At the time of writing this there are two rounds to play and a lot on the line for a number of Coaches during this topsy turvy 2023 season. The race for a finals spot is well under way with half the league in with a shot at qualifying. Exciting stuff!
Today's article however is about those other awards. The awards that give this competition depth and something to play for outside of being named M.B.B.A. Premier League Champion. The awards on offer cover the length and bredth of possibilities on the Blood Bowl pitch. From scoring champion, to dirtiest player, these are the awards that players can be bestowed with upon the conclusion of the regular season.
M.B.B.A. Player Spirit Award: Awarded to the player judged by their peers to have had the most impact on their teams success during the regular season. Voting for this starts as soon as round 8 has concluded.
M.B.B.A. Impact Player Award: Judged by their peers to have best demonstrated and exemplified the spirit of the M.B.B.A. Premier League through competitive, welcoming & fair play. Voting for this starts as soon as round 8 has concluded.
M.B.B.A. Coach of the year Award: Awarded to the coach who finishes on top of the ladder at the end of the regular season.
In addition to the above three awards, the following awards track player stats throughout the season. Lets see how they're tracking with two rounds to go.
M.B.B.A. Offensive Coach of the Year Award: Awarded to the team who scores the most touchdowns during the regular season.
Team | Coach | Total |
Cemetary Dropouts | Jo Mills | 13 |
Dingley Bypass | Andy Smith | 9 |
Ageing Action Heroes | Seve Kranz | 8 |
M.B.B.A. Defensive Coach of the Year Award: Awarded to the team who concedes the fewest touchdowns during the regular season.
Team | Coach | Total |
Cemetary Dropouts | Jo Mills | 1 |
Ageing Action Heroes | Seve Kranz | 2 |
Dingley Bypass | Andy Smith | 4 |
M.B.B.A. Deadliest Coach of the Year Award: Awarded to the team who inflicts the most casualties during the regular season (casualties must generate SPP to count).
Team | Coach | Total |
Dingley Bypass | Andy Smith | 18 |
Re:Dead | Scott Comber | 16 |
Cemetary Dropouts | Jo Mills | 14 |
M.B.B.A. Passing Coach of the Year Award: Awarded to the team who completes the most passes during the regular season (passes must generate SPP to count).
Team | Coach | Total |
Cemetary Dropouts | Andy Smith | 4 |
Mork's Maniacs | Tom Prince | 4 |
The Pantheon | Daniel Griffin | 3 |
M.B.B.A. Dirtiest Coach of the Year Award: Awarded to the team who inflicts the most casualties via fouling during the regular season. Top 3 Coaches after round 6.
Team | Coach | Total |
Gold Diggers | Michael Clements | 4 |
Cemetary Dropouts | Jo Mills | 3 |
Mork's Maniacs | Tom Prince | 2 |
Conclusion
One thing to note about this season compared to last season is that this season is on track to be 0n average a lower scoring, less bashy season than last season. The top 4 teams have scored less touchdowns than the top 4 last season but have conceded approximately half the number of touchdowns compared to last season. There are a few things to draw from this.
The player base is stronger than last season with returning coaches applying the skills they learnt last season to this season.
The league is on the whole slower. The spread of teams and possible round organisation means players are going to play a larger number of slower than average teams than last season. This means scores will be lower.
More teams are fouling and attempting completions than last season. This is on the whole a good thing. More coaches are experiencing the fullness of Blood Bowl and attacking the game from different angles.
This season has seen an uptick in solid defensive play compared to last season. Aside from a couple of blowout results, scorelines have been decided by no more than two touchdowns each round.