On a more serious note, I'd like to say that I can see where you're coming from with regards to the refereeing, which has been excellent for as long as I was writing articles. The thing you have to remember is that, just like in real footy, every referee has their own interpretations and their own pet hates.
Some of them will be meticulous when it comes to grammar, others prefer fun essays, others think serious, factual essays are more meritorious. In light of that, I find it good practice to not only scout the opposition, but also the referee that you will have for a particular match. In particular, see what they tend to give the higher scores to, and try to write something that matches what it appears they look on favourably.
That said, it really can be luck of the draw. Sometimes I've spent ages on a well thought out article only to have it receive the lowest score in the team, while I've received MOM for articles that I slapped together in haste because I was running out of time. But that's what makes F7's such a fun concept, because it challenges you not to stick to the same sort of style week in week out.
