[Volition]

The Showdown: Tier 5 Final Week

Before ripping into the predictions for this, the final week of the regular season, i thought we might look at the standings and the results of this last week

Current Standings

Rank	Team	Games	Win	Draw	Loss	Record	Points
1	TA	9	7	2	0	39/15	23
2	Zerocraft	9	6	2	1	37/17	20
3	Perth Penguins	9	6	2	1	32/16	20
4	Mixed lolies	9	6	1	2	34/20	19
5	ToR	9	4	2	3	30/23	14
6	Krrn and Co	9	4	1	4	25/23	13*
7	Fusion Slugs	9	3	1	5	21/33	10
8	VB	9	2	1	6	20/34	7
9	FaDe	10	1	4	4	22/38	7
9	TCP	9	1	2	6	18/36	5
11	Team HoH	9	0	2	7	12/36	2*

Results: week 10 - setting up the big one

Fusion Slugs [4] def QED Mixed Lollies [2]
A bit of drama in this one, with incorrect submissions and a no-show resulting in a pivotal walkover. Overall, i have no opinion as to what happened, it seems the captains are happy, and the mods did their job, so I am happy. The fact that an issue of a pivotal walkover was resolved, and the team and player responsible took the news on the chin (without whinging from what i saw) shows just why tier 5 is the best league to be a player in. Congrats to slugs for taking down their third team in successive wins, congrats to admins for making a quick decisive decision, and congrats to Mixed Lollies for taking it on the chin - it is stuff like that which earns you respect.

VB Sober Soldiers [4] def TCP [2]
I am really glad VB got through for the win, sneaking them up to 8th on the table. TCP could still end the season with the wooden spoon after this loss, so there is still a bit to play for in the final week. From this TCPFenix bounced back and scored a good win over Dead, and VB.Bandit in the ace role lead the way with a win over Navic. Potthead had a great win also - how is this guy in silver he slays gold nerds every week

HoH [1] def by QED Krrn and Co [4] still 1 to play, but wont change result
Not much to say about this one. Good to see QEDHorse (cottonmouth on here) get through for a win, and good job in HGYsecurity getting a win over Jenkins . Now only that, a 2-0 win. good job!

Fade [1] def by Zerocraft [5]
All 6 games this week were 2-0 which is a bit strange in itself. Zerocraft fielded nearly their strongest lineup, and the three plats were just a little too much for Fade to beat. Shoutout to deadpixel for defeating Spazznx - pretty handy effort, and a 2-0 nonetheless.

TA Edarus & Friends [3] draw with Perth Penguins [3]
Weird result this one. Penguins drawing with Zerocraft last week was the first nail in the penguin coffin. I know last week i said i wanted a Penguins win to make the final more interesting, but the draw has made the season more interesting again! Good games for Eaeron defeating Telfiri, and Minimat defeating Head, But props must go to MrCrow for defeating Marinefifty. While the Penguins only won two out of the five games, they won the one that counted most.

Predictions - Week 11

TA Edarus and Friends v Zerocraft

At the end of this day, one shall stand, one shall fall... - Optimus Prime

Strangely enough, Zerocraft have a shot. It is a small shot, a shot that they didnt think they would have a few weeks ago - but a shot nonetheless. This is the day the bards will sing about. To even get this shot, so many things needed to go their way -

1) penguins needed to not win a game in rounds 9 and 10 - as penguins were a win up on ZC, they would remain a win ahead for the rest of the season;
2) TA had to draw against Perth Penguins - a win to either of these teams in week 10 would have meant first place was out of reach;
3) QED Mixed Lollies needed to lose another game against one of the lower teams in the comp - on 19 points, a win in week 10 would have propelled QED into the position they have been all season - a very strong second place; and
4) ZC needed an insane game score against Fade to bring their win/loss ratio up to the level so that if they won against TA, they would win on countback. the game score from ZC v Fade was 10-2

And here we are. If ZC wins, on a countback of win/losses (or head to head depending on the method used), they will be the top of the table for the regular season. Even if Perth Penguins win their game, their for/against score is just not quite good enough to get them above either TA or ZC. and on head to head - well the penguins tied with both teams.

So this is the big one. This is the one that will decide the minor premiership. TA have been rock solid, undefeated all season long, drawing with the other two of the big 4 teams in the comp. But it all comes down to 1 loss being the possible difference between winning the season and being relegated to the most painful of position for TA - second.

I think we are going to see some of the big names for TA this week. Chadmann, who has been having a ridiculous run, Marinefifty wanting revenge, Minimat, Edarus, Ridiculisk, Eaeron, and Rogue. But then for ZC, some of the big names will likely make an appearance. Mazei, Betasoo, Spazznx, Rythos, EvilSwat, SmokyMcPot.

All in all, i think there will only be one game bigger than this one this season - the grand final of the playoffs. From this week on, the teams will be playing in a "kill or be killed" format, but it is this week that both of these teams will want to win.

And i know i am looking forward to it. Prediction - Zerocraft. 4-2 - just because this situation is so ridiculous - if you had told us this is what it would come to 4 weeks ago, i would have laughed at you

Perth Penguins v TCP Marinu Dropu
The season is over for TCP. For them they want to win this game to make sure the wooden spoon is avoided. There is a bit to play for for Perth Penguins though, if they lose and Mixed Lollies win, they could be put in 4th spot, which makes winning the playoffs really hard.

That being said, a win pretty much assures second place. There really isnt that much of a difference between second and third in the seeeding for the playoffs, so if they want to ensure another chance in the playoffs, a win this week is essential

Prediction - i think Penguins will be too good - 5-1

ToR v Fusion Slugs
It is a large coincidence how the two teams finishing the season exceptionally strongly will meet. ToR will want to win because they are currently holding 5th spot - meaning they will make the playoffs. The slugs have won three in a row, and want to take momentum into next season.

Prediction - ToR - With QED Krrn and Co breathing down their necks for 5th and a shot at the playoffs, ToR will field a strong team. That being said, Fusion Slugs were good enough to take down the Big Brother QED team, will history repeat itself?

VB v HoH
The season is over for both of these teams, but both will want to finish on a high. VB had a win last week, so congrats to them. Unfortunately though, this will be the last we see of both teams

HoH - you guys have been great, it showed amazing courage to join the league with the team you did. Thanks for being such a manner team, and great to deal with throughout the season. Every week, you guys were receiving compliments for how seamlessly your games went through, and that has to reflect on the quality leadership running the show. I am glad you guys are currently recruiting, you guys will be a force to be reckoned with next season!

VB - cheers guys. You guys are a quality team and i think have underperformed a little this season. I dont say that as a criticism, but due to the fact you guys are a solid team! VB seems to be a close knit group, and where other clans seem to have guys coming and going like a door swinging, the VB team seems very stable.

Prediction - probably a draw. Both good teams, both deserve points

QED Mixed Lollies v QED Krrn and Co

Big game this one, Mixed lollies want to win for a shot at second, Krrn and co want to win for a shot at 5th and the playoffs. i imagine the practice this week for these games would have been a bit strange - only playing half of your clan mates cuase you dont want them to know what you are thinking

We will see at least one of these teams in the finals. I sorta hope we see both, the QED guys have been recognised as in the "stronger teams" group for the whole season.

Prediction- i think MIxed Lollies are just too good for the younger brother. 4-2, possibly even sneaking back into second place

Announcement- best/most improved player as submitted by the Captains

As advised earlier, i was giving a 1 month subscription to The Grandmaster Manual to a player. The captains were to each submit to me their best/most improved player from the season, to be announced in the final week of the regular season. So without further ado, the winner is:-

Dele from the Fusion Slugs!

We received the following from BenAD, and i thought it really summed up the spirit of tier 5:-

Originally Posted by BenAD

Fusion Slugs have also voted on their player of the year.

We have voted for Dele

Most of our team is in the silver league or lower and our team on paper has been the underdog in most rounds.

However Dele always put his hand up to play and has the highest win rate in our team this season, with a 58% win rate which is easily the highest in our team, going 7-5 so far, including having a 33% win rate against players in a higher league them himself.

He also volunteered to captain the team in my absence and was essentially our vice captain throughout the process.

Someone who has taken on extra responsibility, played all season against higher opponents and played consistently and without being forced, was active in the tier 5 forums, as soon as i saw this PM from BenAD, i was pretty sure i had selected a winner. So congrats dele - contact me and we will make arrangements for your subscription.

Anway, that wraps up the regular season for me, i hope you have enjoyed reading as much as i have enjoyed writing

Volition Out

Quick Comments

	Jaywalk:	congrats dele! awesome writeup!
	FSBenAD:	Awesome as always Volition, if you are in tier 5 next season, we should chat :)
	ToRPandarine:	gratz to Dele...post here dammit so we can rep u SOB :P and thanks for all the writeup volition! :D
	QEDhorse:	Special Mention, in the QED sum up thanks :)
	ToR.Arnor:	watta boss ZC fighting
	asdfSchnitzel:	I like it! But we is not smaller qed team :< ;)
	FSDele:	OMG i won something!! how'd that happen! ♥♥♥
	nirvAnA:
	VB_Blake:	ily man, these writeups were a blast
	ToRVenom:
	krycek:
	Maynarde:	Nice writeup