Can you feel that? It’s the pointy end. Yep, stuff just got real, ladies and gents. It is Preliminary Final Week. There are 2 brackets:
Championship Bracket – those teams still eligible to win the Premiership, and
Wooden Spoon Bracket – those trying to avoid the Curse of the Cutlery.
Teams that have already been eliminated in the playoffs have a Bye this week.
Championship Bracket:
Drawshank Redemptions V. Par Tee Time
A case of experience versus youth, wisdom versus beauty, hair versus receding hairlines. Will the old stager Drawshank Redemptions use their guile to overcome the upstarts? Hoppe is rounding into form, and Sladey is due. George Huggard is the Velvet Sledgehammer, and will surely lead them to triumph. But the Par Tee Timers are no easy-beats. Captain Roebuck has been quiet, but I think he has been awaiting the big stage. Mrs Browns Boys have been outstanding, along with Dave Tassell and Crackers Cleary. Do they have anything left in the tank to give? Could it be a debutants year?
Par Then Bar V. Lynch Mob
Both of these sides have had such un-trackable form that the Stewards are calling for an enquiry! This is anyone’s match, I reckon. The Franzeses have been huge, with Sam and Emmo, but it is Princess Dan who must be the Belle of Ball if the Bar Flies are to be victorious. The Lynch Mob had a modest win last week, and I reckon their star recruit Josh McFarlane was just resting in preparation for the big one. Watch out for him, John Gordon, and Nugget. They all like it when the whips start cracking and they’ll be there at the finish. Coin toss for the result.
Hosel Rockets V. Chronic Fatigue
The Hosels have won 2 consecutive playoff final matches, in an unprecedented run for the sponsors crew. Young Master Lewis was outstanding last week, as was his Old Man. Can they back it up? They will need help – Semm is on and Mr Tomich is surely due. The Chronic Crew are looking like the Cinderella Story of the season. Can they make it through another match in their glass slippers, or will they finally slip up? Luke Anstee must surely be tired of carrying this lot. Walsham, Webbs, Newton and Courtney have to show up to the ball, or turn back into pumpkins at the end of the weekend.
Wooden Spoon Bracket
Angry Aardvarks V. Jugheads
The mighty mouthpiece of the Aardvarks has been quiet this week. I think the anteaters are rattled. Redman, O’Connor and King will have to carry them if they are to get out of the race for the Wooden Spoon. The Jugheads will be desperate – they’re a scrappy lot and I expect some fight from Woody, Dave Ley, and Tom Boyle. Jugheads for my money in this one.
3-Non-Johns V. Squirrel Nation
The Non-Johns are without the mercurial Mr Addison, so will lean on Duffy, Dippa and the 2-Johns to get it done. Woo needs to get an oar in the water this week. Rowdy’s Squirrels are keen to get off the bottom and will look to old hands Killa and Cirra to shoulder the load. Keysie is due a big one, too, so watch out. Nige is shopping for new drivers, so he’s cooked. Rowdy will be there when the bar closes, win or lose, and you know he’ll put up a good fight. Tight match this one.
Why knots untangled? V. The Back 9 Bandits
The ladies of Why Knots are ready. I reckon this is their week. The Jen’s are on-song, Julie is back, and Vicki is flying. If Ruth & Denise can post a score, I’m tipping this lot. The Back 9 Boys have dropped their bundle. From chocolates to boiled lollies, their form (and presence) has deserted them. Andrew Williams has been solid and dependable all year, but he needs his teammates to dig in and show some ticker to help him out. Otherwise, they could be heading for the trophy that nobody wants.
These remaining teams have a bye this week:
Grip N Sip. Wuhan Warriors. Cockatoos. Jugheads. 40 Over.Jug A Nauts. Enjoy the week off.
All the best to all participants this week. Let’s make a good clean fight, with plenty of birdies and bogeys. Enjoy it, folks.
Cheers,
Laney
