Hogg Premier League 2012

[Groover]

Mini final for me this week against PA should be a real corker!
Winner gets a crack at the top 4 whilst the loser has to battle to stay in the 8. Looking forward to it

[Rik E Boy]

Hogg Premier League Ladder Predictor 2012

1. Darksiders SCE (44) – Dutchys Dodos, Hondominators YSCC, Underdogs

The Darkside has once again assumed the mantle of the leading team in Hogg Premier but faces a must tougher task to win this year’s title than he did last year. I’d expect Darksiders to win most his remaining games although Hondo and Underdogs represent a tough closing two weeks for the reigning premier. I reckon The Darkside win two matches but lose the minor premiership to Underdogs.

2. Underdogs (40) – racing thebarton, The Cat Empire, Darksiders SCE.

Underdogs are in top form at the moment and are in such good form that could even go in favourite against Darksiders in the last round. I think that the Underdogs can upset the Darksiders in the last round and grab top spot.

3. Q Before You (40) – Don’t Drop Catches, Ginger Ninjas, Halem Hawks.

Q Man is currently in third spot but will need to defeat Ginger Ninjas to hold his top four spot in my view. I expect Don’t Drop Catches to start a slight favourite against the Q Man this week but the key clash will be the match against Gingernuts as Ginge tries to make the eight and Q strives to stay in the top four. I reckon that Q Man can beat Gingernuts and Halem Hawks and finish fourth on the ladder.

4. Don’t Drop Catches (36) – Q Before You, Squeakeroos DTC, racing thebarton

The Catchers dropped a match last week but won’t want to drop this one against Q Man as he is a game behind 2nd and 3rd spot after being ambushed by Gingernuts last week. I reckon the Catchers can win this week and in fact go on and win all three and grab third spot and play off against the Darksiders in the first week in the finals.

5. MILLERS MOSQUITOES (36) – Woodys Dropkicks, Hawkeye, Dutchy’s Dodos

MILLERS have now lost their past five matches but should still make the finals looking at their run home. If MILLERS can’t beat 17th ranked Woody then they are a good chance to miss the eight as that is the easiest of the three remaining matches. I expect MILLERS to regain some form and win at least two of the last three but his mid-season slump will cost him a top four spot.

6. Captain Who? (32) –Poon Army, Halem Hawks, Woodys Dropkicks.

The Captain has been in fine form in recent weeks and should win at least two of the last three matches to make the eight. The Poon Army are in a very similar boat and I believe both of these sides will make the eight with a possible rematch between the teams in the first week of the finals regardless of this week’s result.

7. Hawkeye (32) - Cork in the Ocean, MILLER MOSQUITOES, Poon Army

Hawkeye are the vulnerable team in the top eight after a poor run of form which has seen them slip to seventh. Hawkeye might need two more to be safe here but with matches against two top eight sides and the suddenly born again Cork in the Ocean on the run in it is a good bet now that Woggy will miss the finals.

8. Poon Army (32) - Captain Who?, Woodys Dropkicks, Hawkeye.

Hammo has a pretty soft run home to the finals and should qualify even if he can’t beat the Captain. The Army is scoring quite heavily in recent weeks and should win at least two, if not all of these matches. I predict a return to the finals for the Poon Army for the first time since 2009 with a rematch against the Captain in the first week of finals.

9. Hondominators YSCC (28) – The Cat Empire, Darksiders SCE, cork in the ocean.

Hondo’s scoring has been very up and down this season and he was bloody lucky to beat lowly racing thebarton last week to remain in ninth place. This week he has a crucial match against yours truly in what will be an early elimination final for us both. Naturally, I reckon I can take Hondo and end his year as I don’t think he can get over Darksiders. I reckon one more for Hondo which means he will miss the Hogg Premier finals for the first time ever.

10. Ginger Ninjas (28) – Halem Hawks, Q Before You, Squeakeroos DTC

Gingernuts is a very good show of sneaking into the finals here but must beat Q Man to do it. If I beat Hondo this week I’ll be leading the Q Before You cheer squad because if Ginge wins all three I’m gone. I reckon Ginge wins two out of three and misses out on percentage and does a Richmond. Sheesh…I hope!

11. The Cat Empire (28) – Hondominators YSCC, Underdogs, BlueGunners

I reckon Hawkeye’s spot is up for grabs and one of my Cat Empire, Ginger Ninjas or Hondo gets it. If I don’t beat Hondo it will be me missing out on the Premier League finals for the first time. My record against Underdogs is dire at best so I’m not expecting to win that one but if Q does the right thing I reckon I sneak into 8th spot on the back of a percentage booster against winless BlueGunners in the last round.

12. Squeakeroos DTC (24) – BlueGunners, Don’t Drop Catches, Ginger Ninjas

The teams on six wins need to win all three and make up two matches on Hawkeye and one match on the three teams on seven wins. That’s a big ask. For Squeaky it starts off easily enough against the BlueGunners but they then take on top four aspirant Don’t Drop Catches and top eight hopeful Ginger Ninjas. I think the best Squeaky can do is win two which means no finals for him but he’ll still be alive this time next week.

13. Cork in the Ocean (24) – Hawkeye, Dutchy’s Dodos, Hondominators YSCC

With one high scoring victory Corky has gone from fighting off relegation to resurrecting his season. If Cork in the Ocean can keep scoring at last’s weekend’s rate then he’ll win all three of his matches and put a big dent in the hopes of his direct opponents. Expecting a team that has gone 6-8 to reel off four wins to end the year is a big ask though so I reckon Corky fights his way through to the last round only to lose to Hondo and miss out.

14. Dutchy’s Dodos (24) – Darksiders SCE, Cork in the Ocean, MILLERS MOSQUITOES

Dutchy has a history of storming home in the latter stages of the season to make Grand Finals but this year his season is on life support after losing last week to the Empire. Dutchy now needs to beat two top five sides as well as Corky to make the eight and the task looks beyond him. It would take a miracle for Dutchy to make the eight in his first season in Hogg Premier.

REB Sez….

1. Underdogs 52
2. Darksiders SCE 52
3. Don’t Drop Catches 48
4. Q Before You 48
5. MILLERS MOSQUITOES 48
6. Poon Army 44
7. Captain Who 40
8. The Cat Empire 36

Regards,

REB

[Hondo]

I am very little chance for this week REB. I copped 4 outs in defense and only chose to cover one. Just hasn't been my year due to some poor decisions earlier in the season.

[CoverKing]

Terrible night for me which gives Q a huge head start.
Crameri 61, selwood 83 x 2, Watson 101, Dempsey SFA and chapman 72!

At the start of the round I was projected to win by 5, now after one game I'm projected to lose by 116 or so

[Q.]

Yep, thankfully Essendon spudded it up and Duckwood got tagged. Just praying for GAJ to fire now!

[CoverKing]

Yep, thankfully Essendon spudded it up and Duckwood got tagged. Just praying for GAJ to fire now!

If Ablett can spud it like he has recently a bit I'm a chance still

[Rik E Boy]

I am very little chance for this week REB. I copped 4 outs in defense and only chose to cover one. Just hasn't been my year due to some poor decisions earlier in the season.

I may have dodged a bullett with Chappy and Selwood as you had them both also. In fact in all five of my league games the low scores to Chapman and Selwood haven't hurt me. I am in a very similar boat to you though as I have pulled some absolute clangers this year. The coach should be sacked!

regards,

REB

[Hondo]

Travis Cloke has been the worst starting pick ever. He and Hurn killed any chance I may have had against you REB.

Round 1 2013 can't cone quick enough for me.

[Gingernuts]

Done by 2 points. Bye Bye 2012.

[Q.]

Done by 2 points. Bye Bye 2012.

Drop your game next round then

[Rik E Boy]

Darksiders look to have one hand on the minor premiership once again in Hogg Premier as he ended Dutchy's season in the cruelest way imaginable, with a six point victory. Dutchy has now dropped to 16th and could still get relegated although they are scoring too well to do that you'd think. The teams that look most likely to challenge Darksiders all season long have come a cropper this year and this week it was Underdogs turn who suffered a shock loss to racing thebarton giving finny four precious points which would should see the Premier League veteran participate in the top flight once again next season.

MILLERS finally ended their losing streak and seems to have handed the golden spud to Don't Drop Catches who have now dropped back to back matches and they are now out of the top four. Flying under the radar beautifully (until now) is the Captain who racked up an impressive 2462 to end Poon Army's five match winning streak. The Captain now has one eye on the top four and Poony is now out of the eight after suffering a heavy loss.

In the battle for the eight The Cat Empire came out on top in the vital matchup against Hondominators with a fairly easy win in the end. The Empire has come back from 3-6 to be in the eight for the first time this season but there are plenty of teams lining up to sneak into the finals. Hawkeyes' poor run continued for another week as Corky kept his season alive and Squeaky predictably pounded last placed BlueGunners to remain in the race for the finals.

Despite what Ginge has said above is all is not lost for his Gingernuts who were upset by Halem Hawks who may have done enough to avoid relegation with this win. Ginge needs to beat Q Man and Squeaky to make the eight but they are relying on Empire, Poon and Hawkeye to lose matches along the way. Hondo has Darksiders next week so he's a longshot now.

In the relegation battle Woody has emerged as the second worst team in Hogg Premier this season and he looks set for the drop next year joining his mate BlueGunners who haven't fired a shot all year and is most likely going to be an absentee next season.

regards,

REB

[Rik E Boy]

Hogg Premier League Ladder Predictor 2012

1. Darksiders SCE (48) – Hondominators YSCC, Underdogs

The Darksiders are on track for a third straight Hogg Premier title after winning through last week despite a very strong challenge from Dutchy’s Dodos. This week they play a shattered Hondo and wind up their season with a big finish against Underdogs who suddenly aren’t the form team anymore. Who can stop the mighty Darksiders? The Darksiders are going well again and can finish two games clear at the top of the ladder.

2. Q Before You (44) – Ginger Ninjas, Halem Hawks.

Q Man has sorted out a fellow top four contender in Don’t Drop Catches last week and they now loom as one of the main challengers to the Dark Side as he has trades up his sleeve or so I believe. This week he does battle with a desperate Ginger Ninjas clinging to hopes of making the top eight before an easier assignment against Halem Hawks who have done enough to avoid relegation but might not be caring all that much about the round 19 action. I reckon he gets at least one more win and second spot sounds about right for the Q Man.

3. MILLERS MOSQUITOES (40) – Hawkeye, Dutchy’s Dodos

MILLERS ended their run of outs just in time to revive their hope s of finishing in the top four. With matches to come against struggling Hawkeye and the unpredictable Dodos, I reckon that MILLERS can at least beat Hawkeye and finish with 11 wins with a decent percentage which should see them make the top four.

4. Underdogs (40) – The Cat Empire, Darksiders SCE.

All of a sudden the Underdogs ‘top’ form doesn’t look so top. After falling to their third loss in five matches Gibbo faces last year’s Premier League Grand Finalists with The Cat Empire looking dangerous for the first time all year and Darksiders being, well Darksiders. Gibbo could even have already won her last match for the year which would complete a spectacular fall from grace for a side I predicted would win the minor premiership last week.

5. Captain Who? (36) –Halem Hawks, Woodys Dropkicks.

The Captain has emerged as a genuine contender after he cleaned up Poon Army with ridiculous ease last week. The Captain has been scoring very well since the bye period and have proven themselves to be a very difficult team to beat in recent weeks. If recent form is any guide then the Captain should be able to build on an already decent percentage and win both matches and finish in third spot and a first final matchup against Q Before You. The Captain is looking a likely Grand Finalist this far out.

6. Don’t Drop Catches (36) – Squeakeroos DTC, racing thebarton

CoverKing’s team is stinking it up at the wrong time of year and the top four spot that appeared to be his for the taking looks to be in serious jeopardy. Even the so called friendly run home has turned around and bitten him on the bum with Squeaky and racing thebarton showing improved form last week. The Catchers should probably still win both of these matches but they might have blown a top four spot by losing to Q Man last week.

7. Hawkeye (32) - MILLER MOSQUITOES, Poon Army

Hawkeye very nearly ended their losing streak last week but lost narrowly to Corky so he’s still right under the pump from all the teams who want IN for the finals this season. Possession however, is nine tenths of the law and Hawkeye has a good opportunity to win through especially if they can knock over Poon Army in the last week. Woggy is still alive but is running out of chances to shut out his opponents. My prediction is that eight will not be enough for Dave and that Hawkeye will miss.

8. The Cat Empire (32) – Underdogs, BlueGunners

The Cat Empire are suddenly the form team of the competition after the draw took a turn for the better for the perennial Hogg Premier Bridesmaids. The goal of avoiding the drop has been achieved and now the Empire is looking to greater things like avoiding the 5th ranked team in the first week of the finals. With confidence high I reckon I can take the Underdogs and finish up with ten wins, but this prediction probably means that I’ve put the mozz on myself and an Underdogs win will follow DOH.

9. Poon Army (32) - Woodys Dropkicks, Hawkeye.

Poony dropped the big match to the Captain last week but all is not lost as Hammo should beat Woody and would start a hot favourite over Hawkeye as well. The potential banana skin for Troy is that Woody might make a last ditch effort to avoid relegation and that Hawkeye burns the trades to sneak into the eight but I reckon both of these teams are done and that Poon Army will finish 8th.

10. Squeakeroos DTC (28) – Don’t Drop Catches, Ginger Ninjas

As predicted last week Squeaky kept their season alive by pounding the winless BlueGunners but the last two matches are tougher. Squeakeroos need to win both to make the eight and hope for the teams on eight wins to go 1-1 over the next two rounds. Squeaky probably needs to improve to beat Don’t Drop Catches but CoverKing is not in great form so all hope is not lost. I reckon Squeaky might go 1-1 himself and just miss out this year.

11. Ginger Ninjas (28) – Q Before You, Squeakeroos DTC

Gingernuts’ season is on life support after a suffering a shock two point loss to Halem Hawks last week as the Ninjas rolled out the donuts. If Ginge can recover from his near fatal attack of donutitis they can still rebound and make the eight but their destiny is now in the hands of others. I reckon Ginge can go on and win both matches and finish ninth and there aren’t too many decent picks at that point in the draft.
12. Hondominators YSCC (28) – Darksiders SCE, Cork in the ocean.

Realistically it’s all over for Hondo after he suffered a dramatic collapse in the backline to go under against The Cat Empire last week. However the dreaded word ‘mathematically’ applies for Hondo but he needs to roll Darksiders to keep his end in here. I reckon he’ll have better luck in the next Lotto megadraw.

13. Cork in the Ocean (28) – Dutchy’s Dodos, Hondominators YSCC

Corky stayed alive another week by defeating Hawkeye last week but faces Dutchys Dodos in a match they must win to make the eight. The problem is that Dutchy has shown that his side is still capable of scoring big and he’ll need to continue this scoring pattern to avoid relegation. This means I reckon Dutchy wins this week and that Corky is done for the year. Corky might fight back to win against Hondo but 12th is probably where he’ll finish this year but job done relegation avoided.

REB Sez….

1. Darksiders SCE 56
2. Q Before You 48
3. Captain Who? 44
4. MILLERS MOSQUITOES 44
5. Don’t Drop Catches 44
6. Underdogs 40
7. The Cat Empire 40
8. Poon Army 40

Regards,

REB

[Rik E Boy]

The Underdogs, Hawkeye and Woodys Dropkicks were the big losers in Round 16 of Hogg Premier League action. Underdogs were knocked out of the top four by a resurgent Cat Empire and Hawkeye's poor run has now cost Woggy his top eight spot. Woodys Dropkicks confirmed that they will be the second team relegated from Premier League this season and despite a disappointing season, Halem Hawks is now safe from the drop.

A number of teams had their seasons end this week with Ginger Ninjas, Hondomoninators, Cork in the Ocean and unluckiest of all Squeakeroos all running out of time. The only side outside the top eight who can make the finals is Hawkeye who play 8th ranked Poon Army for the last spot in the finals. The Cat Empire play against BlueGunners so we should be safe.

Captain Who are looking ominous at the moment and if the ladder remains as it is then they'll face a challenging first up final against the dual Hogg Premier Champion Darksiders who have made an art form of scoring just a little bit more than the opposition most weeks. Don't Drop Catches will be looking to sneak into the top four in the last round if they can beat the unpredicatable racing thebarton with MILLERS facing off a fast finishing Dutchy in the last round.

If the Captain and Darksiders are 1 and 4 I reckon 5th would be the worst spot to be in the finals as that would be a tough semi. However, next week we look towards the Woggy v Hammo match for that last spot in the eight with MILLERS trying to hang on to his top four spot.

regards,

REB

[Rik E Boy]

Hogg Premier League Ladder Predictor 2012

1. Darksiders SCE (52) –Underdogs

The Darksiders have secured the minor premiership and will face either The Captain or Don’t Drop Catches or even MILLERS in their first final. I reckon Darksiders will beat the suddenly struggling Underdogs and that their most likely opponent will be the Catchers who I reckon might get sneak into the top four this week.

2. Q Before You (48) – Halem Hawks

Q Man has timed his run beautifully to the finals this year and is secure in second spot and will face a tricky first up final against the Captain who should flog relegated Woody in the last round. Q hasn’t been scoring well but he’s been keeping his powder dry for an assault on ‘Hogg Glory’. He’s even coughed up wins in the cash leagues to prepare himself for this so I expect his scores to rise this month. What a final that will be against the Captain next week if that eventuates.

3. MILLERS MOSQUITOES (44) – Dutchy’s Dodos

MILLERS face a tough last round match against Dutchy and I can see him getting done and slipping to fifth place on the ladder. His reward for the late season drop off in form will be a match against Poon Army in a final I wouldn’t expect the Mozzies to win. Struggling for points I can see a straight sets exit this year for MILLERS MOSQUITOES.

4. Captain Who? (40) – Woodys Dropkicks

The Captain has been smashing it lately and you just can’t make a case for Woody this week. The Captain will be hoping that Dutchy maintains his late season scoring surge so that he can avoid the Darksiders in the first week of the finals. I reckon the Darksiders would be pretty keen to avoid the Captain as well just quietly. I rate the Captain as a genuine premiership chance but we’ll find out just how fair dinkum he is next week as his team does not have a great record in finals.

5. Don’t Drop Catches (40) – racing thebarton

The Catchers got the job done last week and will face another tough challenge in racing thebarton to finish the season. I reckon that CoverKing can win this match and might sneak into the top four. Racing the barton has proven this year that they can do nothing and anything within the space of a fortnight and while that wasn’t good enough for finny to make the finals it was good enough for him to cause plenty of problems for more than a few top teams.

6. Underdogs (40) – Darksiders SCE.

Underdogs are new to Premier League but I’ve been getting beaten up by them for a couple of years now in the Piglet. After recording an easy win against them last week I have to say that this current Underdogs outfit is the weakest one I have seen in three seasons. The trading doesn’t appear to have been as sharp as the last two years and I’d say that the Underdogs can be downgraded from great to good. Good is not enough to defeat Darksiders so this mean Gibbo has missed the top four and I’ll get to play against the Underdogs again next week.

7. The Cat Empire (36) – BlueGunners

The Empire has now qualified for the finals as they finish their year off against the only spud team in Hogg Premier. The anticipated percentage boost won’t result in an eleventh hour entry into the top four for the Empire but we will move above Gibbo and finish 6th for a first up final against the Underdogs.

8. Poon Army (36) - Hawkeye.

Poony climbed back into the top eight last week and finals will start early for them as they face a direct playoff for the last spot against ailing Hawkeye. Hawkeye has not returned the kind of scores you need to be competitive in this league at this time of year and he has played his best footy many weeks ago. I expect Hammo to defeat Hawkeye and the Poon Army will face a first up final against most likely, against MILLERS but a match up against The Catchers might also be possible.

9. Hawkeye (32) - Poon Army

Hawkeye are the only team outside the top eight that can make the finals but Woggy must be wondering how the hell he has slipped to ninth place after the start he had to the season. Woggy only needed one win over the last five weeks or so to shore up his place in the eight but he just hasn’t had the points on the board in recent weeks and he’s brought in some bizarre players into his side to get the job done. Mathematically he can still make the eight if he has a solid win over Poon Army but I reckon Poony will take care of Hawkeye and it’s bye bye Woggy for another year.


REB Sez….

1. Darksiders SCE 56
2. Q Before You 52
3. Captain Who? 44
4. Don't Drop Catches 44
5. MILLERS MOSQUITOES 44
6. The Cat Empire 40
7. Underdogs 40
8. Poon Army 40

Regards,

REB

[Q.]

Swimming in trades, tra-la-la, ready to bring this one home baby

[Rik E Boy]

Swimming in trades, tra-la-la, ready to bring this one home baby

Qonfident Q! Nice spot to be in.

regards,

REB

[Q.]

[wycbloods]

:oops:

[Rik E Boy]

:oops:

...they're a happy team of Bloodhounds....

regards,

REB

[Rik E Boy]

The reigning premier Darksiders look to be the team to beat yet again as they finish two games clear on top of the Hogg Premier League ladder. Reignman (aka Spartan) is a very confident fellow competing in the number one SC league in the land last year so I'm hoping that one of our up and coming coaches can knock him off in a knock out final this year.

This year's top eight is Darksiders, Q, Captain Who? Cover King, MILLERS, Yours truly, sharksta, and Hammo. Out of all these teams only Darksiders and Hammo have previously won the title with Hammo winning the first ever Hogg Premier title back in 2007. Catpain Who, MILLERS and sharksta are making their first ever appearance in the Hogg Premier League finals.

It has been reasonably easy to predict which eight teams would make the eight but spare a thought for perennial finalist Hondo who misses for the finals for the first time in his HPL career and Dutchy whose Dodos have been racking up some truly amazing scores but too late she cried!

BlueGunners is bound to be a Division I scratching next year and maybe Woody will follow suit. You need a special kind of madness to front up for SC year after year and both of these coaches seemed to get a case of couldn'tbefeckeditis. Woody still turned in some respectable scoring but I'd say that the Gunners haven't looked at their team for weeks.

Let the finals begin. My tip is a Darksiders v Captain final.

regards,

REB