1) Samoa Flying Foxes – 56-24 win over Melbourne. You guys have been tooting your own horn enough, so my text won’t be needed.
2) Cleveland Dawg Pound- 77-35 win over Gold Coast. Strong performance for Cleveland in a very dominating win over what appears to be a bubble team. Monster game from Muhammad Dirka Dirka Jihad . All phases of the game clicked in this win. Next Week = A huge game against Wollongong. I think Cleveland wins in a stunning fashion. 42-21
3) Micronesia Megalodons – 76-21 Win over Gridiron Gladiators. I think this really makes a statement for Micronesia. Last week Wollongong struggled against the Gladiators and this week Micronesia steps on them like a bug. If this was real football Vincent Bo Jackson would be wearing down already from 33, 45 and 38 carries over the past 3 games. He is the front runner for league MVP. What a machine. Next Week= 92-17 Win over Hawaii
4) Hamilton Hellcats - 40-3 win over Sidney . Impressive defense over the past couple weeks, allowing only a combined 6 points over that span. I think this team will make a good showing for a home playoff game. Next week – Win over Sack 40-13.
The Road Warriors
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5) Wollongong Hammers – 66-26 win over Hawaii. I understand this team is one of the 2 remaining unbeaten team, and I have no doubts this is a playoff team, but look for Wollongong to lose its first game against Cleveland in a runaway fashion. They have the makings to be able to stun anyone on any given Sunday so don’t take them lightly. Wollongong is asking themselves how did we go 4-0 and still drop in the rankings? I just think Hamilton is better right now. Next week= Drops to Cleveland 42-21
6) Melbourne Predators – lost to Samoa. Tough streak of games for Melbourne. They lose which was expected . Look for them to bounce back against Gold Coast. I think Melbourne will edge out Gold Coast in a close game.
7) Auckland Titans – 31-13 win over Sack. Surprised myself with the dominating victory over Sack Sabbath. Auckland has yet to surrender a rushing TD this season and the defense looks stout enough to keep games close even when severely outmatched, like they will be most of the season. Look for Auckland to get revenge from a last season loss to Sydney Sharks this week in a late victory.
8) Sack Sabbath – 31-13 win loss to Auckland. Sack’s 4th quarter TD put them into double digits against what appears to be a stout Auckland defense. The loss doesn’t quite drop them out of the top 8, with teams below not stepping up and winning, I still think this team is post season bound. Next Week- Loss to Hamilton 40-13
The Bubble
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9) Hawaii Phoenixes – 26-66 loss to Wollongong. Big loss to a solid team in Wollongong. I figured it would be more competitive then it was, but apparently I was proven wrong. Next week doesn’t get better as they have to lose to Micronesia.
10) Gridiron Gladiators- 21-76 loss to Micronesia. Dominated in every facet of this game, but Micronesia is a good squad. They will bounce back with a win over Hawaii Islanders this week.
11) Sidney Vicious – 4-40 loss to Hamilton. Tough stretch of games for Sidney who is in need of a bounce back victory to keep their post season hopes alive. The perfect remedy for a 2 game losing streak is a CPU team to beat up on, and that’s what they get next week in the South Lions.
12) Sydney Sharks- 40-38 Win over Talon Bay. It was close and Ricky Reeven might be one of the best receivers in the league. Next week is a grudge match carried over from last season with the Auckland Titans. Look for this game to be close, with Sydney having a good chance to pull the upset again.
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The rest in no particular order
Gold Coast Vipers ( I sense they will be moved into the bubble soon)
South Lions
Talon Bay Privateers
Hawaii Islanders
2) Cleveland Dawg Pound- 77-35 win over Gold Coast. Strong performance for Cleveland in a very dominating win over what appears to be a bubble team. Monster game from Muhammad Dirka Dirka Jihad . All phases of the game clicked in this win. Next Week = A huge game against Wollongong. I think Cleveland wins in a stunning fashion. 42-21
3) Micronesia Megalodons – 76-21 Win over Gridiron Gladiators. I think this really makes a statement for Micronesia. Last week Wollongong struggled against the Gladiators and this week Micronesia steps on them like a bug. If this was real football Vincent Bo Jackson would be wearing down already from 33, 45 and 38 carries over the past 3 games. He is the front runner for league MVP. What a machine. Next Week= 92-17 Win over Hawaii
4) Hamilton Hellcats - 40-3 win over Sidney . Impressive defense over the past couple weeks, allowing only a combined 6 points over that span. I think this team will make a good showing for a home playoff game. Next week – Win over Sack 40-13.
The Road Warriors
--------------------------------------------------------------------
5) Wollongong Hammers – 66-26 win over Hawaii. I understand this team is one of the 2 remaining unbeaten team, and I have no doubts this is a playoff team, but look for Wollongong to lose its first game against Cleveland in a runaway fashion. They have the makings to be able to stun anyone on any given Sunday so don’t take them lightly. Wollongong is asking themselves how did we go 4-0 and still drop in the rankings? I just think Hamilton is better right now. Next week= Drops to Cleveland 42-21
6) Melbourne Predators – lost to Samoa. Tough streak of games for Melbourne. They lose which was expected . Look for them to bounce back against Gold Coast. I think Melbourne will edge out Gold Coast in a close game.
7) Auckland Titans – 31-13 win over Sack. Surprised myself with the dominating victory over Sack Sabbath. Auckland has yet to surrender a rushing TD this season and the defense looks stout enough to keep games close even when severely outmatched, like they will be most of the season. Look for Auckland to get revenge from a last season loss to Sydney Sharks this week in a late victory.
8) Sack Sabbath – 31-13 win loss to Auckland. Sack’s 4th quarter TD put them into double digits against what appears to be a stout Auckland defense. The loss doesn’t quite drop them out of the top 8, with teams below not stepping up and winning, I still think this team is post season bound. Next Week- Loss to Hamilton 40-13
The Bubble
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9) Hawaii Phoenixes – 26-66 loss to Wollongong. Big loss to a solid team in Wollongong. I figured it would be more competitive then it was, but apparently I was proven wrong. Next week doesn’t get better as they have to lose to Micronesia.
10) Gridiron Gladiators- 21-76 loss to Micronesia. Dominated in every facet of this game, but Micronesia is a good squad. They will bounce back with a win over Hawaii Islanders this week.
11) Sidney Vicious – 4-40 loss to Hamilton. Tough stretch of games for Sidney who is in need of a bounce back victory to keep their post season hopes alive. The perfect remedy for a 2 game losing streak is a CPU team to beat up on, and that’s what they get next week in the South Lions.
12) Sydney Sharks- 40-38 Win over Talon Bay. It was close and Ricky Reeven might be one of the best receivers in the league. Next week is a grudge match carried over from last season with the Auckland Titans. Look for this game to be close, with Sydney having a good chance to pull the upset again.
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The rest in no particular order
Gold Coast Vipers ( I sense they will be moved into the bubble soon)
South Lions
Talon Bay Privateers
Hawaii Islanders