In the final part of the 2014 FFL Season Preview, we preview the grand finalists from 2013
Rock For Cash
A new name and a new attitude? Well, no, just a new name. Rock Hudson is back as Head Coach at Rock For Cash doing what he does best, Rocking for Cash.
Last season, The Rock's team was pretty handy but to be completely honest, The Rock did a pretty damn good job in managing a reasonable team to the big dance. It's not that he had a poor team, just more that other teams were arguably stronger but through either luck or good management, The Rock forced his team into the grand final. Probably luck!
Can he do it again? Very possibly. The Rock always puts out competitive teams and this season is no exception.
Despite sprinting away on draft day in the hare fashion to everyone else's tortoises, leaving himself with about ten players remaining with ten dollars to get them, nonetheless, Rock For Cash has compiled a competitive team.
Son of God, Matty Boyd, Mongrels bedfellow Sam Mitchell and Stevie J will lead the midfield. The ruck lineup consists of Big Cox (The Rock loves Big Cox) and Dawson's Creek, which may be light on if one of both players gets injured but Big Cox is a proven performer for The Rock.
The Rock's forward line is not brilliant on paper, it has to be said, but The Rock has countered this in the past. J-Pod is a good player, although ageing, and if Mitch Clark ever gets himself fit, he will score goals...but it definitely is not the strongest forward line.
The Rock clearly is pinning his hopes on the very strong midfield he has compiled and whilst The Rock has not tasted the sweet taste of success for many years now, since 2007, he has come close.
Prediction: Rock For Cash are always hard to beat and always close to the top. Not much is likely to change this season.
The All Stars
Father Cull has really turned his team around in the last four years. Three (count 'em!) premierships in the last four years. Very impressive. Long considered the Handbaggers of the FFL, Father Cull through his unique methods of firebrand sermons to his players and public thrashings of players who perform below their best has really got his teams fired up and ready to take on anycomers in recent seasons.
Can they do it all again in 2014?
It sure looks it to me. Their team is littered with class players and Father Cull has drafted a very solid looking team. Of course, injuries, poor form and a range of other factors play a part in any season but overall, The All Stars look to have no weak points and they start the season as raging hot favourites to complete their threepeat. A fait accompli perhaps. No pressure Cully.
Wilbur Minson & Matty Leunberger lead the ruck divsion. Jezza Cameron, Tomahawk, Nick Riewoldt, club stalwart Pav and Jarrad Waite are forwards of some distinction - although with the exception of Jezza, they are an ageing or crocked forward line, it must be said, but just one more season Father Cull will be telling them, particularly Pav. Just one more wafer thin season.
Could this be their achilles heel?
The All Stars midfield consists of Scotty Selwood, Toby Greene, Dave Armitage, Eric McKenzie and Tommy Libber. A handy midfield to complement a strong team.
So, as mentioned, The All Stars are raging favourites and there is no doubt that Father Cull will take his place at the pulpit to deliver yet more firebrand sermons to his troops. If they respond, he will get his threepeat. If they rebel and cannot handly the thrashings and demonstrations of self flaggelation that Father Cull is only too famous for, then The All Stars will miss out.
As a wise Mongrel once said, Time will tell, kind reader, time will tell.
Prediction: Definite finalists.
Rock For Cash
A new name and a new attitude? Well, no, just a new name. Rock Hudson is back as Head Coach at Rock For Cash doing what he does best, Rocking for Cash.
Last season, The Rock's team was pretty handy but to be completely honest, The Rock did a pretty damn good job in managing a reasonable team to the big dance. It's not that he had a poor team, just more that other teams were arguably stronger but through either luck or good management, The Rock forced his team into the grand final. Probably luck!
Can he do it again? Very possibly. The Rock always puts out competitive teams and this season is no exception.
Despite sprinting away on draft day in the hare fashion to everyone else's tortoises, leaving himself with about ten players remaining with ten dollars to get them, nonetheless, Rock For Cash has compiled a competitive team.
Son of God, Matty Boyd, Mongrels bedfellow Sam Mitchell and Stevie J will lead the midfield. The ruck lineup consists of Big Cox (The Rock loves Big Cox) and Dawson's Creek, which may be light on if one of both players gets injured but Big Cox is a proven performer for The Rock.
The Rock's forward line is not brilliant on paper, it has to be said, but The Rock has countered this in the past. J-Pod is a good player, although ageing, and if Mitch Clark ever gets himself fit, he will score goals...but it definitely is not the strongest forward line.
The Rock clearly is pinning his hopes on the very strong midfield he has compiled and whilst The Rock has not tasted the sweet taste of success for many years now, since 2007, he has come close.
Prediction: Rock For Cash are always hard to beat and always close to the top. Not much is likely to change this season.
The All Stars
Father Cull has really turned his team around in the last four years. Three (count 'em!) premierships in the last four years. Very impressive. Long considered the Handbaggers of the FFL, Father Cull through his unique methods of firebrand sermons to his players and public thrashings of players who perform below their best has really got his teams fired up and ready to take on anycomers in recent seasons.
Can they do it all again in 2014?
It sure looks it to me. Their team is littered with class players and Father Cull has drafted a very solid looking team. Of course, injuries, poor form and a range of other factors play a part in any season but overall, The All Stars look to have no weak points and they start the season as raging hot favourites to complete their threepeat. A fait accompli perhaps. No pressure Cully.
Wilbur Minson & Matty Leunberger lead the ruck divsion. Jezza Cameron, Tomahawk, Nick Riewoldt, club stalwart Pav and Jarrad Waite are forwards of some distinction - although with the exception of Jezza, they are an ageing or crocked forward line, it must be said, but just one more season Father Cull will be telling them, particularly Pav. Just one more wafer thin season.
Could this be their achilles heel?
The All Stars midfield consists of Scotty Selwood, Toby Greene, Dave Armitage, Eric McKenzie and Tommy Libber. A handy midfield to complement a strong team.
So, as mentioned, The All Stars are raging favourites and there is no doubt that Father Cull will take his place at the pulpit to deliver yet more firebrand sermons to his troops. If they respond, he will get his threepeat. If they rebel and cannot handly the thrashings and demonstrations of self flaggelation that Father Cull is only too famous for, then The All Stars will miss out.
As a wise Mongrel once said, Time will tell, kind reader, time will tell.
Prediction: Definite finalists.