So this is where the rubber hits the road, WWC Legends. The time has come to stake your claim for the title. Beginning this week, it’s win at all costs if you want to hold the trophy aloft at seasons end. This week provides the chance for teams to leapfrog all the way from bottom position to premiership contention.
Based on ladder positions after the 5 Home & Away rounds, the matches for Playoff Week 1 have been drawn. Let’s have a little peek into Ol’ Laney’s Crystal Ball, and see what the future holds for the contenders……
Pool A
1 v 6 – The Back 9 Bandits v Chronic Fatigue
Minor premiers, the Back 9 Bandits will shape up against the cellar-dwellers Chronic Fatigue. Stu Ridley’s boys have been the steady improvers of the season, finishing the Home & Away matches in fine form. Truman, Williams, and Coulston have been very consistent, along with their skipper, Stu. They will be tough to beat. But the Chronic Fatigures have been far below their best. Aside From Luke Anstee, they’ve all been a bit lacklustre. If they can fire up, they can play well above their ladder position and make a real match of this. Watch out for Webb & Webb, along with Ben Newton to post a score. An upset may be in the tea leaves here this week, ladies and gents….
2 v 5 – Drawshank Redemptions v Cockatoos
Many are asking if the Drawshanks had spent their petrol tickets early this year, and were running on fumes …. They face the reigning WWC Premiers the Cockatoos, who have had an up and down season to say the least. For the Drawshanks, smart money is tipping that Semi-Pro Webb is due to finally hold one together, and George Huggard is ready to post a big one, too. Having been rested a bit this year, the suerp-sparky Hoppe is ready to cut loose – watch for him to top the score sheet this week, alongside the ever steady Slim Sladey. Stef & Laney (yours truly) may just be making up numbers this week, as our big guns fire. For the Cocaktoos, it seems they are bringing Ernie Whitehead off the bench, and he will come out swinging. He will need to be good to lift his team this week. Sid Plunkett is super-steady, as is Joe K, but they’ll need a full team effort to get it done. Willcox and McLeish have not been in the mix much, so could find a vein of form and pop up. I am biased, but Drawshanks for me in this one.
3 v 4 – Angry Aardvarks v Grip n Sip
The Anteaters have been quiet, by their standards, this year, but have benefitted from strong recruitment int eh off-season. Beddoes has been a model of consistency, dragging his teammates up with Parkin and Redman showing out, too. Major needs a big one this week, as does our Lady Mayor, if these Aardvarkians are to advance in the chase for the title. The Grip n Sip crew have been undermanned, and don’t really have a clear form line to follow. I think they are a real dark horse for the title, if they can topple the Aardvarks this week. Jack is a big game player and will show up this week. If he gets support from Nichols, Robbo, and Simon, they could be on the way to the big show. I think this will be a close one… if it’s a draw, then it goes to countback, looking for the highest individual scores. This one could be that tight, I reckon.
Pool B
1 v 6 – 40 Over v Jug A Nauts
Like a fine win, the 40 Over mob are getting better with age. They sit atop the ladder and this week they’ll face the Jug A Nauts. With a no frills approach, these guys have just got the job done – week in, week out. Shep & Shep have both been consistent, along with Shaun D. Daz McFarlane, Theo and Tom McGrath have brought the heat when needed and this week they should do the same. Wow-Man has struggled to get the best from his cattle this season, though in fairness they have had some close losses. It’s a big ask of Ferg, Chilly and the crew to get it done against the 40-Over lads, and I fear the Jigs are heading for the Wooden Spoon side of the Playoffs draw.
2 v 5 – Par Then Bar v Jugheads
The yo-yos of the season, Par Then Bar have been up and down each week. They need to get the whole crew on song this week, and I expect Scam will have the Franzeses, Emmo & Dan Edwards all fired up. They tackle the Jugheadswho have flashed some late season form, and Dave Ley will be hoping for more of the same from his soldiers. Woody has been great this year, thought the handicapper must get him soon, but this match will swing on the performance of the middle order – Michael Wilson. Alex Lord & Jeff Bruhn must all hit the scoreboard if they are going to snatch this one. I think the Barflies might have the edge, but I’m not willing to call it as a lock.
3 v 6 – Par Tee Time v 3-Non-Johns
Par Tee Time have been super competitive all season, and they will be looking to make short work of the 3 Non Johns. Tim Roebuck has run a tight ship, and everyone has contributed across the journey to now. The Brown boys are in a rich vein of form, and Crackers is playing nicely, too. They should be too strong for the Non-Johns, but I won’t write them off. Biffo doesn’t take a backward step, and Dippa must surely fire up. Add in Addo, Duffy and Woo and they have the makings of a competitive crew. Their celebrity ring-in this week, filling in for John Trethewie, isn’t in the best of form, but usually shows up when needed. I’m actually tipping this as a bit a tight one, and a 36+ score from Addo might just be the difference.
Pool C
1 v 6 – Hosel Rockets v Wuhan Warriors
With our great sponsor at the helm, Hosel Rockets are the top seeds here. Tomich has been steadily good this year, and he loves it when the pressure is on, so look out for him. Huggy is rounding into form, too, and Semm will stand up to be counted, you can be sure. Lots of experience here, and their newcomers are good too. Ethan has been fantastic, and Deano is swinging it great. I think they’ll be too good for the Wuhan Clan. I have to say, though, as much as I like to have a chirp at the Warriors, last round out I think everyone in their team beat me on the day. Not that it’s much of a benchmark to beat a chopper, but it would suggest maybe they are warming up. Jay, Kane & Chris have to fire, in support of Clint, Baz & Boz, who have been steady. It would be a massive upset to topple the Hosels, but golf is a funny game…. Let’s see.
2 v 5 – Lynch Mob v Why knots untangled?
Very interesting match, this one. Lynch Mob have been good, but they’ve relied on some individual brilliance from one player each week. Most weeks, it has been Josh McFarlane, and he has been great, but they’ll need a full team effort to get it done. Nugget, Lynchie & John Gordon have all hit the board at some stage, but Steady & Scotty need to chip in too. The Why knots untangled? Ladies have been desperately unlucky, with 2 draws this season. This week is their big chance to get away from the Wooden Spoon side of the draw. A win here will do it, and put them into the Championship flight. The 2 Jennies have been good, but Sellwood has been great. If Ruth & Vicky can fire up , too, we could have a boilover here. With Julie still out, they will need their best.
3 v 6 – Who’s ya caddy? V Squirrel Nation
On paper, this is a one-sided battle that favours the Caddy Lads. But this is Playoff time, and the Squirrels are a proud bunch of nut gatherers. Dan Lee is in good form, and strong support down the order from Boof, Bernie, and Brendan. Dave Purtill has been a solid contributor, and they present a strong united front. But Rowdy, Killa, and Cirra all like a good scrap and it is go-time now. Along with Nige, Harves and Mick, they will have to play above their form-line to be close in this one. I reckon there is too much firepower in the Caddy crew, but If Rowdy gets that putter hot, look out for a chance of an upset.
This new format creates an opportunity to turn your fortunes around quickly, but the time is now. Win this week, and it’s game-on, lose and it’s a battle to avoid the Wooden Spoon. Where will your team land after this weeks’ action?
It has been a close and competitive season of golf, and I expect the Playoffs and Finals to be no different. Good luck to all teams.
Cheers,
Laney
