Hogg Premier League 2013

[Rik E Boy]

The League Code for Hogg Premier League is282143.

These are the teams that are welcome to join this league -

1 The Spuds Matt852 50892
2 Longwood Lions Alaska 50498
3 Richo Richo Man CoverKing 50309
4 Captain Who? Groover 50244
5 Darksiders SCE Reignman 50239
6 MILLERS MOSQUITOES hawksrule 49892
7 Underdogs sharksta 49641
8 REBCats REB 49409
9 Q Before You Quichey 49393
10 Poon Army Troy 49380
11 Texas Danger SSC Hondo 49351
12 Squeakeroos DTC Squeakeroos 49219
13 buddyroughhawks WYCBLOODS 48556
14 The Ginger Ninjas Gingernuts 48501
15 Cork in the ocean Interceptor 48407
16 Dutchys Dodos Dutchy 48257
17 chardie socialists finn 47442
18 Hawkeye Woggy 46406

Teams in bold have already joined the league. No gatecrashers please.

regards,

REB

[Hondo]

I have joined up

In honour of Taylor Walker my team name is Hondo Texans (that's unless I change my mind between now and round 1)

[Q.]

Didn't even know SC was open. Haven't read a single bit of fantasy footy related news this year. Need to get cracking!

[Hondo]

Get your skates on Q!

[Alaska]

I am in, team picked, all pre NAB cup research completed.
Now six weeks off to refine the new mid price strategy!

[CoverKing]

Im in. Richo Richo Man this year

[Banker]

I am in, team picked, all pre NAB cup research completed.
Now six weeks off to refine the new mid price strategy!

Are the rumours true Alaska?

Booked February off from work to concentrate on SC?

Again!

[Alaska]

I am in, team picked, all pre NAB cup research completed.
Now six weeks off to refine the new mid price strategy!

Are the rumours true Alaska?

Booked February off from work to concentrate on SC?

Again!

Not due back at work till 18 March.

[Rik E Boy]

Im in. Richo Richo Man this year

He wants to be a Richo Man
Richo Richo Man
YEAH
He wants to be a Richo!!

regards,

REB

[Rik E Boy]

Didn't even know SC was open. Haven't read a single bit of fantasy footy related news this year. Need to get cracking!

Don't worry about mate. Take it sleazy.

regards,

REB

[wycbloods]

Buddyroughhawks are in

[Q.]

[Rik E Boy]

All teams are now locked in Eddie, for Hogg Premier League 2013. There doesn't appear to be any 'byes' in this year's event so expect it to be closely contested. Good luck to all teams.

regards,

REB

[Rik E Boy]

Hogg Premier League Preview 2013

Three seasons ago Hogg Premier was a nice safe place to be. There were one or two sometimes three coaches who loafed it throughout the year so as long as you watered your team it had a chance of making it through the winter and you could thus preserve your Hogg Premier status.

Then came the boys from AFL Online and then came the Ironbankers. The first Ironbanker to make it to Hogg Premier League is Alaska whose Longwood Lions won both the Hogg Champions League and Hogg Division I in the most impressive Hogg Shield season ever. Coming up with him is Matty Henderson whose ‘Spuds’ were ranked 2nd in the overall Hogg rankings last season. I expect this year’s Premier League to be a fairly highly ranked one as long as we 5 remaining originals (REBCats, Hawkeye, Ginger Ninjas, chardy socialists and Poon Army) can lift our game.

So who is going to win this year? Read on…

1. Richo Richo Man (Don’t drop catches) – CoverKing
CoverKing is most adept at scoring points but this has not translated itself into premiership glory for the team to be known as Richo Richo Man this season. CoverKing is always about the place at the business end of the season but has proven to be somewhat shaky under pressure. With more trades available this season we can expect Richo Richo Man to have a few more options up their sleeve in the last month of the year. I think this year CoverKing can break through for his inaugural premiership win and he’s my tip to win it this season.

2. Longwood Lions – Alaska
Just like the Lions of the Brisbane variety a decade ago, Alaska’s Longwood Lions are a proven finals performer. With an insatiable hunger for SuperCoach, Alaska leaves no stone unturned in his quest for Hogg glory. The winner of the inaugural Champions League competition has decided on a risky mid pricer strategy but it is hard to ignore the Lions impressive track record. The Lions are one of the favourites and they’ll be tough to beat come August. I’m not sold on the mid pricer strategy though so he might be short on trades in what I predict will be a Grand Final appearance.

3. Darksiders SCE – Reignman (AFL Online)(Premiers 2009, 2011)
The Darksiders have made the finals every season in Hogg Premier and remain the most credentialed side in this league. Once again you’d expect the Dark Side to remain one of the teams to beat and earn themselves a top four position. Other Hogg Premier coaches have awaited the so called ‘inevitable’ drop off but a bit like Geelong, it hasn’t quite happened yet. Top four.

4. Captain Who? – Groover (Premiers 2012)
For someone whose team is named after the eternal captaincy conundrum, the Captain is one hell of a team that is always tough to beat. Last year the Captain’s solid form during the bye weeks proved to be pivotal as the run home approached which demonstrates astute coaching from the defending premier who will once again be one of the teams to beat this year. Can he do it again this season? History shows that no team has won back to back titles so this means the odds might be against the Captain this season.

5. The Spuds – Matt (AFL Online)
The Spuds have been deservedly promoted to the premier league after making the Grand Final in an increasingly difficult Hogg Division I. The Spuds had a habit of losing to dodgy teams last year such as the cobras but won’t find anyone dodgy to lose to in this company. Matty’s boys should make the eight at least if he can continue last year’s excellent form. With a bit more week to week pressure in head to head I expect a slight dip in overall rankings but a top eight spot for Matt looms.

6. REBCats (The Cat Empire) – REB
After a poor season last year I’ve ditched the Cat Empire name to take ownership of my outstanding Grand Final fail tradition. However, these days it is not as easy to make the Grand Final as in years past and I’m not expecting to do so this year. However, if I can get a better start then I reckon you can pencil in the REBCats for the top eight this season.

7. Texas Danger SCC (Hondominators SCC) – Hondo
Hondo had his worst Hogg season last year but was still involved in the finals hunt after some dodgy early moves ultimately ruled him out for the year. I expect a far more considered approach from Hondo this year and for him to regain his top eight status. He is far too good a coach to serve up some of the poor scoring he did last year unfortunately. Finals action for 2013 for Tex who had to change their name as they no longer dominate.

8. MILLERS MOSQUITOES – hawks rule (AFL Online)
The Mozzies are yet another Hogg side that scores a heap of points but hasn’t quite managed to grab themselves any silverware just yet. They’ve been about the place for quite a few years and MILLERS is now a Hogg Premier League regular. I’d be very surprised if the Mozzies missed the finals this year but the top four might be a little out of reach.

9. Underdogs – sharksta
The Underdogs have a very proud record in the lower grades but found the going a lot tougher in Hogg Premier and Hogg Champions League last season. However, it must be noted that the Underdogs had their poorest season yet and still managed to make the finals last season in the premier league. If sharksta can return to her 2011 form she can threaten the top four but I’m thinking (and hoping) that the Underdogs’ best fantasy footy is behind them as the sharksta has three youngsters to chase about the house these days.

10. Q Before You – Q
The Q Man excelled himself last season with a conservative strategy that had him firing at the pointy end of the season. The Q Man fell short of Hogg glory last season and with additional trades a different strategy must be used this season to replicate the same result. I’m tipping that the Q Man will drop off slightly and that is all it takes to miss the eight in this company as his scoring didn’t match his win loss record. A vulnerable top eight team that might be targeted.

11. Squeakeroos DTC Jaryed (AFL Online)
Squeaky is always a competitive Premier League side but has yet to seriously challenge for the title. The Squeakeroos are certainly not easy beats by any stretch of the imagination but it would take a huge form upswing to see Jaryed make inroads in August. I’d expect Squeakeroos DTC to challenge long into the season but ultimately just fall short.

12. Dutchy’s Dodos – Dutchy
After a massive improvement in 2011, last year’s Hogg season was a disappointing one as far as the Dodos are concerned. For the second year running Dutchy relied on the barnstorming run home but left it too late in a tougher league and as a result missed the finals. If Dutchy can find a way to win a few more early matches then he can make the eight but based on the last two seasons results this doesn’t look likely.

13. The Ginger Ninjas – Gingernuts
Gingernuts has been a competitive ‘original’ who has a habit of claiming the occasional big scalp. While the Ninjas have had some success in other grades they struggle to make an impact at this level and this year’s Premier League will be even harder. Another distraction for the Ninjas is that they have qualified for the dead set evil Champions League and it can make it tough to concentrate on Premier League when you are fighting off the best teams in the Hogg on two fronts. It didn’t work for Hitler either. Gingernuts to miss the eight.

14. Poon Army – Troy (Ipswich City Council)(Premiers 2007)
Yes it is time for my annual ‘diss Poon Army in the preview thread’ as I can’t believe that he somehow made the top eight last year after I predicted that he would finish last. Hammo has proven to be quite resilient and I fully expect that continue this season. Troy does the bye period well and it could be that ability that saves him from relegation but no soup for you Hammo as I expect Poon Army to miss the finals this year.

15. Buddyroughawks (Halem Hawks) - wycbloods
Wycbloods appears to be in for a buddyrough season in Premier League based on last year’s form. A massive improvement will be needed to see bloods avoid a relegation scrap with Corky, Chardies and Woggy. At his best the hawks should secure their Premier League position and even threaten the top eight but the wycbloods brief Premier League career has yet to see his team hit those heights.

16. Cork in the Ocean - Interceptor
Corky has had some good wins every now and then in the Premier League but is another of those sides that appear destined to be locked into the bottom ten with many others. Corky flirted with relegation at times last season and may do so again as there will be no BlueGunners to beat up on so Corky could be under the pump this season.

17. Chardy socialists (racing thebarton) – finn
Every year I write the chardies off and every year they survive the drop so no doubt finny will be smiling if he reads this preview. But come on surely this is the year when the chardies drop down a divvy! A lot of coaches might pencil a W in the column when an upcoming fixture says ‘chardy socialists’ but somehow finn has found ways to fashion enough upset wins to remain in the league. Sorry dude but its game over this season. Relegation.

18. Hawkeye – Woggy (Ipswich City Council)
At one stage last year Woggy was absolutely flying as he copped a fairly safe early draw but the wheels well and truly fell off towards the end as did his scoring. Additional trades might assist Hawkeye this season but the Premier League has now advanced to a stage where he now appears to be out of his depth. I expect Hawkeye to be relegated this season.

regards,

REB

[wycbloods]

If you think REB that he is 14 positions better than me you are dreaming. at least i hope your dreaming as i will never hear the end of it otherwise

I hope that this year and bring my div 1 form from 2 years ago and give the top 8 a real shake.

[Rik E Boy]

If you think REB that he is 14 positions better than me you are dreaming. at least i hope your dreaming as i will never hear the end of it otherwise

I hope that this year and bring my div 1 form from 2 years ago and give the top 8 a real shake.

Ha ha. Wait until CK sees I've given him the kiss of death! All eighteen good enough to make the eight.

regards,

REB

[CoverKing]

If you think REB that he is 14 positions better than me you are dreaming. at least i hope your dreaming as i will never hear the end of it otherwise

I hope that this year and bring my div 1 form from 2 years ago and give the top 8 a real shake.

Would of been close to 14 positions higher than you last year bloods i reckon?

No kiss of death here REB, i embrace the challenge and look forward to leading the charge (until finals time where ill choke again )

[Q.]

a different strategy must be used this season to replicate the same result

Precisely. Going in a different direction this year.

[Rik E Boy]

a different strategy must be used this season to replicate the same result

Precisely. Going in a different direction this year.

That's what I said in my preview.

regards,

REB

[Q.]

Yeah, I could have worded that better. Dancing to the beat of a different drum.