A League 53 End of Season Review – by Scruttino
Team | M | W | D | L | + | – | = | P | Last 6 | |
1 | Almighty Scallywags | 22 | 15 | 3 | 4 | 81 | 29 | 52 | 48 | |
2 | Glasston | 22 | 15 | 3 | 4 | 65 | 20 | 45 | 48 | |
3 | Otago United | 22 | 14 | 4 | 4 | 50 | 23 | 27 | 46 | |
4 | Jokers | 22 | 13 | 1 | 8 | 56 | 36 | 20 | 40 | |
5 | BONDI ICEBERGS | 22 | 11 | 5 | 6 | 56 | 33 | 23 | 38 | |
6 | SYDclub | 22 | 12 | 0 | 10 | 49 | 37 | 12 | 36 | |
7 | Cheltenham | 22 | 10 | 4 | 8 | 48 | 39 | 9 | 34 | |
8 | Dunder Mifflin FC | 22 | 9 | 3 | 10 | 57 | 47 | 10 | 30 | |
9 | Arrested Developers | 22 | 7 | 3 | 12 | 34 | 50 | -16 | 24 | |
10 | City Water Motel | 22 | 7 | 3 | 12 | 51 | 72 | -21 | 24 | |
11 | Hawthorn FC | 22 | 2 | 2 | 18 | 24 | 85 | -61 | 8 | |
12 | Ayreon | 22 | 1 | 1 | 20 | 16 | 116 | -100 | 4 |
Almighty Scallywags looked gone with 4 games to go and almost blew it threw inputting the wrong tactic causing them to lose their last match badly. But the Otago lost in the last round meaning that the Almighty Scallywags goal difference was enough to win them the title despite being on the same points score as Glasston who almost pulled off winning the A-League after being promoted the season before.
The Jokers had the hardest run home but they won all their games against the three teams that finished above them causing havoc in the run home for those challenging for the title, but elevating them to their highest ever A-League finish. Bondi Icebergs had a great season for a promotion team and will only get better in the next. SYDclub have had a solid season much like their past few they have been there or about mid-table. Cheltenham hit the wall late and fell to 7th but secured the last spot of safety.
Dunder Mifflin seemed destined for the playoffs for a while now. But the surprise was a big loss for City Water Motel in their final round due to a playing with 10 men and a gaping hole in the centre of defence. This along with Arrested Developers winning against Dunder Mifflin meant City Water lost the goal difference advantage and became automatically relegated along with Hawthorn and Ayreon.
Round Commentary
Round 12 – 22-02-2015 09:30
City Water Motel | 1-0 | Jokers |
Cheltenham | 2-2 | Dunder Mifflin FC |
SYDclub | 3-1 | Hawthorn FC |
Glasston | 1-2 | Almighty Scallywags |
BONDI ICEBERGS | 2-1 | Arrested Developers |
Otago United | 1-1 | Ayreon |
Predictions
City Water Motel 1 – 3 Jokers
Cheltenham 2 – 3 Dunder Mifflin FC
SYDclub 5 – 0 Hawthorn FC
Glasston 1 – 3 Almighty Scallywags
BONDI ICEBERGS 4 – 1 Arrested Developers
Otago United 7 – 0 Ayreon
tosspot
Why do you think my team has gotten a goal worse since last round?
scruttino
Just a feeling
scruttino
This time we really did do our best to lose, lol
Round 13 – 25-02-2015 10:30
City Water Motel | 0-7 | Dunder Mifflin FC |
Jokers | 4-3 | Hawthorn FC |
SYDclub | 2-4 | Cheltenham |
Glasston | 4-0 | Arrested Developers |
Almighty Scallywags | 10-0 | Ayreon |
Otago United | 4-2 | BONDI ICEBERGS |
Predictions
City Water Motel 2 – 3 Dunder Mifflin FC
Jokers 3 – 1 Hawthorn FC
SYDclub 2 – 2 Cheltenham
Glasston 4 – 2 Arrested Developers
Almighty Scallywags 7 – 0 Ayreon
Otago United 2 – 2 BONDI ICEBERGS
scruttino
For whatever reason, the boys are doing things the hard way. We definitely living on struggle street at the moment
Round 14 – 01-03-2015 14:30
Hawthorn FC | 1-7 | City Water Motel |
Cheltenham | 1-3 | Jokers |
Dunder Mifflin FC | 0-1 | SYDclub |
Ayreon | 0-4 | Glasston |
BONDI ICEBERGS | 0-4 | Almighty Scallywags |
Arrested Developers | 0-3 | Otago United |
Predictions
Dunder Mifflin FC 2 – 3 SYDclub
Cheltenham 1 – 2 Jokers
Hawthorn FC 2 – 3 City Water Motel
Arrested Developers 0 – 3 Otago United
BONDI ICEBERGS 1 – 3 Almighty Scallywags
Ayreon 0 – 5 Glasston
scruttino
A much needed win. Mid table is now extremely congested, 5 side within 2 points of each other.
Round 15 – 04-03-2015 17:15
Hawthorn FC | 1-1 | Dunder Mifflin FC |
City Water Motel | 1-4 | Cheltenham |
Jokers | 0-4 | SYDclub |
Ayreon | 2-4 | Arrested Developers |
Glasston | 2-2 | BONDI ICEBERGS |
Almighty Scallywags | 2-4 | Otago United |
Predictions
City Water Motel 2 – 2 Cheltenham
Jokers 1 – 1 SYDclub
Hawthorn FC 1 – 3 Dunder Mifflin FC
Glasston 1 – 2 BONDI ICEBERGS
Almighty Scallywags 3 – 1 Otago United
Ayreon 1 – 4 Arrested Developers
scruttino
Forgot to check my suspensions, a centre back off the bench was not up to scratch. Comprehensively beaten
Round 16 – 08-03-2015 14:15
Dunder Mifflin FC | 0-4 | Jokers |
Cheltenham | 4-2 | Hawthorn FC |
SYDclub | 1-3 | City Water Motel |
Arrested Developers | 1-1 | Almighty Scallywags |
BONDI ICEBERGS | 6-1 | Ayreon |
Otago United | 1-2 | Glasston |
Predictions
Dunder Mifflin FC 2 – 3 Jokers
Cheltenham 3 – 2 Hawthorn FC
SYDclub 2 – 1 City Water Motel
Arrested Developers 1 – 5 Almighty Scallywags
BONDI ICEBERGS 8 – 0 Ayreon
Otago United 1 – 1 Glasston
scruttino
Well that makes things very interesting, Glasston lead once again, AD and AS draw, City Water start to pick up the pace and you won’t want to play from here on in. Plus the Jokers put on a master class in short passing and pull themselves out of the relegation zone, Bundy returns in round 18 so things are finally looking up.
Round 17 – 11-03-2015 10:45
City Water Motel | 3-2 | Arrested Developers |
Dunder Mifflin FC | 2-3 | Almighty Scallywags |
Jokers | 2-5 | BONDI ICEBERGS |
Cheltenham | 5-0 | Ayreon |
Hawthorn FC | 0-4 | Otago United |
SYDclub | 0-1 | Glasston |
Predictions
City Water Motel 2 – 1 Arrested Developers
Dunder Mifflin FC 1 – 4 Almighty Scallywags
Jokers 2 – 2 BONDI ICEBERGS
Cheltenham 7 – 0 Ayreon
Hawthorn FC 1 – 5 Otago United
SYDclub 1 – 3 Glasston
Round 18 – 15-03-2015 17:30
Ayreon | 0-4 | Jokers |
Otago United | 3-1 | Cheltenham |
Glasston | 9-1 | Hawthorn FC |
Arrested Developers | 3-1 | SYDclub |
Almighty Scallywags | 5-0 | City Water Motel |
BONDI ICEBERGS | 2-1 | Dunder Mifflin FC |
Predictions
Glasston 4 – 0 Hawthorn FC
Arrested Developers 1 – 3 SYDclub
Almighty Scallywags 3 – 1 City Water Motel
BONDI ICEBERGS 3 – 1 Dunder Mifflin FC
Ayreon 0 – 6 Jokers
Otago United 1 – 2 Cheltenham
Round 19 – 18-03-2015 10:45
Cheltenham | 0-2 | Glasston |
Hawthorn FC | 0-3 | Arrested Developers |
SYDclub | 1-4 | Almighty Scallywags |
City Water Motel | 4-4 | BONDI ICEBERGS |
Dunder Mifflin FC | 10-0 | Ayreon |
Jokers | 2-0 | Otago United |
Predictions
City Water Motel 1 – 3 BONDI ICEBERGS
Dunder Mifflin FC 4 – 1 Ayreon
Jokers 1 – 3 Otago United
Cheltenham 1 – 2 Glasston
Hawthorn FC 2 – 3 Arrested Developers
SYDclub 1 – 4 Almighty Scallywags
bestplaymaker2134
do it again next round thanks scru.
scruttino
Well that was unexpected. Let’s see what happens aye
scruttino
Well I just watched the match and there was quite a lot of over to you, back to me between the wing defenders when the attacking wingers were both positioned on the same side of the feild as they both tackled mercilessly. So at time it seemed as though they were passing the ball to each other.
2 other things stuck out. 1 – Cowdell scored directly from the corner, I’ve never seen that before
and perhaps even more spectacularly Duncan pulled off 3 saves in a row from the same attacking movement as he scurried back and forth across the goals.
I think that game was a one off
Round 20 – 22-03-2015 10:45
Otago United | 3-0 | Dunder Mifflin FC |
Ayreon | 2-6 | City Water Motel |
BONDI ICEBERGS | 0-1 | SYDclub |
Almighty Scallywags | 2-0 | Hawthorn FC |
Arrested Developers | 1-1 | Cheltenham |
Glasston | 0-1 | Jokers |
Predictions
Glasston 3 – 2 Jokers
Arrested Developers 2 – 4 Cheltenham
Almighty Scallywags 7 – 1 Hawthorn FC
BONDI ICEBERGS 3 – 2 SYDclub
Ayreon 0 – 5 City Water Motel
Otago United 3 – 2 Dunder Mifflin FC
scruttino
Another unexpected win. I had a some luck this time though and even then it was a bitter struggle.
Unless Cheltenham or Myself can pull an upset over the Scallywags this is their title to lose now.
bestplaymaker2134
My XI’s average form is currently at 5.6. It will only get worse next week as I got rid of all my youths neglecting the remaining Tour Bonus friendlies that I still have to play.
“Accidentally” use your youths, thanks.
Round 21 – 25-03-2015 14:30
Dunder Mifflin FC | 3-2 | Glasston |
Jokers | 3-1 | Arrested Developers |
Cheltenham | 0-3 | Almighty Scallywags |
Hawthorn FC | 1-3 | BONDI ICEBERGS |
SYDclub | 8-0 | Ayreon |
City Water Motel | 1-1 | Otago United |
Predictions
Glasston 3-1 Dunder Mifflin FC
Arrested Developers 2-3 Jokers
Almighty Scallywags 3-2 Cheltenham
BONDI ICEBERGS 3-0 Hawthorn FC
Ayreon 0-5 SYDclub
Otago United 3-1 City Water Motel
scruttino
Some more upsets. This has been an unusual close to the season. But unpredictbility is good as it give everyone a chance
scruttino
Those results should also relegate the bottom three. AS while it’s still mathematically possible for Toss to still make the playoffs it’s unlikely.
Dunder Mifflin have a good chance to avoid relegation given there superior goal difference and Syd playing Otago in the last round.
Round 22 – 29-03-2015 10:00
Glasston | 11-0 | City Water Motel |
Arrested Developers | 3-1 | Dunder Mifflin FC |
Almighty Scallywags | 0-8 | Jokers |
BONDI ICEBERGS | 2-2 | Cheltenham |
Ayreon | 0-3 | Hawthorn FC |
Otago United | 0-2 | SYDclub |
Predictions
Glasston 3 – 1 City Water Motel
Arrested Developers 2 – 4 Dunder Mifflin FC
Almighty Scallywags 3 – 1 Jokers
BONDI ICEBERGS 2 – 1 Cheltenham
Ayreon 1 – 5 Hawthorn FC
Otago United 3 – 2 SYDclub
bestplaymaker2134
I got hit by karma
eric_the_eel
What was that ?! Trying to throw your game?
bestplaymaker2134
Noo…i tried to change tactics for an upcoming friendly game.,,and failed.
tosspot
Wow, you didn’t want to win the title.
I also got lucky and escaped auto-relegation.
bestplaymaker2134
@tosser
Yeah ok lets go with that. I wanted eric to win so I threw the game. I’ll be expecting eric to return the favour next season. 🙂
Extra Time
So with 4 rounds to go I thought I’d do a from here to the finish piece. Awarding wins to teams that are currently above the other the will be facing in the coming rounds and see where this projects the final ladder.
Glasston-42-Che/J/DMFC/CWM-54
Otago-42-J/DMFC/CWM/SYD-54
A. Scallywags-39-SYD/HFC/Che/J-51
B. Icebergs-33-CWM/SYD/HFC/Che-45
Cheltenham-32-G/AD/AS/BI-35
SYD Club-27-AS/HFC/Ayr/OU-33
Jokers-28-OU/G/AD/AS-31
D. Mifflin FC-24-Ayr/OU/G/AD-30
C.W. Motel-19-BI/Ayr/OU/G-22
A. Developers-17-HFC/Che/J/DMFC-20
Hawthorn FC-5-AD/SYD/BI/Ayr-8
Ayreon-4-DMFC/CWM/SYD/HFC-4
So as can be seen none of the top 4 have to play each other again. This should make for a straight run to the flag with goal difference being the winner.
Glasston start with a +6 advantage over Otago. Yet it bears keeping in mind that Glasston lost to the Jokers the first time round.
The toughest run home goes to the Jokers, with Cheltenham a close second. 5 teams can change the course of the title but would enter there matches against teams above them as the underdogs. The Jokers having 3 chances at it, Cheltenham, SYD Club and everyone’s equal chance roughy to cause an unlikely upset Dunder Mifflin all have 2. City Water Motel also have a game each against Glasston and Otago, but while they are a chance, it would be a long shot. Like the odd of 99/1 you use to get for ‘The Phantom Chance’ way back when in the Melbourne Cup each year.
Almighty Scallywags require the Sim to get to work on Glasston and Otago. If it does then their superior goal difference will win them the title.
Otago are consistent, but so are Glasston and both have a similar run home in terms of the strength of teams they will be facing. So there won’t be any large swings in goal difference either.
This one is going down to the wire. I’m tipping Glasston to do the unthinkable and win the A-league after being promoted from Div 1 the season before.
I don’t know if has been done before, but I can’t remember it while I’ve been around.
theme_dreamer
From memory Brooklyn Massive did what was truly unthinkable and after coming back from inactivity they won div 2, div 1, and then the A-League in consecutive seasons. Nice write up by the way.
scruttino
Thanks. I’ve thrown a real curve ball into the mix by upsetting both otago and glasston.
Competitions
The Rowden Medal
Name | Team | Points |
Boyde Minne | Almighty Scallywags | 42 |
Isidoro Barea | Otago United | 40 |
梅凡迅 |
Glasston | 30 |
Ricardo Cugat | SYDclub | 30 |
Mikolaj Prus | BONDI ICEBERGS | 29 |
Leo Brasgaard | SYDclub | 19 |
Ainar Reeder | Dunder Mifflin FC | 19 |
George Nica | City Water Motel | 19 |
Subin Late | Arrested Developers | 17 |
Ian Kilmister | Jokers | 16 |
Minne takes it out in a close battle with Barea, but neither will be playing in the A-League next season. So it’s time for a new brigade of players to come through.
Bundy’s Boot
Player | Team | GP | G | YC | RC | |
1 | Boyde Minne | AS | 22 | 65 | 0 | 0 |
2 | Ricardo Cugat | SYD | 22 | 43 | 2 | 0 |
3 | 梅凡迅 | GLN | 22 | 38 | 2 | 0 |
4 | Mikolaj Prus | BIG | 22 | 33 | 1 | 0 |
5 | Isidoro Barea | 20 | 33 | 0 | 0 | |
6 | George Nica | City | 22 | 30 | 1 | 0 |
7 | Ainar Reeder | DMFC | 22 | 27 | 0 | 0 |
8 | Rudy Digiuseppe | JKS | 22 | 23 | 0 | 0 |
9 | Lance Freeman | Chm | 22 | 21 | 0 | 0 |
10 | Subin Late | AD | 22 | 19 | 0 | 0 |
11 | Egon Spengler | DMFC | 22 | 15 | 2 | 0 |
12 | Rodriguinho Arruda | Chm | 22 | 15 | 0 | 0 |
13 | Bran Marcola | AS | 21 | 14 | 1 | 0 |
14 | Ernest Christian | OTA | 22 | 14 | 1 | 0 |
15 | Victorio Rolado | BIG | 22 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
16 | Ían Kilmister | JKS | 21 | 13 | 3 | 0 |
17 | Remy Bundy | JKS | 5 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
18 | Dan Raison | Hawk | 22 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
19 | Dale Gilding | GLN | 22 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
20 | Braedan Ross | City | 17 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
Boyde Minne had this in the bag a long time ago. But it will be his last season in the A-League as he has been sold, so we’ll have a new face next season.
A Cuddly Sheet
Goalkeepers (Goals Against) | Clubs | Clean Sheets |
Kirk Dale – (29) | Almighty Scallywags | 9 |
Dale Barling – (20) | Glasston | 8 |
Rob Duncan – (36) | Jokers | 7 |
Oliver Beattie – (37) | SYD Club | 7 |
Bleyd Renney – (23) | Otago United | 5 |
Yuce Farhat – (33) | Bondi Icebergs | 5 |
Randle Maciver – (39) | Cheltenham | 5 |
Evan Gillingwater – (47) | Dunder Mifflin FC | 3 |
Alekos Petaloudas – (50) | Arrested Developers | 3 |
Bongbong User – (72) | City Water Motel | 1 |
Jeremy Dowsing – (85) | Hawthorn FC | 1 |
Kirk Dale had a great second half to the season and to take out his first warm blanket keeping award for the best clean sheet record in the A-League
The Waterland
Team | Total Points |
Glasston | 91 |
Almighty Scallywags | 89 |
Otago United | 84 |
Bondi Icebergs | 84 |
Jokers | 83 |
SYD Club | 74 |
Cheltenham | 65 |
Dunder Mifflin FC | 61 |
City Water Motel | 60 |
Arrested Developers | 41 |
Hawthorn FC | 32 |
Ayreon | 24 |
Glasston take out the Waterland for the most MVP point accrued per team over the season, the top 5 were all quite even by then end though. No blow out winners.
Club MVP’s
Almighty Scallywags | Player Points |
Boyde Minne | 42 |
Henry Brask | 13 |
Bran Marcola | 9 |
Earnest Tebby | 7 |
Edgardo Toro | 6 |
Patric Linqvist | 6 |
Kirk Dale | 3 |
Berkem Lemi | 3 |
Berkem Lemi | 2 |
Duran Acikel | 2 |
Dacosta Tupman | 1 |
89 |
Arrested Developers | Player Points |
Subin Late | 17 |
Carman Haydock | 7 |
Bernie Nunn | 6 |
Thomas Trigo | 5 |
Earle Surman | 3 |
Kacangala Waago | 1 |
Kirk Hilton | 1 |
41 |
Ayreon | Player Points |
Humphry Sawbridge | 5 |
Dalwood Reiter | 5 |
Russ Tearle | 5 |
Luck McRoberts | 3 |
Edison Sparrow | 2 |
Henry Turnbull | 2 |
Arneil Bunworth | 1 |
Niles Maddern | 1 |
24 |
Bondi Icebergs | Player Points |
Mikolaj Prus | 29 |
Victorio Rolado | 11 |
Umit Erel | 10 |
Norm Bonham | 8 |
Sedat Turkoglu | 6 |
Adam Sandler | 5 |
Yuce Ferhat | 4 |
Sam Playford | 4 |
Ryan Pincini | 4 |
Dylan Grimes | 2 |
Nash Claringbold | 1 |
84 |
Cheltenham | Player Points |
Lance Freeman | 15 |
Benny Mewburn | 9 |
Rodriguinho Arruda | 9 |
Marshall Mackney | 8 |
Gerd Kaps | 7 |
Randle Maciver | 5 |
Barth Fasey | 4 |
Jarrett Trenoweth | 3 |
Eliot Lester | 3 |
Larry Schonke | 2 |
65 |
City Water Motel | Player Points |
George Nica | 19 |
Barnabas Edwards | 7 |
Francesco Di Palma | 6 |
Bongbong User | 6 |
Boyde Whelpton | 6 |
Adam Carroll | 4 |
Jayden Pfingst | 3 |
Clay Goodward | 2 |
Braedan Ross | 2 |
Honorato Oliviero | 2 |
Tommy Crapp | 1 |
David Mellbad | 1 |
Boyce Schulzte | 1 |
60 |
Dunder Mifflin FC | Player Points |
Ainar Reeder | 19 |
Manol Nichev | 14 |
Loud Dowsing | 9 |
Dario Tenser | 6 |
Egon Spengler | 6 |
James Biddell | 5 |
Garry Cagle | 1 |
Aron Itoafa | 1 |
61 |
Glasston | Player Points |
梅凡迅 |
30 |
Dale Gilding | 11 |
Dale Barling | 10 |
Benney Lamb | 8 |
Keith Callaghan | 7 |
Cisco Radaban | 7 |
Jordan Wayland | 6 |
Paulino Maju | 4 |
Roch Duda | 3 |
Ed Norman | 3 |
John Bennett | 2 |
91 |
Hawthorn FC | Player Points |
Dan Raison | 9 |
Paul Warhurst | 8 |
Stan Christina | 6 |
Jeremy Dowsing | 5 |
Mack Millar | 2 |
Russell Raison | 1 |
Martyon Moran | 1 |
32 |
Jokers | Player Points |
Ian Kilmister | 16 |
Rudy Digiuseppe | 14 |
Bent McMahon | 9 |
Remy Bundy | 9 |
Joao Mumbach | 7 |
Rob Duncan | 7 |
Dane Cowdell | 6 |
Kalin Lungarov | 6 |
Lewis Benton | 3 |
Savas Pnevmatikatos | 2 |
Herbert Nelson | 2 |
Edgar Coleman | 2 |
83 |
Otago United | Player Points |
Isidoro Barea | 40 |
Bruno Frasquito | 11 |
Hortencio Secco | 7 |
Ernest Christian | 6 |
Bleyd Renney | 5 |
Eliot Gruer | 4 |
Matthews Groves | 4 |
Kamiel De Meyer | 4 |
Herman Cameron | 1 |
Bernard Feutrill | 1 |
84 |
SYD Club | Player Points |
Ricardo Cugat | 30 |
Leo Brasgaard | 19 |
Zbyszko Lanczak | 9 |
Larkins Ziliotto | 8 |
Adolph Sperling | 3 |
Yaar Maa | 2 |
Oliver Beattie | 2 |
Oliver Kennewell | 1 |
74 |
The Full Time Release
So my top 4 prediction at the halfway mark was almost right, with my team pulling off some upsets to cause havoc on the run home a grab 4th. But next season deteriorations kick back in and we’ll see what the real impacts are on our older players.
But the Scallywags are selling up so that’ll be one team and those coming up below have rapidly improving squads, that will have to deploy their talent in a reduced title winning window. Otago, Glasston, Bondi and perhaps myself but we’ll see as I’ve 2 retirements that I don’t have the players I’d wish I did as replacements, at least they still need more training.
But the extra international player available, through an additional work permit being granted to Australia will help fill the void, though I’ll still likely go for a younger player in the 19-22 age bracket, rather than buy up an older player.
Have fun in the new season.
Cheers, Matt