Official Match Thread S31 Round 8 - Sin City Swamprats vs East Side Hawks at Underground Stadium

[Agent93]

Sin City Swamprats vs East Side Hawks

All time record: Swamprats 17 wins, Hawks 14 wins, 1 draw.
Last 5 games: Swamprats 3 wins, Hawks 2 wins.

On paper this matchup could be a pretty one-sided affair, it's a classic top of the table versus bottom of the ladder matchup where you'd expect the higher ranked team to be easy victors. But look a little closer and you'll see the last match up, with the Swamprats and Hawks in similar ladders positions, ending in a Hawks victory. It's the same story again this season with the 'Rats losing on one in their last 5 and the Hawks reeling from a 4 game losing streak.

The home team Swamprats have been damaging up front with Hatchy1992 ably supported with goals from midfielders ant555 and FishingRick04, and half-forward Sparkle getting on the board too. The problem is the back and forth style the 'Rats have been playing, and with an equally porous defence they sit with the lowest percentage of the top five teams. Fullback GremioPower and 100-gamer jackster83 will need to have their wits about them as giving up plenty of shots to the Hawks can only be bad.

Speaking of plenty of shots, the Hawks will need them. Ranking third last among teams for goals, and second for behinds, season 31 has continued the Hawks' story of innaccuracy. Leaning on last season's saviour Itsmyshow and forward recruit PhenomenalV1 for scoring hasn't worked in the favour of the East Side as they rank last for accuracy, and sit last on the league ladder with the worst percentage. Will the Hawks show faith in the misfiring forward line or look for other avenues to goal? Ruckman Hate has been dangerous, and whilst rotating through a tall-defender spot has still managed the fourth most goals for the Hawks. Could that be the solution they desperately need?

The bookies' money will be with the Swamprats, but an upset shouldn't be ruled out here, particularly if the Hawks kick straight.

Captains: do the teamsheet thing by the right time.

 

[PMBangers]

 

[jackster83]

Wowee, someone's keen.

 

[por_please_ya]

Hello my Swampy friends

 

[Ant Bear]

Monday match threads are a throwback to the halcyon days of S30.

Hi Hawks,, did your nest fall down?

 

[Hate]

Monday match threads are a throwback to the halcyon days of S30.

Hi Hawks,, did your nest fall down?

Seems so long ago...

 

[eth-dog]

Hello Swamprats.

 

[PhenomenalV1]

#OGSKWAHAndWhatnot

 

[Itsmyshow]

If I get dragged in the first minute again I’m going to cry

 

[Agent93]

Monday match threads are a throwback to the halcyon days of S30.

Hi Hawks,, did your nest fall down?

This Monday's match thread is a throwback to the halcyon days of my lunch break.

 

[SM]

Monday match threads are a throwback to the halcyon days of S30.

Hi Hawks,, did your nest fall down?

I remember it like it was last season.

 

[philreich]

Hello my Swampy friends

Hey PPY - have the Crows been drug tested after the weekend?

 

[SM]

Hey PPY - have the Crows been drug tested after the weekend?

Winning footy is fun.

 

[Agent93]

Winning footy is fun.

Sshhh. We've got a few Essendon fans in our squad.

 

[Hate]

Sshhh. We've got a few Essendon fans in our squad.

Lucky the trade period has just opened!

 

[PMBangers]

Imagine having a team that wins LOL

 

[Agent93]

Lucky the trade period has just opened!

Are you suggesting we bring in more Essendon supporters?

 

[SM]

Sshhh. We've got a few Essendon fans in our squad.

I'm happy to tell them what it feels like.

 

[por_please_ya]

Hey PPY - have the Crows been drug tested after the weekend?

Have Port?!

 

[SM]

Have Port?!

North are a natural performance enhancer for any opponent.

 

[philreich]

Have Port?!

I don't think we needed drugs, as North are currently on performance reducing drugs.

 

[por_please_ya]

North are a natural performance enhancer for any opponent.

I don't think we needed drugs, as North are currently on performance reducing drugs.

I shouldn't laugh cause they are my bfs team but I did anyway XD

 

[eth-dog]

#SKWAHOG

Also please stop tagging me in your filthy threads serial_thrilla

 

[philreich]

I shouldn't laugh cause they are my bfs team but I did anyway XD

You'll be a fun couple on April 11, when the 2 sides play each other......

 

[Chipmunk]