1st Semi Final Q Before You 2428 Ecky's Fevolas 2166
2nd Semi Final TEAM_FISH 2311 REBCats 2163
A funny thing happened on the way to the forum when Ecky officially abdicated his throne and passed the crown on to Q who has emerged as a late premiership favourite. It just goes to show that if you keep on making predictions, eventually you'll get it right even if I have to successfully tip the winner halfway through the last game of the Grand Final LOL. Q has averaged over 2550 in the finals and is currently in white hot form, something you couldn't accuse Ecky of as they faltered badly after the byes. Despite losing last week, Ecky looked to be back in town with some good scoring but Q has been outstanding in this regard and he dispatched the reigning premier with ease. It's a disappointing end for Ecky but at one stage he was in the running for the 50k and we were all tuning in each week to watch the Ecky show. He also won last year's Premier League and has put in a pretty handy premiership defence but Q too good on the day.
In the other final my REBCats were in trouble right from the start after I nobbled myself with a poor captaincy selection of vc Danger into c Walsh. One of the secrets of my career best nine match winning streak was to make a decision and stick with it and it has served me well more often than not. In the semi, it didn't serve me well. FISH also had the VC on Danger so he was a bit jittery with his captaincy choice as he juggled Titch and Jacrae. Either would have done the job and the match was essentially sealed when an invaluable trade was used to trade out Neale for Lyons, thus eliminating a key POD in the match so some nice coaching by FISH there. Where Ecky might be disappointed I'm pretty happy to make the Semis seeing as the Cats were 2-7 and I was looking at relegation after round 9. I stuffed up my rucks but nailed the bye period to save my year, but I didn't have anything for this week and FISH did. Game over and well played FISH.
Looking at the prelims and Mediocre has already gloomily noted the awesome scoring power of Q but before he worries about Q too much he has to get past FISH. Mediocre has been kicking my arse in three leagues so I'm kind of hoping that FISHy gets the job done here but seriously well played Mediocre you've had a cracking year, I just wish i wasn't at my expense LOL. It's really too close to call. Mediocre on a massive winning streak but last week FISH proved that sort of thing doesn't worry him. I'll give Feenix the nod as he has beaten me so many times and I've at least squared it with FISH. As mentioned above Q has been magnificent of late. While I have spent the entire season writing off valleys' Delicious they have proven themselves no slouches either on an almost yearly basis. The league is sitting at a very nice ranking at the moment and it's guns like Q and valleys that have helped make that happen. This tip is almost apologetic valleys as I seem to have been tipping against you all year but Q just looks cherry ripe....2428 during last week's schmozzle is even more impressive than the pointsfest he racked up in the first week of the finals.
Preliminary Finals Mediocre at Best vs. TEAM_FISH Q Before You vs. Delicious
I'll be looking for a little redemption myself, I've lost to all the sides remaining. Had a terrible start to the season so pretty happy to be sitting where I am. Hopefully I can carry it on for 2 more weeks
1st Preliminary Final Mediocre at Best 2381 TEAM_FISH 2337
2nd Preliminary Final Delicious 2405 Q Before You 2316
It's time to start rating Delicious at last in a case of better late than never. After a really good start the season, Delicious then appeared to drop back into the peleton a bit while other teams stood in the spotlight. Ecky led the way all year and he was joined by FISH. Then it was Watts, Mediocre and even my REBCats had our time in the sun. All the while, Delicious has been quietly getting the job done. After the first two weeks of finals, there was a new kid in town and his name is Q. Q looked like he had all the guns pointing squarely at Delicious who appeared to have drawn the short straw on Preliminary Final day. It's history now that it is valleys' no longer underestimated team that will be playing off for the Hogg Premier League premiership next week. Well played valleys.
In the other prelim final it was a tighter match as FISH and Mediocre battled hard to qualify for the Grand Final. Mediocre is on a blistering winning run but they were most concerned about Q. Now he has to quickly check the Delicious combination that now faces him as Nix strives to retain the safooty SuperCoach title for 2021. FISH has had a brilliant season and they were edged rather than beaten here in what was the higher standard preliminary final. So FISH must wait for another year for that elusive flag but they will be a side to be watched next year.
Grand Final
Mediocre at Best vs. Delicious
I've been on Mediocre for many weeks as the flag favourite although Qs stunning finals form was like spotting a hot chick in a mini skirt on tit Monday (which must be coming up soon lads). However, a new temptress has caught my eye and I feel I owe it to Delicious to finally rate them after such a solid season. Mediocre was clearly outscoring most of us a month ago but he appears to have been brought back to the pack a little, even as he continues to win big games. So apologies valleys, I'm finally tipping you so it will be Delicious to be the Premier winner for the second time next weekend.
Rik E Boy wrote:Well done to the 2021 champions Mediocre at Best. It seems that Delicious could not carry the handicap of a REB tip! Sorry about that old chap!