Hughenden (Prairie Dogs) 1,164 defeated by Blanchetown (Bunyips) 1,220 Posted for @Batfink Round 10 for the home side was a make or break game as they sit higher than their opposition @martyg in scoring ability however have been unable to convert it into the 4 points each week. Were as their opponents today have converted low scoring days at the office into wins especially in Ararat. From defence, it would be a duel of the young guns with Mill & Byrne-Jones up against Laird & Marchbank. Lead by the experience of Laird with 27 possessions the Bunyips held the upper hand all day against their respective opponents. The visitors having Jacobs in the centre certainly help them out however young Archie Smith in his debut game did well to quell the flow but it wasn’t enough and it’s also where the Prairie Dogs were lacking against likes of Pendlebury, Ziebell, Mitchell & Gray from Blanchetown. However, Hughenden’s Oliver, Shiel & Ward were excellent young Ricky Henderson was the only chink in the armour against quality opposition. Yeo shone up forward for the home team however he couldn’t do it alone. Green will be facing some hard questions with his sub-par performance by his brother’s in arms. At least he was out sub-parred by young Jack Silvagni at the other end of the ground. The Prairie Dogs made up some ground with their inter-changes in Shiels & Graham unfortunately it was not the day of the dog and again fell short of a performance that was needed to win games. With the mid-season break upon us, the Hughenden community, the club and players will be looking at each other to see who will make it back from the break, who will be given one more opportunity to show what they’ve got and who they can get for their money in the MSD which might not be as much as they first hoped (bloody games for!). BOG awards 3 Scott Pendlebury (130) 2 Jack Ziebell (117) 1 Clayton Oliver (112)
Groote Eylandt (Barracudas) 1,250 defeated Korumburra (Blowflys) 1,212 The Blowflys come to Groote Eylandt after knocking off the previous league leaders whilst the home side had a solid win over the Panthers. Another close match in the wings for round 10. Korumburra’s defence is solid until with youth, run and experience with the likes of Docherty, Johannisen and Hodge and they didn’t disappoint. Not to be out done the Barracuda’s have Lloyd, Dea, Murphy and Burgoyne. It was the school of hard knocks in both defensive camps with young Lloyd succumbing to knee to the head in the early minutes of the game. Goldstein took the honours in the big tap stakes up against an out of position Guthrie. In the centre is where it all happens for both teams. The Sloan Ranger played a starring role for the visitors followed by solid performances from Menegola, Barlow and Picken. The home town however goes wild for their own in the Bont, Zorko the magnificent, Hannebery and Corn boy Patrick Cripps. It’s the stuff that legends are made of and to bear witness to it was a sight to behold. At the money end of town there was a mixed bag in which home town boy Jong had some tricks on show and lead the way for the more senior players to watch. The Blowflys were relying on Walters to star, unfortunately he didn’t and it was up to Kennedy to kick on. The difference today and the same as the start of this season is the Barracuda’s interchange Cotchin and Lewis who muscle their way through each battle, their experience, knowledge and pure strength on show each week and for the visitors young McDonald-Tipungwuti and Zac Fisher, they were just out gunned and weren’t in with a chance at all. The home side takes the points in a closer game than they would’ve wanted however they will be sweating over Lloyd and Murphy’s injury’s as the league goes into the mid-season break. BOG awards 3 Rory Sloane (177) 2 Shaun Burgoyne (144) 1 Dayne Zorko (130)
I'm sure it wasn't the initial intention, but thats a nice jab in my direction!!! I'll get to it soonish
nah no ones direction at all mate, just a compliment for yad! If I was gonna give you shit it would be to respond to my pm's
Gisborne Grenades 1098 defeated by Christmas Island Smugglers 1204 "Grenades failure to explode gifts Smugglers victory" Firstly, apologies to @DamoH for the tardy match report... When 33% of your team manages to ton up, you'd expect to win most matches, but even with 5 tons Christmas Island did their best to lose this one. Gisborne simply had an off week, and couldn't compete with the guns that fired for the Smugglers. Topping all comers was ruckman Matthew Kruezer, who belted out a 146, even against fellow giant and superstar Jarrod Witts (98). Unfortunately for Gisborne, 98 was the second highest score. The one and only ton came from returned-from-the-oblivion-of-the-Bulldogs-list Koby Stevens, and even then he only just scraped into 3 figures with 103. Gisborne's forward line also had 86's for Douglas and Steele who both continue to impress. The Smugglers forward line simply went missing and only scored 149 points total - LeCras didn't even bother turning up while second-gamer Bolton and mosquito Lewis Taylor only managed to struggle into the 40s. Youngster Jake Lever showed why the Smugglers have been faithful towards him. A career best 121 from 29 touches with 11 marks was an impressive effort. He was clearly led by Dusty (125), Hepp (107) and Dayne Beams (127), who along with Dom Tyson provided the vroooom in the engine room. The Smugglers midfield scored a mammoth 443 points, and there was no way Gisborne was reeling in this total. In complete contrast the highest score in the Grenades engine room was only 68 as it simply spluttered and choked but couldn't get started. #gisbornegun Lachie Neale put in his first shocker this year and only his second sub-75 game in the past two seasons. He really is a star, and simply needed to rest his massive shoulders which have carried the team all year so far - he's also leading the B&F count according to tsLeagues. I won't even talk about the defences of both teams. Woeful. The Smugglers were simply too good this time, however, in all honesty, I struggle to see a situation where they end up going deep in finals. An incredibly strong midfield attempts to patch the holes in their other lines, and without an extraordinarily good week I don't see them contending with the top teams which can consistently score big points. BAFFU 3. Matthew Kruezer 146 2. Dayne Beams 127 1. Dustin Martin 125 Big Tap Matthew Kruezer 146 defeated Jarrod Witts 98
Cheers @Tomster for the write-up. After three years of having a weak midfield we'll take the 'incredibly strong' categorisation every day of the week.
Round 14 preview – Christmas Island versus King Island FU action returns to Flying Fish Cove Park this weekend, with the two best named teams in the League playing out an “8-point game” whilst trying to avoid all other clichés. There’s very little to separate the 7th placed Monarchs (6-4) and the 11th placed Smugglers (5-5) with only a 22 points scored differential YTD (in favour of Xmas Island). The similarities continue in the backline, with the FU’s current best KPD in Alex Rance, lining up for the Monarchs, with his heir-apparent, last start POOYA winner, Jake Lever, anchoring the Smuggler’s defence. However, there are stark differences in the forward line, with King Island’s worst, Tex Walker (83 average), being superior to the Smuggler’s best, new recruit Isaac Smith (81). @Tylo will be sweating on the health of his star full-forward JJK, with the media unable to confirm if he boarded the boat Sunday two weeks ago for the arduous 3-week boat journey from island to island. The 50 point swing between JJK and his named replacement Gary Rohan, could prove the difference in what looks like being a coin-toss of a game. For the first time in this fixture’s history, the Smugglers hold the advantage in the middle of the ground. Matty Kreuzer will be looking to continue his career year, and should be too strong for Zac Smith in the Big Tap contest (NicNat being sorely missed). While in the midfield, Dusty and Dayne will be looking to continue their excellent recent form, leading the midfield line that holds an average advantage of 13 points (105-92) over their King Island opponents. Last time – Christmas Island All time – King Island 2-1 Prediction: This one could be decided early, with Betts and Walker a very good chance to get off the chain, and set up insurmountable lead. However, the numbers don’t lie – these are two of the most closely matched teams in the FU at the moment, so in a controversial call we’ll predict the first draw for season 2017.
Preview Bulls / Gropers The Bulls & Gropers square off as the FU returns to Mill Park after the winter solstice. The Gropers are on a 6 match winning streak whilst the Bulls were awful before the break on the back of 3 losses injuries and poor form after a bright 5 - 2 start to the season. Looking back the Bulls and Gropers faced off late in season 2016 with an epic tight low scoring affair, on the day the Gropers fought off a fast finishing Bulls outfit by the barest of margins - 1 point in effect keeping the Bulls out of the 8 at seasons end. The Gropers lead this H2H 2 to 1 On paper the Gropers should have the cattle to hold sway with midfield players like the newly acquired Bull Selwood, Fyfe, Duncan, Crouch & Prestia leading the way. The Bulls will be heavily reliant on Rockliff and ex Gropers Whitfield and Hyphen Elliott making an immediate impact. Gropers by 125 points
Bulls / Gropers Update 1/2 way through the 1st Quarter and its a close one early with the Gropers 133/2/67 leading the Bulls by 6 points 127/2/64
With both teams having had two players take the field, it's as tight as expected at Flying Fish Cove Park, with the Smugglers holding a narrow lead 140-136.
Update from the Dino Dome after quarter of football, Hughenden are out to an early lead over the visiting Panthers. Hughenden 246/3/82 Panthers 151/2/75.5