying Finals

1. Darksiders SCE vs. 4. Squeakeroos DTC

It’s all too easy for the Darksiders SCE. Or so says the coach on the Premier League SIKE board although he might be talking out of his…………….hat because this week’s first up final represents a significant challenge with Squeakeroos DTC scoring really well in recent matches. Darksiders SCE have also been scoring really well though so this final has all the makings of an absolute cracker. As much as I would love to see Darksiders SCE fall on their arse after being so cocky last week I can’t tip against them and I think Darksiders SCE will win and earn the week off.

2. Hondominators YSCC vs. 3. Dusty Tunnels

Both of these guys have been stressing about players not being available this week so it could be a battle of two understrength combinations desperately trying to win and get the much needed week off. I rate Hondo as the better coach but CoverKing is not too far behind and these two teams have had some cracking encounters in the past and this one might be another one. I reckon they are both lucky to dodge Squeakeroos DTC and Darksiders SCE and the winner of this one will emerge a stronger contender if they can just get past this week. Hondo has a good record against CoverKing so I’m selecting Hondominators YSCC in a close one.

Elimination Finals

5. Far Q vs. 8. REBCats

The Q man has returned to form at the right time of year and he gets a nice easy final against the REBCats who have well and truly got the staggers towards the end of what has been a disappointing season for my boys. Q Man beat the same opposition easily last week and while Ablett might be back to bolster my boys I’m still going to be a hundred points short of staying alive. Far Q will win this one and live to fight another week.

6. Mr Football vs. 7. The Ginger Ninjas

Perennial Premier League finalist Mr Football matches up in a knockout final against The Ginger Ninjas who return to finals action after a two year absence. Mr Football hasn’t scored as well as some of the top four teams but I reckon he has Gingernuts covered. I’m expecting some bad news for Ginge regarding Sandilands so that’s a lot of coin to have on the bench in such a big match. The Ginger Ninjas have improved a great deal this season but regardless of this I predict a Mr Football victory with Pup to advance.

Relegation Finals

13. FOOTYLEDGENS vs. 16. Boxhead United

Both of these sides have been in Hogg Premier for many seasons but the loser of this one will be a former Premier league combination. Boxhead has been terrible all year not getting over 2000 on most weeks. FOOTYLEDGENS has scored poorly also but doesn’t get anywhere near the amount of sub 2000 scores. I reckon that the Cub has got about 150 points on Boxhead United at the moment and his trading strategy for the past few weeks has been based on Premier League survival. In the meantime I’m not all that sure Boxhead has been looking at his team at all. I think FOOTYLEDGENS will win this one quite comfortably over the Premier League wooden spooner.

14. Blue_Guns vs. 15. dunKsKrew

After three rounds the Blue_Guns were unbeaten but since then they have gone 2-10 to sink to 14th on the ladder. The bad news for the Guns here is that instead of a relatively soft relegation match against Boxhead they will face a genuine contest in the form of dunKsKrew who, like FOOTYLEDGENS has possibly put more effort into their team over the last few weeks with a view to staying up. Having said that though, Duncs’ mob didn’t score all that well last week and if they get the same scores as last round then this one will be really close. I think that dunKsKrew will win as they look like they want to stay up a bit more than the Blue_Guns who has all the makings of an AWOL coach next year.

regards,

REB

[Gingernuts]

Full strength side with 4 trades and 170k in the bank. I reckon I've got a reasonable shot at Mr Football this week.