The 2016 Premier League Darts season was a truly historic spectacle, largely defined by the breathtaking dominance of Michael van Gerwen. Despite early challenges and the presence of darts legends like Phil Taylor and defending champion Gary Anderson, Van Gerwen delivered an unprecedented campaign of consistent excellence, setting new standards for televised darts. From record-breaking averages to an almost flawless run after the opening night, MVG’s journey culminated in a one-sided final victory over Phil Taylor, solidifying his status as the undisputed world number one and leaving an indelible mark on the sport.
A Star-Studded Lineup and Early Turbulence
The 2016 Premier League kicked off with an elite roster of ten players, featuring two-time World Champion and defending Premier League titleholder Gary Anderson, alongside the formidable World Number 1 Michael van Gerwen. The lineup was completed by Adrian Lewis, Phil Taylor, Peter Wright, James Wade, Robert Thornton, Michael Smith, Raymond van Barneveld, and Dave Chisnall.
Challenging Starts and Unexpected Losses
- Week 1 saw the unexpected withdrawal of Gary Anderson due to illness. This forced debutant Michael Smith to play two matches, resulting in heavy 7-2 defeats to Peter Wright and Adrian Lewis.
- In a stunning turn of events, both Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen lost their opening games. James Wade defeated MVG 7-4, while Raymond van Barneveld overcame a below-par Taylor.
- Robert Thornton, the reigning World Grand Prix champion, had a disastrous start, averaging a mere 75.68 and suffering a 7-0 whitewash against Dave Chisnall.
The challenges continued into Week 2 with another illness withdrawal, this time from Robert Thornton. James Wade stepped up to play twice, securing a 7-4 win over Michael Smith, but then falling 7-1 to a resurgent Phil Taylor, who posted a phenomenal 111.20 average. Gary Anderson’s return wasn’t smooth either, as despite a 106.23 average, he lost 7-3 to a brilliant Michael van Gerwen, who averaged 111.18. It was clear that the opening night’s losses for MVG and Taylor were mere blips, not a sign of weakness.
The Ascent to Unprecedented Dominance
As the league progressed, the quality of darts soared, primarily driven by the two titans of the sport.
Record-Breaking Performances
- Week 3: MVG and Taylor continued their relentless form, both averaging over 100 in 7-4 victories against Adrian Lewis and Gary Anderson, respectively. Peter Wright and Raymond van Barneveld also secured strong wins, while Michael Smith earned his first Premier League point with a 6-6 draw against Dave Chisnall.
- Week 4: The Night Darts History Was Rewritten in Aberdeen. This week is widely regarded as one of the greatest nights in Premier League history, showcasing darting brilliance rarely seen.
- Michael van Gerwen delivered arguably the greatest performance ever witnessed in televised darts. In a 7-1 demolition of Michael Smith, MVG achieved an astonishing average of 123.40. Incredibly, he even missed double 18 for a whitewash, which would have pushed his average beyond 133!
- Not to be outdone, his great rival Phil Taylor responded with a magnificent 115.25 average in a thrilling 7-5 victory over Dave Chisnall, who himself averaged an impressive 109.6.
These two matches alone demonstrated the stratospheric level of darts being played.
Sustained Excellence
The high standards continued unabated:
- Week 5: Taylor routed Adrian Lewis 7-1 with a 104 average, and Van Gerwen put on another masterclass, averaging 116.67 against Peter Wright, who despite averaging 108.98, could only win two legs.
- Week 6: A Century of Averages! Every single game in Week 6 featured at least one player averaging over 100. Van Gerwen, who hadn’t averaged less than 110 in three weeks, posted a 113.37. Peter Wright again lost despite a 106 average, highlighting the incredible competition. This era truly showcased darts at its absolute peak.
Clashes of Titans and the Playoff Race
The league phase was not just about individual brilliance; it was also about intense rivalries and the fight for the coveted playoff spots.
MVG vs. Taylor: The Epic Draw
Week 7 saw the highly anticipated clash between Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor, which delivered a classic 6-6 draw. MVG averaged 107.35 to Taylor’s 103.12. Taylor, showing incredible resilience, fought back from 5-1 down to secure the draw with a fantastic 81 finish. Their heated joint post-match interview, where Taylor famously declared, “I’m gonna get you,” was almost as entertaining as the match itself. That same night, Gary Anderson secured crucial wins over Adrian Lewis and Peter Wright in front of an adoring Glasgow crowd, propelling him back into the playoff picture.
Judgement Night: Relegation Drama
Week 9 was Judgement Night, where two players would be eliminated from the league.
- Michael Smith faced the unenviable task of needing to beat Phil Taylor to survive, ultimately losing 7-5.
- Dave Chisnall also fell, losing to Peter Wright by the same scoreline, a disappointing end for a player who had come so close to glory in previous seasons.
- Raymond van Barneveld produced a crucial rally to save himself, while Robert Thornton narrowly avoided relegation despite two earlier 7-0 whitewashes that had made his exit seem certain.
The Road to the Finals
With MVG and Taylor guaranteed playoff spots, the battle intensified for the remaining positions and the league’s top seed.
- Gary Anderson secured third place with a string of fantastic victories, including defying a 110 average from MVG to earn a draw.
- The final playoff spot was a fierce contest between Adrian Lewis, James Wade, and Peter Wright. Adrian Lewis emerged victorious, securing his playoff place for the first time since 2011 with a decisive 7-3 win over Gary Anderson on the final league night in Rotterdam. Lewis had also hit a memorable 9-dart leg against James Wade in Week 11.
- The final league match in Rotterdam was a direct shootout for the top spot between MVG and Taylor. In front of a passionate home crowd, Michael van Gerwen triumphed 7-5, securing the coveted league leader position.
The Grand Finals: MVG’s Unstoppable Coronation
The playoff semi-finals set the stage for a mouth-watering final.
- Michael van Gerwen continued his dominant run, defeating Adrian Lewis 10-4.
- Phil Taylor ended Gary Anderson’s reign as Premier League champion with a 10-7 victory.
This led to the ultimate showdown: Michael van Gerwen versus Phil Taylor in the final.
A Final for the Ages, Yet One-Sided
The final itself, while highly anticipated, proved to be remarkably one-sided. After Taylor took an early 2-1 lead, Van Gerwen unleashed an unstoppable barrage, winning 10 of the next 11 legs to wrap up the match 11-3. It was a rare sight to see Phil Taylor, ‘The Power’, utterly humbled in a major final. Taylor could only take his hat off to MVG, famously stating, “I don’t know how he does it,” a sentiment echoed by many observers.
Michael van Gerwen’s 2016 Premier League campaign was truly historic. He averaged an incredible 107.93 for the entire event and, remarkably, did not lose a single game after Night 1. This was not just a victory; it was a coronation, a season that set new benchmarks for excellence in darts and cemented MVG’s place as a legend of the sport.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
