Full time at The Sandpit and the hometown Sandgropers 1272/85 have blown away @TigersTooTough 's under strength Panthers 904/60. Its party time in Southern Cross tonight as the locals celebrate their club's first win of the season. Full math report to follow.
After getting the home crowd to their feet and holding a small lead after 2/3rds time the Crocs have stumbled and fallen apart in the last 3rd of their match with the Bulls losing 979 to 1135 (scores subject to scaling). Full match report to come.
King Island Monarchs 1,310 def Hughenden Prairie Dogs 1,274 A close contest saw the Monarchs edge out the fast finishing home team. After a disappointing 2 point loss in the season opener, Hughenden had a point or 2 to prove this week at home to the Monarchs but were unable to overcome the visitors, suffering a 36 point loss. The Monarchs were without a Ruck for the day with Smith missing the bus. It was the defender Gardiner (28) who stepped up to provide a contest to Sandilands (71) and give their on-ballers plenty of the ball with Murphy (130) and Pridis (110) being the benefactors. Hughenden’s mid field improved from last week with Ward (106), Shiel (132) and Oliver (139) providing some drive through the middle but it was another outstanding performance from the Monarch’s defensive duo of Rance (99) and Houli (107) that held Hughenden’s forwards for most of the day with the only resistance from Yeo (102). Hughenden’s backline leaked too often with the Monarchs forwards Walker (91), Betts (90) and Macrae (98) taking full advantage of their sloppy disposals under pressure. There is a lot to like about the Monarchs, no ruckman, but an even performance across the ground providing them a deserved win. The Monarchs are home this week to the Bunyips who are coming off a 1 point win and Hughenden remain at home to host the visiting Cow Bay Crocs. BAFFU Awards 3 Oliver, Hughenden (139) 2 Shiel, Hughenden (132) 1 Murphy, Monarchs (130)
Full Time at the Eden Sporting Complex and Nuytsland have won by over 200. Our boys put on a good effort but it was about the same as last week's score. The Vikings on the other hand have taken top spot with the high score of the round with their top 3 scoring a total of 414 and the rest scoring well as well. Honourable mention to Tom (why did I keep you in your worse year and trade you before you reached your potential) Mitchell scoring 118. Now the focus turns to next week and for us the Sandgropers and for the Vikings the Prospectors. Eden Whalers 1167 Def: Williams 84, Tarrant 124, Andrews 81, Vlastuin 60 (Maynard) Mid: Curnow 103, Jones 100, Scully 55, Zaharakis 101 Ruck: O'Brien (Stretch 44) Fwd: Lynch 100, Jenkins 2, Brown 85, Hrovat 57 (Griffiths) IC: Atkins 68, Gibson 103 (Crisp) Nuytsland Vikings 1438 Def: Boyd 59, Montagna 77 Birchall 82 ROBERTON 105 emg Nelson Mid: Shuey 141, T. Mitchell 118, Viney 64, Crouch 76 Ruck: Grundy 135 Fwd: Greene 138, Motlop 83, Young 78, Petracca 80 emg McLean IC: Seb Ross 109 Shane Biggs 96 BAFFU: Shuey 3, Greene 2, Grundy 1
Gisborne have limped over the 1000 mark for the second week running, but were nowhere near Ararat for the majority of the match. Neither team really ever got going, with many cylinders misfiring on both sides to prevent an exciting match. It was a fairly dour, low-scoring match overall, with few standout performances from either team. For the home team, there was only one ton, with Witts continuing his fantastic start to the season as the number one ruck. He put in a POOYA performance of 100. There were promising signs from Sam Powell-Pepper, touted as the next Dusty based on his don't argues, who managed to get a 90 together in only his second match. Mitch McGovern also scored better than he has in previous years with an 89, giving the recruiting staff some hope that some moves actually do pay off. EDIT: Totally forgot about Gisborne gun Neale's 126, the only player who really tried throughout the day. He was requested 7 times during the trade period (7!), but Gisborne are glad they kept him. For Ararat, Max Gawn was a level above, top-scoring with 111. He fed Adam Treloar very well, who was unlucky to score only 108. He could have easily gone well past 120 had he been scored slightly more favourably. Luke Dahlhaus was the only other Aramdillo to ton up with a solid 100. Tom McDonald and Shane Edwards played serviceable matches, finishing in the 90s. Bryce Gibbs put in an unusually low score of 58. There is lots of improvement to come in the Ararat side. If they can hit form at the right time, I can see them going far this year, although in current form the top 8 might be as far as the Armadillos get. For the Grenades, more consistency is needed and those very low scores need to be eradicated. Final scores Grenades 1017 defeated by Ararat 1201 BAFFU 3. Neale 2. Gawn 1. Treloar
Blanchetown Bunyips 1208 Def Banchang Barcrawlers 1207 1 point, that's right 1 point. The Bunyips struggled to put on any real points this weekend with some poor performances down back from Laird and co. On the other side of the competition, the Barcrawlers had solid performances from Adams and Suckling. Anyone that though Higgins was done and dusted will need to have a look at his massive 130 this weekend giving the Barcrawlers a nice lead going into the final match of the weekend. Then it was the Robbie Gray show - with 30 disposals and 6 goals, a truly POOYA performance to put on 164 points. Which was 126 more points than last week to get the Bunyips over the line by 1 point. Sorry for the lack of updates over the weekend @choppers was away in Melbourne watching the mighty Crows dominate the Hawks Thanks for the match-up, I dodged a huge bullet this weekend! **Update** BAFFU Points 3 - R Gray 2 - S Higgins 1 - S Pendles
No probs @martyg , I was away for the weekend as well, but nothing as enjoyable as watching a footy game. I was present at my step-sons ordination into the monkhood up in a small Thai town Sanam Chaiket. Two days of continuous religious traditions and chanting.....but at least there was a big party Sat.night. 300 tables @8 to a table, and I was the only farang (westerner) there..... I had no access to the internet either. Looks like we had a pretty even battle there until Robbie the magician showed up....I think that makes us 0-4 now. Maybe next year I'll get ya....
The Crocs continued their run of losses going down to @tyze1 's Bulls. The final score of 1,051 to 1,204 gave Staghorn a 153 point win away from home. The home side's ruckman Tom Boyd won the hitouts over Ben McEvoy (75SC to 61SC) but the Crocs' midfield let them down. Libba again led the way but was let down by Blakely with just 13SC points to his name. Hopper (63) and Tucker (54) could be forgiven being in only their 2nd season. Last week's heroics were not repeated by Zak Jones, returning a dismal 55SC points. Only Jack Martin (77) managed to pull his weight in the defensive line and the high hopes the coaches had for Hampton this year are being deflated each week. The forwards pushed up the ground to help out the midfield paying dividends for Gunston (131), Cameron (108) and Cloke (108). McCarthy (28) position himself in the goal square but saw little of the ball. First year draftees McGrath (56) and Taranto (75) continue to impress coaching staff. Although he didn't manage to win the hitouts, Selwood (128) and Rockliff (118) were able to have first use of the ball. Griffen (77) and S Hill (77) did their job without getting out of 2nd gear. In an odd result, the Bull's defensive line significantly outshone the forwards. Salem (134) is starting to justify his high selection in the AFL draft and old stalwart Mackie (99) continues to deliver. Mayes (83) has benefitted from a change of development coach. Just Lobb (84) and Roughead (82) did more than they needed to in the forward line with little effort shown from Lynch (43) and Fasolo (43) and the interchange bench Swallow (41) and Weller (66) showed little interest in putting in any effort. The win moves Staghorn Flat to 2nd position on the ladder whereas Cow Bay sits 3rd last. Next week Staghorn Flat hosts Christmas Island and the Crocs travel to Hughenden. BAFFU Votes: 3 Salem, Staghorn Flat (134) 2 Gunston, Cow Bay (131) 1 Selwood, Staghorn Flat (128)
T Thanks Fresh, I was a more than a little concerned when you posted the Saturday night scores - however the Bulls have been in worse positions before and extracted themselves. Lots to like about how Cow Bay are going about it! Thanks for the updates mate!
Round 2 – Korumburra defeated Christmas Island 1194 – 1165 The Smugglers hosted the Blowflies in their first home game of the season, with both teams looking to back up impressive first round wins. The four D’s (Dustin, Dyson, Dayne and Dom) joined forces for the first time in the Smuggler midfield and all tonned-up for a combined 448 points. However, despite consistently being first to the ball, they were regularly mown down by a rampaging Rory Sloane, who laid 15 tackles in a BOG performance. Sloane was ably supported in the guts by Picken, who also drifted forward to kick a couple of majors. The Smugglers defence had no answer to the Blowflies (mosquito) fleet with Stevie J and Poppy both kicking 3 goals. In fact Hamish Hartlett was so terrified of the Blowflies forwards he was a late out (as is his habit at least once a season). @Mick had his own selection dramas to deal with also, with Goldy and Menegola missing the boat to the Island. Generously no ruck replacement was named, which allowed Kreuzer to take out the big tap with a middling 71. However, Tippa came in for Sam and provided plenty of run for the ‘flies. With poor performances everywhere, outside of the midfield, the Smugglers’ coaching staff had to take comfort in the fact that their long-con of trading Hodge and Redden to Korumburra in last year’s mid-season trade period paid off, with the two proving they remain loyal to the Smugglers, only contributing a total of 128 points. Ex-Fly Marley Williams meanwhile showed the benefits of Xmas Island’s Clockwork Orangesque indoctrination program, turning on his ex-teammates to pump out his best score since round 19, 2015. Looking to next week, the Smugglers have serious issues down back and up front, with Michael Johnson (season average 42) and Jesse White (59) certain to be dropped from the starting XV once Jake Lever and Brett Deledio return. Xmas Island head to Mill Park, the site of some previous epics, against the unbeaten Bulls. Meanwhile the rebuild is progressing nicely for Korumburra, with the Blowflies hosting the Parasites in what reads like something out of an infectious disease journal, but should actually be a good game on the field. BAFFU 3- Sloane (KB) 2- Docherty (KB) 1 – Beams (CIS)
Groote Eylandt Barracudas 1,347 def by Coolgardie Prospectors 1,384 With a long haul for the Prospectors the Barracudas were looking for redemption after their lost to the Armadillos the week before. On the home paddock and a new role Lloyd was on fire running off half back. Frawley tagged Westhoff all day. Cotchin starred with the first goal of the game and dug deep with Zorko throughout the match. Up forward for the home team Hawkins booted 4 goals the old-fashioned way and young Jong played with heart slotting 1. The Bont continues to show why he’s a star collecting 30 possessions and putting 2 through the big sticks. In the heat of the day Cripps and Lewis came to blows with Patty getting a fractured jaw and Jordan on the receiving end of not only a tongue lashing for the coach but also an internal sin bin for 3 weeks. Hanna’s improved and Giles got doubled teamed by Mummy and Stephan. The visitors did what they came to do in the jungle, silence the drums. Mummy had the big tap wrapped up as his hit outs to advantage was 100% and Martin cherry picked the rest around the paddock. It was Fantastic Fantasia day with 5 big ones straight! This kids is coming into his own as he continued to evade both Burgoyne and Murphy. Wright chimed in with 3 goals just to rub salt in the bleeding home team. What made it all happen was the free-flowing play from young Ollie and Ebert who sizzled on the away soil picking up 30 and 28 possessions respectfully. It was all diamonds for the diggers from the west as they leave the back-to-back premiers with 0-2 start for the 2017 season. BAFFU Oliver Wines 144 Trent Cotchin 135 Marcus Bontempelli 134
Great report @YAD69 While I'm enjoying having a competitive team (sofar) this year, it would be nice if the defence stepped up and stopped the opposition kicking a big score. I don't expect it to change much this weekend...
Round 2 - Southern Cross Sandgropers 1270 defeated Pearcedale Panthers 910 The highly anticipated first home match for the Sandgropers promised so much but ultimately delivered a training run after all of the Panthers tigers missed the flight. The visitors forward line was well lead by youngster Burton (104) who seemed to have all the answers against Taylor (45) but Hurley (94), McGovern (93) and Harmes (105), playing his first game in defence, blanketed Daniel (61), Weller (62) and Simpkin (47). The struggles didn't stop there for Pearcedale with Lobbe preferring to run around in the twos leaving Ryder (75) to take the giant tap points for the match. With Paddy's silver service Fyfe (117), Duncan (99), debutant Cunnington (98) & Prestia (76) ran rampant against Mundy (92), Parker (79) and ex-Sandgroper Hunter (74). The Panthers midfield wasn't helped by Brodie deciding it was too hot at the Sandpit preferring to stay in his air conditioned home in Pearcedale. The Southern Cross forwards enjoyed the freedom of a loose checking Pearcedale defence with a rejuvenated Hoskin-Elliott (120), ex-Panther Smith (98), Rioli (76) and Milera (60) running rampant against a lethargic Shaw (53), Savage (52) and Gibson (46). Only Howe (89) battled manfully for his side in what was a lopsided affair. The Panthers Smith (81) and Reid (70) won the interchange battle against Darling (65) and Sheed (48) but it was really a case of too little too late. The win moves Southern Cross up to 12th but the loss for Pearcedale sees them rooted to the bottom of the table with the worst points-for total in the league. No doubt coach @TigersTooTough will be questioning the commitment of some of his team after their failure to turn up for the match. Round 3 sees the Sandgropers travel to Eden for what shapes as an important game for both clubs trying to stay in touch with the top 8, whilst Pearcedale host the winless Gisborne with one of the sides almost certain to get their first win of the season. BAFFU 3 votes - W.Hoskin-Elliott (120) SCS 2 votes - N.Fyfe (117) SCS 1 vote - J.Harmes (105) SCS
Top notch write up @DamoH Especially the traded players summary You definitely came out on top there this week. Korumburra very happy to be 2-0 to start 2017 and to even the all time record 2-2 between the Blowflys and Smugglers.
Bulls Smugglers Round 3 Preview The Bulls return home this week against the Smugglers in their latest installment. The first two clashes between these sides saw two epic comebacks, in 2014 the Bulls getting up by 23 points after been down for the count thanks to Rockys 175 point haul, whilst a fast finishing Smuggler outfit felt an agonizing 12 points short in 2015 after being some 500 points down. In 2016 the Smugglers extracted some revenge for the tight losses with a commanding 294 point win. At the selection table Coniglio remains out, whilst Brad Hill responded to his omission with 31 possies in the twos. McCluggage appears to be nearing a debut in Bulls colors as does Hayward who was extremely impressive in his debut for the Swans last week. Some concerns for the Smugglers with Martin under an injury cloud and Hartlett needing to overcome the runs to play. A horribly out of form Johnson wouldn’t want to be holding his breath for a reprieve this week with Lever likely to get a recall. A big game in the context of the season for these two clubs at 3 and 0 the Bulls would have some early season wriggle room whilst 2 & 1 looks much much better than 1 -2 for the visiting Smugglers. Will another epic be on the cards? Head to Head Bulls 2 Smugglers 1 Last Time they Met Bulls 1150 Smugglers 1444
Nice write-up @tyze1 A difference of only 17 in points scored across the 2 rounds for the Bulls and Smugglers suggests another close one is likely. Do Xmas Island have the composure to win a tight game, especially at the fortress that is Mill Park?