Post by Mackdadday on Apr 25, 2018 5:49:49 GMT
The continued rise of a long lost legend. The unexpected resurrection of a team long thought in demise. The cellar dwelling of England's greatest ever coach. Round three saw an intriguing and unpredictable season continue in the ASRL in what is being dubbed the season of the ages by nobody.
1. Rochdale Raptors. (3-0-0)
Can you hear the people sing? Powered by an emotional Rochdale and Oldham community base, Rochdale have been the stuff holy legends are made of
in the first three rounds with the forever faultering Florida Panthers resurrected into the confident, dominating Raptors. Round three saw the raptors with a dominating defencive effort that neutered the Oilers and many are looking forward to their lip-licking match with the ASRL's other undefeated squad Melbourne in round 4. Injury concerns for Bunty Afoa, Lachlan Coote, Jarrod Wallace and James Roby could cull their chances.
2.Melbourne Monsters (3-0-0)
Another surprise packet this season with 3 in a row including a rare win over Brisbane and toppling previously undefeated Fairfield in round 3. Big boys Andrew Fifita and Sebastein Ikahihifo will be missing again this round against Rochdale but Melbourne is a team known for its deep depth and the ywill be looking to be the sole undefeated team in the comp when the smoke of round 4 clears.
3.Brisbane Cougars (2-0-0)
Two in a row for Brisbane after a first week shock loss to Melbourne. Brisbane scored a comfortable enough win over Capetown with some may call a twinge of arrogance with super stars Cooper Cronk and Luke Lewis sent down to RSC for the match. Star of round 3 Aaron Woods is out for this weeks clash with Auckland while the fading Darius Boyd will also be on the sidelines.
4.Glasgow Reapers (2-1-0)
Win number 2 of the season for Glasgow shows that round 1's victory wasn't just some random one time effect of global warming. Glasgow defeated Darwin last round with a try to new recruit in the final three minutes a catalyst for Darwin's misery. Paul McShane will likely be filling in for
Eloi Pellissier who is Glasgows only injury woe heading into their round 4 clash with Fairfield.
5.Adelaide Attitude (2-1-0)
Adelaide came back from their shock defeat at the hands of Fairfield last week with a hard fought victory over Auckland. However, times will be tough on the Attitude going forward with Oates, Percival, Radrara, Merrin set to ride the sideline for multiple rounds. Adelaide will be hoping North Queenslands debut win last week was a fluke and they will be back on the losers board come round 4.
6.Gold Coast Crusade (2-1-0)
Would be disappointed to go down to Canberra last round after a strong two game winning streak to start the season and they will be looking to get back in the winners circle versus Capetown this week. The loss of lock Jason Baiteri means 100 year old Mark Flanagan will get his first run for the season. Otherwise the injury gods have been fairly kind to The Crusade thus far.
7.Fairfeid Stallions (2-1-0)
Giant killers of the first two rounds finally faultered in the face of Melbourne last week. Having toppled Adelaide in a round two shocker, Fairfeild will still be confident of taking Glasgow down to the wire this round. Josh Dugan is in doubt for round 4 and an abundance of 1 week nigglers might find some players a bit off beat.
8.Canberra Carnage. (1-2-0)
Canberra got their win of the season over the previously undefeated Gold Coast outfit and will be looking to make it two in a row against the lifeless Hull in round 4. Wighton, Cotric, Vaughan and Foran all have minor injuries but it is thought with some deep massage from former thai masseuse coach Tatts all will be on board to play if needed.
9.Auckland Orcas (1-2-0)
Only a 2 point loss toss to Adelaide stripped Auckland of entering the glorious top 6 this week and a myriad of injuries is not helping things on the north island. The orcas will go into round 4 without Barnett, Blake and Knowles and strong doubts on Edwards and Bateman as well as kniggling injuries to key players such as Barba, Rapana, Walker and Gale. Going up against Brisbane this week is a scary prospect.
10.Darwin Dragons (1-2-0)
A topsy turvy start to 2018 to the ever talented Darwin with a loss to the equally up and down Reapers in round 3. Darwin will be hoping that they can over come an Oilers outfit struggling to get on the board for 2018 but with injuries to McInness, Latrell Mitchell and Luke Keary, Sydney will be blood thirsty to take them down.
11.Capetown Ravens (1-2-0)
A loss to the ever powerful Brisbane in round 3 shouldn't damage the confidence of Capetwon too much coming in to a round 3 clash with the Gold Coast. Most of the team is in solid form and Thurston is showing signs of some vintage halfbacksmanship. Only Jordan McLean is unavialble to Coach Sparrow.
12.North Queensland Dolphins (1-2-0)
A win at last was met with celebrations all through Cairns last weekend as a huge off seasons activities finally saw the Dolphins score their debut win for 2018 with a heart-stopping victory over Hull in the final 27 seconds with a try to new team member Andrew McCullough. Now with that off their shoulders, NQ will be looking to deliver consistently starting with powerhouse Adelaide. They will have to do so without forwards leader Nathan Brown.
13.Hull KR (0-3-0)
Many a coach has questioned coach Padds commitment to the cause in 2018 with his constant holidaying and merry making but this round they will be looking to pull one of his tricks out of the bag and get on the board against unpredicatble Canberra. Heart breakingly beaten by north queensland in the final minute, Hull will be looking to show the form them once upon a time made them champions. Zac Hardaker will be watching from the sidelines with pom poms.
14.Sydney Oillers (0-3--0)
Convincingly defeated by the unbeaten Rochdale in round 3, coach Bossert would be swirling in a world of self-doubt and inner turmoil about his life decisions. A team full of low form wont help the one man show and we can expect to see yet a number juggling of positional changes come round 4's encounter with Darwin.
1. Rochdale Raptors. (3-0-0)
Can you hear the people sing? Powered by an emotional Rochdale and Oldham community base, Rochdale have been the stuff holy legends are made of
in the first three rounds with the forever faultering Florida Panthers resurrected into the confident, dominating Raptors. Round three saw the raptors with a dominating defencive effort that neutered the Oilers and many are looking forward to their lip-licking match with the ASRL's other undefeated squad Melbourne in round 4. Injury concerns for Bunty Afoa, Lachlan Coote, Jarrod Wallace and James Roby could cull their chances.
2.Melbourne Monsters (3-0-0)
Another surprise packet this season with 3 in a row including a rare win over Brisbane and toppling previously undefeated Fairfield in round 3. Big boys Andrew Fifita and Sebastein Ikahihifo will be missing again this round against Rochdale but Melbourne is a team known for its deep depth and the ywill be looking to be the sole undefeated team in the comp when the smoke of round 4 clears.
3.Brisbane Cougars (2-0-0)
Two in a row for Brisbane after a first week shock loss to Melbourne. Brisbane scored a comfortable enough win over Capetown with some may call a twinge of arrogance with super stars Cooper Cronk and Luke Lewis sent down to RSC for the match. Star of round 3 Aaron Woods is out for this weeks clash with Auckland while the fading Darius Boyd will also be on the sidelines.
4.Glasgow Reapers (2-1-0)
Win number 2 of the season for Glasgow shows that round 1's victory wasn't just some random one time effect of global warming. Glasgow defeated Darwin last round with a try to new recruit in the final three minutes a catalyst for Darwin's misery. Paul McShane will likely be filling in for
Eloi Pellissier who is Glasgows only injury woe heading into their round 4 clash with Fairfield.
5.Adelaide Attitude (2-1-0)
Adelaide came back from their shock defeat at the hands of Fairfield last week with a hard fought victory over Auckland. However, times will be tough on the Attitude going forward with Oates, Percival, Radrara, Merrin set to ride the sideline for multiple rounds. Adelaide will be hoping North Queenslands debut win last week was a fluke and they will be back on the losers board come round 4.
6.Gold Coast Crusade (2-1-0)
Would be disappointed to go down to Canberra last round after a strong two game winning streak to start the season and they will be looking to get back in the winners circle versus Capetown this week. The loss of lock Jason Baiteri means 100 year old Mark Flanagan will get his first run for the season. Otherwise the injury gods have been fairly kind to The Crusade thus far.
7.Fairfeid Stallions (2-1-0)
Giant killers of the first two rounds finally faultered in the face of Melbourne last week. Having toppled Adelaide in a round two shocker, Fairfeild will still be confident of taking Glasgow down to the wire this round. Josh Dugan is in doubt for round 4 and an abundance of 1 week nigglers might find some players a bit off beat.
8.Canberra Carnage. (1-2-0)
Canberra got their win of the season over the previously undefeated Gold Coast outfit and will be looking to make it two in a row against the lifeless Hull in round 4. Wighton, Cotric, Vaughan and Foran all have minor injuries but it is thought with some deep massage from former thai masseuse coach Tatts all will be on board to play if needed.
9.Auckland Orcas (1-2-0)
Only a 2 point loss toss to Adelaide stripped Auckland of entering the glorious top 6 this week and a myriad of injuries is not helping things on the north island. The orcas will go into round 4 without Barnett, Blake and Knowles and strong doubts on Edwards and Bateman as well as kniggling injuries to key players such as Barba, Rapana, Walker and Gale. Going up against Brisbane this week is a scary prospect.
10.Darwin Dragons (1-2-0)
A topsy turvy start to 2018 to the ever talented Darwin with a loss to the equally up and down Reapers in round 3. Darwin will be hoping that they can over come an Oilers outfit struggling to get on the board for 2018 but with injuries to McInness, Latrell Mitchell and Luke Keary, Sydney will be blood thirsty to take them down.
11.Capetown Ravens (1-2-0)
A loss to the ever powerful Brisbane in round 3 shouldn't damage the confidence of Capetwon too much coming in to a round 3 clash with the Gold Coast. Most of the team is in solid form and Thurston is showing signs of some vintage halfbacksmanship. Only Jordan McLean is unavialble to Coach Sparrow.
12.North Queensland Dolphins (1-2-0)
A win at last was met with celebrations all through Cairns last weekend as a huge off seasons activities finally saw the Dolphins score their debut win for 2018 with a heart-stopping victory over Hull in the final 27 seconds with a try to new team member Andrew McCullough. Now with that off their shoulders, NQ will be looking to deliver consistently starting with powerhouse Adelaide. They will have to do so without forwards leader Nathan Brown.
13.Hull KR (0-3-0)
Many a coach has questioned coach Padds commitment to the cause in 2018 with his constant holidaying and merry making but this round they will be looking to pull one of his tricks out of the bag and get on the board against unpredicatble Canberra. Heart breakingly beaten by north queensland in the final minute, Hull will be looking to show the form them once upon a time made them champions. Zac Hardaker will be watching from the sidelines with pom poms.
14.Sydney Oillers (0-3--0)
Convincingly defeated by the unbeaten Rochdale in round 3, coach Bossert would be swirling in a world of self-doubt and inner turmoil about his life decisions. A team full of low form wont help the one man show and we can expect to see yet a number juggling of positional changes come round 4's encounter with Darwin.
