Regular Season has concluded with some blowout games. The teams involved in the blowouts will get to have another crack at changing that last result.
The League is going with a top 6 finals format, which would make complete sense in at least a 10-team competition. When the teams not participating in the finals consist of, one club that had to forfeit more games than they played and the other being the 2nd side of the top placed Crusaders (who now merge together) it does not make any sense to me to have a top 6. The lower ranked teams were already blown out in the final week by their respective opposition for the Elimination final. Considering this is not the NFL, where upsets occur on a regular basis, I just don’t think it’s worth having a top 6 in a 7-club competition. Vic Bowl is also only one week before Christmas Day.
All that said, it’s good to be at the business end of the 2022 season. I have complete confidence and respect for the League Board and their decisions , but not this one. We all want this game to grow and prosper but we need to ensure the absolute BEST sides are rewarded for their efforts. We shouldn’t reward mediocrity.
Week 8 saw the Bendigo Dragons forfeit once again and some players joined forces with the Predators, for a 2nd week. Rumour has it, State coach Noah Sims suited up for 2 games, trying to inspire the lower ranked clubs.
The first match up was the Melton Wolves and South Eastern Predators. The Wolves held their own in the first half, unfortunately their constant lack of strength at DB cost them 2 big pass plays for TD’s and they trailed 0-16 at the half. The Wolves were overrun in the 2nd half by the much stronger Preds, letting through a few more large passing plays for TD’s. The Final score was 40-0 in favour of the Predators.
The Warriors Gridiron Club hosted the Northern Raiders, who were looking to hit back after the disappointing loss to the Wolves a week earlier. The Raiders started off like a team on fire. Unfortunately, a couple of big plays for first down were halted by a INT. From then on it was pretty much a landslide victory for the Warriors. The Raiders were hampered by a number of dropped catches in the slightly wet conditions under lights. At the half the game was over, with a 36-0 lead for the Warriors. The 2nd half flew past with the mercy ruled enforced. Final score 50-6.
Week 8 concluded on Sunday with the Croydon Rangers hosting the Western Crusaders II. The Rangers scored 48 points, with 4 TD passes to QB David Nilsson, to put this one out of reach of the Cru. The Cru II will now join up with the main team for the finals. Both clubs get the week rest after finishing 1st and 2nd. Final score was 48-12.
ELIMINATION FINALS
Both games will be played at DR Atkinson Reserve in Reservoir on Saturday. The first matchup will be the Raiders v Warriors, in a replay of week 8.
The Raiders will be hoping for a much different result in this one. The Raiders have the talent but they do lack a bit of size. QB Michael Neubauer has a strong arm, but maybe his height can affect his accuracy at times? There is no doubting his courage as he takes a lot of hits running the ball. His receivers will need to hold onto more catches this week. The Warriors made it look easy, running the ball and beating the Raiders deep. Something the Raiders will need to tighten up on this week if they want to see that different result. Score prediction will see much of the same. Warriors win 44-8.
The Melton Wolves take on the South Eastern Predators once again. I hope the Wolves learn from last week and don’t let talented young WR Cooper Maher get so many easy catches downfield. Not sure who has been QB for the Preds the last 2 weeks but he has done very well. The Wolves do have some talent and I think they lack that natural QB to lead them. Current QB Luke Sackl is a good player, but he is more suited at his previous position of OLB than he is as the starting QB. He lacks the height but definitely not the leadership and courage. Final scores will be similar to last week. Predators 42 to defeat the Wolves 0.
GV vision will be bringing you highlights from Raiders v Warriors.
