Round 9 - a win over Marble Bar 1186-1053, despite late withdrawals, striking charges, forwards playing as mids and the absence of a functioning backline. Good times. Hindy Votes: Coniglio 5 - Give him the Hindy now. The best player at the Dirigibles by a long long way. Harvey 4 - Darraweit's best forward. Still. Lyons 3 - Hope Adelaide and Don Pyke get the message - just leave him in the side. Rance 2 - Wonderful game in atrocious conditions Newnes 1 - Continues to grow Coach's discretionary votes (2) to Ben Brown. Votes to Round 8: Coniglio 29 Walters 17 Rance, Harvey 16 Westhoff 13 Armitage, Tyson 10 Adams, Newnes 8 Brown 7 Shane Edwards 6 Lyons 5 Greenwood, Stratton 2 May, Ibbotson 1 Next week we hope to welcome back some of our backline - May, Adams, etc. We need to bring May back in as his one-on-one training sessions have seen both Rance and Jonas reported for striking. Jonas we expect to lose for several weeks, a pity given his scoring has been handy this year. Tyson will hopefully return, Brown might get a game and maybe Trengove might get a run. And the mid-year draft looms.
With now less than a month until the mid-season break and mid-season draft, the Darraweit Guim committee has started its list management work. Our disappointing (though not unexpectedly so) start to the season has brought with it mixed blessings. Clearly we'd rather be winning games than losing them ... but the run of losses as well as the form of certain players is allowing us to begin making list decisions that should bear fruit into the future. With 20 of the Dirigibles 28 players aged 25 or younger, our list has a great base upon which to build. Even better has been the fact that our younger players have been among the best performers this year, the most improved this year, or both. The faith we have showed in drafting or retaining players like Adams, Lyons, Brown and McGovern is being repaid in spades. Our exciting young midfield holds us in good stead for the future. To that end though, we expect to be active during the trade period and will be trading players who have long been club stalwarts, but who might wish to experience success elsewhere before they get too old. Trading these players will be a difficult decision, but if the rewards in return are quality draft picks and/or the opportunity to fill gaps on our list, we will do so.
Round 9 - score around 1280, still comfortably beaten. The Guim's players and management are officially bereft of any idea about what is going on this year. Ceglar scoring 94 and May 92 ain't going to happen again this year, so it has been officially a wasted week in an increasingly mystifying season. The trade table is going to be a crowded place. Unfortunately, our two best performers from this week were to be on that table - so even our player clean out is a mess. Hindy Votes: 5 - Armitage - best performance of the year, just as he is placed on the trade block 4 - Westhoff (see above) 3 - Shane Edwards 2 - Coniglio 1 - Ceglar (huh?) Coach's vote to Steven May, who stopped hitting people and coaching others to hit people long enough to score 90+. Votes to Round 10 - Coniglio 31 Walters, Westhoff 17 Rance, Harvey 16 Armitage 15 Tyson 10 Shane Edwards 9 Adams, Newnes 8 Brown 7 Lyons 5 Greenwood, Stratton, May 2 Ceglar, Ibbotson 1
In news that is certainly brilliantly timed given the shaken heads and general apathy around the Dirigibles right now, it has been confirmed that Jack Trengove will return to the field for the first time in more than two seasons, and will make his debut for the Guim this week. Coach Chris88 has declared Trengove a certain starter in the Blimps' 15 on the weekend, simply because it'll make everyone at the club a bit happier. "If he scores 10 or 100, I don't care. He's in and he has our support", the coach said.
Round 11 - a good win over Cradle Mountain 1249 to 1051. Mids were awful, forwards carried the day. The Dirigibles' score would've been about 80 points better if I wasn't such a softy and had Tyson in my team instead of Trengove. But, c'est la vie. Mr Tyson will return next week, and Trengove returning deserved a big thumbs up. Plus, you know, Frankie Sinatra and all. Hindy Votes: 5 - Harvey - playing Richmond. Always plays well against Richmond. 4 - Walters - best season of his career. 3 - Westhoff - another ton for old "Trade Block Justin". 2- Lyons - now a key cog in the Darraweit side. 2- Rance - a non forward. What? 1 - Shane Edwards Coach's discretionary votes (3) to Dom Tyson, who scored 140 + but spent the day cheering teammate Trengove. Trengove gets a vote too for just getting on the park. Votes to Round 11 - Coniglio 31 Harvey, Walters 21 Westhoff 20 Rance 18 Armitage 15 Tyson 13 Shane Edwards 10 Adams, Newnes 8 Brown, Lyons 7 Greenwood, Stratton, May 2 Ceglar, Ibbotson, Trengove 1 Darraweit 2 games from the bottom, a game and a half out of the 8. Halfway between the gutter and the stars.
In the lead-up to the opening of the trade period (and given I'm again unlikely to be around much on the weekend), the Darraweit Guim Trade Table is preparing to open. As foreshadowed, most everyone aged 27 or above is on it. That grouping consists of: DEF: Ibbotson MID: Armitage RUCK: Maric FWD: Westhoff Harvey To note - I am inclined to keep one of Westhoff or Harvey. Also, in the interests of transparency, my knowledge of information at Richmond indicates the great man Maric may be struggling. His future is unclear. If you want to roll the dice, feel free. But caveat emptor as the Romans might’ve said. Also on the block in some way shape or form are: MID: Brad Hill Levi Greenwood Jacob Townsend FWD: Ty Vickery Shaun Edwards Nathan Hrovat None, some or all of these gentlemen may be traded. I’m not going to be proscriptive in the terms under which I will be trading them as I don’t have time to try and figure out explicitly what I’m after. Have a look at my list and make an offer if you wish. Players and draft picks will be considered. However a couple of ground rules: 1 - I won’t be accepting peanuts or potatoes. Please don’t offer them. I remain mindful that however this team functions in 2017, it needs to be in decent working order. 2 – Any other player not named above is not on the trade table unless I nominate otherwise. Please don’t ask after them as refusal might offend. Please refer to this post - http://tooserious.net/forum/threads/darraweit-guim-dirigibles.49276/page-13#post-174812 - for further information/musings.
Round 12 – another solid score and encouraging performance sees Darraweit notch win #5, defeating an unlucky Spelunkers team 1271-1188. With a late withdrawal in defence and no ruckman (Vickery filling in OOP), 1271 is a really good score. The win was lucky though, as Spelunkers’ star Andrew Swallow was hurt early and not able to score effectively. Literally one win and 35 points for out of the eight. Strange times indeed. Hindy Votes: 5 – Tyson – followed up a great game with another great game. 4 – Lyons – best game of the season. 3 - Coniglio – playing very well. 2- Rance – Mr Consistent in the mess that is the Guim’s defence 1 – Newnes – enjoying a fine season. Votes to Round 12 - Coniglio 34 Harvey, Walters 21 Westhoff, Rance 20 Tyson 18 Armitage 15 Lyons 11 Shane Edwards 10 Newnes 9 Adams 8 Brown 7 Greenwood, Stratton, May 2 Ceglar, Ibbotson, Trengove 1
However, even after a good win, the world doesn't stop and with mid season trade and draft period upon the ORFFA the Guim has bid farewell to four senior players. David Armitage, Justin Westhoff, Tom Jonas and Garrick Ibbotson have all departed the paddock. We have very heavy hearts as all four players were much beloved by the faithful. Armitage carried the Guim to within spitting distance of a grand final last year with a brilliant year, while Justin Westhoff continues to perform very very well in all manner of roles. Both Jonas and Ibbotson have been dependable in defence when on the park/not injured/not hitting people. Jonas particularly consistent. All four are headed to Lovely Banks with a second round PSD pick in a trade which nets a bevy of draft picks in the MSD and PSD as well as the risky decision to pick up the suspended Jake Carlisle. We welcome Jake to the club. He'll not be playing in 2016, but will be training hard via Snapchat and we hope will be ready for a big 2017.
A number of list changes at Darraweit in recent days. The Guim has parted ways with six players – almost a quarter of its team, and picked up five players to replace them (with one further player onhis way later in the MSD) We have bid farewell to: · David Armitage · Justin Westhoff · Garrick Ibbotson · Tom Jonas As part of our trade with Lovely Banks. Many of these guys will be immediately pressed into service at their new club, especially Armitage who will step into the shoes of an injured Josh Caddy. The trade has been a good one for Lovely Banks coach Jen. Darraweit has delisted Jacob Townsend and Shaun Edwards. We thank them for their service and wish them all the best. We have, on the other side of the ledger, picked up five players: Jake Carlisle (D/F). Age 24 2015 Average 68.2 2016 Average N/A – suspended Jake will be training hard for a return in 2016 to add depth to both defensive and forward units. Jake Barrett (M). Age 20. 2015 Average: 25 (1 game) 2016 Average: yet to play Two Jakes! Jake was obtained in a trade with Marble Bar. We hope to see him add to his total of 1 game at some stage this year, but this is most definitely a pick for the future. Aaron Young (M). Age 23. 2015 Average: 46.8 2016 Average: 84.1 Arguably the most improved player in the AFL this year. Having finally shed the subs vest, Young is playing very well. Taken with Pick #1 in the MSD, and likely to be a M/F in 2017. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwauti (D/F). Age 23. 2016 Average: 76 The Tiwi Islander lands at the Paddock via the mid-season draft. We look forward to his runs as part of a remodelled Darraweit backline. Darcy Byrne-Jones (D). Age 21. 2016 Average: 72 Debuted this year and has made an impact. Rising Star nominee and a hard running, rugged defender, just the type we like at Darraweit. We have one more pick later in the draft. But overall, we are very happy with our selections.
Despite our best endeavours, and the offering of what is currently Pick #1 in the 2017 PSD, Darraweit was unable to trade in a ruckman at the draft deadline. So we were able to use our last late pick in the 2016 MSD. The Blimps decided that another experienced body was needed - especially given our playing list had an average age of 22y9m without including super-veteran Brent Harvey. So management made the decision to re-draft veteran Adam Cooney to the team. Adam Cooney - Age 30 - Forward. 2016 Average - 83 2015 Average - 65 Cooney has had a very productive year as a forward in a depleted Essendon side, and will offer further leadership to a young and inexperienced team. In further good news over the bye rounds, our players continued some good form from before the mid season break. Stephen Coniglio produced another stunner, Walters and Greenwood were good, Ceglar and May were great as well, while Newnes, Harvey, McGovern, Hill, Brown, Rance, Edwards and others were quite solid. Ceglar's consistent form and effort will see him continue as number 1 ruck at the Guim for the time being. Team management has decided to retain our two high 2017 PSD draft picks (currently #1 and #8) barring any stunning offers involving ruckmen from other teams. Our squad: DEFENDERS: Alex Rance (26), Michael Adams (D/F) (22), Steven May (24), Adam Saad (21), A McDonald-T'wuti (D/F)(23), Darcy Byrne-Jones (21), Ben Stratton (27), Martin Gleeson (21), Jake Carlisle (susp)(D/F)(24) Rance leads a young defensive unit featuring Adams and McDonald-Tipungwuti, the two top 2016 debutants as ranked by the AFL's stats unit. May, Saad and Byrne-Jones will play major roles, Stratton provides veteran depth and Carlisle will return in 2016. MIDFIELDERS: Stephen Coniglio (22), Dom Tyson (23), Aaron Young (23), Jack Newnes (23), Jarryd Lyons (M/F) (23), Shane Edwards (M/F) (27), Levi Greenwood (27), Jack Trengove (24), Brad Hill (22), Jake Barrett (20). Our U23 midfield is led by rising star Stephen Coniglio, with Tyson, Newnes and new recruit Young providing key assistance. Levi Greenwood is again the veteran presence and consistency, Jack Trengove's return has been a highlight, while Brad Hill has been down this year but shows signs. Lyons and Edwards provide DPP options. RUCKS: Jon Ceglar (25), Ivan Maric (30) Big Jono Ceglar remains pretty much one out in the ruck as Ivan Maric continues to toil in the reserves. Our ruck will be a key area of focus in the near future. FORWARDS: Brent Harvey (38), Jarryd Lyons (M/F) (23), Michael Walters (25), Michael Adams (D/F) (22), Adam Cooney (30), Shane Edwards (M/F) (27), A McDonald-T'wuti (D/F)(23), Ben Brown (23), Mitch McGovern (21), Tyrone Vickery (26), Nathan Hrovat (22), Jake Carlisle (susp)(D/F)(24) Brent Harvey continues to lead a 12 strong forwardline headed by the midget brigade of Harvey, Walters, the much improved Lyons and Edwards. Cooney will provide important depth, Brown and McGovern are taking giant strides forward, while Adams and McDonald-Tipungwuti will be DPP for the remainder of the year before becoming D only in 2017. Vickery has been disappointing, Hrovat injured. Carlisle suspended. POSITIONAL BREAKDOWN: DEFENDERS: 8 +1 MIDFIELDERS: 10 RUCKS: 2 FORWARDS: 11 + 1 AVERAGE SQUAD AGE (including Cooney): around 24 years 2 months. AVERAGE SQUAD AGE without Brent Harvey: 23 years 10 months
Darraweit's club leader and stalwart ruckman EEVVAAHHNN is back in favour at Punt Road: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-06-30/forgotten-tiger-ivan-maric-back-to-face-power. High hopes he can string a few more together after a number of issues have affected his season.
Well, one final trade and Darraweit has itself another ruckman. After an invitation from the coach of Charlie's Opening to have a chat about a trade, Darraweit have secured Thomas Nicholls in a deal that sees our first round pick in the 2017 PSD (around pick 8 currently) and promising forward Mitch McGovern head to the Spelunkers. Nicholls and the Spelunkers' third round pick are headed back to Darraweit. We truly didn't want to trade Mitch, whose drafting has proven to be one of the better late round pick ups in Darraweit history. But the opportunity to gain another ruckman and fill a hole in our big man department was too good to refuse. Tom Nicholls Position: Ruck. Age: 24 2016 average: 82 (10 games thus far) 2015 average: 81 (15 games) We welcome Thomas aboard and wish Mitch all the best. And with ORFFA action returning this weekend, a number of our new recruits look likely to make debuts for Darraweit: Probable Round 16 team (with depth in brackets): DEF: Rance, May, Adams, Byrne-Jones (Saad, McDonald-Tipungwuti, Stratton, Gleeson (Carlisle)) MID: Coniglio, Newnes, Tyson, Young (Trengove, Hill, Barrett + Edwards and Lyons) RUCK: Nicholls (Ceglar, Maric) FWD: Harvey, Walters, Lyons, Edwards (Brown, Vickery, Hrovat + Adams, McDonald-Tipungwuti (Carlisle)) I/C: Greenwood, Cooney Possible debuts: Byrne-Jones, Young, Nicholls Possible returns: Cooney
Darraweit has recorded win number 6 for the year - and its highest score for season 2016 - in a hard-fought victory over an ever-improving Gundagai 1307-1225. The win keeps the Guim's flickering finals hopes alive and comes after a manic mid-season trade and drafting period which featured a massive turnover in players. And in a statement Guim coach chris88 never thought he'd utter this season, it was Darraweit's two ruckman that led the way. Jono Ceglar (128) played the game of his career to garner five Hindy votes while new recruit Tom Nicolls immediately got to work, contributing 119 from the bench. Meanwhile, a blue moon was seen shining in the night sky. Also tonning up were Jack Newnes (101) in the middle and another new recruit - draftee Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, who played forward this week and scored an even 100. Darraweit is hopeful AMT remains forward at times in a bid to preserve his precious D/F status into 2017. Aaron Young and Darcy Byrne-Jones made encouraging debuts as well, while Adam Cooney's return to the Guim was marked with a healthy 82 score. The scoring from unexpected sources compensated for a few down games from stars like Alex Rance, Stephen Coniglio and Michael Walters. Meanwhile Big Ben Brown pushed claims for a senior return with 122 in the reserves. In Other News We also note that three former Blimps - Messers Armitage, Westhoff and Ibbotson - played important roles in delivering a first-up post-bye win for their new club Lovely Banks. We look forward to catching up with some or all of them in next week's long-awaited Household Cup match-up between the Guim and the Lilacs. Shane Edwards, who has also played with both clubs, will toss the coin, while it is unclear whether fellow dual-clubbers Ben McGlynn or Adam Saad will be able to take the field. Hindy Votes: 5 – Ceglar. 4 – Nicholls. 3 - Newnes. 2 - McDonald-Tipungwuti 1 – Tyson - a very handy contribution as well. Coach's discretionary points (3) to Ben Brown. Votes to Round 13 - Coniglio 34 Harvey, Walters 21 Westhoff*, Rance 20 Tyson 19 Armitage* 15 Newnes 12 Lyons 11 Shane Edwards, Brown 10 Adams 8 Ceglar 6 Nicholls^ 4 Greenwood, Stratton, May, McDonald-Tipungwuti^ 2 Ibbotson*, Trengove 1 * = traded or delisted at mid year ^ = arrived at mid year
Darraweit has emerged with a hard-fought victory in the Household Cup, defeating Lovely Banks 1236-1118. The margin of victory has flattered Darraweit, who needed some magic from Hindy frontrunner Stephen Coniglio to seal the win. The closeness of the match was further aided by a selection SNAFU which left Brad Hill and his 92 points on the bench. Brad will still receive Hindy votes for his efforts, as he can't be blamed for coaching inadequacies. The victory leaves the Guim just a game out of the eight. But with a tough match-up against Mt Beauty this week, any small chance of making the finals may be extinguished with a loss. A youthful top 5 in the Hindy voting this week - except for one notable veteran. Hindy Votes: 5 – Coniglio 4 – Harvey 3 - Brown 2 - Lyons 1 – Newnes 1- Hill Coniglio's 5 vote effort virtually seals his first ever Hindy win. Congrats to Stephen, what a wonderful season he has had. Votes to Round 14 - Coniglio 39 Harvey 25 Walters 21 Westhoff*, Rance 20 Tyson 19 Armitage* 15 Newnes, Lyons, Brown 13 Shane Edwards 10 Adams 8 Ceglar 6 Nicholls^ 4 Greenwood, Stratton, May, McDonald-Tipungwuti^ 2 Ibbotson*, Trengove 1, Hill 1 * = traded or delisted at mid year ^ = arrived at mid year
Darraweit Guim has moved rather unexpectedly into the eight, making it five wins on the trot by taking out a high-scoring thriller over Mt Beauty 1342-1322. In what amounted to the Dirigibles' best performance for the year, six Guim players tonned up (and a seventh, Brad Hill, was again left on the sidelines - that ain't going to happen again) as Darraweit snuck home with some last minute heroics from Stephen Coniglio and Aaron Young. Coniglio's mighty second half, and Young's busy last quarter, mustered enough points to see Darraweit get over the line despite the best efforts of Mt Beauty's Hamish Hartlett. Scoring was led by Michael Walters and Steven May, both of whom scored 120+. Newnes, Coniglio, Tyson and Rance reached triple figures as well, while Lyons, Nicholls and Harvey topped 80. Thumbs up too to Martin Gleeson, who justified his recall with a 71 in Darraweit's short handed defence. Somehow Darraweit is now sixth, among a clutch of six teams with 8-7 records. Another tough game awaits next round, with the Guim playing away to Lenny 120's very good Wagga Wagga Wombats team. Hindy Votes - Round 15 (Round 18 of AFL play): 5 – Walters 4 – May 3 - Newnes 2 - Coniglio 1 – Tyson Coach's discretionary vote (again) to Brad Hill for his 100+ on the bench. A nod of recognition also to Jono Ceglar, who continued his fine form despite not playing this week Votes to Round 15 (Round 18 of AFL play) - Coniglio 41 Walters 26 Harvey 25 Westhoff*, Rance 20 Tyson 20 Newnes 16 Armitage* 15 Lyons, Brown 13 Shane Edwards 10 Adams 8 May, Ceglar 6 Nicholls^ 4 Greenwood, Stratton, McDonald-Tipungwuti^, Hill 2 Ibbotson*, Trengove 1 * = traded or delisted at mid year ^ = arrived at mid year
A massive congratulations to foundation Darraweit Guim player and instigator of the Guim's Mighty Midget forwardline Brent Harvey, who breaks the AFL games record this weekend. We were going to give him a pat on the back and a presentation to mark the occasion but have thus far been unable to catch him. We are hopeful that Michael Walters might be able to keep up with him for a little while - so we'll see. Harvey, Alex Rance, Ty Vickery and Ivan Maric are the only original Guim draftees still running around at The Paddock. That Harvey is still the Guim's best forward and among its top 4 or 5 players is pretty mindblowing.