The Ferrets stake their claim

The money is starting to pour in for the Ferrets as they staked their claim for the Premiership by beating the defending Champions the Buglers in a cracking Major Semi Final. They did it by relying on the brilliance of their Charles Latrobe medallist big Al Lehner (42 pts) and good rounds by their Draft pick Graham Thomas (38) and Lions legend Timmy Stray (37). It was a shattering blow for the Buglers as the defence of their title now is on its last legs. They must battle through 3 weeks of sudden death pressure that the finals serve up. The taste of the celebratory drinks have never been so far away as the inconsistency of their season has now come back to haunt them. 3 wins in a row against the best teams of the competition seems unlikely as only once has this happened for them this year with the competitions evenness making long streaks of victories difficult to achieve. . . and they are now the hunted, and they have been caught more often this year than they would have liked.
The Ferrets can sit back and wait 2 more weeks before doing battle again. Time to maybe feed that handicap a little, gain a stroke back? They will need it as the punters are taking a chance here. 2 of their star performers in the Captain Billy Adams and Solid performer Tim Stray are off to the British Open and will not play again this season. It proves how important that 2 shot victory was in the first week of the finals. They are vulnerable however they are also very good and will still take some beating even 2 short. They have the best pressure player in the competition and plenty of depth throughout the rest of their team. They are still favourites but only just....
The ‘Gummers have also moved into the Prelims due largely to another emphatic performance by their draft picks. Kevin Burgess has spent the entire season trying to justify his draft selection as a team strengthening exercise and has struggled to find an ally to support this claim. However, 38 points in the first week of the finals can do amazing things to a guys’ reputation. Todd Mansfield has drunk deeply from the cup of peer adulation despite featuring fleetingly throughout the entire regular season last year. He did however perform magnificently in July, the finals and will now forever be referenced by his new name Mr. July. The ‘Gummers may well look back at the inaugural draft as a pot of gold. Jamie Harvie was outstanding and has been all year. The McCarthy’s also feature strongly and their number 1 draft pick and superstar player Cameron Hocking was unavailable. They are building to a climax and will be tough to beat.
Sadly, as I tap in the words on this laptop with the sounds of yet another memorial concert to the late ‘King of Pop’ Michael Jackson beating in the background, I hear the words that best describe the Brothers in Arms efforts in finals so far - “You try to scream, but the terror took the sound before you make it”. Taken from the title song of the biggest selling album in the history of this planet, ‘Thriller’, the Brothers in Arms lost another finals match and now look likely to match their efforts of last year. They were dispatched during the finals in straight sets after finishing in the top 4 and now after sitting on top of the table for 10 consecutive weeks and faltering in the last round to finish 2nd; they have now gone and lost again. They have to face a fired up In Time Dynasty side who will be looking to be “Bad” and make them “Beat It” from the premiership for another year.
Cambridge also went into the first final short one man, the robust bulk of George Megaloudis who had a Friday night that resembled a Greek tragedy. They were punted from the knockout, their sponsored Cambridge Cup so the premiership is their only focus. The Corruptibles were defeated but only just after Paul Serong played a magnificent Captains innings. His 40 points was the difference and his team is keen to push further to add to the silverware they have already won last year. The Buglers are the next opponent and it will be interesting how they respond. Big George will be back so any sledging will be soundly returned. It will be difficult as they play early and surely the afternoon players have an edge in the depths of winter under the intense heat of the finals. It is bound to be a great match with the victor winning the right to face the ‘gummers for that chance to make the Grand Final of the Premiership.
Finally, if the Ferrets are attracting all the punters money, the big cash may well plunge onto In Time Dynasty a little later in the month. They have greater depth than originally thought as the draft picks have proven to be very worthwhile. They are very well balanced with the Irish enthusiasm of their consistent captain, the strong reliability of Foley, McCabe and Doc Sellars, the potent scoring ability of King, the Potters, the Scottish banker (yes I said Banker) and the regularly contributions of the ex president. They are very keen, have the best looking mascot and carry the dreams of the Irish nation behind them. They face the Brothers in Arms who remain unconvincing in July with the weakened Ferrets waiting in the Preliminary final. It would surprise no one if they are pulling on the shirts to enter the field of battle on Grand Final day, August 1.