Mig’s Mail – Legends of League Finals Previews
As the end of the NRL regular season fast approaches, all the hard work of the past 22 rounds now amounts to very little with the NRLCEO finals this weekend! Of course, with glory comes the opportunity to compete in the 2016 Champion’s League which is where I start my preview of the 2015 Legends of League Finals.
CHAMPION’S LEAGUE
Minor Premiers: Injury Brigade (31 points)
Qualifying Final: You Know It Gurus vs The Clyde Frowgs
Defending champions, The Frowgs have lost main man Shaun Johnson and have consequently stalled in their title defence. The Gurus on the other hand are cruising and look hard to beat in this one, especially with James Maloney likely to kick plenty.
Elimination Final: Globo Gym Purple Cobras vs Fighting Mongooses II
The Cobras are up against it in this one with the Mongooses on a glory run on the back of JT. Although the Cobras have been eying off finals football for most of the season, they look unlikely to get the cash in this one. The winner of this match up secures 4th position and officially earns an invite back into the 2016 Champions League – this is a massive game.
Verdict: Injury Brigade secured the minor premiership on superior points differential from the Gurus but both teams were almost identical in attacking stats averaging 61 points per game. Expect these two teams to meet in the final and from there it is anyone’s title.
WALLY LEWIS LEGENDS OF LEAGUE COMPETITION
Minor Premiers: Cook’s Crushers (28 points)
Qualifying Final: GURUS vs Blocker’s Bunch
The GURUS only just missed out on the minor premiership and score four more points on average than their rivals. Blocker’s Bunch have gone off the boil lately and they need some sort of divine intervention to win this one against a very strong GURU outfit.
Elimination Final: Dogs of War vs Bankstown Kebabs
This is an awesome match up with two form teams ready to slug it out. Both teams easily score over 50 points a game and the winner will be a dangerous prospect for the top three teams.
Verdict: It is hard to see both of the top two teams choking in this one with Cook’s Crushers boasting enough firepower to take the title off the GURUS. The Crushers average 60 points per game while the GURUS are at 59. However, all of the finalists can win on their day with the selection of the captain often the difference between winning and losing….
Important to Note: The Gurus have never lost a Wally Lewis LOL Competition.
ANDREW JOHNS LEGENDS OF LEAGUE COMPETITION
Minor Premiers: Eskimo Brothers (30 points)
Qualifying Final: The Average Joes vs Mighty Dragons
The Mighty Dragons average almost 5 points more than their rivals in this one but again, both teams have shown excellent consistency through the season. Both coaches would love a crack at the minor premier with the loser to face a nervous week against the survivor of the Eliminator!
Elimination Final: Soup-A-Stars vs iSelect Allstars II
Another cracking match up with both teams capable of going all the way. Soup-A-Stars have it on paper especially when comparing kickers but that is never a guarantee for victory.
Verdict: What a competition this has been with four points separating the top 5. Although the Eskimo Brothers secured the minor premiership, they are not the most potent attack in the comp averaging just 55 points a game. Fourth placed Soup-A-Stars average and impressive 60 each week and will be looking to go on a run to the title.
Important to Note: The Commish, Jimbo came last in this comp – surely his status as ‘Guru’ will be revoked in 2016…
CLIVE CHURCHILL LEGENDS OF LEAGUE COMPETITION
Minor Premiers: Team Blitzkrieg (27 points)
Qualifying Final: Dominant Tackle vs Multiple Scorgasms
The Guru Team – Dominant Tackle have the pedigree in this one but that means nothing at this stage of NRLCEO. Both teams average 57 points this season and both coaches have a burning desire to secure that Champion’s League position.
Elimination Final: Pick n Roll vs The Wendells
The Wendells are coached by an alleged ‘Guru’ but after securing the wooden spoon in his two private competitions, surely they are on a hiding to nothing in this one as well. Again, both teams average exactly the same amount of points and both will want to progress further in this comp.
Verdict: Coach White Goodman (Team Blitzkrieg) is on fire this season and is seemingly desperate for a crack at the Champion’s League. Averaging a huge 64 points per game is impressive but one gets the impression that they are the hunted in this comp. With Corey Parker as their kicker, they are not a given in this one.
Important to Note: The Wendall’s Coach has no idea what he is doing. Expect his tweets to dwindle off the back of a pathetic 2015 NRLCEO campaign across all competitions.
ARTHUR BEETSON LEGENDS OF LEAGUE COMPETITION
Minor Premiers: Spider-Nation.com (30 points)
Qualifying Final: Team Enormous vs Square Bears
Two ex-Gurus meet in this one and there will be fireworks. Both have played in the Champion’s League before and after missing the finals last year, both will want to return next year….
Elimination Final: Incudans vs Karmichael’s Dreaming of a White Xmas
This is an evenly matched eliminator with both teams averaging mid 50’s. The Incudans have mixed it with the best in the past but I’m not sure either team has what it takes this season to win the comp.
Verdict: Minor premier, Spider-Nation.com looks like a solid team averaging 60 points per game. They are the team to beat but the loss of Fifita is a big one for them. Expect Team Enormous to give this title a real shake on the back of JT.
Important to Note: With two gurus in this competition, the dynamic performance of Spider-Nation.com can’t be understated.
ALLAN LANGER LEGENDS OF LEAGUE COMPETITION
Minor Premiers: Briggsy’s Dentites (32 points)
Qualifying Final: Tea Time vs Old Bar Maggots
Two veteran NRLCEO coaches face off in this one with both teams averaging above 60. The winner will take on the guru Dentites while the loser faces a nervey match up against a Champion’s League finalist who has been there before….
Elimination Final: Wallalong EMUS vs Injury Brigade
What a cracker this one is with bragging rights well and truly up for grabs. On paper, the EMUS have scored 7 points more each week which is quite an attacking difference. One gets the feeling that IB has his sights set on the Champion’s League and with a 2016 position already secured, this match up might be an afterthought for the 2015 Champion’s League minor premier….
Verdict: Plenty of familiar faces in this competition which is arguably the most hotly contested LOL competition each season. The Dentites have got one back on bitter rivals, the EMUS, but nothing is set in stone yet. Expect fireworks from now on, especially if the fast talking EMUS get through the elimination final.
Important to Note: Plenty of past Allan Langer Champions in this one with Injury Brigade the defending premiers.
MAL MENINGA LEGENDS OF LEAGUE COMPETITION
Minor Premiers: The Boofhead Mangoes (33 points)
Qualifying Final: Happy Trails vs Bundy Bears
In an electric match up, both teams have averaged 59 points per season. The Bundy Bear’s Coach is desperate to make an appearance in the Champion’s League and offers of bribes (of a sexual nature) have allegedly taken place in email conversations to the Commish….
Elimination Final: Sheriff XIII vs Gold Coast Raiders
Another elimination final which features two quality teams who on their day can attack with the best of them. Both coaches are seasoned NRLCEO addicts and both deserve a crack at the title – one won’t however.
Verdict: The runaway minor premier averaged a whopping 66 points per game and when you look at their pack, one can see why. However, the Mangoes’ backline looks a little thin and I expect them to go out in straight sets.
Important to Note: There is no guru in this one so are these coaches really as good as what they may claim to be?
Mig
Latest posts by Mig (see all)
- 2023 NRLCEO Season Guide - January 26, 2023
- NRLCEO HQ – Farewell JB (Ep #279) - September 8, 2022
- NRLCEO HQ – Grand Final Week (Ep #277) - August 24, 2022
Yes, The Wendells had a terrible year. We are in 2 semis but have 2 spoons this year. Not good. Coach Mig loves facts, so I though I would share a fact about Mig. In the original NRLCEO comp, the 6some Cup, Mig has an absolute, miserable and pathetic strike rate of 28% in grand finals. That is why I call him Chokeahontas. JB can you please update Mig’s bio to include this fascinating and important fact about this Guru/Choke Artist.
Hahahaha. If I do that he’ll never blog again! It’s been mentioned on the podcasts a number of times.