Gisborne Grenades 1141 defeated by Eden Whalers 1343 Firstly, apologies @HOLKY for the relative lack of updates over the weekend. In a match they never expected to win, Gisborne never really got going to the heights of the past 3 weeks. Eden were simply too strong all over the park - it should be noted that they scored higher than any Gisborne team ever has. Even some below average performances couldn't hold the Whalers back as their consistency across the board outmatched anything the Grenades could throw at them. For the home team, all defenders scored above average, punctuated by a massive 127 for Nathan Wilson. Gisborne recruiting staff were licking their lips after that performance following some pre-season scrutiny of a trade which brought Wilson in to the club. In the midfield, the ever-reliable Lachie Neale busted out a huge 134, ably followed by Jack Billings with 104, but noone else could keep up. Without a reliable ruckmen (Wittsy was furious by the way) the forwards floundered with some poor service into them. No notable performances occurred there, nor the interchange bench who could not help the starting 13. The visitors, on the other hand, were far more consistent. Eden had a low of 68 and a high of 111, compared to Gisborne's 54 and 134. The defence was solid, with 90 for Harris Andrews and 102 for Robbie Tarrant stifling the Grenades forward line. The midfielders were again consistent, with Scully 111 and Curnow 110 providing the sprinkles on top of a cake day for this line. Leuenberger (you don't understand how weird it is to type that name) faced no contest in the ruck, easily winning the Big Tap award by 96 points 96-0. 90s for Lynch and Brown in the forward line gave the Whalers the firing power that the Grenades lacked. The cherry was placed on top by Jack Crisp's 100 coming off the bench, completing a fantastic effort from the Whalers who had 11 players score above average. In the end, it was time for the Gisborne train to be derailed slightly, however it should be back on track next week (unlike another train which continues finding new ways to derail and should finish 9th). If Eden can put up performances like this one week in week out, they'll be pushing for a top 8 position, however I don't believe that the Whalers will be steady enough to win enough games to make the 8 this year. BAFFU 3. Neale 2. Wilson 1. Scully Big Tap Leuenberger
Southern Cross Sandgropers 1275 def @Batfink's Hughenden Prairie Dogs 1090 Southern Cross welcomed their bogey team this week with visiting Hughenden holding a 3&0 head to head record. This time however things were different. The Sandgropers were on a club record 4 game winning streak whereas the Prairie Dogs had just broken through for their first win in 8 matches. This was our chance to get one back. The game started fast with the two Mitches (Duncan & Wallis) racking up huge amounts of the ball and bashing out 130+ points each before the visitors even got out of their rooms. When the P-Dogs finally showed up they failed to put up much of a fight with Shiels 95 & Breust 83 their best performers whilst Whitfield 93 & Crouch 89 were solid for the home side. With their lead down to 117 Southern Cross needed some big scores from their remaining players to bank the 4 points and star defenders Hibberd 110 & Hurley 108 didn't disappoint. Sandilands 102 dominated in the ruck for the visitors easily taking out the big tap and second year sensation Oliver 91 continued to win the ball. The Sandgropers had too many stars over the match and no doubt Hughenden will be questioning the application of some of their premier players after Southern Cross extended the margin to win by 185 points at the final siren. BAFFU 3 votes - Mitch Wallis 2 votes - Mitch Duncan 1 vote - Michael Hibberd The win extends the streak to 5 now and with this club record also comes our highest league position. Round 10 sees Southern Cross welcome @fresh's Cow Bay Crocs to the Sandpit and Hughenden return home to take on Eden.
Early in the match at Southern Cross and Cow Bay are still in their rooms. For the second week in a row the Sandgropers have made a fast start 168/2/84 to the Crocs 0/0/0. Go Gropers!
Early update from Mill Park sees the undermanned Bulls make a spirited start against raging favourites the Vikings Bulls 212 / 2 / 106 Vikings 84 / 1 /84
Its been a huge-scoring start to the game in Coolgardie @wrightbrendan Prospectors: 308 / 3 / 102.6 Buffalos: 275 / 2 / 137.5
A belated review of the Round 9 match of the round (although with the carnage through the league last week, that’s not a high bar). @insider Christmas Island defeated Ararat 1311-1280 The Smugglers recorded their first win at home in season 2017, knocking off the table-topping Armadillos in a thriller at Flying Fish Cove Park. Both teams were somewhat surprised by the absence of Chad Wingard (Ararat) and Hamish Hartlett (Christmas Island), with several calls to their mothers going unanswered. Despite that, both teams managed to field a full 15. However, in what proved to be the difference between the sides the Armadillos took the Beveridge approach and played a recognized midfielder in SPS in the ruck. The Kreuz missile took full advantage of the mis-match, notching up 121 points to the youngster’s 29. (Perhaps a good time to mention the ruck stocks of the Smugglers are available for trade in the mid-season trade period?). Kreuzer’s field day gave the Smuggler’s midfield star duo of Dusty and Beams first use of the ball and the two didn’t disappoint, with 35 and 40 touches respectively. Treloar fought valiantly for Ararat picking up 34 touches and 7 tackles of his own, with Rich (118) and Gibbs (109) also saluting. Isaac Smith was the only forward from either side to crack the ton, and @insider would be pleased with the performance of his forward line, out-scoring the Smugglers 355-253. The Smugglers meanwhile are counting down the days until Deledio’s return, with the medical staff whispering amongst themselves that a post-bye return is likely. The defensive lines cancelled each other out 307-308, with the Smuggler’s off-ball attention having a game-winning effect on Bernie Vince, who could only manage 52. The Armadillos can consider themselves somewhat unlucky, posting the 3rd highest score of the round, but not able to bring home the W. The Smugglers will take the win however, able to sing the team song in front of the homes fans for the first time this year (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pELNBp6DBh8) and squaring the all-time regular season record against the ‘Dillos at 2 apiece. Round 10 sees Ararat continue their tour of the FU’s islands, heading down to Bass Strait to play what should be a cracker against the Monarchs. Meanwhile the Smugglers are off to Gisborne, looking to avenge last season’s loss, which saw them narrowly miss the 8. BAFFU 3 – Martin (CIS, 144) 2 – Beams (CIS, 132) 1 – Treloar (AA, 125)
@fresh's Crocs 199/2/99.5 have finally made it onto the park and have hit back quickly with Jones & Gunston combining to give them a 31 point lead over the Sandgropers 168/2/84
Unbelievable Jake Lloyd being KO'd in early minutes of the match leaving the ground and taking no further part in the game. Hopefully this will spur on the Cudas!
3rd straight home game for the Grenades, 6th overall in the first 10 matches. Not too many more to come! Gisborne are off to a slow start, with just Grundy playing so far. The selection staff were happy with their decision to not select the two Port players, who both only managed 50s, but then Grundy came out with a 47 and potential suspension! Christmas Island have also had a terrible start, with Hartlett not getting going at all with 42. So the scoreline is a comedic 47/1/47 plays 42/1/42! @DamoH
Half Time at Eden Sporting Complex and the travel schedule has taken its toll on Banchang who are 12/726 with 3 players (Impey and Amon 39 and Hanley 31) scoring less than 40. Meanwhile the Whalers are on the late shift having scored 2/228 so far with Jones scoring 130. And we just got an update, it looks like Crisp will be in the ruck as Phillips struggles to make the senior list.
The hometown Sandgropers 847/9/94 lead @fresh's Crocs 707/9/78 by 140 points moving into the last part of the match. Go Gropers!
The Barracuda's are on 902/11 82 to the Blowflys 880/11 80 Sloan blowing away the competition with a 177 for the Blowflys whilst the Cudas injured Lloyd got 4 for his troubles. However it's pretty even thus far, it's anyone's game at this stage.
Another update @DamoH The Grenades have been no better since the terrible start, and now sit at 889/13/70.1. #gisbornegun Neale finally put in a stinker with 55, but the club doesn't really blame the current BAFFU leader - his shoulders aren't strong enough to carry the team for 17 weeks, he needs at least one rest week. Christmas Island are flying comparatively, with 735/10/73.5 thanks to a once-in-a-blue-moon 127 from young backman Jake Lever to follow Dusty's 126 and Heppell's 107.
The undermanned Bulls as expected struggling against the Vikings Bulls 873 / 12 / 73 Vikings 1106 / 12 / 92
Deep into the last quarter and the Bunyips will hold on for victory, leaving Hughenden attached to the bottom of the table. Current scores Hughenden 1149 to Bunyips 1220
Good match @YAD69 Some carnage, some monsterous scores and some underperformers for both sides. Went down to the wire but your quality depth got you over the line. Too good this week
The Sandgropers 1312/15/87 have recorded their 6th consecutive league win by defeating @fresh's Crocs 1112/15/74 by 200 points. Match report to follow.