AND THE WINNER IS ...

What a final round all round!

His team made a statement on Friday night against the Pies ... and so did Lyndon of the Snouthlings, pinning back a one point lead to the J@TS with a splendid round of 7 to take the title for 2011. All that in his first year! He's off to Melbourne on Friday night to get behind the blue and white hoops.

You may have noticed that the Snouthlings are referred to above as a 'he'. There has been some speculation as to how fervently the 'South' (that's Jess) has played alongside the Snelling (that's Lyndon) during the season. Word has it the team broke up as far back as Round 4 when Sydney played Geelong. She wanted Swans, he wanted Cats. He won out. The Cats won. And they parted tipping ways then. But Lyndon went on alone ... whether that makes his achievement more or less likely, I'll leave up to you. Here's what he had planned to submit as his profile way back before the first siren sounded. (I suspect fear and cowardice of said Ms Jess prevented him actually sending it. - Ed.)

'The Snouthlings are effectively a result of the expansion of the AFL into a national competition. Demetriou must surely be satisfied with the intrusion into the inner west of the Snouthlings. Half this duo is a true believer. I believe Gary Ablett Senior is a good man (used to think great). I tipped the Suns first round, dreamt the Cats were not finished this year, and believed that eventually AFL would be beamed live into Sydney on Friday nights. Born and raised in the NSW/VIC border town of Cobram, God's own country, not Gablett Snr, but the maker of the Garden of Eden, I thought I knew this game. Until I joined the backpocket. Now I know I have no idea.

The other half of the Snouthling duo was raised in Sydney. She cares little for the game, hopes that the tipping competition leads to bucket loads of cash and a big piss up somewhere. When tipping, this duo meet on Thursday, check the teams, talk the issues through, examine the ins and outs. Jess then checks the teams' colours and outfits and examines biceps and buttocks. Then, through a collaborative process, we select our teams. Much later, as she snores in front of the footy show, I completely change them. There is a very good chance, if our performances continue to be so mediocre, that this process will be reversed.'

Jess' silent partnership clearly paid off! Well done Snouthlings.

As for our runners up, not sure if the J@TS 'had it in the bag' and got too conservative at the end. Or perhaps one of the team was resting? Hopefully we'll get word from them about the loss, when they recover sufficiently from the disappointment.

My heart, in any case, is warmed by the evidence this season that going against the tide does pay off. In fact, it's the only way, in the end, to the top.

After weeks of bottle necking at the top, our leaders sorted themselves nicely in the end into outright first, second and third: the Snouthlings on 146, J@TS on 145 and Gai and David on 144. Special mention must be made of Melissa's Round 24 performance. Having been inconspicuously steady all year, Melissa finished the season with a flashy 8, climbing a whopping 5 places in the final week to end up in 5th! Fifth! That was my spot. Melissa also showed the best form all year in the 'margin' category, finishing the season with the lowest margin differentiation of 485. With a good pre-season under her belt .. who knows what she might be capable of.

I would also like to tip my hat to my direct opponent, Nigel of Lanternz, who beat me by 1 point in the end. I have very much enjoyed our battle this year and look forward to lining up on him again in 2012. Omar is delighted to have pipped Swivel by 1. And thanks also to Lucinda who was tortured by AFL.com so early in the season, dashing her hopes of a full season, but who nevertheless stayed hooked in all year long. Good luck with those Pies, Lucie. To all whose teams are in finals action, I wish you good viewing.

And to all of you, bravo on a fine season - 24 rounds and 110%.

x tm