After Round 1

Name	      Games	W	L	  %
Mr Flamboyant	6	6	0	100.00%
dave_nz	        6	4	2	66.67%
good_gambler	6	3	3	50.00%
sparkus8	6	2	4	33.33%
bossboss	6	2	4	33.33%
sports freak	6	1	5	16.67%
Finns4	        6	1	5	16.67%
SadrieL	        6	1	5	16.67%
Bolar Bolabi	6	0	6	0.00%

Tough week had by most and understandable given we are in Round 1 with turnover of rosters and new look teams. Some unforunately forgot to send a couple of tips during the round, but don't worry, there is a long season ahead and plenty of time to make ground on the early leaders.

But the standout performer was Mr Flamboyant, who incredibly tipped the whole ATS card correctly and looks like the man to beat already this season!

I'm also happy to announce that I will be putting up the following as form of prizes to the value of that listed below for the winners of this competition this season. All in AUD

1st: $600
2nd: $250
3rd: $100

The above either in cash or a voucher to a leading department store in Australia, still haven't decided.

Cheers
BG

After Round 2

Name	      Games	W	L	  %
Mr Flamboyant	12	8	4	66.67%
dave_nz	        12	7	5	58.33%
sparkus8	12	6	6	50.00%
bossboss	12	5	7	41.67%
good_gambler	12	5	7	41.67%
Bolar Bolabi	12	2	10	16.67%
Finns4	        12	2	10	16.67%
SadrieL	        12	1	11	8.33%
sports freak	12	1	11	8.33%

Standout performer in Round 2 which again appeared to be a tough card to pick was Sparkus with 4 wins out of the 6 games and he now moves into outright 3rd. Mr Flamboyant and Dave still head the pack but haven't got much of a break from those ranked between 3-5.

Again, if people think they will be unable to send me tips just before the game, feel free to tip the whole card (i.e. pick a team) at the beginning fot he week and I will apply the relevant spread. At this rate we are not going to have anyone who actually will finish the competition

As a result I may need to revisit the prizes and it appears there are only really 5 people playing at the moment with others forgetting. Might just make it top 2 but will let you know.

After Round 3

    Name	Games	W	L	%
Mr Flamboyant	19	13	6	68.42%
dave_nz	        19	12	7	63.16%
bossboss	19	11	8	57.89%
sparkus8	19	9	10	47.37%
good_gambler	19	8	11	42.11%
Bolar Bolabi	19	4	15	21.05%
sports freak	19	2	17	10.53%

"MVP" of Round 3 was clearly bossboss who has rocketed up the ladder after picking up 6/7 this round, very impressive performance for a self claimed novice in NBL

Still a tight leaderboard and anybody's game so early in the season. After having a quick look a Round 4's fixtures I think there could be some movements in the leaderboard with 11 games on the card and many of them pretty tough to call.

Cheers
BG

After Round 4

Name	     Games	W	L	%
dave_nz	        30	20	10	66.67%
Mr Flamboyant	30	18	12	60.00%
bossboss	30	16	14	56.67%
good_gambler	30	14	16	46.67%
sparkus8	30	13	17	43.33%
Bolar Bolabi	30	10	20	33.33%
sports freak	30	9	21	30.00%

Well I did say after the last update that given Round 4 was a huge card there was going to be a chance for some movement in the leaderboard and that is essentially what has happened. Standout performer this round was dave_nz with a score of 8/11 and at the same time Mr Flamboyant after a bit of a slip up has given up first place as a result. bossboss continues his climb up the ladder after another solid round of tipping.

Another huge card in round 5 therefore what I said last round applies, chance for some more movement.

I've also decided as a result of the attrition of the competitors the prizes will only be awarded to the top 2 as we now only have a field of 7. Will be split as follows:

1st: $500
2nd: $200

Had to make it less now that there are less people competing, reduced from the 9 we started to 7.

Cheers
BG

After Round 5

Name	     Games	W	L	%
bossboss	41	24	17	58.54%
Mr Flamboyant	41	24	17	58.54%
dave_nz	        41	23	18	56.10%
sparkus8	41	21	20	51.22%
Bolar Bolabi	41	18	23	43.90%
good_gambler	41	17	24	41.46%
sports freak	41	16	25	39.02%

With both the previous round leaders faultering this round, we have equal leaders. Standout performers this round were bossboss, Bolar Bolabi and sparkus8 all hitting 8/11 in round 5, definitely a 'favourites' backing round. Bolar's was a little more impressive given he did not even send in a pick for the first game of the round. As you can now see those who previously were behind the 8 ball have essentially caught up so it really is anyone's to win.

Round 6 begins on Wednesday so there is a bit of a gap before we do it all again.

Cheers
BG

After Round 6

Name	     Games	W	L	%
bossboss	49	27	22	55.10%
Mr Flamboyant	49	27	22	55.10%
dave_nz	        49	27	22	55.10%
sparkus8	49	26	23	53.06%
Bolar Bolabi	49	22	27	44.90%
sports freak	49	21	28	42.86%
good_gambler	49	20	29	40.82%

Another tough round had by all but the wash up of it was that the leaderboard is now the tightest it has ever been. sparkus8 continues his charge up the leaderboard with another round topping effort hitting 5/8 (more impressive given he didn't submit 1 pick during the round) along with sports freak who also achieved a score of 5/8. After being 7 wins behind the leader only 2 weeks ago, sparkus is now 1 win behind the leaders, just proves to all that it doesn't matter how far down you are at the moment, things can turn around in a matter of weeks!

I have also just realised that there is in all likliehood a chance for a tied winner or tied second place getter - something I have to think of as a tiebreaker should that ever occur.

Round 7 is a huge card with a total of 11 games starting on Wednesday so again, this could be a chance for someone to start gapping the field.

cheers
BG

After Round 7

Name	     Games	W	L	%	GB
dave_nz	        60	35	25	58.33%	-
Mr Flamboyant	60	30	30	50.00%	5
sparkus8	60	30	30	50.00%	5
bossboss	60	30	30	50.00%	5
Bolar Bolabi	60	29	21	48.33%	6
sports freak	60	29	21	48.33%	6
good_gambler	60	27	23	45.00%	8

What did I say about this round potentially being crucial last time I updated the table? Well I've been proved right as dave_nz has well and truly gapped the field with a round topping 8/11 performance, also matched by sports freak who again topped the charts with 8/11 backing up from his previous performance. dave now has the largest lead at any stage by a leader of 5 games over the next level of participants. sports freak after having a shocking start is definitely a contender to take this competition out.

Unfortunately there were quite a few who shot themselves in the foot on the Saturday night by not submitting their picks/or being late as a result I couldn't accept them. I've sent all of those which this applied a PM and appreciate you have accepted my decision in not including the late picks. However as you can see it is not all doom and gloom as basically everyone is in the race for the title.

You will also notice I have added an extra column being "GB" which shows everyone how many games behind you are on the leader at the time, it is an effective way of showing how you are tracking on a week to week basis.

Please remember there is no rest, round 8 begins tomorrow when the Dragons take on the might of the Sydney Kings, so ensure you send me your picks on time!

Cheers
BG

After Round 8

Name	       Games	W	L	%	GB
dave_nz	        69	40	29	57.97%	-
sparkus8	69	35	34	50.72%	5
Mr Flamboyant	69	35	34	50.72%	5
bossboss	69	34	35	49.28%	6
Bolar Bolabi	69	34	35	49.28%	6
sports freak	69	34	35	49.28%	6
good_gambler	69	33	36	47.83%	7

Round 8 has been completed and the standout performer this round was good_gambler hitting 6/9. Finally his 'homer' picks has paid off with the strong performance of all the QLD based teams this round Dave still maintains a 5 game gap over his nearest competition, main movement this week has been sparkus gaining second place with Mr Flamboyant, his highest position since the competition began.

You will also note I made a bit of an error in the previous rounds table in terms of the "loss" column for a few of you, doesn't affect the position simply didn't have the correct number of losses in the table.

Round 9 starts on Wednesday and is a relatively small card with 8 games.

Cheers
BG

After Round 9

Name	      Games	W	L	%	GB
dave_nz	        76	46	30	60.53%	-
sparkus8	76	39	37	51.32%	7
Bolar Bolabi	76	39	37	51.32%	7
sports freak	76	39	37	51.32%	7
Mr Flamboyant	76	38	38	50.00%	8
bossboss	76	37	39	48.68%	9
good_gambler	76	37	39	48.68%	9

The short Round 9 is completed and dave_nz built on his strong showing last round by topping the charts this week with a score of 6/7. Bolar and sports freak have completed an amazing turnaround by scoring 5/7 this round and are both now tied for equal second, with Bolar again shooting himself in the foot for not submitting a couple of picks. Dave has now extended his lead to 7 games over the chasing pack but there is a real battle behind him.

There is another short round this week, with Round 10 kicking off on Wednesday with oddly 3 games.

Cheers
BG

After Round 10

Name	     Games	W	L	%	GB
dave_nz	        83	48	35	57.83%	-
sparkus8	83	44	39	53.01%	4
sports freak	83	44	39	53.01%	4
Bolar Bolabi	83	43	40	51.81%	5
Mr Flamboyant	83	42	41	50.60%	6
bossboss	83	42	41	50.60%	6
good_gambler	83	40	43	48.19%	8

3 players topped the round this week being sparkus8, sports_freak and bossboss all with 5/7, which has pegged back dave's lead to 4 games. Still a close race as we come up towards Christmas.

Note Round 11 begins on Monday and there is 10 games on the card so again opportunity for somone to make a move. I'll let everyone know after the next update which rounds we take a break from the competition over the Christmas/New Year period.

Cheers
BG

After Round 11

Name	     Games	W	L	%	GB
dave_nz	        93	53	40	56.99%	-
sparkus8	93	51	42	54.84%	2
Bolar Bolabi	93	50	43	53.76%	3
sports freak	93	49	44	52.69%	4
Mr Flamboyant	93	49	44	52.69%	4
good_gambler	93	48	45	51.61%	5
bossboss	93	43	50	46.24%	10

good_gambler is starting to put together solid rounds after struggling early and this week as he is our player of the round with a 8/10 performance, again in line with how well all the QLD teams performed ATS Generally speaking this was one of the better performing rounds by the majority with an average performance of 5.7/10.

I have an important announcement: initially I had planned for the 2 week break to occur during the Christmas/New Year period. However due to unforseen circumstances I will be overseas from Thursday 7/12 and won't be returning until Monday 18/12 which corresponds to Rounds 12 +13. Consequently the only way I see to get around the issue of me not being here and managing this competition is for the break to occur immeditaely and cover Rounds 12 +13 and for it to re commence from Week starting 17/12 being Round 14.

I have also PM'd everyone individually to let you all know. If this causes a major issue (i.e. your availablity during the Christmas/New Year period) please let me know ASAP as I will need to sort something out. Apologies for the late notice but I only found out of my pending trip a few hours ago and I feel this is my only option of getting around it.

So we'll be back Round 14 starting Wednesday 20/12.

Cheers
BG

After Round 14

Name	     Games	W	L	%	GB
sparkus8	102	58	44	56.86%	-
dave_nz	        102	57	45	55.88%	1
Bolar Bolabi	102	55	47	53.92%	3
sports freak	102	55	47	53.92%	3
good_gambler	102	55	47	53.92%	3
Mr Flamboyant	102	54	48	52.94%	4
bossboss	102	47	55	46.08%	11

Two players tied for the best record this round, with both QLD homeboy good_gambler and sparkus8 going 7/9 this round. sparkus now takes over top spot as a result and is now our 4th different person who has lead this competition, proving how competitive it has been over the course of the first 14 rounds. The table has never been tighter only fitting as we go into Christmas.

Some interesting stats this round:
1) Nobody picked the winner in the Hawks-Sixers game
2) Everyone picked the Dragons to cover against the Sixers

Please note that Round 15 begins on Tuesday, Boxing day so ensure you get your tips to me on time.

cheers
BG

After Round 15

Name	       Games	W	L	%	GB
sparkus8	114	66	48	57.89%	-
Bolar Bolabi	114	61	53	53.51%	5
sports freak	114	61	53	53.51%	5
good_gambler	114	61	53	53.51%	5
dave_nz	        114	59	55	51.75%	7
Mr Flamboyant	114	59	55	51.75%	7
bossboss	114	55	59	48.25%	11

This round the standout performers were both bossboss and sparkus8 who each hit 8/12 in which was otherwise a fairly tough round had by all. With his solid performance, sparkus has made a decisive move and is now a full 5 games clear of his next competitior. Again as you can see it is a crowded leaderboard thereafter, so the next few weeks could basically decide the final positions before we head into the playoffs.

Cheers
BG

After Round 16

Name	      Games	W	L	%	GB
sparkus8	125	70	55	56.00%	-
sports freak	125	67	58	53.60%	3
Bolar Bolabi	125	66	59	52.80%	4
dave_nz	        125	66	59	52.80%	4
good_gambler	125	65	60	52.00%	5
Mr Flamboyant	125	63	62	50.40%	7
bossboss	125	61	64	48.80%	9

Another tough round experienced by all. This round dave_nz top the charts with his solid 7/11 effort with rest struggling to break 50% for the round. As you can see sparkus' lead has been cut, so it looks like it is game on again as we move into the new year.

Round 17 begins with a monster 4 games on Wednesday and 12 games all up so once again could prove a decisive round for everyone.

Cheers
BG

After Round 17

Name	     Games	W	L	%	GB
dave_nz	        137	76	61	55.47%	-
sparkus8	137	75	62	54.74%	1
sports freak	137	74	63	54.01%	2
Bolar Bolabi	137	73	64	53.28%	3
good_gambler	137	73	64	53.28%	3
Mr Flamboyant	137	68	69	49.64%	8
bossboss	137	66	71	48.18%	10

This round dave_nz rocketed up the leadeboard and reclaimed top spot after a brilliant 10/12 effort. The upshot to this is that now the leaderboard is the closest it has been since this competition began as the top 5 is now only separated by 3 games.

10 games on the tap for Round 18, beginning on Wednesday.

Cheers
BG