A League 55 end of season review
By the end of the season Amputees FC had cleared out to win their first A-League title. Hard-nosed defence, experienced keeping with Remy Bundy leading the attack covered the lack of a decent winger. They had enough roster variety to run both short passing and wing tactics, providing flexibility to avoid being predictable. Having never finished higher than 4th, the season was a break out success with them capturing the League/Cup senior double.
Shrewsbury and Crimson Eagles have conducted a battle for the minor places for 2 straight seasons. With a bit of luck the title could have gone to either of them, but results in key games went against them and a few others got away. City Water got on a roll in the back end of the season, doing a similar rise from relegation danger to upper mid-table safety the Amputees did the season before. Abbotsford, Glasston and Bondi just edged an unlucky Skoolage into the relegation playoffs.
SYD are hanging on by a thread. Dunder Mifflin have left us, while the Rockstars and Rodborough weren’t up to the A-League standard. But they’re not the first teams to drop back to division 1 after their first A-League season.
There will be change at the top again as Amputees FC have sold up, allowing Crimson Eagles and Shrewsbury the chance to dual for the title.
Round Commentary
Round 12
The second half of the season begins and we have the return fixtures from round 11. City Water have the home ground advantage this time round against the Amputees and I’d be surprised if Abbotsford beat Crimson Eagles again. But you never know, they matched up well.
City Water Motel |
1-3 |
Amputees FC |
Melbourne Rockstars |
0-2 |
Dunder Mifflin FC |
Glasston |
1-1 |
SYDclub |
Skoolage United |
5-0 |
Rodborough |
Crimson Eagles FC |
5-0 |
Abbotsford FC |
Shrewsbury Biscuits FC |
0-0 |
BONDI ICEBERGS |
scruttino
Nice to put 2 wins against City Water behind me. Shrewsbury were stopped in their tracks by Bondi keeper Morey, that puts them at a severe disadvantage for the title 8 points adrift of the Amputees with a do or die match against Crimson Eagles next round. In the context of the season if Shrewsbury were to win, both the Crimson Eagles and Shrewsbury would be more than 2 games behind the Amputees. Best case scenario for the title race is Crimson Eagles win and remain 4 points behind, but the gaps are beginning to widen at the top.
Round 13
It’s time for the return fixture showdown between Crimson Eagles and Shrewsbury. Given he hasn’t changed his tactic in five seasons it’s safe to assume Senile will stick to short passing. Shrewsbury tried to match them last time and it back fired badly, so it likely they’ll change things up. But will it be short passing defence with wing attack or their standard wing formation, we’ll have to wait and see.
Down the bottom the Rockstar face a must win game against Glasston to have any chance of avoiding automatic demotion back to Division 1. Likewise Dunder Mifflin vs City Water will give one team a boost to avoiding the playoffs.
City Water Motel |
1-4 |
Dunder Mifflin FC |
Amputees FC |
2-2 |
SYDclub |
Glasston |
5-1 |
Melbourne Rockstars |
Skoolage United |
2-3 |
Abbotsford FC |
Rodborough |
1-2 |
BONDI ICEBERGS |
Shrewsbury Biscuits FC |
4-2 |
Crimson Eagles FC |
troyh65
I notice you’ve given up predicting the Icebergs results. Think simming. Then use a calculation of 75% probability that a simming will occur and multiply it by a 85% Iceberg Mz gods smile upon thee luck factor, which should not only allow you to know who will win but by how many goals as well.
scruttino
Haha. Even accounting for the simming percentages, you should beat Rodborough
scruttino
Ah McGowan, why did you get a red card with the last play of game and give away a penalty. Should have won by more, but we keep our unbeaten record in tack.
Shrewsbury got the upper hand with a red card to Fordham when the scores was 2-2 in the 60th minute and they took the game 4-2. That make it tough for Crimson Eagles as a 5 point gap is a lot at this stage of of the season.
The bottom 3 have been settled on, the order may change though. Dunder Mifflin keep their run of form going, City Water will be disappointed and Glasston stay in touch.
Round 14
No really big games that will impact the top 3 this round, at least they shouldn’t.
Match of the round falls to Skoolage vs Bondi. This could go either way, but no matter the result it will be entertaining.
The other match of note involves SYD and City Water. It’s SYD’s last chance to give themselves a fools hope of avoiding relegation.
SYDclub |
2-0 |
City Water Motel |
Melbourne Rockstars |
0-3 |
Amputees FC |
Dunder Mifflin FC |
0-3 |
Glasston |
BONDI ICEBERGS |
1-4 |
Skoolage United |
Crimson Eagles FC |
5-0 |
Rodborough |
Abbotsford FC |
0-1 |
Shrewsbury Biscuits FC |
scruttino
Shrewsbury ground out a 1-0 victory, Abbotsford are proving to be a competitive team. SYD gave themselves a fools chance. While Skoolage scored 3 goals, Bondi got a red card and the match ended 4-1. Not sure what to think of that one.
Round 15
Match of the round is Skoolage-Crimson Eagles. The Eagles need to keep winning to ensure the 5 point gap between themselves and the Amputees doesn’t increase. Skoolage are capable of winning, but Crimson Eagles start favourites.
Glasston can be enigmatic so the Amputees need to take the game seriously. SYD face another must win game and City Water will want to arrest their form slump soon, they should win but on current form they won’t.
SYDclub |
3-0 |
Dunder Mifflin FC |
City Water Motel |
1-1 |
Melbourne Rockstars |
Amputees FC |
1-2 |
Glasston |
BONDI ICEBERGS |
1-1 |
Abbotsford FC |
Skoolage United |
0-5 |
Crimson Eagles FC |
Rodborough |
1-4 |
Shrewsbury Biscuits FC |
scruttino
Oh crikey, the sim didn’t like me today and ruined our unbeaten season. That’s breathed some life back in to the title race
senile_old_men
🙂 go Glasston! Well deserved victory 😉
scruttino
Haha. I’ve managed to avoid this kind of result or get out with a draw at worst, but we all knew it was bound to happen at some point. Round 17 and 19 heavyweight title deciders here we come
Round 16
2-5 play each other this round. Given the points gap that has emerged it’s unlikely that Skoolage and Bondi will topple their more fancy opponents, but these are danger games for Crimson Eagles and Shrewsbury.
Having dug themselves out of a deep hole City Water could fall back in should SYD beat the Rockstars and Glasston continue their good form.
The National Cup finalists have been decided. Home ground advantage is yet to be determined, but Crimson Eagles and Amputees will face off for the claret jug. Before their equally important league fixture the next day.
Dunder Mifflin FC |
1-5 |
Amputees FC |
Melbourne Rockstars |
3-1 |
SYDclub |
Glasston |
0-3 |
City Water Motel |
Abbotsford FC |
2-2 |
Rodborough |
Crimson Eagles FC |
2-0 |
BONDI ICEBERGS |
Shrewsbury Biscuits FC |
3-0 |
Skoolage United |
scruttino
All remains steady at the top, with the points gap really stretching out now. Down the bottom the automatic relegation spots are firming in the betting market SYD lost an important game. City Water won and Glasston lost to keep things tight.
Round 17
It’s showdown time between Crimson Eagles and the Amputees. Could go either way so predicting the result is futile. Before their league match we’ll know the result of the National cup final to be played tonight, I’m looking forward to both matches.
Lots of mid table match-ups with Abbotsford-City Water and Glasston-Skoolage the pick of the bunch.
City Water Motel |
5-4 |
Abbotsford FC |
Dunder Mifflin FC |
0-4 |
Rodborough |
Amputees FC |
1-0 |
Crimson Eagles FC |
Melbourne Rockstars |
3-2 |
BONDI ICEBERGS |
SYDclub |
2-2 |
Shrewsbury Biscuits FC |
Glasston |
4-2 |
Skoolage United |
scruttino
We took out our first National Cup Final with a close 3-2 win against Crimson Eagles. We’ve made the final before, but SYD took the title on that occasion, this time was different. Well played boys!!!
senile_old_men
Congrats mate. I continue to dominate the Uxx cups but can’t seem to get the seniors across the line.
scruttino
Well done at the U/18 and U/21 level. Running a lean squad I’ve given up on them, seems you pay more in salaries than returns in prize money.
senile_old_men
I find its not too bad if your u21s can win u23s as well. But it’s expensive paying for FLs to maintain form when you’re too lazy to do it with friendlies
scruttino
You actually changed your formation. Should have won it to but Duncan played a blinder. Shrewsbury drew as well so the gap at the top goes back out to a healthy 5 points
senile_old_men
Oh well. Experiment over. Back to no changes ever lol
Round 18
No major battles this round. Amputees-Bondi and Abbotsford-Glasston are the pick of the games. Bondi still surprise everyone to be 4th with a negative goal difference. Who knows what will happen there.
One can’t help but anticipate the Amputees-Shrewsbury return fixture next round, but we’ve 6 games to get therough before then.
BONDI ICEBERGS |
2-3 |
Amputees FC |
Shrewsbury Biscuits FC |
4-2 |
Melbourne Rockstars |
Skoolage United |
1-2 |
SYDclub |
Abbotsford FC |
1-1 |
Glasston |
Rodborough |
0-2 |
City Water Motel |
Crimson Eagles FC |
2-1 |
Dunder Mifflin FC |
scruttino
The only surprise this round was SYD upsetting Skoolage to keep giving themselves a chance of making the playoffs. It will be at the expense of Dunder Mifflin if they do, but they’ve playing better of late..
Round 19
Two big games this round. The last chance any side has of reducing the margin at the top and preventing the Amputees from taking the title, will be a Shrewsbury Biscuits victory tomorrow.
In conjunction to this clash Crimson Eagles face the talented if eratic City Water, who could easily win the clash.
Depending on the results of both these games the Amputees could be 8, 5, 3 or 2 points clear, with a game against Skoolage in the next round, before Abbotsford and Rodborough. They would be favourites to win them all, but a loss against Shrewsbury would make the Skoolage game very interesting.
Down the bottom both SYD and Dunder Mifflin need the points as their battle for the last playoff spot continues.
Melbourne Rockstars |
1-4 |
Skoolage United |
SYDclub |
1-2 |
Abbotsford FC |
Glasston |
2-3 |
Rodborough |
City Water Motel |
3-2 |
Crimson Eagles FC |
Dunder Mifflin FC |
0-2 |
BONDI ICEBERGS |
Amputees FC |
1-1 |
Shrewsbury Biscuits FC |
damo11
Just as a heads up, Kuhny told me in person that he left the game as he went inactive for a few weeks and his team went bankrupt. Since then he can’t reclaim his team an has no interest in returning if he has no club history and has to start again.
A bit of a shame really that we’ve lost another Aus manager for a shitty reason (even if it may have been his fault) that can’t be changed.
scruttino
That’s unfortunate damo.
Amputees and Shrewsbury play out another draw. At least they scored this time, one early, the other late to salvage a draw. Crimson Eagles lost though, leaving them 6 points back. The title is the Amputees to lose from here.
Round 20
Some good games are on Skoolage vs Amputees, Crimson Eagles vs Glasston and Bondi vs City Water.
Crimson Eagles and Shrewsbury will be hoping Skoolage can upset the Amputees and give them some hope in the final 2 rounds
Shrewsbury Biscuits FC |
6-0 |
Dunder Mifflin FC |
BONDI ICEBERGS |
0-4 |
City Water Motel |
Crimson Eagles FC |
1-2 |
Glasston |
Rodborough |
2-2 |
SYDclub |
Abbotsford FC |
6-0 |
Melbourne Rockstars |
Skoolage United |
1-5 |
Amputees FC |
scruttino
3 became 2 as Crimson Eagles lose their second game in a row. But with Abbotsford and Rodborough to go the Amputees become a better than money bet to take the title with a 5 point lead. But they’ll have to put the champagne on ice until their first A-League title can be confirmed. Abbotsford have improved as the season has progressed with good tactical changes so it’ll be interesting to see what both sides play.
Bundy’s Boot and the Rowdon Medal MVP remains a close contest between Bundy and Ulizes. Either could still win both, so the goals scored in the final two round remain important.
scruttino
Mid-table 4th to 8th is becoming very congested
scruttino
Not sure how I won 1-5 with my winger make 42% of his 26 passes. Darley has got to be the worst player in my starting XI and he’s my starting winger. But I can’t afford to buy a good winger until next off season. Everything in my tactic revolves around getting the ball back when his passes go astray.
scruttino
I’ve been experimenting with other wingers and none of them come close to the amount of overall passes Darley attempts, they may have a slightly higher percentage of success, but Darley gets through where others fail. I don’t understand it myself, he’ll never play for the national team with 7 AP, he’s not that fast with 8 speed, but his 10 stamina and BC mean he can run all day, evade more tackles and hold on to the ball longer to allow us to edge the possession count. He’s an enigma that’s for sure.
Round 21
Will the Amputees secure the title with a round to spare. Abbotsford will try their best to prevent it, but a win to City Water over Shrewsbury will void any result in the Amputees-Abbotsford match.
Glasston-Bondi and Skoolage-Dunder Mifflin loom as a crucial matches for the mid-table and relegation battle. But given how close it is between 4th and 8th, and 9th and 10th. I’m still leaning toward not knowing the teams ending up in the relegation playoffs until after the final round of results.
Dunder Mifflin FC |
1-5 |
Skoolage United |
Amputees FC |
2-1 |
Abbotsford FC |
Melbourne Rockstars |
5-1 |
Rodborough |
SYDclub |
2-6 |
Crimson Eagles FC |
Glasston |
9-0 |
BONDI ICEBERGS |
City Water Motel |
3-2 |
Shrewsbury Biscuits FC |
dagriggstar
Earlier this season I handed then 20 year old wonderkid Belton Withy his A-league debut, who impressively went on to represent Australia in the U21’s. Now that we are approaching the end of the season, I have a new wonderkid, who plays the same position !
Biggs Kepert who at the age of 14 escaped the oppressive regime of his homeland, Werrkaterrbaburrrrrrr where all players are forced to become goalkeepers, to pursue his dream of not being allowed to use his hands in a game of soccer (Random trivia, there is a law in Werrkaterrbaburrrrrrr where all players must have the last name “Keeper”, upon arrival to Australia Biggs slightly changed his last name so no-one would ever think to put him in goals again). Finally able to roam the open field, Biggs has already become the (equal) fastest player in the game, all those years of running away from goal keeping gloves having paid off.
How will he play today in his A-league debut, well we are going to find out soon enough!
scruttino
Thanks maccorosso, the best result possible. It’s starting to blow out at top with the Amputees securing their first A-League title with a game to spare and increasing their points lead to 8. But the big question is what happen to Bondi? A huge loss to a rampant Glasston.
senile_old_men
Congrats on the breakthrough title mate. Well deserved after a consistent season
scruttino
Thanks
scruttino
League/Cup double too, I have to say I’m surprised by the consistency of the season. I’ve never finished higher than 4th before, not sure how I’ll go in the elite cups next season, hopefully I can get out of the group phase in at least one of them.
senile_old_men
I managed to get past the group stages in top teams cup before getting smashed in the first knockout round this season. At least you’ll be able to have 9 foreigners to compete 😉
scruttino
Can’t afford that many foreigners, I’ve got 5 right now, though only 3 start. Think I’ll save my cash until next off-season, should have 6-7 million by then.
Round 22
The Amputees secured the title last round, but the order of 2nd and 3rd is still up for grabs as Glasston have upset many this season and will give Shrewsbury a contest.
City Water and Glasston are safe, while everyone from Skoolage down to Melbourne Rockstars could end up in the relegation playoffs. The Rockstars are unlikely facing Crimson Eagles with matches between Skoolage-City Water, Abbotsford-Dunder Mifflin and Bondi-SYD.
Rodborough have improved in recent weeks, but their start to the season was a long hard slog well into the second half of the season. The Spoon was theirs quite a way out from the finish of the season.
Skoolage United |
0-4 |
City Water Motel |
Abbotsford FC |
2-0 |
Dunder Mifflin FC |
Rodborough |
0-4 |
Amputees FC |
Crimson Eagles FC |
5-2 |
Melbourne Rockstars |
BONDI ICEBERGS |
2-1 |
SYDclub |
Shrewsbury Biscuits FC |
1-0 |
Glasston |
dagriggstar
Can’t be too disappointed to end up in the relegation playoffs given at the start of the season was expecting to be part of the bottom 3…
scruttino
Given I’ve never finished higher than 4th, this seasons success has been unexpected. My mixture of international rejects that I’ve trained myself, more quality purchases, one loyal player and 3-4 years of internal youth to senior development have finally paid off.
I’m thinking 2 more seasons then sell up and rebuild while the players are still worth something with enough funds to afford 9 quality foreigners and keep their ages all within 2-3 seasons of each other. Yet I’m aware of the limits my current players have, so the next squad I build will have the intention of being world class and being able to win an elite competition. But in the meantime I’ll ride their success wherever it goes as they’ve done it the hard way and deserve the success they’ll achieve. (I changed my mind soon after saying this and sold up for 50 million)
Competitions
The Rowden Medal
Name |
Team |
Points |
Remy Bundy |
Amputees FC |
38 |
Nereo Ulizes |
Shrewsbury Biscuits FC |
35 |
Josue Mesquita |
City Water Motel |
33 |
Fortunato Alfonsi |
Crimson Eagles FC |
28 |
Randell Will |
Skoolage United |
26 |
Ricardo Cugat |
SYD Club |
22 |
Randall Everett |
Melbourne Rockstars |
22 |
贺沙宽 |
Bondi Icebergs |
21 |
Pete Nelson |
Abbotsford FC |
20 |
Joao Mumbach |
Amputees FC |
17 |
Bundy took the A-League by storm with solid form from the beginning to the end securing his first MVP award at the young age of 25. Just pipping Ulizes and a surging Mesquita in the second half of the season.
Bundy’s Boot
It’s a double for Bundy to go with his MVP award, Ulizes has to settle for being runner up in both with the same goal tally as Alfonsi.
A Cuddly Sheet
Goalkeepers (Goals Against) |
Clubs |
Clean Sheets |
Rob Duncan – (17) |
Amputees FC |
9 |
Bleyd Renney – (24) |
Shrewsbury Biscuits FC |
9 |
Bruce Sinden – (30) |
Crimson Eagles FC |
7 |
Rod Huther – (41) |
Skoolage United |
4 |
Kirk Dale – (42) |
Abbotsford FC |
4 |
Caine Morey – (44) |
Bondi Icebergs |
4 |
Dale Barling – (33) |
Glasston |
3 |
Oliver Beattie – (43) |
SYD Club |
3 |
Evan Gillingwater – (65) |
Dunder Mifflin FC |
3 |
Ollie Fison – (15 games – 28) |
City Water Motel |
3 |
Arne Dowsing – (66) |
Rodborough |
2 |
Bongbong User – (7 games – 14) |
City Water Motel |
2 |
Renney had a strong second half of the season to claw back a 2 clean sheet deficit to lose out on goals conceded to fellow national team keeper Rob Duncan. Duncan’s stella season conceding less than a goal a game was a major reason the Amputees took the title and gives him his first A-League Cuddly sheet to throw over his bed.
The Waterland
Team |
Total Points |
Amputees FC |
102 |
Crimson Eagles FC |
84 |
City Water Motel |
83 |
Shrewbury Biscuits FC |
80 |
Glasston |
78 |
Skoolage United |
72 |
Abbotsford FC |
64 |
Syd Club |
55 |
Melbourne Rockstars |
48 |
Bondi Icebergs |
45 |
Rodborough |
40 |
Dunder Mifflin FC |
39 |
It really was the Amputees season, they won every award on offer
Club MVP’s
Abbotsford FC |
Player Points |
Pete Nelson |
20 |
Danny Brandie |
14 |
Lauder Brien |
7 |
Concetto Rondinelli |
5 |
Bill Sawbridge |
5 |
Byrne Beins |
4 |
Boruc Mockiewicz |
3 |
Stan Quigley |
3 |
George Greenbank |
2 |
Aleksey Petuhov |
2 |
|
|
|
64 |
Amputees FC |
Player Points |
Remy Bundy |
38 |
Joao Mumbach |
17 |
Rob Duncan |
10 |
Darley Fitton |
9 |
Kalin Lungarov |
9 |
Herbert Nelson |
6 |
Lewis Benton |
5 |
Shane McGowan |
5 |
Savas Pnevmatikatos |
2 |
Ian Kilmister |
1 |
|
|
|
102 |
Bondi Icebergs |
Player Points |
贺沙宽 |
21 |
Caine Morey |
12 |
He Sha Kuan |
5 |
Steve Greenan |
2 |
Filip |
1 |
Stasio Limanowski |
1 |
Ned Zelic |
1 |
Mark Milligan |
1 |
Herbert Wright |
1 |
|
|
|
45 |
City Water Motel |
Player Points |
Josue Mesquita |
33 |
Ugur Araz |
13 |
Bradford Edwards |
8 |
Adam Carroll |
7 |
Francesco Di Palma |
6 |
Kris Wang |
6 |
Justino Eufrasio |
5 |
Braedan Ross |
3 |
Evan Cuddihy |
2 |
|
|
|
83 |
Crimson Eagles FC |
Player Points |
Fortunato Alfonsi |
28 |
Diogo Pacheco |
14 |
Evaristo Monico |
13 |
Emil Andberg |
11 |
Wen Sha Lin |
7 |
Bruce Sinden |
5 |
Clarke Riley |
4 |
Mido Fielden |
2 |
|
|
|
84 |
Dunder Mifflin FC |
Player Points |
Ainar Reeder |
12 |
Egon Spengler |
9 |
Mustafa Numan Yigit |
8 |
Carleton Loch |
5 |
Manol Nichev |
2 |
Loud Dowsing |
2 |
Evan Gillingwater |
1 |
|
|
|
39 |
Glasston |
Player Points |
Haldun Iltemiz |
15 |
John Bennett |
10 |
Cisco Radaban |
9 |
Ed Norman |
8 |
Dale Barling |
6 |
Paulino Maju |
5 |
Keith Callaghan |
5 |
Henrik Dahlberg |
5 |
Benney Lamb |
5 |
Ed Norman |
5 |
Benjamin Stgaeman |
3 |
Jordan Wayland |
2 |
|
|
|
78 |
Melbourne Rockstars |
Player Points |
Randall Everett |
22 |
David Halipa |
9 |
Ollie Hodson |
8 |
Luck Wakefield |
3 |
Myles Tupman |
2 |
Vinny Jones |
2 |
Bath Odonahoo |
2 |
|
|
|
48 |
Rodborough |
Player Points |
Duffield Duffield |
11 |
Stewart Finden |
5 |
Gregg Whatley |
5 |
Jack Sobczak |
4 |
Arne Dowsing |
4 |
Dylan Grimes |
3 |
Steve Dorrell |
3 |
Danny Eaton |
3 |
Klement Jurgiel |
2 |
|
|
|
40 |
Shrewsbury Biscuits FC |
Player Points |
Nereo Ulizes |
35 |
Conner Hunn |
10 |
Ernest Christian |
8 |
Mateo Arraya |
6 |
Bernard Feutrill |
4 |
Tyler Boyd |
4 |
Jamese Glover |
4 |
Rex Weeks |
4 |
Bleyd Renney |
2 |
Matthews Groves |
2 |
Lei Zhen Jun |
1 |
|
|
|
80 |
Skoolage United |
Player Points |
Randell Will |
26 |
Edwardo Rowdon |
14 |
Arne Nolan |
7 |
Rod Huther |
6 |
Paul Freeman |
6 |
Bryce Brennan |
6 |
Laurence Pegler |
2 |
Laurence Quigley |
2 |
Bud Pound |
2 |
Jeffray Harding |
1 |
|
|
|
72 |
SYD Club |
Player Points |
Ricardo Cugat |
22 |
Adolph Sperling |
7 |
Zbyszko Lanczak |
5 |
Oliver Beattie |
5 |
Larkins Ziliotto |
4 |
Case Stageman |
3 |
Xurxo Placencia |
3 |
Antonia Sparrow |
3 |
|
1 |
Yaar Maa |
1 |
Jonathon Azulay |
1 |
|
|
|
55 |
Refresh
It was the season I had been waiting for yet never knew when it would happen, eventually the years of skills training, experience and luck went my way and we achieved everything we wanted to. After thinking about it, it seemed only fitting to sell up at our peak and begin again. The current Amputees squad could have kept going, instead I made a long term decision and will come back bigger and better. I’ll wait until a good batch of youth come through similar to the golden season when Bundy, McGowan and Kilmister all walked through the clubs doors.
Until then enjoy the battle and keep fighting the good fight
Cheers, Matt