LoEC1 @SCT – Update

LoEC1 @SCT – Round 20

Before we get into what promises to be a chaotic final round, a quick introduction to LoEC1 – the League of Extraordinary Coaches.

LoEC1 is SuperCoachTalk’s invitation-only elite league, with places earned based on performances from the previous season. You don’t simply join LoEC1, you have to qualify for it.

The league brings together some of the best-performing coaches from the SCT community. That means there are very few easy matchups and, as this year’s ladder shows, even very good SuperCoach teams can find themselves fighting just to make the eight.

Currently the League is ranked 51st overall.

For anyone interested in joining the LoEC leagues next season, keep an eye on the SuperCoachTalk preseason community posts, where invitations and details on how to qualify will be posted. If you think your previous season is good enough to earn a spot, make sure you put your hand up when the invitations come out.

It’s a great opportunity to test yourself against some of the strongest coaches in the SCT community.

Final Bound

With just Round 20 remaining before finals, the top four have all but secured their positions.

There are effectively 11 teams still fighting for the other four places in the top eight.

Some control their own destiny. Some need a win and a favour. Others may need a win, three favours, a calculator and possibly divine intervention.


The ladder heading into Round 20

At the top, things are reasonably settled.

Ernie’s Ego, POWERPLAY, Very Erect Posture and Bala’s Boys have all but locked away the top four.

It would take a pretty extraordinary set of circumstances to disturb that group now, so their focus turns towards final ladder position, the double chance and perhaps most importantly, making sure they arrive at finals with some trades still tucked away.

Then we get to OJ’s Bronco in 5th on 40 points. Kelvin is in a very strong position, but from there the ladder looks like someone has tipped a box of Scrabble letters onto the floor.

From 5th through 15th, there are effectively 11 teams still fighting for the remaining four places in the eight. Three teams currently sit on 36 points. Then comes a huge pack sitting on 32.


Cripsy Kremes v Game Theory – the elimination final before the elimination finals

This is the standout matchup of Round 20. 6th v 8th. Both teams are on 36 points.

Cripsy Kremes has a percentage of 100.4%, while Game Theory sits at 100.1%.

The equation is beautifully simple for the winner: Win = 40 points = finals.

The loser, however, stays on 36.

And with a small army of teams sitting immediately behind them on 32, suddenly every other result matters.


Bundeena Bunnies v POWERPLAY – thanks very much, fixture gods

Sitting 7th on 36 points, the Bundeena Bunnies also control their own destiny. There’s just one small problem. They’ve drawn POWERPLAY, currently sitting second on the ladder.

A Bunnies win takes them to 40 points and guarantees finals. Simple.

A loss leaves them stranded on 36 and suddenly Derek becomes the biggest supporter of JJ’s Circus, Ernie’s Ego, Very Erect Posture and basically anyone playing a team on 32 points.

The good news is the Bunnies have a reasonable 100.2%. The bad news is percentage only becomes useful once you’ve stopped losing.

So the strategy here is straightforward, Somehow knock off the second place team. Easy.

The Phat Side – the most dangerous team outside the eight?

If there is one team sitting outside the eight that nobody inside it wants to see win, it might be The Phat Side @SCT.

George sits 9th on 32 points. But look at the percentage: 100.7%.

That’s not only better than the teams immediately around him. It’s better than every team currently sitting from 5th to 8th. That is a serious weapon if teams finish level on league points.

Unfortunately, George has one minor inconvenience. He plays Ernie’s Ego. The team sitting first.

If The Phat Side can pull off the upset and reach 36 points, that percentage could send him flying into the eight if one or more teams above him lose.


Bck2pp – perhaps the best opportunity of the chasing pack

Michael’s Bck2pp sits 10th on 32 points with a very handy 100.3%.

And unlike George, Michael hasn’t drawn the league leader. He faces JJ’s Circus, currently sitting 16th. On paper, that’s exactly the matchup you’d want when your season is on the line.

Win and Bck2pp reaches 36 points. And that 100.3% suddenly becomes extremely valuable.

It’s already better than Bundeena Bunnies and Game Theory and only just behind Cripsy Kremes.

If Michael wins and one of the current 6th, 7th or 8th teams loses, he could be right there waiting to take their spot.


Snoidz – win first, then start cheering for strangers

Snoidz also sits on 32 points, with a very competitive 100.2%. Adam faces third-placed Very Erect Posture, so the task isn’t easy.

But the equation is the same: Lose and the season is effectively done.

Win and get to 36, then see what happens around you.

With percentage so tight, even the margin could matter. This is the point in the season where you’re not only hoping to win. You’re hoping to win by 120 while someone you’ve never met loses by 121. Perfectly normal behaviour.

Kicking Behinds – still very much alive

Luke’s Kicking Behinds sits 12th on 32 points and 99.9% and faces Cripps Walk.

A win gets Luke to 36 and keeps the door open.

The percentage isn’t quite as strong as some of the teams above, so Kicking Behinds may need a little more help and possibly a decent winning margin.

But if enough teams currently sitting on 36 lose, things can change very quickly.

At this stage, nobody on 32 can afford to be picky. Win first. Ask questions later.

Cumming no more v SC Uncle – someone has to survive

This is another fascinating matchup. Cumming no more sits 13th on 32 points, while SC Uncle sits 14th, also on 32.

So unless they draw, one of them is definitely finished.

The winner reaches 36 and then needs to hope the carnage elsewhere is sufficient to open a path into the eight.

AJ has the better percentage at 99.6% compared with Tandy’s 99.1%, but both probably need more than just a win. They need results. They may need margins. They may need several coaches above them to have absolute disasters.



The Final Round – What could happen?

Ernie’s Ego, POWERPLAY, Very Erect Posture and Bala’s Boys have all but locked away the top four.

OJ’s Bronco sits 5th on 40 points and faces 19th-placed Kyuubi. That’s about as comfortable a position as you can ask for heading into Round 20. A win removes any possible doubt.

What makes the Round 20 equation so interesting is Cripsy Kremes and Game Theory play each other, Both are currently inside the eight on 36 points (but unless they draw) one of them is guaranteed to remain on 36.

That means the door is definitely open for at least one of the chasing teams on 32 points.

Then we have Bundeena Bunnies facing second-placed POWERPLAY. If the Bunnies lose as well? Now we potentially have two current top-eight teams sitting vulnerable on 36 points.

Suddenly the likes of The Phat Side, Bck2pp, Snoidz, Kicking Behinds and the winner of Cumming no more v SC Uncle are all very interested.


its going to be a cracking final week