Halibut Talent Scouts - Preview - What we know:

Heroes vs Team Plank

Heroes: Ok, so we'll start with what we know, and I know what my team has been up to lately! An early start to a mixed nats campaign has seen the Heroes Ultimate Club hone in on some no nonsense training and make some very tough selections in the eve of Halibut 15. The exclusion of Starkey is likely to hurt the kids in green at the party. Meanwhile, Rick and Sean will be busting it on the field and we all know what Bevan is capable of. Expect arrogance from the Heroes women who are hung-over from the WUFL win of yester-year, and have not had to prove themselves through a selection process. The men will be looking to them to learn a thing or two about winning matches when it counts.

Team Plank: At a guess, it would be fair to imagine that the interstate travellers have had two training sessions together by now, and the Mayor would be pulling all sorts of things out of his .. hat at GC training. Everyone else is probably slacking off, with the exception of Team Plank. With Stu and Maylin training for worlds and big Rob Lowe in the form of his life off the back of a Firestorm season, this team looks sharp. With an average age of 30 (being generous), there is no doubt that Sophie Stewart will provide the lead-out at the party for the more seasoned campainers, namely Cola, who will be drinking anything but his namesake. But back to Rob Lowe - just think Jens Voigt in regards to drinking efforts. Rob will certainly enjoy dishing out the pain.

That's all for now. Stay tuned for more meaningless speculation. At this rate, we'll have it covered by Worlds!

As Sam Schlencker said: "I've been practicing the art of Plonking for years. It involves drinking a lot of wine and falling asleep in strange positions."

It's all happening here at the palace

In context of the season:

Dojo vs Heroes

Dojo are 2 points clear on the table, so if they keep winning, the minor-premiership is theirs. This is a familiar position for the kenshi. A win for Heroes would take some pressure off and boost confidence after another season of improvements with little to show for in the wins column.

Buggers Vs Cobras

Buggers are looking slipped from form and are structurally looking a bit messy without some of the gun players/leadership. Their finals spot is assured, with only Los Bandidos threatening to take third. There is little difference at the end of the day between 2nd and 3rd, bar pride. Cobras have struggled this season, with all but Reece and Finn departing. Their new look side could threaten if they got a full squad, but they couldn't manage 6 last week. Mathematically still a chance.

Los Bandidos vs Slamtown

For a team that lost it's first game 15-1, it comes as a surprise to many that they are now in fourth and threatening to take third. Or is is? Allegedly the new "Green Machine" (I prefer their alternate strip!), a win tonight could put a defining gap between Bob Brown and Adam Bandt X 2. Slamtown will be looking to annihilate their opposition and stay hot on the heels of the Dojo. With the Bugs next week (who take on Dojo in the last round) and Cobras before the finals, they've got one hand on the minor-flag-poll (innuendo?)

And as it's all getting very exciting, we have an MVP update, which seems questionable, especially in light of the TomSteve scandal a few seasons back. Obviously you can't rig it for your own team, but knowing the standings may influence a captains eye and mind.


Jody & BW are on 6.

Mike Neild is on 5 and hasn't played every game but for some reason doesn't have an average. I guess if he plays another game he'll win (influenced?). Jangles is there too, having missed one game and yet no average.

Pete Allen & Finn - 4.67(4 from 6 games), Finn - 4.67(4 from 6 games).

Abra & JJ have 4.

Leon & Reece are on 3.5 (3 from 6 games)

Bevan, Buzz & Greff all have - 3

What's all this average business about, then? The rules state that the MVP will be the player with the highest average of votes from games played, provided they have played 50% of the seasons games. My opinion: If you don't turn up to all the games, you're not the leagues most valuable player (unless you still score the most points).