West Is Best – Round 1 & 2

As Aki Mentioned yesterday, 2012 is the dawn of the first ever East v West DT Talk League Challenge. Like any great rivalry, the ultimate prize on offer is bragging rights, which I’m pleased to say that the West currently holds!

The 2012 West Is Best squad:

The two conferences went it with very different recruiting strategies. You might recognise many of the names on board in the East, with Molly and Impromptu the big names getting involved, and more than a few DT Talk contributors in the line-up. Out here in the West though, I chalked up Dunny (a West asset if there ever was one), my brother (guess which team name is his), and then opened it up to my followers on Twitter. We’re not full of big names or well-known DT champions – we’re in the process of making them. I also took the step of putting up a prize; an AFL guernsey to the highest scoring Westerner – just for that extra little bit of incentive to smash the East.

It’s working so far.

 

Round 1:

The West ran out to an early lead, with all but two members topping 2000. Kevin of the Dawks was our big contributor, posting 2257. Newkas Guns, Dunny’s Destroyers and Look At My Guns provided great cover fire, while carrying the likes of yours truly, as Tbetta Than You only managed 2014 in Round 1.

League Ranking: 86th

League Average: 2089

Team of the week: The Dawks (2257) are a well-balanced team with a 4-Gun midfield, 1-3 ruck structure and the popular DPP forward line. Still carried Broughton to that big score.

Needs to lift: The Mean Mess Machine (1971) boasts a capable side, but was let down by a few unlucky rookies benching decisions. They also had to drag Shaw and Broughton along.

 

Round 2:

The West showed that once again, big names count for nothing in a new season where anything can happen. We had a big spread this week, with 3 coaches topping 2200 and 3 dipping into the 1900s. Not to worry though, as we are still the 89^th ranked league overall – it’s fair to say that the Twitter-powered recruiting drive unearthed some gun DT coaches. After we all, we have two teams (Newkas Guns and Dawks) ranked inside the top 700, and plenty more ranked inside 4 digits. I should mention that Mean Mess Machine responded after last week, posting a 2118 after some bench decisions went their way and despite Bryce Gibbs’ weak effort.

League Ranking: 89th.

League Average: 2105

Team of the Week: Newkas Guns (2260) is ranked 190^th overall for a reason. 6 of his backmen average over 85, and the mid-price gambles in Malceski, Ebert and Kreuzer have paid off so far. Obviously, no Shaw or Broughton to be seen.

Needs to Lift: The Angry Pirates (1968) has averaged 2016 points this year, so is unlucky to be getting a mention here. It should come as no surprise that Shaw, Broughton, Golby and Mumford all stunk up his side in Round 2. I fully expect a fix-it trade or two and a much better effort next week.

Guernsey Leader: Ian of the Newkas Guns, averaging 2225.5 per round.

 

Retort of the Week:

Jacko, hitting us where it hurts – our mining stocks, and whatever an entrepreneur actually is… Anyway, check out the AFL ladder (you’ll see WEST Coast on top), the Perth Wildcats won the NBL last year and the fact that Perth is generally credited with having the hottest women in Australia…

Oh, and we’re winning the East vs West DT Talk League Challenge. For the second time.

After 2 rounds I have learnt that pre-season trash-talking and gung-ho recruiting isn’t a sure recipe for success, is it Aki? Get on board with the banter with the #WestIsBest and #BeastsOfTheEast hashtags!

 

 

Twitter us at @tbetta9 and @Aki_DT.