S5, R6: Vikings vs. Gamblers - Complete

%vikings

Ishan Narang
Tom Delonge
Jonny Ridd
Donald Boland
Chocolate Man
Siege Morgan
Ben Manera
Theo Miokovic
Mate Perry
Aaron Hunt
Kelvin Fung
Henry Marshall
Sam Green
Dirk Diggler
Ben Jacobs

Substitutes
Clayton Evans
Reagan Wheelson
Peter Retzel
Rusty Downpipes
Jimmy Read
Aby Dforum
Thomas Bradford

%srgamblers

Benny Read
Aaron O'Neill
Wes Welker
Morgan Burridge
Jack Dempsey
Simon Humble
Alex O'Driscoll
Brett Gemmell
Ben Hornby
Haydos Bots
Luke Tyson
Jazman Eightyfour
Adam Vago
Ben Herd
Jordan Logan

16. Reframe
17. Lewis
18. Chance
19. Hall
20. Taylor
21. Starris
22. Lee

 

Good on Morgie for getting a line-up in so the Gamblers didn't forfeit (six minutes to spare) but the Gamblers are still trying their best to throw this game away.

 

Preview

Have the Gamblers given up on their season already? Bottom of the league and 9 points away from that coveted 3rd position, they've failed to improve from last season despite making some key signings.

The line-up we see on paper for this match encapsulates where the Gamblers have disappointed this season - they can't make their minds up on their back line and so have for the 2nd match in a row opted to hedge their bets. Having a specialist at first-five is an old theory, but one which has preserved into the modern game, yet Haydos Bots - a player definitely more comfortable at second-five again has to fill in despite an atrocious outing in the previous round. Ben Taylor hasn't been any great shakes this season, but his performance in the 2nd half last time around was of a different standard to Bots and the back line appreciated his distribution.

It may be harsh to make this call, given the line-up last time around was facing a Spartans side that the Gamblers had only an outside chance of overhauling, but this week is a crunch game. They face the Vikings - sitting in 4th after a fantastic win versus the Crabs last week - who are without two talismanic players in Andrew James and Steve Cambridge. This leaves the Vikings vulnerable. In come Henry Marshall and Sam Green. Vikings fans are excited about the prospect of Green putting his 2nd grade form on display in first grade, against two centres in Jaz Eightyfour and Adam Vago who shouldn't daunt him in any way.

As always, up front is where the Gamblers need to win this. The Gamblers front row combo has remained unchanged throughout the season, and they've put in the performances to give the back line the platform they need. However, that back line has failed. Most disappointing has been Jordan Logan - a quality player who has performed poorly by his standards this season (FQ - Evens).

Prediction: The bookmakers make the Gamblers favourites here, but I get the feeling their back line is in disarray and won't be able to take advantage of the Vikings' shortcomings. It'll be a close one, but I fear the Gamblers' will see an early end to their season.

Vikings 22 - 20 Gamblers

 

Yeah, those injuries make a huge difference. Vikings would be slight favourites without them.

 

Carn Vikings!