[Volition]

Volition's Week 9 Wrap and Week 10 Predictions

It's week 10 - the moves have been made, and now it is time to finish out the season. With a single game separating first from second and third, and another single game separating second and third from fourth, these last few games have additional pressure for most of the teams.

Results: the race for the top and bottom

Week 9 saw some interesting results, some which shifted the balance of the table. in order:-

Zerocraft [3] tied with Perth Penguins [3] 2 match wins to Zerocraft was enough to secure the draw this week, with Spazznx defeating Head, and Rythos defeating Unthunder. Both games were 2-1, so within both of these matches, Perth Penguins were only 1 game win from a massive either 4-2 or 5-1 drubbing. But it wasnt to be

For Penguins, Frisco, Telfiri and MrCrow all smashed their opponents. I got you in 1 game MrCrow, but you thoroughly deserved to win the match. MrCrow has been put out 4th a lot lately. are they playing mindgames for their week 10 matchup?

This pretty much secures Zerocraft's place in the top 5, but with two draws in the last two weeks, removes any chance they have of getting to the top. From the Penguins Perspective, as they have a loss on the board to Mixed Lollies (where TA got a draw), the draw with Zerocraft means that:-

1) penguins must defeat TA; and
2) Zerocraft must beat TA,

For Penguins to get 1st this season. Possible, but unlikely. a draw in either of those matchups will see TA take home first place.

ToR [6] def FaDe [0] A 6-0 whitewash and a gamescore of 12-1. Ouch. This Tor Team though, suddenly rushing up to 14 points, with a draw against Zerocraft. If Zerocraft lose this week and ToR win convincingly, ToR move into 4th spot. pretty amazing for a team that was at one point this season really underperforming.

For Fade, these are the weeks that hurt. On paper, there wasn't much between the teams, but unfortunately these games are decided in space, not on paper. Making a team bounce back after a 6-0 is really tough, and i am keen to see what fade can come up with this week

VB [2] def by TA [4] Not a terrible result by VB when you consider this TA team is undefeated. Zeffrin and Potthead chalking some more names into the side of the keyboard. you guys are real warriors and have been getting the points for VB all season.

At the top end tough, it was always goingto be tough for the VB boys to compete. Breylin, Minimat and Hackdz, so super strong. Both Unique and Insane got a game off their opponents - imagine if Insane had managed to snag another win in the Ace game and it was 4-2the other way!! But that wasn't to be.

QED Krrn & Co [2] def by TCP [4]
T f*cking CP. I back you all seeason, you underperform. I back against you, you smash 5th place in the league.To say this TCP team has been inconsistent all season would be an understatement, but it is good that a team that was backed so heavily preseason is finally showing up what it can do. Strong wins by madoryung, galabo and Navic. Navic in particular beat Jenkins - a player i have been giving a wrap to all season. Good to see that he has continued to perform

Close but no cigar for Krrn and Co - and unfortunately, the fall down the ladder continues. But before that - who is this Toybox? he is crushing nerds left right and centre... seems a scary proposition to be facting. And Schnitzel was too good for Fenix - not really surprising but good to see schnitzel take a win.

HoH [2] def by Fusion Slugs [4] - while this appeared a bit of a battle for the wooden spoon, the games were apparently really close and played in the right spirit. just a quick summary of the games

HoH v Fusion Slugs
Rythmatik 2 <<Match 1>> Zomgrofl 1 - both of these guys have been getting wraps all season, and with Zomgrofl's form coming in, i thought he would take it out.
HGYsecurity 2 <<Match 2>> Dele 1 - Dele has been a super consistent performer for the Slugs, playing HEAPS of games vs quality opponents. and then there was the new gun for HoH
HoHdougolas 1 <<Match 3>> 2 Nevar - the ever consistent Douglas in third spot is a pretty scary thought, but Nevar was just too good
CLSmooth 1 <<Match 4>> 2 Bonik - CLSmooth & Bonik playing? hell yes!!! CLSmooth started in bronze at the beginning of this season, what a baller. Bonik is fantastic also - what a great game this would have been

and then there was the ace

Venom 1 <<Ace Match>> 2 BenAD - In 1 corner, we have the poison spitting monster Venom, who has for a long time been the "go to" player for HoH. Even when this guy was gold a few months ago, people were (to their detriment) underestimating him. I would maybe say he has been the Ace of the Season. But then there is the super manner BenAD who has sheparded his team through some really rough weeks. There was a time when Fusion Slugs were all silver, with 1 plat, and they had to line up against full gold/plat teams. And BenAD was able to keep the team together, and take a few wins. Is that back to back wins for the Slugs? Hell Yes.

You look at each of these matches, and each of them offers somethign different from players that I have come to know during the season. This for mine would be match of the week - two teams we have seen start with predominatly bronze lineups, during it out for those vital three points at the end of the season. The only thing I would change is to give them both the three points.

Predictions: Week 10

I can hear you now - "Volition, stop tearing up and get on with the predictions." As the crowd has spoken, so I will.

Game 1 - HoH v QED Krrn and Co
2 teams, both coming off losses, both desparately need a win. If HoH lose, the wooden spoon for the season can nearly be mailed to them. If QED Krrn and Co lose, their chances at finishing in the top 5 slide further away, and their promising season is completely gone.

But look at what happens if they win - HoH would jump above VB for last place, and QED Krrn and Co are suddenly 1 point behind ToR.

Prediction:- Krrn and Co on paper, and I think they might just bring too much to the table. Watch out for Venom and my man CLSmooth from HoH, and Deathwing for Krrn and Co

Game 2 - Fusion Slugs v QED Mixed Lollies
Slugs are riding high after back to back wins. Who'd have ever thought i would get to say that this season. But then QED has a very scary team - there is a reason they are in the top 3.

I love where Slugs are on the ladder after the last two weeks - 7th. There are 4 teams this season with a worse record. amazing given their lineup at the start of the season

Prediction: Slugs, I love you, but i think you will lose this week. Watch out for some of the underused guys for Mixed Lollies making an impression this week, such as a Denile and Reaper

Game 3 - TCP v VB
VB needs a victory. They really must get another one if they want to not finish last. A win this week puts them out of contention for last place, and i reckon the boys would be keen on that. This has been a rough season for the VB champs - and unfortunately, it just never really kicked off. There were multiple times where Potthead has said - this is where we start, but it just hasnt happened.

And then we have TCP. The score for this match will be determined by which TCP team turns up. If it is the team that slayed QED Krrn and Co last week, well VB will struggle and TCP will take it easily. If it is the team that showed up betweens weeks 6-8, well it isnt impossible that VB could get the win

Predction: TCP my heart is still broken, 1 win against a top 6 team hasnt repaired the hurt you caused earlier in the season. VB to come out and score a surprise victory. Potthead v Galabo should be great. so should Dead v Fenix. The VB gold guys will really need to stand up and be counted this week if they want the points. for the Ace game, Navic and bandit shoudl be a great game. I hope someone casts this one tonight - will be a cracker

TA v Perth Penguins
And suddenly, here we are. Probably the two best teams in the comp (no offence Mixed Lollies, gotta go with penguins for drama purposes), finally getting to play. The trash has been talked, the teams submitted and we finally have the game tonight. Diamond v diamond in the ace game, the mid section lead by edarus and Chadmann vs head and Moosable, and then the starters of TARogue and TAEaeron vs Invaderzim and Telfiri.

This is what we have all been waiting for - and this is pretty much the match of the season. If TA win, they are in an unassailable position for the minor premiership. If Penguins win, suddenly they are in equal first place with 1 match to play. Sorta pretty amazing that it is this close.

The dominance of these two teams this season shouldnt be understated - TA are undefeated and Penguins have only lost to Mixed Lollies. Both have had a draw against other quality opposition. But for everyone else they have played - both teams have crushed.

Prediction: the ace is where it is at. Marinefifty v MrCrow. these two points are more than vital - because both teams will get at least 1 win from theother 4 games. Win the ace, win the match. No pressure Aces, but this is probably the most important game for both teams this season. To be honest, i would like to see TA lose. not because i am vindictive, but because the games next week would become so much more important

Game 5 - Zerocraft v Fade
It may not look like it, but this is a Zerocraft team that is limping home. With 7 active players, one of which gave a walkover last week, and other that had to be pulled and wasnt allowed to play, i think Zerocraft is down to 5 players. But there is 1 reason zerocraft is 4th on the ladder - consistency. This team has managed to get 4 points in so many matches that could have gone the other way. It is sort of like Zerocraft has been having the luck that other teams have been missing out on.

And then we have FaDe. Coming off a whitewash, this will be a team that is keen to bounce back. But as we have seen throughout the season, some teams have bounced back from a whitewash, some have just continued to be pounded to the ground.

Correct me if i am wrong, but i think Zerocraft have whitewashed more teams 6-0 than anyone else this season. But that was early season, when Zerocraft had two strong teams. This is late in the season, and the lack of players is starting to hurt. Fade is in with a shot

Prediction: Draw. As the lineups havent been posted, i am only guessing. For Zerocraft, Betasso and Spazznx are the ones to watch. for FaDe, i have picked Welshy, Deadpixel and Salsavision all season, so why not continue? These guys are classy. It will be the performance of the Terrans from both sides through games 3-5 that determine the game score

Reminder - Player submission

Just the quickest reminder to all the team captains out there to submit their best/most improved player via PM to me or Chadmann. So far we have received maybe 3-4 entries. One person will win the 1 month subscription to the Grandmaster Manual, but you cant win if your team doesnt submit!

Volition out

Quick Comments

	FSBenAD:
	TAminimat:	yea son, TA aint gonna loose though
	TAEdarus:
	naviC:
	VB_Blake:	this pumped me up. love these writeups
	ZC.EvilSWAT:	My children. Take them.
	FSDele:
	deL:	You call this a writeup? just kidding, wish I could add content instead of just distract with banners
	TCPKiaSu:	LOL T ******* CP! XD
	TAhackdZ:	Very nice dude, excellent write-up. :D
	Goldie:

[FSBenAD]

Haha I was going to do the review of last week as you suggested, but look at that you come through with flying colours

Fantastic write up as always!

[TAEdarus]

Fantastic write up as always Volition thanks mate
Why has nirvAnA not made you an official SC2SEA writer yet?

Originally Posted by Volition

To be honest, i would like to see TA lose. not because i am vindictive, but because the games next week would become so much more important

I'm sure everyone wants to see us lose, and good luck to Perth Penguins!
I think this one will honestly be harder to call given a PvP in 4th and ZvZ in the Ace, however as the captain and as always TA are determined to smash this one out of the park!

GLHF!!

[VB_WhiplashJC]

Bring it home VB!

[Security]

Love this write-up!

[TCPKiaSu]

Originally Posted by Volition

Prediction:- Krrn and Co on paper, and I think they might just bring too much to the table. Watch out for Venom and my man CLSmooth from HoH, and Deathwing for Krrn and Co

DEATHWING!? dats old me lol is that a typo or is there another guy named deathwing

[breadfan]

It's time to start talking about predictions for the final five and finals!

[Volition]

Originally Posted by breadfan

It's time to start talking about predictions for the final five and finals!

Has a finals system actually been announced officially by maynarde? If so, would you mind digging out and posting here for us to consider?

[FSBenAD]

There is a proposal which I assume is what we are doing.. quoted below

Originally Posted by TAChadMann

SEAL League 2 Tier 5 Playoffs

Its here...
While Maynarde and I haven't officially nutted out the format - we are going to have them to decided the grand champion of Tier 5. I'm writing to inform you of the proposed format and ask for your constructive feedback to develop a finalised playoffs system.

The format
- at this stage will involve an extra match (so there are no draws) (5 gates worth 1 point, 1 ace match worth 2).
- Playoffs will involve 5 teams, 1st to 5th..
Week 1:
1st has a Bye
2nd vs 3rd (Match A)
4th v 5th (Match B)
Loser of match B is out - gg.
Week 2:
Winner of Match B vs Loser of Match A (Match C)
Winner of Match A vs 1st (Match D)
Winner of Match D goes to Grand Final
Loser of Match C is out - gg.
Week 3:
Winner of Match C vs Loser of Match D
Winner goes to Grand Final
Week 4:
Grand Final. Winner Wins.. Loser is out, comes 2nd.. gg wp'd.

This format can be compressed to a shorter period if needed. and match time for all matches (excluding Grand Final) can be played when ever - with the GF on a set date (probably a weekend) and streamed by... someone?... I favour this format because it rewards teams final placement and gives teams an incentive to fight right to the end of the season!...

Note: I think I wrote everything right, but that format is confusing to write down.. T_T

Suggestions pls!?..


Additional Note
The maps for SEAL Tier 5 have been selected using the following format, each map is played 1st and as the Ace map once for the season.. however, there are 10 maps and 11 weeks..

So I'm asking you guys to vote on your favourite map(s) - If you guys let me know via PM your top 5 maps in order I'll work out the final map.. it will either be - 1st most popular played as ace and next top 4 randomly to the other matches, OR Most popular map will be first map for ALL rounds of the final week!..

Additionally, similar polls will be taken from the teams in the playoffs to determine the maps for the Playoffs..

[TAhackdZ]

Originally Posted by Volition

Breylin, Minimat and Hackdz, so super strong.

I love you! No one has ever said anything so nice to me before...lol

*wipes away tears of joy*

Quick Comments

TAminimat:

chyea!