Well, last week was blow-out weak. This week will be a little closer with a couple of nice matchups. There are 5 games this week within 14 points. Let's take a look at the games...
Sydney Sea Wasps (6-0) vs Intergalactic Sub-Mariners (1-5)
Sydney is on a roll. They are destroying anyone in their way and are establishing themselves as the Zeta Juggernaut. The combined record of their last 4 opponents (not counting their loss to Sydney) is 8-4. The Sea Wasps beat them by a total of 154 points. Will anyone be able to slow them down? This week it is Intergalactic’s turn. The Sub-Mariners have lost 4 in a row including getting smashed by Komodo last week. Unless Intergalactic finds some magic, they are going to be little more than a speed bump in this game (and not a very big one at that). Sydney by 77, 80-3.
Apia Evil (6-0) vs Fiji Rage (2-4)
Apia is also marching their way through the competition, with only one close game this season. Fiji is a much better team than the 2-4 record indicates. Their losses have come to teams with a combined record of 18-6. But in this game, the Evil are just much stronger than the Rage. Feeling ignored as the top team, Apia will continue to make their mark as they move towards their match-up versus Sydney later this season. Apia by 14, 38-24.
Perth Pirates (5-1) vs DECATUR STALEYS (2-4)
Perth is in the middle of a stretch of 4 very winnable games, but they don’t want to take DECATUR too lightly and drop a winnable game. DECATUR is now on the edge of not making the playoffs, since they still have Perth, Sydney and Rochester on their schedule. If they want to be in the post-season (there is a rumor that they are purposely not making it), they need to try to pull out one of these 3 games. Unless they have been hiding, they won’t do it today. The Pirates are leading the conference in offense (#1 passing yards, #1 rushing yards, #1 in points scored by a big amount) and the STALEYS don’t seem to have what it takes to stop them. Perth by 22, 52-30.
Rochester Iroquois (5-1) vs Waikiki Wrecks (5-1)
This is a battle between teams fighting for the home playoff games. Rochester has been in a bunch of close games: losing to Apia by 2, defeating Devonport by 2, Komodo by 4, and An Album Cover by 3. In fact, if they want to be a home playoff team, they are leaving some games close that shouldn’t be. Waikiki, after the loss to Perth in game 2, has quietly worked their way up to 5-1. However, the level of competition that they beat to do that was no where near what Rochester has played. The Iroquois are the slightly stronger team in this contest and will wreck the Wrecks plans of being in the top 4. However, the Iroquois like to keep the games close, and a timely mistake will cost them if they keep doing that. Rochester by 7 (should be 10), 30-23.
Devonport Devils (5-1) vs Komodo Dragons (3-3)
Devonport is on a short winning streak and wants to keep it rolling right on into the Sydney game in two more weeks, but they better not look past the Komodo Dragons. Komodo is a good team that has faced lots of difficult opponents. They are not going to finish in the top 4, but they will definitely be in the fight for the playoffs come the end of the season. The Devils will be favored in this game, but like Rochester, they are not quite strong enough to shut opponents down and win going away. Because of that, a pick 6 for Komodo (the team leading the conference in interceptions and defensive TDs) could be the difference in this one. Devonport by 4, 35-31.
Samoa Savages (4-2) vs An Album Cover (3-3)
Samoa took two tough losses in a row from Devonport and Apia, but those are two top 5 teams – An Album Cover is not. An Album Cover almost pulled out a big upset against Rochester last week to show that they can still make some noise, even against one of those top 5 teams. In the end, the Savages will tear up the Covers as they move up to 5-2. Samoa by 18, 38-20.
Port Moresby Scallywags (2-4) vs Alaska Wild (1-5)
Port Moresby has found the going tough here in AA #4 Zeta. A good team in A ball, they are just a little outmatched in the difficult Zeta brand of football in AA #4. Having said that, this is a game that they can and should claim to have any playoff hopes. Alaska may have improved some over last season, but they are still at the bottom and should be starting recruiting for next season now. Port Moresby 14, 27-13.
THE TOILET BOWL
Tasmania Dragons (0-6) vs Redcliffe Sharks (0-6)
It is all on the line in this one – who will end the season 0-16 and who will be 1-15. I suppose you could get a tie, but somebody will get lucky and pull out a score to stop that. Tasmania is the better team (enjoy that, because you won’t hear it again) and will claim their first and only victory today. Redcliffe will try, but just don’t have anything to do much. Regardless, both teams will be demoted at the end of this season to the A leagues. Tasmania by 11, 24-13.
That's it. Make your own predictions on your games! Good luck to all!
Sydney Sea Wasps (6-0) vs Intergalactic Sub-Mariners (1-5)
Sydney is on a roll. They are destroying anyone in their way and are establishing themselves as the Zeta Juggernaut. The combined record of their last 4 opponents (not counting their loss to Sydney) is 8-4. The Sea Wasps beat them by a total of 154 points. Will anyone be able to slow them down? This week it is Intergalactic’s turn. The Sub-Mariners have lost 4 in a row including getting smashed by Komodo last week. Unless Intergalactic finds some magic, they are going to be little more than a speed bump in this game (and not a very big one at that). Sydney by 77, 80-3.
Apia Evil (6-0) vs Fiji Rage (2-4)
Apia is also marching their way through the competition, with only one close game this season. Fiji is a much better team than the 2-4 record indicates. Their losses have come to teams with a combined record of 18-6. But in this game, the Evil are just much stronger than the Rage. Feeling ignored as the top team, Apia will continue to make their mark as they move towards their match-up versus Sydney later this season. Apia by 14, 38-24.
Perth Pirates (5-1) vs DECATUR STALEYS (2-4)
Perth is in the middle of a stretch of 4 very winnable games, but they don’t want to take DECATUR too lightly and drop a winnable game. DECATUR is now on the edge of not making the playoffs, since they still have Perth, Sydney and Rochester on their schedule. If they want to be in the post-season (there is a rumor that they are purposely not making it), they need to try to pull out one of these 3 games. Unless they have been hiding, they won’t do it today. The Pirates are leading the conference in offense (#1 passing yards, #1 rushing yards, #1 in points scored by a big amount) and the STALEYS don’t seem to have what it takes to stop them. Perth by 22, 52-30.
Rochester Iroquois (5-1) vs Waikiki Wrecks (5-1)
This is a battle between teams fighting for the home playoff games. Rochester has been in a bunch of close games: losing to Apia by 2, defeating Devonport by 2, Komodo by 4, and An Album Cover by 3. In fact, if they want to be a home playoff team, they are leaving some games close that shouldn’t be. Waikiki, after the loss to Perth in game 2, has quietly worked their way up to 5-1. However, the level of competition that they beat to do that was no where near what Rochester has played. The Iroquois are the slightly stronger team in this contest and will wreck the Wrecks plans of being in the top 4. However, the Iroquois like to keep the games close, and a timely mistake will cost them if they keep doing that. Rochester by 7 (should be 10), 30-23.
Devonport Devils (5-1) vs Komodo Dragons (3-3)
Devonport is on a short winning streak and wants to keep it rolling right on into the Sydney game in two more weeks, but they better not look past the Komodo Dragons. Komodo is a good team that has faced lots of difficult opponents. They are not going to finish in the top 4, but they will definitely be in the fight for the playoffs come the end of the season. The Devils will be favored in this game, but like Rochester, they are not quite strong enough to shut opponents down and win going away. Because of that, a pick 6 for Komodo (the team leading the conference in interceptions and defensive TDs) could be the difference in this one. Devonport by 4, 35-31.
Samoa Savages (4-2) vs An Album Cover (3-3)
Samoa took two tough losses in a row from Devonport and Apia, but those are two top 5 teams – An Album Cover is not. An Album Cover almost pulled out a big upset against Rochester last week to show that they can still make some noise, even against one of those top 5 teams. In the end, the Savages will tear up the Covers as they move up to 5-2. Samoa by 18, 38-20.
Port Moresby Scallywags (2-4) vs Alaska Wild (1-5)
Port Moresby has found the going tough here in AA #4 Zeta. A good team in A ball, they are just a little outmatched in the difficult Zeta brand of football in AA #4. Having said that, this is a game that they can and should claim to have any playoff hopes. Alaska may have improved some over last season, but they are still at the bottom and should be starting recruiting for next season now. Port Moresby 14, 27-13.
THE TOILET BOWL
Tasmania Dragons (0-6) vs Redcliffe Sharks (0-6)
It is all on the line in this one – who will end the season 0-16 and who will be 1-15. I suppose you could get a tie, but somebody will get lucky and pull out a score to stop that. Tasmania is the better team (enjoy that, because you won’t hear it again) and will claim their first and only victory today. Redcliffe will try, but just don’t have anything to do much. Regardless, both teams will be demoted at the end of this season to the A leagues. Tasmania by 11, 24-13.
That's it. Make your own predictions on your games! Good luck to all!
