Mig’s Mail: Legends of League Update
More than half of the season has disappeared in front of our eyes and as finals draw near, the stakes continue to rise. Consequently, the emails questioning stats have increased as the jostling for a finals berth intensifies!
The Champions League and Legends of League Competitions are really getting interesting with the tightness of each competition really affecting the sledge rates – no coach can be totally confident of victory each week and are therefore hesitant to talk up their chances. There are the odd exceptions of course!
With 8 rounds to go and still a massive 16 points available, most teams will still harbour title aspirations. But at this stage of the season, let’s see who is looking the goods in the respective competitions:
CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – TIER 1
The top echelon of coaches have come together in 2014 and the battle is on for a spot in the top 5 and the chance to become the ultimate NRLCEO champion. At the moment, The Clyde Frowgs (12-2) are looking the goods for the minor premiership sitting three points clear of the The Fighting Mongooses II (10-3-1). The Frowgs averaging 61 points per game are dead set title favourites while the Mongooses averaging 59 points are not far behind. Both teams look to be a slight cut above the rest but the real battle both verbally and on the ladder appears to be for positions 3-5. The fast talking Wallalong EMUS (7-6-1) sit in third with the Bucca Bulldogs (7-7), GURUS (6-8) and Aussiepistons (6-8) all keen to overtake the mouthy EMUS. One team will miss out on finals action!
At the foot of the ladder, 2013 Champions, the Dentites have been luckless all season and have struggled to secure wins despite averaging 51 points per game which generally warrants a top 5 position.
Overall, the title is still anyones with injuries to key players set to play its part…
WALLY LEWIS LEGENDS OF LEAGUE COMPETITION – TIER 2
The title and position in the 2015 Champion League appears to be a race in two between 3 time champions, the GURUS (12-2) and Cook’s Crushers (11-3). The GURUS are averaging 61 ppg while the Crushers are one point better. Of the other rivals, 4th placed Dolphin Dream Team are chalking up 52 ppg and the 5th placed Get Out Of My Way Sloooots! are racking up 50 points each outing. Those numbers point toward the 3rd placed, Bankstown Kebabs having to work a little harder to maintain their current position when they average just 47 ppg.
The only possible change to the top 5 will be if the Terry Hills Rhinos can sneak into 5th position but that seems unlikely on the back of a poor points differential.
ANDREW JOHNS LEGENDS OF LEAGUE COMPETITION – TIER 2
The race is well and truly on in this competition with no less than four teams vying for the minor premiership. Of course, only one team can claim a spot in next year’s Champion’s League and at the moment, Hell is for Blake Ferguson (10-4) is on top. Spider Pigs (9-5) and the guru, Fire Breathing Ferrets are just a solitary win behind but their points differential is far inferior to the current leader. Just a further win behind is These Peptides Are Making Me Thirsty with The Fighting Mongooses III (7-7) holding the last finals position.
The Bucca Bulldogs (5-7) are obviously concentrating on their Champions League campaign and are currently sitting in second last but are definitely not out of the final race. Luck will need to go their way though, if they are to feature deep into the finals….
CLIVE CHURCHILL LEGENDS OF LEAGUE COMPETITION – TIER 2
Some familiar teams are battling it out in this competition and one time Champion’s League contender the Square Bears (11-3) are currently leading the way. Averaging 63 points each week is going to make it hard for their competitors come finals time. Gosford Gorilla’s sit in second place, four points behind and just in front of Beau’s Bevy of Beuties (8-6).
With Late Night Blackouts (7-7), Globo Gym Purple Cobras (6-7-1) and Sheriff XIII (6-8) all averging high 40’s each week, the race is well and truly on for the elusive 5th position. Fergo’s Deviant’s (4-9) have been luckless this season and despite sitting in 7th spot, are capable of causing an upset or two with their average of 48 points per game an impressive attacking stat.
CLIVE CHURCHILL LEGENDS OF LEAGUE COMPETITION – TIER 2
Primetime 2 leads the way in the Churchill sitting pretty with 23 points and averaging 56 points per game. Drunken Slurries (9-5) may have to be content with second place and a week one finals matchup with a lesser opposition. But in a great competition, the rest of the table is jam packed and anything is possible in the final eight rounds.
Howick Hard Men (7-7), Blocker’s Bunch and Port Macquarie Dinos round out the top five on 14 points with the Cleveland Steamers (6-8) and guru, Dominant Tackle (5-8-1) no doubt having finals aspirations. Of the contenders to the top two, the Steamers have the best attacking average of 55 points. If they can get some luck and start winning the high scoring match ups, then they could be the smokey to go on a glory run and meet Primetime deep in the finals….
ALAN LANGER LEGENDS OF LEAGUE COMPETITION – TIER 2
The normally hotly contested Alan Langer Competition is being dominated by past Champions League contenders, Injury Brigade. The Brigade (13-1) are on fire averaging 65 points per game and destroying all that come before them – they are clearly the team to beat and are the hottest Legends League team around. In second place, Briggsy’s Dentites (9-5) sit ready to pounce but averaging 10 less points per game is a massive hole that the coach needs to overcome!
In third position, Dogs of War (8-6) are just ahead of the Wallalong EMUS (7-7) and Indestructibles (6-7-1). It looks likely that this will be the top five at the end of the regular season with a run from Rangers (5-9) or the Maximators (4-9-1) looking unlikely with their attack slightly off the pace.
Whatever the outcome, with the Dentites currently above the EMUS, verbal sparks will continue to fly…
MAL MENINGA LEGENDS OF LEAGUE COMPETITION – TIER 2
The battle is fierce and any of the top six can win the Mal Meninga and claim the coveted Champion’s League position in 2015. Currently, Happy Trails leads the way on 20 points and averaging a more than solid 58 ppg. However, all eyes are on perennial bridesmaids, the NQ Allstars and whether they can finally crack it into the top echelon. One thing is for certain, they will be doing ANYTHING to win this year and can’t be discounted, sitting in second place just a win out of top spot. Gurus, the Wendalls (9-5) also sit on 18 points and are in the mix for a debut in the Champions League.
In a comp worthy of its namesake, the Brisbane Reapers (8-6) and GCR (7-7) are excellent contenders for the title. The Gilmore Girls (6-8) will need some luck as they push for a finals berth but hindering their progress is their lack of attacking prowess, averaging just 44 points per game.
THE WRAP
So there you have it, all competitions look intriguing with more twists than a Game of Thrones episode to come. Injuries, byes and form will all determine who holds the trophy aloft at the end of the season and one thing is for certain – coaches will be very vigilant on the stats as the stakes continue to rise!
The NRLCEO Team wish all the best to all teams (except the EMUS) in this second half of the season….
Mig
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We all want the Emu’s to fall, but in the meantime I’m gunning for you Mig! If that is your real name..
That may be the case Piston, but my memory doesn’t have to be brilliant to recall you getting pasted by yours truly last week….Talk is cheap – just ask the EMUS…..