Cow Bay continues to put up a fight for the home crowd this round but it won't be enough to overcome the Barcrawlers. Crocs 683/10/68.3 Barcrawlers 782/10/78.2 Gunston, Libba and Lycett have led the way for the homeside with Selwood, Docherty and Currie lifting the visitors.
A big match up out at Pakenham between two top teams on the ladder had all the home fans excited and nervous. The away side came into town with a high scoring offence but failed to bring it on the day. The Parasites defence held strong with ageing veteran Simo 122 leading the way down back and a massive game from the clubs captain courageous big Roo 142 pulled the boys over the line. Quality scores across the paddock helped Pakenham to a good score of 1379 The Monarchs were lead well by Zahka 127 and Jimmy 113 who both did all they could, poor performances from many of King Islands other stars hurt them, an end score of 1208 was OK in the end considering Thompson 46 Houli 57 and Eddie 58 failed to get close to a respectable score. Final scores Pakenham 1379 King Island 1208
Down at the Groper Nuyts Cup a distraught Vikings lose to Sandgropers. With the coach having to work this weekend while also celebrating his own bucks night, the team was distracted so gropers pounced. Both teams only had two standout performances Heeney 138 with 4 goals, Stringer 113. Sandgropers even scoring through the mid field got them over the line. Petracca 86 was a late call up and played well debuting for Vikings, there is a lot of excitement surrounding this kid. The coach is still recovering from a serious hangover but plans to put the team first next week facing a must win game against the Barracudas to stay in touch with the 8. Nuytsland Vikings 1120 DEFENDERS Shane Biggs 47 Grant Birchall 93 Dane Rampe 74 Daniel Howe 59 MIDFIELDERS Pearce Hanley 58 Tom Mitchell 86 Luke Shuey 61 Jack Viney 92 RUCKS Brodie Grundy 61 FORWARDS Mitch Robinson 57 Toby McLean 52 Isaac Heeney 138 Christian Petracca 86 INTERCHANGE Sebastian Ross 80 Liam Picken 76 VS Southern Cross Sandgropers 1173 DEFENDERS Jeremy MCGOVERN 96 Harry Taylor 70 Lachlan Plowman 34 Colin Garland 59 MIDFIELDERS Lachlan Hunter 59 Mitch WALLIS 99 Mitch DUNCAN 94 Dion PRESTIA 92 RUCKS Jordan Roughead 89 FORWARDS Tom Campbell 80 Cyril Rioli 96 Jack DARLING 86 Jake Stringer 113 INTERCHANGE Brad Crouch 51 Connor Blakely 55
The Crocs came out to play this weekend and did their best to put up a fight to the visiting Barcrawlers. It was 13 players vs 14 but Banchang's veterans proved the difference and came out 231 point winners over Cow Bay, 1105 to 874. Cow Bay's Gunston led the way for the Crocs with 113 points and was well supported by Libba (99), and Lycett (87). However, the extent of the supporting brigade stopped there with disappointing efforts particularly from Martin (25), Cameron (39) and Patton (48). The spotlight was on Acres this week after his nomination and eventual win of POOYA VI. It seems that the pressure was too much for him and he came crashing back to Earth with a 62. The rest of the team performed below expectations with the coaching staff and crowd getting impatient with the lowish scores from Lonergan (70), DeGoey (70) and Jones (64). Paparone was a welcome addition down back in his first game back from injury but his 62 did little to stop the ability of Banchang's scorers. The Barcrawlers received a rowdy reception when they took to the field with Stretcher Sinclair the target of many sledges from the home crowd. It appears that this may have caused him to be off his game a little this round managing just the 62 points. Banchang was ably led by Selwood (132) and Montagna (130) in the middle. A man short seemed to have little effect on their scoring ability, particularly with Currie (91) winning the Big Tap against Ceglar (71). Docherty (120) was a rock down back and had support from Tuohy (74), Impey (65) and Laidler (64). Walters (90) was the focal point up forward but had little support from Higgins (53), Cunningham (54) and Sinclair. The win sees the Barcrawlers move from 8th to 6th on the ladder and the loss firmly entrenches the Crocs in 18th spot. Next week the Barcrawlers host the Parasites while the Crocs travel south to Gisborne. BAFFU 3 - Selwood 132 2 - Montagna - 130 1 - Docherty 120
Blanchetown Bunyips 1,168 def Hughenden Prairie Dogs 1,154 Despite the late withdrawal by Mitchell and injuries to several senior players, the Bunyips had enough player depth and flexibility to put 15 players on the park and in the end this was enough to see the Bunyips secure a win by a mere 14 points. Hughenden started strongly and lead for most of the game but ran out of legs allowing the Bunyips to run over the top in the last quarter. Both teams had contributors all over the ground but it was the outstanding performances of Pendlebury (143), Pearce (108) together with first year player Brown (96) that carried the Bunyips to a narrow victory. Both teams had several passengers resulting in the low scoring affair with Hughenden’s:- Yeo (39), Mills (36) and leading forward Waite (49) well below their best and Bunyip’s:- McCarthy (15), Sheridan (50) and Armitage (65) well below their averages. Another frustrating loss for Hughenden who will need to bounce back next week against the Monarchs who are on a roll and Blanchetown look to consolidate their top 8 position home to the Blowflys BAFFU Awards 3 Scott PENDLEBURY (143) 2 Callan WARD (116) 1 Liam SHIELS (111)
A well deserved win to @HOLKY's Whalers, who have towelled up the Smugglers 1321 to 1072. The win was Eden's first in four attempts against Christmas Island, and leaves the Smugglers languishing on the lower rungs of the FU ladder. The writing was on the wall early, where, in a fine display of gentlemanly conduct in not wanting to embarass the homes side too much Eden were confident enough to leave Miles' 120 on the pine. BOG was Josh Jenkins with a career high 8 majors (140 SC), who was ably supported by the Whalers' skipper (I think), Nathan Jones with a signature hard-nut game through the middle for 137. Dusty Martin once again played a lone hand for Christmas Island with 115. While Kreuzer found a little bit of form to take out the giant tap against the 'Berger. The Whalers will be looking to inflict the season's first defeat on Ararat this week, and while they are underdogs, another performance like this will see them in with a shot. For the Smugglers it's time to start thinking 2017. While injuries and suspensions have played their role, with 7 of the preferred starting 15 missing, the real problem has been the performance of those on the park. The single stat that explains the Smuggler's demise this year is not the missing players, but that not one player has improved their average from 2015. BAFFU 3 - Jenkins 2 - Jones 1 - Martin
Round 7 - Korumburra Blowflies 1049 def by Coolgardie Prospectors 1316 A convincing win on the road by a rampaging Prospectors over a lacklustre Blowflies this week. Stefan Martin (119) bounced back to win the Giant Tap battle this week over reigning champ Goldstein (103) and gave his midfielders first use while himself being handy all over the ground. He was ably supported by Mumford (108) and with Jon Griffin (111) dominating in the 2's this must be the deepest and most potent ruck division in the ORFFU this season. JPK (125) Wines (105) and Ebert (113) led the way for Coolgardie through the middle and set up the big win. Corey Enright (100) stood firm in defense for KB but was a lone hand against a dominant Prospectors forward line led by Westhoff (121). Hartung (100) came back in with a solid performance around the ground. Blicavs (95) and Puopolo (96) can hold their heads high, while Motlop (155) was everywhere to claim BOG honours in a losing side. Coolgardie move on up the ladder with a resounding win on the road while it's back to the drawing board for Korumburra this week. BAFFU 3 - Steven Motlop 155 (KB) 2 - Josh P Kennedy 125 (CP) 1 - Justin Westhoff 121 (CP)
Thanks for the write up mate, and great, close match. I am thinking Brown is worthy of a POOYA for the Bunyips!
Following on from the progress scores at Ararat and the Port Adelaide lads for the Buffalo's were divided. Pittard and Dixon had a crack but O'Shea and Polec were underwhelming. The away team finished with a hopeful 1096. Unfortunately for @wrightbrendan it wasn't enough as the Armadillos held on to win by under 200 points. Wells and Jack Steven joined many of their teammates in mediocracy but it was enough to get the boys across the line.
Groote Eylandt Barracudas 1,365 def Gisborne Grenades 1,058 With a win last week the unchanged troops from Gisborne marched their way north to Groote Eylandt with fart sacks and battle plans in hand. Their strategy was a simple one, kick the Cuda’s while they were down. The home side has taken a big hit in the loss last week with young Weitering, Frawley and Captain Cotch out with injury and still no sign from Nicholls since he left for a walk about. The 2015 premier’s depth will be tested on the paddock this week especially after the poor performance of the week before on the road. The day started in an eerily silence as the teams took to the battle ground. With Stanley back in the side for the big tap it was on like Donkey Kong. The Cudas mids capitalized on this running white hot all day being led by the Bont and stand in Captain Cripps of the Patrick kind who both had leather poisoning by the end of the day. Lewis was back to near full throttle with Hanna’s, Guthrie and the Fox giving it to the visitors at every opportunity. Up front, back from injury Everrit slotted in without missing a beat and the magnificent Zorko doing what he pleased. Defensively the Cuda’s stood strong with the inclusion of Firrito giving the visitors an alpha charlie. For the visitors Stevens was AWOL with abdominal pains and no back up which really hurt before the game had even started. The game plan that the Grenades brought was flawed from the start, with cracks in defence showing from first bounce in Hombsch and the Seed, there may well be a court marshall on the return home. Douglas had butter fingers in his day at the office and young Gresham did his best in a day the Commander in Chief was barking orders they couldn't deliver on. McVeigh was a lone solider in the back-line whilst the Grenades leaders Neal and Hill performed admirable and the forwards Riewoldt, Christensen and Steele when the pill came their way did their job but it wasn't enough against the home side. In the end the performance by the Cuda’s was the best so far this season and for the Grenades it may well be a long season a head.
Thanks Mick. That's the first time in a long time that my team has managed to break 1300 points. Whats more, all 4 emergencies scored well (Griffin on 111, Touk on 72, Redpath on 84 and Hutchings also on 72). I bet I can't maintain that success for the rest of the season!!!
In absence of a match report from the home side Pearcedale The Round 7 match up saw the Pearcedale Panthers 1146 def by Staghorn Flat 1239 To many this was an upset with Pearcedale looking to go 5 and 2 at the pointy end of the table whilst the Bulls needed to win to stay in touch with the 8. For the victors it was Boyd, Lynch, Coniglio and Kelly which lead the was all tonning up. For the Panthers Shaw, Gibson and Caddy toiled hard as the Panthers succumbed to a disappointing defeat. Injuries played a key part with both teams losing a midfielder early with Rockliff and Rosa going down. However it was the overall depth of the Bulls midfield which got them over the line. McEvoy took out the Big Tap over fill in ruckman Membrey although his season average of 76 suggests there is work to be done. The Panthers hit the road this week and will be looking to atone for this loss against Southern Cross in which should be a cracking clash as the Sandgropers look to back up last weeks win against the Vikings. Will the lack of ruck depth at Pearcedale prove to be season defining? This week the Bulls face a danger game at home against Christmas Island who are languishing in 16th spot at 1 and 6. However the two previous clashes between these clubs have been tight high scoring affairs with the Bulls narrowly winning both games by 12 and 23 points. Injuries have hit both clubs with a number of key players out: Roughead, Griffen & Rockliff for the Bulls and Johnson, Hodge & Rischitelli for the Smugglers
@YAD69 thanks for the write up, silly blunder by me to miss Stevens. Didn't cost the match in the end, your boys are too good. Well played
Staghorn Flat week! If things follow tradition the Smugglers will jump out to an "unassailable" lead only to be run down by the Bulls. However the heroes in the past have been Rocky and Roughy, so maybe we're a chance!!
I'm keen for a three peat! Although all things suggest a low scoring slug feast this time around. Looking forward to this clash
Early in the match the Sandgropers (4/322/80.5) have pulled away to an early lead over @TigersTooTough 's visiting Panthers (2/110/55). For Southern Cross Charlie Cameron has backed up his 98 from last week with a high impact 105 whereas Brodie Smith continues his struggles for Pearcedale with what must be an non-injury affected career low of 22. There's a long way to go in this one but with one of the home teams lesser lights performing so well the fans are hopeful an upset could be on the cards.
Very early in the match of two long-term cellar dwellers of the ORFFU, home team Gisborne has had a poor start, sitting on 96/2/48 on the back of an uncharacteristic 44 from Richard Douglas. However, Cow Bay are yet to get off the mark, so the Grenades are happy with the early lead
Over in Viking land the distraction of coach @bryzza wedding is already evident with the Cuda's out of the gate early 201/2 100.5 while the home team haven't taken the field yet.
Staghorn Flat look likely to confirm Damo's Season Preview in 'dropping of games we should win' as Christmas Island is in the box seat approaching 3/4 time. SFB 1023 / 13 / 78.7 CIS 752 / 8 / 94 Lids, Tiprat, Dusty & Grigg all dominating for the Smugglers whilst Kelly, Coniglio, Swallow, Big Boy & Blair have all tonned up thus far for the Bulls.