Legends of League Finals Preview
It’s finals time and with the extra pressure comes selection headaches for coaches still on their campaign to glory. Who to name as captain, kicker and on the bench are decisions that will either win a final or lose it – there is plenty on the line!
Each competition has congratulated their minor premier but no one remembers them – it’s all about the champion! In a month, we’ll know who has claimed the title and who will be invited into the 2017 Champions League – the rest will go back to the drawing board and lament what went wrong. I wish all coaches the best of luck – it’s going to be a nervous and exciting month of NRLCEO.
Bring it on!
Champion’s League
Soup-a-Stars are the team to beat as they claimed the minor premiership with a very strong finish to the regular season. They’ll have the bye first up and watch Team Enormous and Injury Brigade battle for the right to meet them in the grand final qualifier a week later.
The 4th vs 5th place match up should be a doozy with defending champions, The Gurus looking to secure a 2017 invite when they take on the Bundy Bears. The Bears knocked the champs over in the final regular season game to sneak into 5th position and they’ll be hoping for more of the same this week in the elimination final.
Overall, the momentum seems to be with the top two, Soup-a-Stars and Team Enormous. Both have been scoring heavily in the run into the finals and are definitely the teams to beat.
Wally Lewis Competition
The overwhelming favourites in this comp, the Roswell Aliens have hit a bump in their campaign despite finishing on a whopping 34 competition points. Their last outing will be giving Coach Fletcher some serious headaches with his side seemingly tapering at the wrong time after firing blanks on the weekend.
Looming ominously in the rearview mirror are The Gurus and Aussiepistons who are hitting their straps at the right time. The Gurus are averaging a competition high 64 points and others are starting to take notice!
In the elimination final, Cook’s Crushers take on Alex Chan in a match where Nastradamus would struggle to predict. Chan in particular, are capable of scoring anywhere between 30 and 90!
Overall, what a comp – the Aliens were lay down miseres but now the coach has lost his ‘captain naming touch’ with Vunivalu and Barba going cold. The Gurus is where it’s at – with a pack consisting of Tolman and Graham, look out!
Andrew Johns Competition
What a choke! After looking like world beaters, the Commish’s beloved Ferrets have got down faster than Kenny Edwards in the last five minutes. A push for the minor premiership is now just a distant memory with the Ferrets facing off in the elimination final. Their opponents, Soup-a-Stars will hold no fear and have what it takes to go all the way.
The minor premiers, Spider Pigs only just claimed the week off on points differential and despite being confident of their ability, will be looking over their shoulders while praying for an injury free weekend. Fighting Mongooses and Hell Boy contest a very evenly matched major final with both teams averaging 54 points – it should be a cracker!
Overall, the Ferrets will claim that they are not gone – they average a tournament high 64 points per game but realistically it is hard to see the Commish winning three games in a row to snatch the title. While passion is not an issue, there are many who question the Commish’s actual knowledge of rugby league and NRLCEO – this will be the major obstacle halting their progression to the title as self-doubt takes over…
Clive Churchill Competition
Multiple Scoregasms have claimed the minor premiership with SemiisloveManuislife securing a well-deserved second place. They’ll meet Team Blitzkrieg who finished the season faster than Trent Merrin stalking a donut. After being talked up, TB is proving the prophets right and are the team to beat.
In the elimination final, Incredible Miracles have come from the clouds to finish in 4th – seriously where were they three weeks ago?! The Miracles have performed just that and meet Magic Dyke who still have far too many holes to plug if they are to become a title contender beyond the elimination final.
Overall, the push from Team Blitzkrieg in on. They’ll win it barring injuries – no one will stop them!
Arthur Beetson Competition
Team Enormous have secured the minor premiership and look the goods – Coach Shaggs is having a great season. However, this competition is tight with all finalists averaging around the 56 points per game mark. The first final will play out between Deadly Deathclaws and Sydney Superb Parrots. Not much changed to the ladder in the latter part of the season so these teams are all ultra-consistent with these two teams impressive all season!
In the elimination final the Bucca Bulldogs continue their renaissance as they push for a Champion’s League return. They’ll take on the Coorparoo Cocks who edged out the ISIS Dildo Flags with dominant performances late in the season.
Overall, this is tight. Team Enormous have the experience but are they 100% committed to this competition or is the Champion’s League their #1 priority? Time will tell but it’s theirs to lose!
Allan Langer Competition
The Dentites have claimed the minor premiership but on paper, they are far from the best team. Their attack is 6th best in the competition which means this is anyone’s to win. In the major semi-final, Bungendore Tigers will take on Old Bar Maggots with the latter having the slight attacking edge over their rivals. The winner will take on the Dentites next week.
In the elimination final, it’s a promoters dream with Emus on the Menu taking on Wallalong Emus. The winner will claim bragging rights as well as the opportunity to play on next week – the loser will swallow his pride and come back next season with more sledges…
In the end, this competition will be run and won on who chooses the best captain. The top five teams all finished within two points and all boast a very similar attack. In an upset, Old Bar Maggots will get the chocolates…
Mal Meninga Competition
Sheriff’s Legends have secured top spot and the week off as they wait for their week 2 opponent. Happy Trails and The Wendells both gave the minor premiership a good shake but will have to settle for a major semi-final face off. Again, these two teams are evenly balanced with the Wendells boasting a slight attacking advantage.
In the elimination final, Eskimo Bros have finished the regular season fast to finish in 4th. Perth Bengals are getting speed wobbles and will have to show considerable improvement if they are to go any further.
Overall, the Legends have a clear attacking advantage and should they not falter, will be very hard to beat. One of the top 3 should go on to win this competition as the bottom two don’t seem to have the attacking prowess to mix it with the big boys…
Mig
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