Robot Wars S9 - Grand Final Preview

So, here we are then: the Grand Final, and in all likelihood, a new champion is about to be crowned. We've seen some of the biggest hits in Robot Wars history, some epic upsets, newcomers that have proven their worth, and veterans that have finally come good. Now only six remain, but who can take home the trophy?

AFTERSHOCK (WEEK 1 WINNER)

I wanted to see Aftershock do three things: self-right, punt an opponent ten feet in the air, and reach the Grand Final. It promptly did all three, and found time along the way to give Sabretooth one of the most brutal beatings of the rebooted show so far. It's a brilliant machine, beautifully engineered, and I'd love to see it go one step further and take the title.

Sadly, I just don't see that happening. I thought Aftershock's fragile armour might count against it in its heat, but it'll definitely count against it in a Grand Final boasting the likes of Carbide and Ironside 3. I expect Aftershock to put up more of a fight than Shockwave did in last year's Grand Final, though, and I think it's in with a good chance of making the round-robin stage.

Prediction: The title might be a step too far, but Aftershock is more than a worthy Grand Finalist. Top four finisher.

ERUPTION (WEEK 2 WINNER)

I have this habit of betting on the right horse in the wrong race. I once tipped Brendon Hartley as a future F1 driver - he never made it there, but he's since won Le Mans and the World Endurance Championship. Similarly, last year I tipped Eruption to do better than Apollo. That didn't happen, so this year I tipped Apollo to do better than Eruption. That didn't happen either.

Eruption's performance this year has been nothing short of stellar. It's equalled Atomic's record of four OoTAs in a row, came within a whisker of breaking Gravity's record for fastest battle in its heat final - and I don't think it was too far off matching Wheely Big Cheese's famous flip on Axe-Awe either. Just what you'd expect from a two-time UK champion... now can it go one step further and claim the Robot Wars crown?

Prediction: Last year, it was between Apollo and Carbide. This year, I have a feeling it's between Eruption and Carbide. Top two finisher.

CONCUSSION (WEEK 3 FINISHER)

The only rookie in the Grand Final - indeed, the only rookie to reach a heat final at all, unless you count Cherub - Concussion impressed me with its speed and offensive power. I feared it might be fragile, and indeed the team suffered from intermittent technical problems, but they managed to push through and reach the Grand Final regardless.

Now that they're here, though, I'm honestly not sure how much further Concussion can go. Truth be told, it didn't actually face that much competition in its heat: Thor wasn't quite working at full power, neither was Heavy Metal, and MR Speed Squared simply wasn't working at all. But now it'll be up against the likes of Ironside 3 and Carbide - and they will be working. I'd be nervous if I were in the Concussion team.

Prediction: They've done great to make it this far, but I think they'll find themselves slightly out of their depths. Top six finisher.

IRONSIDE 3 (WEEK 4 WINNER)

In my opinion, the most surprising of the finalists. It's a pleasant surprise, though: I honestly thought Ironside 3 would struggle against Apex and Pulsar, but neither of them quite lived up to expectation. Ironside 3 duly came out on top, earning the Grand Final slot it could have easily earned last year - and the team's first heat win in seven attempts. Good things really do come to those who wait.

Ironside 3 is definitely powerful, and looked pretty reliable during its heat, so it may yet prove to be a dark horse. I'm not expecting it to win, but then again I wasn't sure whether it would even make it out of its opening melee, so what do I know? I tell you what, it would be one heck of a story if Series 9 was won by the team who once built Velocirippa.

Prediction: A strong all-rounder with a powerful weapon. Potential dark horses. Top four finisher.

CARBIDE (WEEK 5 WINNER)

"The modern Hypno-Disc". "The British Tombstone". Whatever you want to call it, the upgraded Carbide is utterly terrifying. It tore through its entire heat without so much as a hiccup, and demolished the reigning champions twice. This is a machine that you simply do not want to get into the arena with.

Carbide was the runner-up last year, and quite frankly, it'll take an upset to deny it the title this year. Dave Moulds has seemingly managed to achieve that winning combination of power and reliability that has eluded so many other UK spinners over the years, and as long as that reliability remains, it's hard to look past Carbide this year.

Prediction: Carbide looks unstoppable. Is it unstoppable? We shall have to wait and see. Top two finisher.

WILDCARD

Now, the wildcard recipient has apparently already been spoiled, but I've deliberately avoided finding out in order to maintain the surprise, and to allow myself to speculate as to who might get it. So, which of the five candidates looks most likely?

SABRETOOTH: We were right to #PrayForGabe. Sabretooth finally made it through the first round only to endure a brutal mauling that left it crippled for the rest of its heat, and while it still made the heat final, it never stood a chance. I feel as though Sabretooth has too many repairs to do for it to be able to make the Grand Final, but it's not entirely out of the running. Chances: 5/10

CHERUB: Those kids will be hearing the hum of PP3D's weapon in their nightmares for months. Cherub was honestly quite lucky to make the heat final: if PP3D hadn't killed itself with that almighty blow, or if Behemoth hadn't fitted the wrong scoop, it wouldn't have made it there. It did, but on the basis of its performances, I don't think Cherub has done enough to earn the wildcard. Chances: 3/10

THOR: Last year's wildcard finalist, and most people's favourites to earn the wildcard again this year. While Thor was struggling with technical problems throughout its heat, Jason Marston isn't faced with the extensive repair job that many of the other heat finalists are, and his bot put in some solid performances. I'd say Thor looks the most likely candidate. Chances: 7.5/10

PULSAR: I'd hoped that Ellis Ware had ironed out Pulsar's reliability problems, but instead, they seemed to be even worse. Pulsar suffered technical problems in pretty much every single one of its fights, blowing up either a motor, speed controller, or both. By the heat final, they'd used up all their spares, and for that reason alone, I don't think they'll be making it back into the arena. Chances: 4/10

APOLLO: I thought they'd be a shoo-in for the wildcard, but after the number Carbide did on their flipper, I'm not so sure anymore. They've got quite a repair job to make, and if they can't do it, Apollo will be saddled with the record for worst-ever defence of a Robot Wars title. That's not a record Apollo will want, and certainly not one they deserve, but that's just the way it goes. Chances: 6/10