Gisborne 1173 defeated Serengeti 1079 In what appears to follow the league wide trend, Gisborne and Serengeti were both well down on their potential scoring power. The game wasn’t interesting for the middling to low scores; rather, the end result being in favour of the Grenades. It has been many seasons since Gisborne started the season with a win, and the score bodes well give the potential improvement possible. Serengeti will be disappointed with the start - a loss is never good but an early loss puts the season in the back foot. For the home team, Billings and Witts has a dominant day with 133 and 131 respectively, carrying the team up to new heights with centre clearances and work in the forward half. Debutant Tim Kelly justifies the coaches somewhat surprising selection, scoring 118 coming off the bench and evoking memories of Michael Barlow’s first season as a mature ager. Everyone else underperformed and there is definitely scope for larger scores out of this Gisborne team. It wasn’t a great day for Serengeti. 3 scores under 24 definitely won’t happen again, especially not the 17 from Zac Merrett (praise Richard Douglas?). Kelly of the Josh variety (116), Dixon (112) and Cameron (120) all managed to at big scores from there work around the ground and/or in front of goals. Jack Steven was the standout with 135, appearing to have regained his preinjury burst speed out of the packs. If these guns can keep performing and the Buffaloes can eliminate the extremely low scores, they’ll be well on their way to a successful 2018 campaign. Big Tap Witts 131 defeated Longer 34 BAFFU 3 Jack Steven 2 Jack Billings 1 Jarrod Witts
It wasn't pretty but the Bulls have blown the cobwebs off to start 2018 with an unconvincing 130 point win over a late starting Pearcedale outfit. For the Bulls new recruit Zaharakis led the team with 131 points ably supported by Coniglio (129) and Whitfield (114). However there were many passengers with Rockliff, Salem, Biggs, Hill, McCluggage, & Roughead all scoring 55 or less. On the bright side DBJ stood out in the 2's and is a strong chance to come in to support a pitiful effort from the new look backline. Over to @TigersTooTough for a full match report.
Cow Bay Crocs 1127 Defeated Blanchetown Bunyips 1052 Both teams fielded the best players available to them for the start of their 2018 campaign. Then Bunyips Midfield has been found out and put in a stinker with 2 donuts to start the season. The Crocs were also dealt a severe blow with 2018 hopeful Tom Libba doing his other ACL and will be out for the season. The Bunyips Defence were a standout with Laird leading the way with a massive 137 to start the season. Dark horse Blake Acres put in a massive 144 and BOG performance to dominate in the midfield. The Crocs forward line was potent with 3 of the 4 players outscoring their previous year average quite easily. Big Tap contender for 2018, Sauce Jacobs was fairly quiet but still managed to get the job done against Lycett. @fresh thanks for the challenge this week and the mid round update, best of luck for the rest of the season! BAFFU - Acres - 3 points Laird - 2 points Gunston - 1 point
Pearcedale 1009 def by Staghorn Flat 1139 In one of the less entertaining contests of the first round, the Bulls covered a Panthers team who may have performed better than expected, given the circumstances. It was the Staghorn Flat midfield trio of Zaharakis, Conilgio and Whitfield's combination resulting in 370 points that put the whole team on the front foot, particularly with a number of let downs in both defence and attack. From a Pearcedale point of view, the depleted team due to the need to place an autofilled side may have cost the club a win. Two donuts due to Simpson and Daniel not being selected, along with a pair of 20s from Lewis Jetta and the injured Ryan Burton made it an almost impossible task to run down the Bulls, regardless of Luke Parker's heroics in the final match of the season. The Bulls will look for an improved effort despite coming off a first round victory, with a lot of room for improvement from its backmen and forwards, while a full Panthers squad could put together some nicer scores. Best of luck @tyze1
Coolgardie Prospectors 1332 def Pakenham Parasites 1231 Both teams looked forward to kicking off the year in fine style but it was only one team that turned up to play, Coolgardie had quality players across all lines with some consistent scoring done by all, only a couple of players failed to fire which helped the home team keep it close. Sicily 125, Touk 112 and Steff Martin 111 were the Prospectors best with special mention to Parfitt 104 who had a ripper game to seal the win Pakenhams 2 stars did there best to win it them selves with out much help from others. The legend Simo 150 and big bud 175 did all they could. No other tons scored from any other Parasite hurt the final score. If some of the lacklustre play would have been slightly better maybe a win could have been pinched. In the end the more classy and better unit won the game. All and all a reasonable score produced by both teams, hopefully a sign for the season ahead. Good luck JPK for rest of season BAFFU 3: Bud 175 2: Simpson 150 1: Sicily 125. Big Tap: Martin 111 def Bellchambers 89
Thanks mate. Hopefully I can keep scoring 1300+ for the rest of the season. That'll keep the side in the hunt!
Round 1 Review, Christmas Island 1404 defeated Banchang 1130 @choppers Despite being over 2600km apart, this is the closest these two teams have to a local derby, and when coupled with the fact it was the opening game of the season, the Smugglers’ membership of 43 could not wait for the first bounce. However, inspired by the Australian cricket team, the game’s start time was moved forward by 30 mins without informing the visitors. Cheating? Possibly. Effective? Definitely, as the Smugglers jumped out to a 400 point lead before the Barcrawlers took the field. Dusty and Dyson especially enjoyed the unopposed kick-to-kick with 139 and 142 (BOG) respectively. First gamer Tom Doedee (86) managed to stem some of the bleeding for the visitors and looks to be a likely type, but he received little support. Big man Callum Sinclair capitalised on a groin injury to Matty Kreuzer to dominate the hit-outs, but the Barcrawlers midfield, averaging 72, couldn’t take full advantage. Riley Bonner (119SC with 31 disposals) finally showed why the Smugglers have shown so much faith in the man taken with the final pick in the 2016 FU PSD as he, along with captain Hurn (112SC) set up most of the Smugglers’ attack from half-back. Most of these attacks were being run through Smuggler debutant Westhoff (140SC), with a game-high nine marks, and the highest score by a Smuggler on debut. The Hoff will likely have to spend a decent time in the ruck next week, following Kreuzer’s injury. Selection committee with be interesting for both teams, with the Smugglers likely to bring in new recruit Robbie Gray, and Aaron Hall (assuming he passes the Wednesday fitness test), while Banchang will be sweating on the fitness of two-metre Peter. Next round sees the Barcrawlers hosting Blanchetown, while the Smugglers visit one of their bogey sides in Korumburra. BAFFU 3. Heppell (CIS) – 142 2. Westhoff (CIS) – 140 1. Martin (CIS) - 139 Big Tap Sinclair (BB) 106 over Kreuzer (CIS) 74
Round 1 - Southern Cross 1045 defeated by Nuytsland 1427 After last season's Minor Premiership it's an understatement that expectations were high for 2018 in the Goldfields. After a grueling preseason the board had to have harsh words with the coaches as the team entered round one with Wallis, Prestia & Crouch all injured; an under strength team was not what the club had been hoping for. Fortunately this was counteracted by Nuytsland missing Viney, Griffen & Birchall. The match started poorly for the home side with reserve player Kennedy (3) injuring his ankle, the visitors fared little better with Byrne (48) replacing the absent Viney. Taking a 45 point lead into the second quarter the Sandgropers fans were hopeful of a quick turnaround. Smith (92) started brightly spending more time on the ball and Hurley (100) performed as expected cutting off numerous Vikings attacks. M.Crouch (105) did his best to keep the visitors in the game as the teams went into the half time break with Southern Cross holding a 42 point lead. The third quarter is often called the premiership quarter and the Vikings showed just why they have been heavily backed to win the flag this year. Mitchell (167) contracted leather poisoning as he stamped himself as the premier on baller in the comp, surely the coach should have sent someone to run with him (WTF Bucks???). Ross (113) cashed in on Grundy's (95) dominance to win a heap of the ball himself. Both Roberton (90) and new recruit Harbrow (92) repelled attack after attack for the visitors whilst Howe (86) showed some promising signs. An unfortunate injury to Ryder (68) quelled the Sandgropers scoring power as Fyfe (75) and Rioli (63) were starved of service. Cunnington (97) did his best to keep Southern Cross in the match but his efforts were in vain as Nuytsland took an unassailable lead of 298 points into the last stanza. With little to play for, the 4th quarter started poorly for Southern Cross with Taylor (19) and Crozier (23) both succumbing to injury. As expected Selwood (125) was not prepared to give up and partner in crime Duncan (94) did his best to keep the club in with a shout. Forward Harmes (79) was starved of the ball forward of centre whilst defenders Hibberd (74), McGovern (82) & Mcveigh (51) all struggled with the quantity and quality of ball being pumped in by Nuytsland. For the visitors, Rampe (53) & Williams (46) had little to do with the ball spending most of the afternoon at the other end of the ground and Shuey (110) continued the Vikings dominance in the middle as he continually sent the ball forward to the star studded forward line. Greene (131) managed to keep his head this week as young guns Heeney (105), Petracca (95) and McLean (91) showed the home fans how to play the game. At the final siren the margin had blown out to 382 points; the Vikings were deservedly victorious. Coach @bryzza is justifiably delighted with the result as a team missing 3 of its best 15 still managed to be the highest scorers for the round. For Southern Cross the day was bleak with 4 new injuries adding to the 3 they were already carrying; leaving just 21 fit players to choose from for next weeks away trip to the improving Pearcedale. There is however a little hope that Kennedy & Wallis will be fit but with Ryder out for 5-6 weeks, backup ruckman Roughead will need to be at his best for the Sandgropers to have any chance. BAFFU 3 votes - T.Mitchell 167 (NV) 2 votes - T.Greene 131 (NV) 1 vote - J.Selwood 125 (SCS) Giant Tap B.Grundy 95 (NV)
Some round 1 trivia: Cow Bay recorded their 10th ever win and their 1st win over Blanchetown Ararat recorded their 50th home and away win in ORFFU becoming the first team in the league to reach the mark Coolgardie recorded their 40th ever win (including finals matches) King Island recorded their 50th ever win (including finals matches)
Great trivia there @fresh At some point we need to get everyone (virtually) together for an ORFFU Trivial Pursuit night!
Nice write up @eagle_eyed , very happy to get that first win out of the way but more importantly another local derby win Like a well oiled machine the midfielders and forwards picked up where they left off, room for improvement down back with two new faces needing time to gel. Promising signs in the twos as back up ruckman English 83 soon to be pushing Grundy for that no.1 spot. Young 112 being released through the midfield.
Korumburra Blowflys 1,285 def Hughenden Prairie Dogs 1,215 In the end a close contest which saw the Blowflys edge out the fast finishing home team. Consistency was the winner for the Blowflys across all lines with Ablett (116) and Goldstein (105) being the standouts while for the home team it was Oliver (123). Shiel (129), Yeo (109) , Membrey (107) and Sanidlands (104) who nearly dragged Hughenden to victory. Hughenden was a man down for the day with Morrison unsure if he was in or out of the side decided to not show up and this was compounded when neither Green or Langford could decide if they wanted to get off the bench and play in his place. This obviously unsettled Hughenden which the Blowflys took full advantage of with Ainsworth (91) a late replacement for Barlow, Hooker (92, Hewett (95) and Walters (83) running amuck in the forward line. The contest of the day was between the 2 rucks Sandilands and Goldstein who gave plenty of good service to the on ballers. Goldstein winning the Big Tap by 1 point on the day. The Blowflys are home this week to the Smugglers and Hughenden are on the road to King Island searching for their first win of the season. BAFFU 3 votes - Shiel 129 (HPD) 2 votes - Oliver 123 (HPD) 1 vote - Ablett 116 (KB) Giant Tap Goldstein 105 (KB) over Sandialnds 104 (HPD)
Round 2. Progress score from The Stadium where the visiting Bunyips from country South Aussie have jumped out to an early lead over the Barcrawlers. With 2 very good scores from their SA players Laird 120 and Jacobs 116, they are 5/370/74 and leading the Barcrawlers 2/226/113, with 2nd gamer Tom Doedee leading the way for Banchang, with 115, ably supported by Greenwood, off the bench with 111.
At 1/9th of the way through the game in Coolgardie, and its the visiting Barracudas @YAD69 leading the way by 50 points. Coolgardie 77 / 1 / 77 Groote Eylandt 127 / 2 / 63.5
CIS 160 / 1 (Dusty) KB 141 / 1 (Sloane) Off to a cracking start at the Terrordome! Unfortunately this week's addition of Robbie Gray and Aaron Hall for the Smugglers has pushed Shaun Grigg and his 64 to the pine
Quarter time at The Stadium sees the local Barcrawlers claw their way back into the game against the visitors and lead the Bunyips 5/471/94.2 to 7/446/63.7. In the 2nd part of that quarter, midfielder Shaun Higgins 120 put on a masterclass and led the way for the 2 debutants to follow. LDU, as midfield emergency, came onto the field as Newman was a late out, with a dose of "Banchang Belly".. After going Pick 1 in the PSD, LDU in his first game totalled 77 in only 66% game time and looks to have a very good future in the game. EVW couldn't quite replicate his scoring from the 2nds last week but still did the team things which will please the coach no end. The Bunyips were only able to add 76 to their score thru their midfielder Armitage, while Mountford was another who came down with "Banchang Belly" and couldn't take his place on the field. In late news, it appears Langford and Silvagni for the Bunyips have also succumbed to the same dreaded ailment, which will make it very difficult to get a win. But with 7 players still at his disposal, I'm sure the coach of the Bunyips, @martyg, is plotting a way to achieve it.
At 2/9th of the way through the game in Coolgardie, and its the visiting Barracudas @YAD69 leading the way by 56 points, after the Prospectors all choked! Coolgardie 196 / 4 / 49 Groote Eylandt 252 / 3 / 84
Nuytsland vs Eden Vikings 121/2/60.5 Whalers 140/2/70 Jenkins has 115 on the pine, umpires still deliberating whether or not he was actually on the field or playing in the two's @HOLKY
Late in the first quarter it’s the Buffaloes with a slight advantage over @ddsaints and his Parasites leading 232/77/3 v 228/76/3. An unfortunate kick to Longer is subdueing his performance but Carlisle and Brown are having a ding-dong battle that is keeping the crowd entertained