“Tactical Takeaways -

1. Foul, Foul, Foul

Really just had a very lucky day on the fouls. We were able to consistently break armor, and it swayed the game heavily. Not having a Sneaky Git player was a mistake though because I had the SPP to have one.

We had one foul on a MB blitzer that definitely could've been seen as unwise. The blitzer was on the corner of our previous death ball foul zone and we were in position to grab him right into the middle and get him down, but he was on the complete opposite side of the field from the ball. Weighing the value of the MB blitz player, and the likelihood that I wasn't going to be able to stop my opponent from scoring regardless, I chose to try for the foul. If the opponent scored, he'd possibly be down a player, and that player was so important that I'd have a much better shot at the counter score with him gone. If I got sent off, the opponent was probably going to score anyways. Didn't get the removal, but didn't get sent off, and was able to re-form to pressure the ball for the early score. Plus, we're Black Orcs! We can't deny the opportunity to boot a high value player with 4 assists.

2. 2-1 Grind

Pretty clean 2-1 grind. Opponent was forced to score early due to re-roll burn, and we counter scored with several removals. Starting into the second half we had the numbers advantage and were receiving, so we were set up well for the win.

3. 1/9 Leading to MB Shot on Ball

I was in the process of setting up my cage early in the second half when I rolled a 1/9 with a Black Orc. I hadn't stood the troll up next to him because my plan was to hit with the Black Orc and then blitz with the troll. As it stood, I failed the block. The error to me wasn't the block, but choosing to use a Brawler re-roll rather than a Team. It was the sort of block that if I failed I would likely lose the ball. I had 4 re-rolls at the time, and it was a situation that using one would've been worth it. Opponent ended up with 2D on the ball with Block, and I somehow squirmed out of it, but that play easily could've turned the game into a loss for me.

4. Troll Danger

Very sketchy play by the troll this game. I think he may have rolled almost exclusively Both Downs and Skulls - he only had a few knock downs in the game and most were both downs. We had another pivotal moment in the game when the troll 3D;d into a failure that would've opened a clear lane for the opponent. This time "Trained Troll" came through and we were able to get through the loner and make the block, but I'm regularly reminded that the Troll is a very fickle player and that I should almost never be relying on it to play a crucial role if it isn't standing in one spot. I will say he didn't go stupid all that often.

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