Glad I’ve sat on Vigo since the draft. Witts looks cooked and Blicavs is surely almost done.
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lol.
Whadaya mean back?
This is very gracious @The_Melkman - great work this week!
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I am sorry, I thought my season was done in week 2, I got beaten pretty badly by CB for 5th. I did not make a team as a result.
Congratulations to Pimpino Tigers HDFL and Topdonkeys for making the Grand Final. Should be a cracking contest with two evenly matched teams.
Commiserations to those who didn’t make the big stage. In particular Minor Premiers Sunbury Seagulls have had an outstanding season and were unlucky to run cold on Preliminary Final day against the rampaging Topdonkeys.
The Tigers go into this contest without Wanganeen-Milera, but otherwise have a strong squad to pick from. A solid defence is led by Uwland and Worner, with support from Battle and Nankervis. Macrae was a welcome inclusion after a spell in the VFL, and his return game showcased his ability to find the ball at will. Acres and Wardlaw are able to contribute with strong scores as well. Xerri has been the teams highest scorer this season aside from Wanganeen-Milera and continues to be one of the premier rucks in the comp. The Tigers boast a very even forward line with four players averaging 70-75. Sparrow is having a breakout season and averages 105.
The Topdonkeys are flush with scoring power. Josh Daicos, Milera, Florent and Haynes are elite scores in defence, while Brayshaw, Hewett and Taranto are all regularly top 100 in the midfield. The forward line is a weaker area of the ground, with Jagga Smith and Dylan Moore standouts. Nick Watson may well be a wildcard in this game with a favourable matchup against WCE.
The Tigers are a more consistent team across the park, and will field only two players who are averaging over 90 this season. The Topdonkeys have more high end scoring power with five players averaging over 90, but their forward line in particular can run hot and cold. It should be a cracking contest, and both teams would be worthy Premiers.
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You haven’t made a GF?
Nope!
Best of luck @The_Melkman (although despite beating you last time we met, I’ll definitely be the one needing it).
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Best of luck wimm. Fingers crossed for no injuries to either team
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Drew is a late out, but Ashcroft should give me cover there.
But yeah, no first quarter injuries that screw the game. I’m gonna need something special from someone to make a game of it.
Two confirmed changes at Topdonkeys heading into this weekend’s all important grand final.
IN: Wayne Milera, Alex Neal-Bullen
OUT Nick Haynes (ankle), Riley Bice (susp.)
After failing to overcome a late fitness test young gun Murphy Reid will not run out for the Donkeys in the last game of the season, in what is a big loss for the team’s premiership chances. He will be joined on the sidelines by veteran Nick Haynes, who sustained an ankle injury during his preliminary final heroics, where he registered a season high score of 116.
Replacing Haynes in the 18 is star defender Wayne Milera who has missed the last 3 matches with a hamstring strain. It is hoped Milera can pick up where he left off after averaging over 100 points in his previous 5 matches, putting himself in best and fairest calculations.
The other confirmed out for the Donkeys is suspended Swans defender Riley Bice who has taken the Donkey moniker a bit too literally and decided to act like a ■■■■■■■ idiot in his spare time. Bice had already found himself under selection pressure after a meagre last month and may have faced the axe regardless of his off-field antics.
Filling this vacancy, Alex Neal-Bullen returns to the line-up after missing last round due to personal reasons. New signing Neal-Bullen has had an up and down start to life as a Donkey and it is hoped he can return to the early season form which saw him recruited for this exact moment.
The make-up of the 18 is still being finalised but defender Ryan Byrnes will hold his place after a strong 78 score on Thursday night. The Saint will come off the bench to fill a backline vacancy. He will not however be joined by Sun Sam Clohesy who has kissed any chance he had of a premiership medal goodbye after a disappointing 57. This is likely to see Pie Jack Crisp and Tiger Patrick Retschko retain their places in the side.
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Hmm I might’ve stuffed up here picking Clohesy as a mid emergency last night.
Brodie could be really useful without Drew and Horne-Francis, but not sure I have the stones to straight up drop Crisp…
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I appreciate the stress, it’s a Grand Final after all, but I honestly think you’ll be fine.
FWIW, I’m really not sure about Membrey as my forward bench, but I still have time to choose Chol for a first 18 player as a hail mary.
I have one tactic left.
Ragtagging.
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Harry Petty, well done son!
Picked up as a free agent about a month ago and puts up 123 in the GF!
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Yeah, I’m about done.
Tons from Neale and Gunston and 150 from Xerri are needed.
Man, what a time to put in a shocker, Sparrow.
Just need Battle, Yeo, and Gunston to score 125 each for the win.
And there it is. 200 points.
Congratulations, @The_Melkman , it was a very well deserved win. You’ve performed well all year. I kind of feel bad that the GF couldn’t have been the best teams all year, which would have been a much closer Grand Final, although I’m sure you don’t agree! 
I’ll do a proper wrap later, but great win, great year, well done.
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Congrats, Melky. Very well deserved in a tough year.
Condolences to Wim. So so close. You thought you were on the up, and were proven right. Your window is only just opening.
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