Hello jurors, I don't claim to play the cleanest game in the world, I don't claim to have played the most dominating game in the world, but I do believe of the final three I played the game where I was able to manipulate and use everything to my advantage to make the end. I think the easiest way to talk about this is to go through round by round.
In pre-merge, I focused on my social game and building the bonds. I by no means called any of the shots, I didn't participate much for my tribe, but I built up social bonds with several of the cast members or ensured to strengthen ones I had before, namely Vlad, Scott D. (To an extent), Ryan, Pietro, Natalie, Darrius, SJ, John and Adam.
The people I was closest of them were SJ and Adam, we had no pregame alliance by any means, but spoken or not, it was clear in my head I wanted those three to go to the end.
The first blow to my game happened when Vlad went home, I was lied to by Pietro, Natalie nearly voted me out and sent me a screenshot to prove it. And therefore, I knew that if they fucked with me before, they could just as easily do it again.
Going into the first merge tribal council, I was open, I had lots of friends both sides and I was open to working with just about anyone. However, I was a bit worried when Scott D, throughout my name, this was a small thing and I don't think it was super sinister, but it showed a flaw in my game, it showed me that someone on one side was thinking of voting me. That tribe was five people united, so therefore, I knew that I couldn't put my game in minority. I was willing to go to rocks to ensure I would have moves to make and not wither away to be a sheep.
When it came to the next vote, my game had another fault, I got cocky frankly, I didn't ensure my votes, I thought my tribe would be united, Ryan and John did nothing to backstab me, they were loyal to a fault. I didn't feel like they would continue that the whole game, but I had no reason to doubt them. So I voted for Erik, someone who trusted me as we were on the other side of numbers. Ryan, I really did not know, they blindsided me, just as much as me, a flaw in my game, I own up to.
I then, flipped out on Natalie, I did this for a few reasons, I wanted to assert myself in the game and make it clear that I valued loyalty, but I also wanted people to feel like they could possibly beat me in this game. Ryan, also claimed I had a final three with her, I didn't want any strings attached to me, so I cut it. Thus, sparking a rivalry that would last the next few rounds.
I recently then aligned with Cubs, he was my new number one to an extent, he was reserved and someone who I knew would be loyal to me. We connected, so when he was targeted, I knew that I had to save him. I knew from a previous game that Pietro and Erik were connected, Pietro saved Natalie so I put 2 and 2 together and said they had a deal. I was the one who switched to it Erik, I also was growing concerned that Erik would be a number for Adam, and I wanted control if it became a power for dominance, so I nipped in side deal in the but and let him go. Erik, I understand you refuse to vote for me. I understand, you blame me. You are right to, I am sorry I hurt your feelings, that's poor social game on me, I should have approached you. However, we were not close enough and we didn't talk enough coming to the vote, so this time we couldn't connect.
Pietro, was someone who I was close to, but I couldn't trust him fully after he pulled the wool over my eyes pre-merge. I, like anyone else doesn't like to be blindsided. I was power hungry, so I had to target him, I rallied the votes, I got the name switched to him. Pietro, bud I regret it on a personal level, but I just didn't feel like you would work with me.
With the Cubs vote, I came up with a masterplan, to get Cubs to fake-target me and me to fake-target Cubs. We wanted to make Natalie feel there were two targets, I clearly failed in that. I was fortunate enough to build the bonds that nobody would go for Cubs's plan, but this was unsuccessful for me overall. I lost an ally, if the plan worked it was genius but in hindsight, it was perhaps too early.
Natalie, I will say this, you were playing a great middle game but then you sided to being after me. This made no sense, for others to vote you, I don't think people should have tried as hard to vote you out, I was able to convince them that you needed to go even though your whole plan was based on getting me out. I can't take credit for the idol blocker but I am happy it worked. I respect, that you are not bitter.
Darrius, I hope John clears this up, but I did not know he was playing the idol. I knew he had it, but he assured me he was playing it at five. I did not know you were going home until when I told you I was going home. I was loyal to you, and would have 100% went to the end with you. I really trusted you. I think you blame me, but I really cannot take credit for this.
SJ, you're not voting for me, in fact I believe you will bribe people to make me lose. I don't know why, it was not my fault you got out. Perhaps Adam can add more clarity, but had you just agreed to vote with me, I really think Adam doesn't flip.
Johnnnnnnn, I knew you had to go from six clearly, I think you played a really good job at not pissing people off. I was able to convince both people of this. I like you a lot on a personal level, but your game was so clean.
Now, overall, I feel like I had a game where I went virtually untouched, despite the fact so many people worked to weaken me, if it was by taking out Darrius, SJ or Cubs. I was able to keep them all safe, and never be in any danger or be a real target until the final four. I only received two votes this game. I made a lot of deals, I broke them. I think I was the closest to running this game. Every vote had my input, I had a side deal with everyone bar Scott D and Natalie. I played hard, I didn't rely on advantages, won two immunities. I fought so hard every round, I never could sit back, I never won out. I never had a Hail Mary advantage, I nearly got idoled out but was able to change that. In short, I worked my fucking ass off every round, and I deserve the win!