TooSerious

OK, it is time for the big dance, the final countdown, the time to stand up and be the difference, where everything you have played for in a season means nothing if you falter on the final day. Victory is paid for in sweat, courage, and preparation and greatness is earned, never awarded.
For the two teams going into the ORFFA grand final this weekend, there are two very different tunes being played.
For the Foul Bay Chickens, Jay-Z's We Run This Town”, Queen's We are the Champions” and Guns'n'Roses Welcome To The Jungle” pretty much some it up. Chief Russell has been downplaying their chances throughout the year, but like all good champions do, he is putting the points on the board when it matters most. The team is red hot.
For the Darraweit Guim Dirigibles, Eminem's Lose Yourself”, Cakes Going the Distance”, and Bill Conti's Gonna Fly Now” sum up their attitude. They are absolutely the underdogs, but this is their chance to shine, and they will do their very best to grab it with both hands.
Let's go through the teams and see what the weekend holds:

Foul Bay Forwards versus Darraweit Defence
FB : Pavlich, Bartel, Stokes, Dahlhaus
DG: Rance, Frawley, McKenzie, Otten
The Foul Bay forward line has two proven performers in Pavlich and Bartel, and then two players who can run hot or cold. Rance will take Pavlich, and Otten will try and play a holding role on Bartel. Stokes and Dahlhaus will have to stay close to McKenzie, or else his run off half back could pose a real problem.

Midfields:
FB : Dangerfield, Selwood, Liberatore, Kelly
DG: Cunnington, Foley, Walker, Harvey
When comparing the engine rooms you see Foul Bay running with a lineup akin to an Audi R8 V10, and Darraweit Guim running an old school 426 Hemi. Foul Bay have the new breed of high performance, with Selwood and Dangerfield in ripping form, whilst the Blimps have the old school grunt...

<p style='font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 18px;]Only one more week to go, before we start hitting the books for the 2014 season all over again.
<p style='font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 18px;]
<p style='font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 18px;]Actually no, we get a little break with the finals comps.
<p style='font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 18px;]
<p style='font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 18px;]Anyways, rather than skip out on a review, this week, I've gone with reviewing the final race to the prize, over the 5 major paying comps.
<p style='font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 18px;]
<p style='font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 18px;]If you're one of the guys at the pointy end, give us a shout- and if your bfish- GET IN THERE MATE!!




<p style='font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 18px;]Supercoach



A massive 2506 has gotten TheDimmaWits out to a 269 point lead.



With Staker/Colquhoun and Ben Kennedy starting however, 2nd placed Golden Boys might be able to snag it, but is going to need a lot of luck.



The team I want to take a closer look at though, is 3rd place: Razor Sharp Lions.



I reckon they should be looked at as a case study in team balance, and how you need to upgrade your team evenly.



FWD: Rockliff, Martin, Bartel, Roughead, Cloke, JJ. Kennedy, (S. Johnson,...

<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]Foul Bay will take on Darraweit Guim in the ORFFA grand final next weekend after both teams emerged victorious from their preliminary finals.
<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]As the Chickens and Dirigibles put in place their preparations for the big one, we can have a look at how both teams won through to the final weekend of the season.
<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]
<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]Foul Bay 1444 d Powlett Plains 1218
<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]Best Foul Bay: Stokes, Selwood, Dangerfield, Kelly, Pavlich.
<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]Best Powlett Plains: N Riewoldt, Franklin, Boyd, K Cornes.
<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]Some damaging mid-game scoring from a series of Foul Bay players set up the Chickens' comfortable 226-point preliminary final win over the Powlett Plains Packers.
<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]The Packers started brightly with useful contributions from Grundy, O'Brien and Ball (prior to injury).
<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]Franklin (116) and Hodge continued the good work for Powlett Plains and it was initially Foul Bay on the backfoot - especially given Josh Thomas' great form was in vain in the reserves.
<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]Only Jarryd Roughead (108) stood tall in the early going for Foul Bay as the Packers built a handy base from which to launch their attack.
<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]But the Chickens regrouped with a stunning mid game turnaround led by Stokes (141), Selwood (131), Dangerfield (115), Kelly (115) and Pavlich (114).
<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]These scores, along with totals of 85+ from Mumford, Johnson and Bartel, saw Foul Bay overcome an injury to midfielder McLean (15) and establish a sizeable advantage going into the final stages of the match.
<p style='margin-bottom: 6pt;]Kane Cornes (96) fought a brave but virtually single-handed rearguard action for the Packers, with Melksham (27 OOP) unable to total a sizeable score while...

<p style='margin-bottom: 0px; font: inherit; outline: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #434343;]I don't know what happened there. Let's try take two, and I'll try and track down EddieV.
<p style='margin-bottom: 0px; font: inherit; outline: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #434343;]*Scores may differ from other people's. Willing to go over them just a bit pressed for time. Results are right though.
<p style='margin-bottom: 0px; font: inherit; outline: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #434343;]
<p style='margin-bottom: 0px; font: inherit; outline: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #434343;]<strong style='font: inherit; outline: 0px; background-color: transparent;]<strong style='outline: 0px; background-color: transparent;]SARAH ISLAND SAVAGES[/b][/b]<strong style='font: inherit; outline: 0px; background-color: transparent;][/b]1447 Def<strong style='font: inherit; outline: 0px; background-color: transparent;]<strong style='outline: 0px; background-color: transparent;]<strong style='outline: 0px;]<strong style='outline: 0px; background-color: transparent;]<strong style='font: inherit; outline: 0px; background-color: transparent;]MERTON MEERKATS[/b][/b][/b][/b][/b]1285
<p style='margin-bottom: 0px; font: inherit; outline: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #434343;][span style='font: inherit; outline: 0px; background-color: transparent;]Sarah Island Savages
<p style='margin-bottom: 0px; font: inherit; outline: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #434343;][span style='font: inherit; outline: 0px; background-color: transparent;]IN A WORD:ShaneWarne.
<p style='margin-bottom: 0px; font: inherit; outline: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #434343;][span style='font: inherit; outline: 0px; background-color: transparent;]SPLIT:[span style='font:...

<p style='font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 18px;]Woah, it's round 22 and there are people right now, just 2 rounds away from making some serious coin in fantasy football.
<p style='font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 18px;]I know a couple of you guys are from here, would love to hear your stories heading into the last round!

Once again, the highest ranked team was able to choose their opponent and with Iron Knob and Waikikamoocow both getting knocked out in the quarter finals, the defending premier, Chief Russell, was able to take on that task from his 3rd place finish. Who he picked may come as a surprise after they beat the top team last week, but Powlett Plains have been picked first for the second week running - time will tell whether it pays off or not.


Here's the preview, as written by Bandit:

Foul Bay vs Powlett Plains

Some may say that the chief is taking a risk picking the Raptors as his Semi final opponent... only time will tell. The Chooks now are a real chance of going back to back, but they have a hurdle to get over this week. The size of the hurdle really depends on how the Packers respond to having to travel down from Iron Knob during the week. Old blokes like Murphy, Boyd, Kornes and Riewoldt are known to favour a light week after travelling, preferably being tucked into bed with some hot cocoa and a new Depends liner. The trip to Foul Bay will not be quite as therapeutic, however the young guns of Grundy, Scully and Henderson will carry the bags to minimise any risks of injuries. Foul Bay will be grateful for 'sneaking' home by 160 odd points last week, and with the likes of Dangerfield and Roughhead being a little out of form, the Chooks will be hoping a cattle prod up the Khyber will get them focussed on the game ahead.



Tough game this one... I am picking the Packers to turn up with their A game and give the Chooks a fright. Foul Bay by 64




Birdsville vs Darraweit Guim

Some of the Birdsville folk have been partying a little too hard after their win against the Incorrigibles, and hopefully the shenanigans being witnessed in some of the coterie functions don't lull the Battlers players into a false sense of security. Darraweit Guim are coming off a week where the were the best of the underperformers, and will...

<p style='margin-bottom: 15px; color: #474747; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 22px; background-color: #ffffff;]Collingwood v West Coast<br style='margin: 0px; padding: 0px;[/img]
MCG, Friday August 23, 7.50pm AEST
<p style='margin-bottom: 15px; color: #474747; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 22px; background-color: #ffffff;]COLLINGWOOD<br style='margin: 0px; padding: 0px;[/img]
In: A.Didak, B.Kennedy<br style='margin: 0px; padding: 0px;[/img]
Out: B.Sinclair (shoulder), J.Elliott (hamstring)
<p style='margin-bottom: 15px; color: #474747; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 22px; background-color: #ffffff;]WEST COAST<br style='margin: 0px; padding: 0px;[/img]
In: M.Rosa, C.Masten, B.Wilson<br style='margin: 0px; padding: 0px;[/img]
Out: L.Shuey (hamstring), A.Carter, A.Embley
<p style='margin-bottom: 15px; color: #474747; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 22px; background-color: #ffffff;]Adelaide v Melbourne<br style='margin: 0px; padding: 0px;[/img]
AAMI Stadium, Saturday August 24, 1.15pm ACST
<p style='margin-bottom: 15px; color: #474747; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 22px; background-color: #ffffff;]ADELAIDE<br style='margin: 0px; padding: 0px;[/img]
In: K.Hartigan, M.Grigg<br style='margin: 0px; padding: 0px;[/img]
Out: M.Jaensch, S.Shaw
<p style='margin-bottom: 15px; color: #474747; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 22px; background-color: #ffffff;]MELBOURNE<br style='margin: 0px; padding: 0px;[/img]
In: D.Rodan,...

Deledio v. Greater Western Sydney



Rd 12 2012: 132 SC points, 31 disposals



Note: Last played head to head against Scully. Scored 143 last week which had followed scores of 118, 109, 75 and 64 (average of 102).



Pendlebury v. West Coast



SF 2012: 125 SC points, 38 disposals

Rd 22 2012: 155 SC points, 31 disposals

QF 2011: 140 SC points, 38 disposals

Rd 10 2011: 138 SC points, 31 disposals

Rd 14 2010: 139 SC points, 27 disposals

Rd 9 2009: 108 SC points, 38 disposals

Rd 10 2008: 130 SC points, 23 disposals

SF 2007: 99 SC points, 26 disposals

Rd 2 2007: 76 SC points, 21 disposals



Average is 123 SC points with 29 disposals.



Note: Great average against the Eagles averaging 140 in his last five games against them. Normally tagged by Scott Selwood. Only managed 110 last week which had followed scores of 150 and 105 (three game average of 122).



Swan v. West Coast



SF 2012: 135 SC points, 29 disposals

Rd 22 2012: 118 SC points, 27 disposals

Rd 13 2012: 117 SC points, 38 disposals

QF 2011: 130 SC points, 43 disposals

Rd 10 2011: 86 SC points, 26 disposals

Rd 14 2010: 163 SC points, 38 disposals

Rd 9 2009: 149 SC points, 36 disposals

Rd 10 2008: 146 SC points, 36 disposals

SF 2007: 118 SC points, 38 disposals

Rd 2 2007: 97 SC points, 22 disposals

Rd 16 2006: 109 SC points, 20 disposals

Rd 7 2006: 94 SC points, 25 disposals



Average is 122 SC points with 32 disposals.



Note: Fantastic record against the Eagles with an average of 125 in his past four games against them. Normally plays head to head against Priddis. Three scores over 145 back in 2008 to 2010. Coming off scores of 129, 128, 108 and 159 (average of 131).



Ablett v. St Kilda



Rd 1 2013: 178 SC points, 34 disposals

Rd 11 2012: 64 SC points, 20 disposals

Rd 2 2012: 143 SC points, 40 disposals

Rd 19 2011: 138 SC...

<p style='font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;]This week the Best Buys has reached the penultimate edition for the year, and with each week we get closer to that all-important SC grand final. After Callan Ward tried his best to ruin our strike rate for the season with a 50 odd after being named the Best Buy last week he hasn't made the cut at all this time around, and will need to do something special in the pre-season next year to get him off 'the list'. Hopefully this week the Best Buy can put in an effort worthy of the title, of course depending on whether or not he actually plays.
<p style='font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;]
<p style='font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;]The Best Buy for this week, is young Cat Stevie Motlop. Even though he was subbed out at half-time last week with a 'tight hamstring' Geelong appear to have taken the conservative approach with Motts training well so far this week. Did we mention he scored 103 before being subbed out? Well he did, and for mine that's impressive enough to warrant a punt for the final two games of the year. For teams with some trades still left, this may well be the week that it's worthwhile trading in a player or two that isn't strictly needed, and giving the emergency loophole a try. It's a pretty good feeling when you can pull a couple of sneaky switches during a round and squeak out a win you wouldn't have gotten otherwise.





DEFENSE
ROOKIES



Troy DAVIS (MEL) DEF 115.9k 35 +15k
Davis has been reasonable in first 2 matches at the top level,...

The Winners - ORFFA Finals Week 1 Review
The finals are finally here - and wow, what an amazing first weekend of action.
Upsets galore have left a quartet of teams still in the hunt for a premiership - with at least some of those teams perhaps shocked to still be in the running.

Powlett Plains 1313 d Iron Knob 1133
The ladder leaders and season long flag favourites have unexpectedly fallen at the first hurdle, well-beaten by a committed Powlett Plains line-up.
The Packers welcomed back a host of veteran talent at just the right time, with Franklin, Hodge and Boyd all scoring 100+ points in their returns from injury. Add to that 103 from Robert Murphy and good contributions from KCornes, Grundy and Bellchambers, and scoreboard kept ticking over.
Ultimately those across-the-board contributions proved too much for the Codpieces to overcome, especially given Iron Knob's own perfect storm of poor scoring from players who had been up and about most of the year.
Big names Ablett, Griffin, and Hanley failed to fire, whilst previously erstwhile contributors like Shuey, Garland, NJones, Harbrow and Darling had shockers. Goldstein, Minson and Douglas were the only three players to score 100 or more.

Darraweit Guim 1208 d Charlie's Opening 1109
Another upset, though not quite at the same level as the Packers' win, saw the Dirigibles float through to the second week of finals action with a hard-fought win over Charlie's Opening.
A consistent team-wide effort was the key for Darraweit, with mainly solid rather than spectacular contributions from most players. Big Ivan Maric led from the front (118) with support from Cunnington and Walker (110 each) in the middle. Michael Walters' late-game 105 - combined with solid scores from Otten and Newnes - proved to be enough to maintain the Dirigibles' lead through until the final siren.
For the Spelunkers, it was an up and down weekend - big Drew Petrie (162) was definitely up, terrorising an...