ISML 2017: Eriri Upended By Nanami In The Shade By Jo-Ryan SalazarThe Bedlam On Baltic AvenueOctober 14, 2017
Match Day 3 of the 2017 International Saimoe League Ruby Period is in the books. In the Female Division, Jibril won the closest race of the round, a 1228-1191 nailbiter over Umaru Doma, Emilia routed Inori Yuzuriha 1507-959, Shiro clobbered Shino Asada 1397-998, Rikka Takanashi defeated Touka Yatogami 1260-1025, Megumin exploded past Yui Yuigahama 1424-988, Megumi Katou dismantled Ram 1529-1007, Nao Tomori prevailed over Taiga Aisaka 1249-1190 and Nanami Aoyama delivered the Upset of the Round, a 1263-1062 decision over Eriri Sawamura Spencer.
Kuroyukihime flew past Yuuki Konno 1107-1028, Asuna Yuuki slashed past Utaha Kasumigaoka 1442-1069, Rin Tosaka dominated Mitsuha Miyamizu 1450-1108, Chiyo Sakura obliterated Mirai Kuriyama 1205-948 and Mashiro Shiina whipped past Kurisu Makise 1457-1052.
In the Male Division, Shirou Emiya defeated Kyon 1065-862, Kazuma Satou routed Shidou Itsuka 1207-787, Nagisa Shiota whipped past Edward Elric 1062-954, Karma Akabane disposed of Takashi Natsume 1124-812, Archer rolled past Izayoi Sakamaki 1092-883, Yuzuru Otonashi shot down Ryuuji Takasu 1035-850, Yuuta Togashi defeated Felix Argyle 1072-965 and Saika Totsuka cruised past Iskandar 1037-933.
Hachiman Hikigaya annihilated Subaru Natsuki 1473, Touma Kamijou broke Yato 1162-931, Sorata Kanda defeated Roy Mustang 982-899, Korosensei cruised past Koyomi Araragi 1176-993, Souma Yukihira whipped past Levi 1159-991, Tomoya Okazaki upended Tatsuya Shiba 1007-891 and Taki Tachibana defeated Rintarou Okabe 1131-1029.
In Summer Seasonal action, Yuki Minagawa routed Hotaru Mizushima 1000-698 and Hikayu Hoshikawa torched Riko 957-679.
Match Day 4 of the 2017 International Saimoe League Ruby Period is scheduled for October 16, 2017. Vote for your favorite characters at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.
ISML 2017: Utaha Shocks The World With Saber Scalp
By Jo-Ryan Salazar The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue October 13, 2017
Match Day 2 of the 2017 International Saimoe League is history and this time it was the Female Division to come up with a classic nailbiting upset. In this division, Megumin exploded past Touka Yatogami 1395-737, Megumi Katou rolled past Yui Yuigahama 1121-918, Rikka Takanashi destroyed Ram 1231-897, Taiga Aisaka roared past Nanami Aoyama 1187-923, Rem routed Eriri Sawamura Spencer 1265-949, Nao Tomori defeated Chino Kafuu 1075-920, Yoshino silenced Yuuki Konno 1035-898 and Asuna Yuuki slashed past Kuroyukihime 1225-858.
Utaha Kasumigaoka scored the closest race of the round and the Upset of the Round with a 1070-1055 scalp of Saber, Mitsuha Miyamizu demolished Mirai Kuriyama 1156-851, Mashiro Shiina stormed past Chiyo Sakura 1213-950, Rin Tosaka pasted Kurisu Makise 1179-959, Illyasviel von Einzbern thumped Sora Kasugano 1207-829, Kurumi Tokisaki shot down Iroha Isshiki 1265-946 and Yukino Yukinoshita dismantled Aqua 1273-898.
In the Male Division, Archer crushed Takashi Natsume 1072-688, Yuzuru Otonashi gunned down Izayoi Sakamaki 912-768, Karma Akabane prevailed over Ryuuji Takasu 952-917, Felix Argyle defeated Iskandar 975-872, Hachiman Hikigaya routed Saika Totsuka 1239-484, Yuuta Togashi overran Subaru Natsuki 1027-771, Touma Kamijou broke Roy Mustand 906-860 and Korosensei crushed Sorata Kanda 1125-731.
Koyomi Araragi defeated Yato 918-798, Levi won an 903-881 barnburner over Tomoya Okazaki, Taki Tachibana whipped past Tatsuya Shiba 964-881, Souma Yukihira rolled past Rintarou Okabe 917-843, Gintoki Sakata punished Ryuunosuke Akasaka 999-742, Saitama punched Sakamoto 1144-636 and Kiritsugu Emiya impaled Gilgamesh 889-726.
In Summer Seasonal action, Aletta upened Manami Mitama 783-622 and Yoshiko Hanabatake dismantled Chris Yukine 946-633.
Match Day 3 of the 2017 International Saimoe League Ruby Period is scheduled for October 13, 2017. Vote for your favorite characters at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.
ISML 2017: Form On Ruby, But Felix Proves Otherwise By Jo-Ryan Salazar The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue October 10, 2017
On a day where countries like the United States of America, the Netherlands, Chile and Paraguay indelibly disgraced themselves with insulting performances in football, the favored on Match Day 1 of the 2017 International Saimoe League Ruby Period prevailed with a noteworthy exception. In the Female Division, Rem rolled past Nanami Aoyama 989-796, Nao Tomori eased past Eriri Spencer Sawamura 903-779, Taiga Aisaka roared past Chino Kafuu 897-824, Asuna Yuuki routed Yuuki Konno 1062-569, Saber slashed past Kuroyukihime 925-773, Utaha Kasumigaoka prevailed over Yoshino 842-818, Mashiro Shiina crushed Mirai Kuriyama 1096-604 and Rin Tosaka pummeled Chiyo Sakura 1037-740.
Mitsuha Miyamizu won an 885-867 barnburner over Kurisu Makise, Kurumi Tokisaki shot down Sora Kasugano 1118-743, Yukino Yukinoshita drubbed Iroha Isshiki 978-514, Illyasviel von Einzbern leveled Aqua 1013-714, Emilia defeated Umaru Doma 948-855, Shiro belted Inori Yuzuriha 1021-643 and Jibril flew past Shino Asada in an 817-778 thriller.
In the Male Division, Hachiman Hikigaya routed Iskandar 1053-527, Yuuta Togashi defeated Saika Totsuka 729-639, Felix Argyle won the Upset of the Round in winning the closest race of the round, a 688-676 classic over Subaru Natsuki, Korosensei hammered Roy Mustang 1040-550, Yato burned Sorata Kanda 823-622, Touma Kamijou broke Koyomi Araragi 706-669, Taki Tachibana manhandled Tomoya Okazaki 856-649 and Souma Yukihira dominated Tatsuya Shiba 803-614.
Levi won a 759-735 barnburner over Rintarou Okabe, Saitama punched Ryuunosuke Akasaka 936-553, Kiritsugu Emiya rolled past Sakamoto 820-724, Gintoki Sakata eased past Gilgamesh 811-687, Kazuma Satou obliterated Kyon 817-597, Nagisa Shiota crushed Shidou Itsuka 889-594 and Edward Elric worked around Shirou Emiya 742-674.
In Touhou Project action, Flandre Scarlet defeated Rin Kaenbyou 751-490 and Marisa Kirisame routed Nue Houjuu 833-451.
The world will have march on with a number of national teams hitting rock bottom. And so with the International Saimoe League with Match Day 2 of the Ruby Period for the 2017 season. Vote for your favorite characters at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.
ISML 2017: Megumi Katou Wins Emerald Necklace Yukino Yukinoshita tipped to win Ruby Necklace, Levi Wins Pendant By Jo-Ryan Salazar The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue October 5, 2017
Match Day 9 of the 2017 International Saimoe League Emerald Period was the necklace and pendant matches and a couple of 10-1 dark horses got the chocolates. First off, we take a look at Touhou Project exhibition play. Kaguya Houraisan thumped Ran Yakumo 1138-829, Youmu Konpaku eased past Chen 1069-892, Fujiwara no Mokou prevailed over Momiji Inubashiri and Sanae Kochiya won the Upset of the Round and the closest race of the round, a 971-967 thriller over Yuyuko Saigyouji.
In the Female Wildcard, Kuroyukihime (541.0), Nanami Aoyama (603), Mirai Kuriyama (545.2) and Yuuki Konno (555.4) advanced to the Ruby Period. Aoba Suzukaze, Ayase Aragaki, Isla and Yuri Nakamura were eliminated. In the Male Wildcard, Ryuunosuke Akasaka (480.6), Subaru Natsuki (577), Iskandar (499) and Shidou Itsuka (521) advanced to the Rugby. Yuu Otosaka, Sadao Maou, Lancer and Genos were eliminated.
With 1338 votes, Megumi Katou won the Emerald Necklace, defeating Yukino Yukinoshita 1338-1183. Favored Kurumi Tokisaki was third with 865. Rounding out the order were Mashiro Shiina (579_), Saber (441), Megumin (334), Shiro (279) and Taiga Aisaka (222).
Levi defeated second choice Takashi Natsume 1198-1100 for the Emerald Pendant. Kazuma Satou was third with 728 votes. Rounding out the order were favored Taki Tachibana (571), Rintarou Okabe (379), Souma Yukihira (295), Yuzuru Otonashi (268) and Yato (202).
Match Day 1 of the 2017 International Saimoe League Ruby Period is scheduled for October 9, 2017. Vote for your favorite characters at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate. And keep it right here on The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue for continuing coverage of the International Saimoe League, the world's premier anime character competition.
A formidable performance from one of the most dominant club sides of the NRL era has culminated in a deserved 34-6 Grand Final win for Melbourne on the back of starring roles from big-game players Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk.
The North Queensland Cowboys battled bravely right to the end were barely in the contest right from the outset against a Storm side that were clinical and relentless from the opening whistle in Cronk's final game in purple.
It is fitting that the final club game from that trio saw all three bring their best to the game's biggest stage, scoring or helping create four tries. They got plenty of assistance from their dominant forward pack and some moment of brilliance from exciting young stars like Josh Addo-Carr.
The score-line reflected the sheer dominance of Melbourne's performances right from Round 1 this year but did not fairly reflect the effort the Cowboys put into a contest.
The match started in horrific fashion for the Cowboys with play held up for several minutes while prop Shaun Fensom received medical attention and was taken from the field after just four minutes.
Attempting to stop a charging Jesse Bromwich along with teammate Ethan Lowe, the latter landed awkwardly on Fensom's ankle. He immediately signalled for the trainer and there was a delay of several minutes while Fensom was administered pain relief and loaded onto a medicab.
While North Queensland managed to weather the storm for the opening 20 minutes the favourites started to flex their muscle from midway through the half.
First Will Chambers received a Cowboys bat-back from an attacking bomb near Melbourne's end and offloaded to a breakaway Josh Addo-Carr who streaked 70 metres to open the scoring.
After a few more sets of dominant and a Smith grubber for a repeat set, Melbourne extended their lead when Felise Kaufusi carved past Te Maire Martin off a nice Billy Slater pass in the 28th minute.
When Antonio Winterstein charged onto a Cooper Cronk attacking grubber and fumbled it at his own line it set the stage for yet another Storm assault and this time Slater went himself, slicing through an increasingly brittle-looking Cowboys left edge defence to make it 18-0 at the break.
The Cowboys desperately needed to be first to score in the second half against the competition's best front-runners and they got some help from the Storm, who handed over five straight penalties through offside and ruck infringements to camp the Cowboys in attacking range and allow Te Maire Martin to slice through.
That was as good as it got for the Cowboys though as an unstoppable Storm outfit exploded late in similar fashion to that in which they put Brisbane to the sword a week earlier.
Bega-born lock Dale Finucane exploded onto a Smith flat ball at the line to burst over in the 64th minute; a simple error from Kane Linnett coughed the ball up to Josh Addo-Carr who offloaded to an unmarked Curtis Scott three minutes later. Addo-Carr bagged his double in the 73rd minute after some lovely lead-up work from Cronk and Slater before a beautiful long-cut-out from Tohu Harris to seal the dominant 34-6 result.
Melbourne Storm 34 (Addo-Carr 2, Kaufusi, Slater, Finucane, Scott tries; Smith 5 goals) defeated North Queensland Cowboys 6 (Martin try; Lowe goal) at ANZ Stadium. Half time: Storm 18-0. Crowd: 79,722.
AFTER 37 long years Richmond has finally bared its fangs on Grand Final day again, mauling a lacklustre Adelaide with the relentless pressure that has become its trademark this September to seal an inspired 48-point premiership triumph before 100,021 fans at the MCG.
The Tigers sealed their 11th flag – and first since 1980 – with a run of seven unanswered goals from early in the second quarter that had the Crows staggering on the ropes just 10 minutes into the third term.
Richmond led by 28 points at that stage, having kept the Crows goalless for a quarter and a half. And when Taylor Walker finally broke Adelaide's goal drought with a 40m set shot midway through the third term, the Tigers swiftly killed off any hopes of a Crows comeback, rattling on the next four goals to take an unassailable 45-point lead early in the final term that had even the most pessimistic Richmond fans daring to believe.
Adelaide got three late consolation goals but nothing could take the gloss off Richmond's 16.12 (108) to 8.12 (60) triumph that Tigers fans had been dreaming about – often without much genuine hope – for a football eternity.
Adelaide's star-studded forward line loomed as a potential spoiler to the Tigers' fairytale, but Damien Hardwick's men provided the latest supporting argument for the football adage that defence wins premierships.
Alex Rance (11 possessions and six marks, three contested) was outstanding despite being manned by Crows forward Andy Otten, and was clearly best on ground when the game was at its fiercest in the first half.
Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin capped off a fairytale year for himself and his club when he won the Norm Smith Medal after starring with 29 possessions, six clearances and two goals.
David Astbury kept Walker to just two goals and little of his usual influence, while Dylan Grimes and Nick Vlastuin conspired to shut down dangerous goalsneaks Eddie Betts and Charlie Cameron, and Bachar Houli (25 possessions and four rebound 50s) provided much of Richmond's defensive rebound.
The Tigers smashed the Crows in contested possessions (170-140) and won the clearances (45-39), thanks largely to the stoppage work of Martin, Dion Prestia (27 possessions and three centre clearances) and Shane Edwards (25 possessions and seven clearances).
Jack Graham was only teenager playing on Saturday but was not overawed by the occasion, kicking three goals in the opening three quarters, while Jack Riewoldt and the Tigers' army of small forwards harassed Adelaide's defenders all day as Richmond finished with 11 separate goalkickers.
Hardwick said his team's pressure was "a little bit off" in the first quarter, but improved from there.
"They were probably kicking more, so we couldn't exert that influence, but then we started to get going. We know if we play a certain way we're going to give ourselves a chance to win," Hardwick said.
"It's funny, I was speaking to Clarko on Monday night about the eeriness to the 2008 Hawks. I think in 2008 the Hawks lost to Richmond in about round 20 and played their best football thereafter.
"We lost to Geelong round (21) and then we just went whack, whack, whack, whack, whack, whack.
"We learned a lot of lessons from the games that we lost and we played our best footy when it mattered most."
The Tigers' win came on the back of a 13th-place finish in 2016 that had many calling for the coach's head.
But Hardwick kept his head and held his nerve, simplifying the Tigers' game play over the 2017 pre-season to take advantage of their pace and, after Ben Griffiths' lingering concussion issues, fashioned an unfashionable attack around 'Jack and his midgets'.
Before this season, the Tigers had not won a final since 2001, having lost elimination finals under Hardwick from 2013-15.
In defeating the Crows, Richmond continued a perfect record in return matches against teams that defeated it earlier in the season.
On Saturday, the Tigers avenged their 76-point thumping by the Crows in round six at Adelaide Oval, having earlier avenged losses to Fremantle, Greater Western Sydney, St Kilda and Geelong. Richmond did not have return matches against its round seven conquerors, the Western Bulldogs, or Sydney, who defeated it in round 13.
Crows coach Don Pyke said his team's effort simply wasn't good enough.
"One of the things that is very hard from a coaching viewpoint is to provide effort. The players are responsible for effort. We try and encourage that, we try and demand that," Pyke said.
"We tried to do some structural things, but you're trying to put a patch on what's a fair wound, and when you're talking minus 25 (in contested possessions) in the third quarter, which is why we value it as a stat, and in fairness, a stat we've been very good at all year, that's probably the most disappointing part.
"It's an area of our game that we felt coming in we were strong and we didn't deliver today."
Life, death and a flag: meet the Tiger Army
On a nightmare day for the Crows, midfielders Matt Crouch (37 possessions and five clearances), Brad Crouch (29 and seven) and Rory Sloane (21 possessions and two goals) never stopped trying, Rory Laird (27 possessions at 88 per cent efficiency) tried to generate run from half-back, and Sam Jacobs dominated Toby Nankervis in the ruck contests, even if his midfielders could not take advantage of his tap work.
The Crows made the better start on Saturday. Sloane kicked the game's opening goal with a 40m set shot at the four-minute mark of the first term, then Betts added another a minute later when he capitalised on a Vlastuin fumble to run into an open goal.
The Tigers looked to be suffering some early Grand Final nerves and, although they had their share of the play, were struggling to get on the scoreboard, with spearhead Riewoldt kicking three consecutive behinds in less than four minutes.
Finally, at the 16-minute mark, Josh Caddy kicked their first goal and when Houli added another four minutes later the Tigers led for the first time, two points up on the Crows.
However, superb crumbing goals from Sloane and Hugh Greenwood late in the term sent Adelaide into the first break 11 points up.
The MCG's lights were switched on at the start of the second quarter as Melbourne skies clouded over, with rain starting to fall soon after.
The Crows had the first two scoring shots of the second term – behinds to Betts and Tom Lynch – but it was the Tigers' term from there.
With their tackling and chasing rising to 11 on the pressure-meter, Richmond piled on four unanswered goals, the first at the four-minute mark, when Riewoldt finally broke his duck with a 40m snap that was confirmed after a video review.
Jacob Townsend put the Tigers within two points midway through the term when he converted from 45m after a questionable holding free kick was paid against Jake Lever.
Graham and Martin then goaled in quick succession late in the quarter – Graham after a clever snap on the run, Martin following a strong mark in front of Luke Brown – to send the Tigers into half-time with a nine-point lead.
ISML 2017: Close Races On Emerald 8 By Jo-Ryan Salazar The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue September 30, 2017
Match Day 8 of the 2017 International Saimoe League Emerald Period is in the books. In the Female Division, Chiyo Sakura rolled past Yuki Nagato 1008-782, Emilia thumped Yoshino 1096-989, Illyasviel von Einzbern routed Aoba Suzukaze 1123-842, Yui Yuigahama drubbed Shinobu Oshino 1001-882, Kurumi Tokisaki blasted Nao Tomori 1188-981, Ram prevailed over Mirai Kuriyama 1048-982, Inori Yuzuriha won the closest race of the round, a 959-955 thriller over Nao Tomori and Megumin exploded past Saber 1159-990.
Chino Kafuu stormed past Ayase Aragaki 1031-826, Kurisu Makise crushed Azusa Nakano 1066-837, Eriri Sawamura Spencer defeated Yuuki Konno 1056-932, Megumi Katou won a 1132-1096 barnburner over Shiro, Yuri Nakamura won a 895-885 nailbiter over Kosaki Onodera, Rin Tosaka won a 1091-1075 grinder over Yukino Yukinoshita and Utaha Kasumigaoka defeated Touka Yatogami 1036-863.
In the Male Division, Shidou Itsuka defeated Conan Edogawa 897-806, Taki Tachibana routed Yuuta Togashi 1056-787, Sakamoto prevailed over Roy Mustang 868-806, Rintarou Okabe ambushed Taihei Doma 931-794, Kazuma Satou thumped Felix Argyle 1010-677, Gilgamesh impaled Genos 959-743, Tatsuya Shiba cruised past Shizuo Heiwajima 869-654 and Archer dominated Shirou Emiya 802-686.
Koyomi Araragi belted Ryuunosuke Akasaka 924-707, Sorata Kanda slaughtered Umetarou Nozaki 952-667, Souma Yukihira defeated Yuzuru Otonashi in a 929-829 Upset of the Round, Kyon prevailed over Subaru Natsuki 876-843, Izayoi Sakamaki eased past Iskandar 857-763, Nagisa Shiota whipped past Kiritsugu Emiya 1025-827 and Levi stomped on Keima Katsuragi 958-768.
In Touhou exhibition play, Mystia Lorelei defeated Rumia 700-616 and Reisen Udongein Inaba pummeled Parsee Mizuhashi 886-433.
Match Day 9 of the 2017 International Saimoe League Emerald Period is the Necklace Round and is scheduled for October 4, 2017. Vote for your favorite characters at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.
By Jo-Ryan Salazar The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue September 26, 2017
2017 International Saimoe League Spring Diadem champion Chthlolly Nota Seniorious is expected to qualify for next year's International Saimoe League and prepared very well with a convincing 1470-1095 win over Kanna Kamui, the Winter Diadem champion on Match Day 7 of the Emerald Period. In the other exhibition, Cirno thumped Renko Usami 1010-510.
In the Female Division, Shiro defeated Kurisu Makise 1226-1078, Megumi Katou routed Yuuki Konno 1617-801, Eriri Sawamura Spencer trounced Azusa Nakano 1282-892, Yukino Yukinoshita stormed past Utaha Kasumigaoka 1249-941, Rin Tohsaka crushed Yuri Nakamura 1397-892, Kosaki Onodera prevailed over Tohka Yatogami 1061-956, Iroha Isshiki won a 1059-1043 nailbiter over Kaori Miyazono and Rem blitzed past Mitsuha Miyamizu 1591-993.
Shino Asada shot down Isla 1153-1005, Nanami Aoyama clobbered Maki Nishikino 1170-876, Asuna Yuuki slashed past Rikka Takanashi 1505-946, Sora Kasugano scored the Upset of the Round, winning the closest race of the round, a 1093-1092 thriller over Jibril, Kuroyukihime flew past C.C. 1053-956, Mashiro Shiina prevailed over Taiga Aisaka 1232-1194 and Aqua defeated Umaru Doma 1178-1061.
In the Male Division, Yuzuru Otonashi gunned down Subaru Natsuki 1113-906, Souma Yukihira whipped past Umetarou Nozaki 1103-714, Kyon won an 890-864 barnburner over Sorata Kanda, Nagisa Shiota prevailed over Levi 1059-1016, Kiritsugu Emiya routed Iskandar 1080-512, Izayoi Sakamaki took down Keima Katsuragi 829-740, Yuu Otosaka thrashed Monkey D. Luffy 1026-771 and Hachiman Hikigaya thumped Touma Kamijou 1254-708.
Karma Akabane defeated Tomoya Okazaki 1046-875, Saika Totsuka eased past Osami Dazai 996-773, Korosensei cruised past Gintoki Sakata, Ryuuji Takasu roared past Sadao Maou 885-791, Takashi Natsume impaled Lancer 1180-883, Yato won a 1045-1026 grinder over Saitama 1045-1026 and Edward Elric obliterated Bell Cranel 1066-691.
Match Day 8 of the 2017 International Saimoe League Emerald Period is scheduled for September 29, 2017. Vote for your favorite characters at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.
RICHMOND superstar Dustin Martin has lived up to his unbackable pre-count billing by claiming a record-breaking Brownlow Medal victory at Crown Palladium on Monday night.
Martin, the shortest-priced favourite in history at $1.03, polled a record 36 votes – excluding 1976-77, when two umpires awarded separate votes – to win by 11 from Hawk Tom Mitchell (25) and Sydney's Josh Kennedy (23).
The 26-year-old had a share of the award by round 21 and could not be beaten a round later, when he already had 30 votes to his name.
Martin's 11th set of three votes in the final round saw him break reigning winner Patrick Dangerfield's record haul of 35 votes from last year.
It also gave him the most three-vote performances in Brownlow history, passing the nine best-on-grounds polled by Greg Williams (1994), Nat Fyfe (2015) and Dangerfield (2016).
"It's a pretty surreal position to be in, obviously getting the (Brownlow) Medal and being in a Grand Final, so it's pretty awesome," Martin said.
"Ever since back in the day I knew this (playing in the AFL) was all I ever wanted to do, so I put everything into it and I'm glad it's paying off.
"Every year you learn new things in the game; whether it be better diet or a bit more cross-training or a bit of meditation here and there – finding new things to make you better."
The player who went 2,877 days between Brownlow votes
But Dangerfield's ineligible status was the elephant in the room. His round 19 suspension for a dangerous tackle on Carlton ruckman Matthew Kreuzer spoiled what could have been a spectacular race.
There were murmurs when Dangerfield shot four votes ahead of Martin on the back of 22 votes in an extraordinary eight-game stretch between rounds nine and 17. The champion Cat finished with 33 votes.
"He is a champion, Paddy. I have great respect for him, but it would have been a bit awkward if he beat me … so it's a bit of a relief there's no awkwardness," Martin said.
10 talking points: Dusty opens up, Mark of the Year shock, unloved Cat
Martin's ability to block out the constant discussion about his dominance and, until recently, his out-of-contract status remains part of the fascination about him as a footballer and person.
But the man himself says it's a cinch.
"As soon as I get into the footy club, and out there on the 'G, all I'm thinking about is footy. The rest is just noise," he said.
"I've probably just got to deal with (the attention) and cop it. I don't spend too much time thinking about it – I'm just here to play footy.
"It will just be business as usual tomorrow when I get into the club, and for the rest of the week. Hopefully we can celebrate with a premiership this week."
Martin hailed Tigers captain and former housemate Trent Cotchin's impact on his life, as well as his rockstar manager Ralph Carr and coaches Damien Hardwick, Blake Caracella and Andrew McQualter.
Ex-Richmond assistants Wayne Campbell and Mark Williams also scored a mention.
The winning margin, which beat fellow Tiger and dual Brownlow medallist Roy Wright's 10-vote triumph in 1954, gave weight to Hall of Famer Leigh Matthews' claim Martin's was the best individual season ever.
Martin's night began in perfect fashion, receiving maximum votes in Richmond's season opener for his 33 disposals, six clearances, six inside 50s and four goals against Carlton.
But he took an early backseat to fast-starting Crow Rory Sloane, who had 12 votes through six rounds. Sloane managed only eight more.
Martin rocketed into the outright lead for the first time in round 11 with the fifth of his 11 three-vote performances, and from there his greatest opponent was history.
He polled in 14 of his 22 games to break Dangerfield's overall tally of 35 from last year. Dangerfield polled in 15 matches in 2016, relegating Martin to third.
Martin is bidding to be the 14th player to achieve the Brownlow-premiership double in the same season, with the Tigers playing in their first Grand Final in 35 years on Saturday against Adelaide.
The boy from Castlemaine averaged 30.2 disposals, kicked 32 goals and ranked first in the AFL in inside 50s, centre clearances and broken tackles and third in contested possessions.
Martin ended months of speculation when he signed a new seven-year deal, reportedly worth between $1.2 and $1.3 million a season, on finals eve to remain at Punt Rd.
"It was certainly stressful," he said of his contract saga.
"By the end of it, I was sick of everyone talking about it, sick of my ugly face being in the paper every day. Ralph was great to me.
"I pretty much lived at his house towards the end, I'm just glad it got done."
2017 Brownlow Medal top 10
36 - Dustin Martin (Rich)
33 - Patrick Dangerfield (Geel) *
25 - Tom Mitchell (Haw)
23 - Josh Kennedy (Syd)
22 - Lance Franklin (Syd)
21 - Josh Kelly (GWS)
20 - Rory Sloane (Adel)
19 - Marcus Bontempelli (WB)
18 - Ollie Wines (PA)
17 - Dayne Beams (BL)
* ineligible
Dustin Martin's stellar season
Brownlow medallist
AFL Players Association MVP
AFL Coaches Association Player of the Year
Player of the Year: Herald Sun, SEN, 3AW
11 three-vote games (R1 v Carlton, R3 v West Coast, R9 v Greater Western Sydney, R10 v Essendon, R11 v North Melbourne, R15 v Port Adelaide, R17 v Brisbane Lions, R18 v Greater Western Sydney, R19 v Gold Coast, R22 v Fremantle, R23 v St Kilda)
Averaged 30 disposals, 14 contested possessions, six clearances, six inside-50s, four tackles and a goal each game
Set new AFL record for most broken tackles (68) and tied record for most in a single game (seven in round 15 win over Port Adelaide)
Achieved career-high clearances (15 in round three win over West Coast) and inside 50s (12 in round 17 win over Brisbane)
Most inside 50s this season (147 at six per game)
Third-most contested possessions this season (340) behind leader Patrick Dangerfield
Fourth-most disposals this season (715) behind leader Matt Crouch
Fourth-most clearances this season (155) behind leader Patrick Dangerfield.
ISML 2017: A Huge Upset In the Spring Seasonal Chtholly Nota Seniorious Wins Spring Diadem, Izumi Sagiri Finishes Third
By Jo-Ryan Salazar The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue September 26, 2017
Match Day 6 of the 2017 International Saimoe League Emerald Period is in the books and we have a major upset in the Spring Diadem as Chthlolly Nota Seniorius has won the Spring Diadem in a 2146-1372 rout of Shouko Nishimiya. Izumi Sagiri finished third after a 1790-1133 victory over rival Elf Yamada.
"It is an honor to know that I kept the faith and did my part to secure Willem Kmetsch's happiness," said Chtholly from heaven. "I was told this news from a couple of fallen angels in Yuuki Konno and Inori Yuzuriha who have also been resurrected to be part of the International Saimoe League. The ISML exists to revive those who have been fallen in the name of battle and deeds that millions around the world remember. It is my honor that through Saimoe, my death is actually a beginning to a new existence in the realm of the living. I am back because of those who believed in me. I call on the world to keep my message alive so that I can show those who are in this competition that I am ready to be successfull and make you all proud. This was Willem's wish, and it is now up to me to fulfill it.
"I also salute Shouko Nishimiya and her powerful legacy in reaching out to those who are challenged by the inability to hear, to feel, to think, to see and know. I stand with Shouko today in keeping the faith and keeping hope alive. I look forward to meeting her at the 2018 International Saimoe League. It is my expectation that both of us, Izumi Sagiri and Elf Yamada, will be part of the best competition for men and women of our kind. Let's move forward. This victory is dedicated to you. Thank you."
In the Female Division, Asuna Yuuki slashed past Jibril 2120-1177, Rikka Takanashi rolled past Maki Nishikino 1663-1081, Sora Kasugano defeated Nanami Aoyama 1520-1339, Mashiro Shiina clobbered Aqua 1778-1238, Taiga Aisaka roated past C.C. 1681-1185, Umaru Doma eased past Kuroyukihime 1540-1325, Emilia whipped past Illyasviel von Einzbern 1761-1496 and Yoshino silenced yuki Nagato 1571-1198.
Chiyo Sakura defeated Aoba Suzukaze 1518-1225, Kurumi Tokisaki shot down Ram 1932-1241, Nao Tomori drubbed Shinobu Oshino 1610-1206, Yui Yuigahama hammered Mirai Kuriyama 1458-1286, Megumin exploded past Chino Kafuu 1750-1163, Saber sliced and diced Hifumi Takimoto 1627-1287 and the aformentioned Inori Yuzuriha prevailed over Ayase Aragaki 1415-1315 in a double-win for the deceased-turned-resurrected participants on the competition.
In the Male Division, Korosensei thumped Ryuuji Takasu 1675-1031, Gintoki Sakata routed Osamu Dazai 1524-874, Saika Totsuka prevailed over Sadao Maou 1116-1019, Saitama punched Edward Elric 1348, Takashi Natsume won a 1497-1356 barnburner over Yato. Lancer impaled Bell Cranel 1302-1027, Taki Tachibana hammered Sakamoto and Yuuta Togashi defeated Conan Edogawa.
Roy Mustang won the closest race of the round, a 1181-1167 thriller over Shidou Itsuka, Kazuma Sato defeated Gilgamesh 1428-1171, Felix Argyle dismantled Taihei Doma 1290-1026, Rintarou Okabe dismissed Genos 1404-958, Archer won a 1302-1204 nailbiter over Koyomi Araragi, Shirou Emiya pulverized Shizuo Heiwajima 1432-922 and Tatsuya Shiba won a 1100-1041 classiv over Ryuunosuke Akasaka.
Match Day 7 of the 2017 International Saimoe League Emerald Period is scheduled for September 27, 2017. Vote for your favorite characters at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.
There are two things certain in Earthen society, in any nation, state, province, city, constituency, prefecture, and the like. They are taxes and death. The loss of something important is a part of the human spirit that we, as gamers, must understand, accept, and embrace. On November 2017, the Pangya Japan Server governed by GMO will finally close its doors and enter the annals of history. The decision to not allow the world to partake in Japan's ill-fated server and provide new memories for the world is a costly decision, a weight that is the responsibility of its developers to bear.
With Japan and Thailand signing off, there are no official Pangya servers, and the Pangya Celebrity server now becomes the main server of record. It is no longer the new way to play, but the only way to play. Pangya Celebrity is continuous and is now the successor to all of the official Pangya servers and will be the server that provides new content, perhaps new characters, maybe even a new map to swing for the heavens on.
I will let you know this. I do not have any sympathy for an organization that does not listen to the wishes of the world and open its doors to the public, like Square Enix does with Final Fantasy. The appeal to be let in was denied and those who were aggrieved now have their vengeance. So for those in Japan who are grieving the loss of the game, I stand with you in saying, if I was able to play on your server, I would feel the same way but I cannot shed any tear for anyone in charge who choose to let ignorance destroy the dreams of Pangyateers around the world.
I can only feel closure and a desire to march forward.
Pangya may be gone in Japan and Thailand, but through Celebrity, it is continuous. It is more than continuous, it's Pangtinuous. To this end, on my Twitch channel, HomuHomu2093, the Pangya live stream program is now given a name: The Pangtinuous Ya Team, a nod to my favorite rugby league radio program in Australia, the Continuous Call Team on 2GB.
There are two people who anchor the team, of who are twins, one and the same: Bongaboi Pangyatoy and Bangabae Everydae. Bongaboi is the main character, the Gift The Keeps on Giving, the advocate of fast players, a loyal subscriber and VIP, a proud weeberal that prides himself on giving out card packs and active items en masse. Bangabae is the over-obsessed leader, the sasaeng, the fujoshi twin sister who also has a life on Final Fantasy XIV as Kahori Harukawa of Psychic School Wars. Both are glasses, both are nerds, both are one and the same and have a relationship similar to the Kasugano twins of Yosuga no Sora, if not exact and a lot more romantic. Bongaboi (which is me) will do most of the tourneys and content promoting on the program but occasionally, Bangabae (the other me), will take over (only if playing as Lucia or Arin, all other characters mean Bonga is at the controls), and speak with just soundless text (no microphone installed on the desktop). So that is the background to the program. The other program on the channel is a FFXIV x Saimoe crossover program, The Misadventures.
Most importantly, the program's mission is to salute and promote the legacy of Pangya and its lasting impact which is maintained and defended through the Celebrity server and its community, including the Papel Podcast featuring Michael "Atomicpang" Pearce. It is to remind the world that the dream will always live on, even if it dies. The game's Discord now has channels in different languages that reach out to its players from around the world. I believe that as a member of Pangya Celebrity, as a VIP and a subscriber, keeping the faith and believing in the Pangtinuous dream living on is now important, as another somber moment in the history of our great golf game (still the best) beckons.
Never live in fear of the inevitable. Death is a new beginning, in any form. An end yields a beginning. It is like a circle. It is continuous. It is Pangtinuous. And the Pangtinuous Ya Team will see to it that the future of Pangya is in good hands through the Celebrities that play it around the world.
Thank you Pangya Japan and Thailand. We will never forget you and we bid you farewell. Now, with the grace of Bongdal the Magnificent the Most High, it is our turn to lead the way into the future.
ISML 2017: Iroha Isshiki, Levi Win Close Contests By Jo-Ryan Salazar The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue September 23, 2017
A couple of upsets took place in the Spring Seasonal Semifinals of the 2017 International Saimoe League. In the Upset of the Round, Shouko Nishimiya prevailed 1397-1358 over Izumi Sagiri while in the other semifinal, Chtholly Nota Seniorious routed Elf Yamada 1753-911. Nishimiya will be tipped as the favorite for the ISML Spring Seasonal Diadem with a predicted margin of under 500 and a spread of under 2800 votes.
In the Female Division, Nao Tomori blew apart Ram 1393-1053, Mirai Kuriyama defeated Shinobu Oshino 1156-1008, Kurumi Tokisaki shot down Yui Yuigahama 1561-1009, Saber slashed past Chino Kafuu 1270-1177, Ayase Aragaki eased past Hifumi Takimoto 1129-1001, Megumin exploded past Inori Yuzuriha 1423-1086, Megumi Katou leveled Kurisu Makise 1615-1010 and Yuuki Konno whipped past Azusa Nakano 1250-1011.
Shiro defeated Eriri Sawamura Spencer 1327-1149, Rin Tosaka ran past Utaha Kasumigaoka 1338-1213, Touka Yatogami dismantled Yuri Nakamura 1177-1095, Yukino Yukinoshita routed Kosaki Onodera 1573-740, Rem crushed Shino Asada 1542-1091, Mitsuha Miyamizu dismantled Kaori Miyazono 1377-1013 and Iroha Isshiki won a 1121-1112 thriller over Isla.
In the Male Division, Gilgamesh impaled Felix Argyle 1183-943, Genos stormed past Taihei Doma 994-892, Rintarou Okabe delivered a 1072-984 scalp of Kazuma Satou, Shirou Emiya prevailed over Koyomi Araragi 1033-957, Ryuunosuke Akasaka 968-773, Archer dominated Tatsuya Shiba 1211-857, Souma Yukihira defeated Subaru Natsuki 1181-906 and Kyon defeated Umetarou Nozaki 929-849.
Yuzuru Otonashi shot down Sorata Kanda 1126-838, Levi scored the closest victory of the round, a 1084-1082 nailbiter over Kiritsugu Emiya, Iskandar defeated Keima Katsuragi 974-892, Nagisa Shiota hammered Izayoi Sakamaki 1134-801, Hachiman Hikigaya routed Karma Akabana 1394-885, Touma Kamijou broke Monkey D. Luffy 1121-838 and Tomoya Okazaki cruised past Yuu Otosaka 1026-818.
Match Day 6 of the 2017 International Saimoe League Emerald Period is scheduled for September 25, 2017. Vote for your favorite characters at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.
ISML 2017: Isla Wins A Thriller, Yato Cuts It Close By Jo-Ryan Salazar The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue September 21, 2017
Match Day 4 of the 2017 International Saimoe League Emerald Period is in the books. In the Female Division, Utaha Kasumigaoka rumbled past Yuri Nakamura 1163-775, Yukino Yukinoshita stormed past Tohka Yatogami 1253 702, Rin Tosaka routed Kosaki Onodera 1209-798, Mitsuha Miyamizu prevailed over Shino Asada 1048-977, Isla won a 908-883 thriller over Kaori Miyazono, Rem hammered Iroha Isshiki 1244-829, RIkka Takanashi bulldozed past Jibril 1017-896 and Sora Kasugano eased past Maki Nishikino 1002-835.
Asuna Yuuki slashed past Nanami Aoyama 1293-777, Taiga Aisaka roared past Aqua in a 1094-912 Upset of the Round, Umaru Doma prevailed over C.C. 1013-915, Mashiro Shiina dominated Kuroyukihime 1247-692, Illyasviel von Einzbern whipped past Yoshino 1033-906, Aoba Suzukaze overran Yuki Nagato 946-827 and Emilia thumped Chiyo Sakura 1265-820.
In the Male Division, Levi defeated Iskandar 924-767, Nagisa Shiota dismissed Keima Katsuragi 880-691, Kiritsugu Emiya defeated Izayoi Sakamaki 891-773, Karma Akabane eased past Touma Kamijou 933-7902, Tomoya Okazaki thumped Monkey d. Luffy 915-655, Hachima Hikigaya routed Yuu Otosaka 1160-556, Gintoki Sakata prevailed over Ryuuji Takasu 843-783 and Sadao Maou rolled past Osamu Dazai 800-616.
Korosensei thumped Saika Totsuka 1073-707, Yato won the closest race of the round, a 809-794 nailbiter over Edward Elric, Takashi Natsume prevailed over Bell Cranel 893-790, Saitama punched Lancer 1046-645, Yuuta Togashi stormed past Sakamoto 946-756, Roy Mustang won an 828-785 barnburner Conan Edogawa and Taki Tachibana crushed Shidou Itsuka 1055-696.
In Spring Seasonal action, Chtholly Nota Seniorious annihilated Muramasa Senjuu 1354-604 and Elf Yamada defeated Zero 1057-816.
Match Day 5 of the 2017 International Saimoe League is scheduled for September 21, 2017. Vote for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.
