- Aug 25, 2011
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- Coney Island Warriors, SFFC, Hajduk
Round 4 is here, and we’ve arrived at the business end of the series. Both sides are coming off big defeats at the hands of a rampant Vic Metro side, with their form lines suggesting SA will head into the clash as favourites, WA would fancy themselves to pull off an upset coming in rested off the bye as they look to remain in the hunt for the decider in Series XV.
SA will be licking their wounds heading into Round 4, after a heavy defeat against Vic Metro at the MCG on Tuesday has left their championship defence in tatters. The champs would have felt bullish at half time against the Metro side, having clawed back an ordinary start to go into the rooms pretty even at the break, but they just couldn’t get their noses in front, with few strong perfomers and an inability to hit the scoreboard, skipper spookism may look to make some changes for this must win clash in their last qualifying match of the series.
While the bye couldn’t have come at a better time for WA, having also been demolished by Vic Metro at the MCG in Round 2, they got back to their training base in Perth as a squad for some soul searching. With time to tinker, they will be looking to quickly turn around their poor form to keep their series alive, with skipper Tarkyn_24 and co aiming for something that closer resembles their brilliant Round 1 effort in their tight win against the Allies.
Players to watch
Cadaver
SA vice captain Cadaver was one of few croweaters who can hold their head high after last round, having enjoyed a good tussle with Vic Metro’s Tony Lynn 15, with 21 touches, 4 tackles and a goal, the latter just edging out Dav for best on ground honours in the Series XV MVP voting. The former Bear is putting together a solid body of work in his second State of Origin series for the reigning champs, playing predominantly in the guts, and was a strong perofmer in the ruck in their round 2 win against the Allies. Will need to carry that form across the nullabor, as he looks likely to lock horns with his new skipper, the Warriors captain and WA vice captain TheInjuryFactory.
Far Kern
Golumless
Series XV ruckman Golly was another of a handful of players who performed against the Metro side, with his 7 hitouts, 16 touches and a goal a good around the ground effort from the big man, despite lowering his colours to S28 rookie Antonio BlueVein on Tuesday. A star in Series XIV, Golly was the difference the last time these two sides met, with his mammoth 8 goal effort seeing his side get off to the perfect start to Series XIV, as the eventual champs built some serious momentum off the back of that clash. They will be looking for another match winning effort from their former vice captain, hoping to once again ride that momentum to another unlikely series victory in Series XV.
MWPP
The Bears utility is enjoying her best State of Origin series to date, and was a strong performer in a bad loss for WA in Round 2, racking up 17 touches, with 5 tackles and a goal to her name, she was one of WA’s best on a dirty day. Having moved into the middle for Round 2 off the back of some impressive Round 1 form, she’s formed a strong combination with WA ruck Agent93 and vice skipper TheInjuryFactory as the trio will be key to winning the ball WA’s way in the engine room on Friday. Will likely line up again at rover for the desperate Black Swans and needs to get her hands dirty if WA are to get up.
Barrybran
The Gumbies skipper’s shown some strong form this series, and was one of few highlights for WA in their big loss against Vic Metro in Round 2, collecting 19 touches and 5 marks and was influential across the day. One of WA’s most consistent performers in Series XIV, he was among WA’s best the last time these two sides met, and Baz will be looking to carry his rich vein of form into S29. WA will need Baz firing if they are to beat the reigning champs, and his run and carry will be instrumental on Friday. Should they win, they would put themselves in the box seat to earn an unlikely start in the decider.
CakeEater
Another of the few to perform in a one way clash at the G in round 2, the Royals veteran kicked a bag off limited supply, with his 5 goals giving WA some reward for effort but he had little support from his fellow forwards. With 8 goals from two games up forward, Cakey knows where the goals are, and if a talented midfield can provide enough supply, he’ll give SA fullback iBeng plenty to think about. If he can kick another bag on Friday, he could singlehandedly win it for WA off his own boot and keep their finals hopes alive.
Last Time
Series XIV Round 1
Series XV ruckman Golly was another of a handful of players who performed against the Metro side, with his 7 hitouts, 16 touches and a goal a good around the ground effort from the big man, despite lowering his colours to S28 rookie Antonio BlueVein on Tuesday. A star in Series XIV, Golly was the difference the last time these two sides met, with his mammoth 8 goal effort seeing his side get off to the perfect start to Series XIV, as the eventual champs built some serious momentum off the back of that clash. They will be looking for another match winning effort from their former vice captain, hoping to once again ride that momentum to another unlikely series victory in Series XV.
MWPP
The Bears utility is enjoying her best State of Origin series to date, and was a strong performer in a bad loss for WA in Round 2, racking up 17 touches, with 5 tackles and a goal to her name, she was one of WA’s best on a dirty day. Having moved into the middle for Round 2 off the back of some impressive Round 1 form, she’s formed a strong combination with WA ruck Agent93 and vice skipper TheInjuryFactory as the trio will be key to winning the ball WA’s way in the engine room on Friday. Will likely line up again at rover for the desperate Black Swans and needs to get her hands dirty if WA are to get up.
Barrybran
The Gumbies skipper’s shown some strong form this series, and was one of few highlights for WA in their big loss against Vic Metro in Round 2, collecting 19 touches and 5 marks and was influential across the day. One of WA’s most consistent performers in Series XIV, he was among WA’s best the last time these two sides met, and Baz will be looking to carry his rich vein of form into S29. WA will need Baz firing if they are to beat the reigning champs, and his run and carry will be instrumental on Friday. Should they win, they would put themselves in the box seat to earn an unlikely start in the decider.
CakeEater
Another of the few to perform in a one way clash at the G in round 2, the Royals veteran kicked a bag off limited supply, with his 5 goals giving WA some reward for effort but he had little support from his fellow forwards. With 8 goals from two games up forward, Cakey knows where the goals are, and if a talented midfield can provide enough supply, he’ll give SA fullback iBeng plenty to think about. If he can kick another bag on Friday, he could singlehandedly win it for WA off his own boot and keep their finals hopes alive.
Last Time
Series XIV Round 1
| Western Australia | 4.2 | 8.5 | 12.5 | 16.8 | 104 |
| South Australia | 5.1 | 10.7 | 15.7 | 19.10 | 124 |
Western Australia: gym4life 4; Tarkyn_24 3; Blacky 2; Agent93, Biggie, CakeEater, Ljp86, Matera92, MWPP, Tommycash
South Australia: Golumless 8; WFL 3; WaynesWorld19 2; Cadaver, McEvoy, Milera2Betts, por_please_ya, sausageroll, VSTone
Best
Western Australia: Agent93, TheInjuryFactory, gym4life, Blacky, Tarkyn_24, Biggie
South Australia: Golumless, McEvoy, por_please_ya, Cadaver, WFL, Far Kern
Prediction
South Australia to keep their series alive, they’ll win by 17 points
Captains, please have your teamsheets submitted in the teamsheet thread by midnight AWST on day 1 of each match thread.
