Staghorn Flat defeated Christmas Island 1140-1131 In a match low on quality, but high on drama with late outs, selection dramas and the result in the balance until the final minute, the Bulls emerged well-deserved victors in nail-biter at Flying Fish Cove Park. Both sides started brightly, with Salem (102) and Hartlett (108) posting decent scores in the backline. A smudged team sheet from the Bulls (perhaps some left over Easter chocolate) caused the officials some confusion between the selection of Mayes or Jetta, but ultimately Sam took the field to post a game-defining 81. As is often the way when these teams meet, Big Boy McEvoy was instrumental to the win, with his 39 hitouts giving the Bulls midfield first use more often than not. He shaded Matty Kreuzer by 7 points in the big tap, with Kreuzer appearing to not be fully recovered from his groin injury. The middle stages of the game were mired in mediocrity with 18 of the 30 players scoring 75 points or less. The home crowd was so bored they were starting to talk about the Commonwealth Games as they waited for a spark to come. And so up stepped the Bulls’ young gun, Stephen Coniglio. With such a low-scoring affair there was always the potential that one player could win the game off their own boot - 5 tackles, 8 score involvements, 27 possies and a goal for a BOG 124 and the day was won for Staghorn Flat. There were few highlights from the Smugglers’ perspective, with only 3 players hitting their season average (admittedly from a small sample). The ultimate downhill skier, Aaron Hall, was the worst offender with 21SC(!) as his ex-teammates tagged him into oblivion. Luke Dunstan, in his first game of the season, took on most of the inside work for Christmas Island, with 30 touches and 6 clearances. The selection committee is rightly being asked questions as to why he was excluded from the first two games. The Smugglers coach is facing some selection dilemmas this week as he decides whether this was a simple off-game, or if the razor needs to come out. The result sees Christmas Island drop to 5th, while the Bulls consolidated their spot in the top 4, as one of the FU’s remaining undefeated teams. Next round sees tough assignments for both squads, with the Bulls hosting the reigning premiers, who will be desperate to find some form. Meanwhile in regional Victoria, the Smugglers have their traditional bogey team, who they have never defeated, being away to Pearcedale. Big Tap McEvoy 93 (SFB) over Kreuzer 86 (CIS) BAFFU 3 – Congilio (SFB) 124 2 – Hartlett (CIS) 108 1 - Gray (CIS) 103 @tyze1
Gisborne Grenades 1069 defeated by Pearcedale Panthers 1358 It was a very one-sided affair down in Gisborne. Pearcedale remain one of only two teams to have never lost to the Grenades, taking a 5-0 record across the 5 years. When will Gisborne ever get that elusive win? The match was fairly one-sided across all lines. In defense, Howe (92) and Savage (121) shone for the Panthers, while only Wilson (90) and Seedsman (110) held down the fort for the Grenades. Seedsman is justifying the faith shown in him by Grenades coaching staff by finally beginning to live up to his potential, although it was against a terrible St Kilda outfit who may end up as wooden spooners. The Gisborne mids were just poor, with only the ever-green Douglas cracking the ton (117). For the Panthers, Hunter killed it with 142 and Mundy also scored above average with 106. JPK and Parker had down games, highlighting how strong the Pearcedale midfield could be if everyone was able to get there acts together. Witts finally underperformed with 63, but he can't carry the team every week. He was soundly beaten by Nankervis who took out the Giant Tap win with 103. Casboult was the highest scorer in the Grenades forward line. Casboult. What a disgrace. Even worse, he outscored all of the Pearcedale forwards. That makes me sick. I mean, how the hell does Casboult outscore Curnow and Billings let every single player listed in the forward line. Guess you could say the CAS was surprisingly profitable this weekend On the interchange, Kelly continued his formidable start to the year with a 90 point game, including a 63 point second half. He's been very impressive and with scores like these he may end up taking out some silverware for the Grenades in the Lucky Find. Caleb Daniel somehow POOYAd a 102 despite only averaging 37 before this round, not that it really mattered given the overall scoreline. BAFFU 3. Hunter 2. Savage 1. Douglas Giant Tap Witts 63 defeated by Nankervis 103
Pakenham v Korumburra match report Both teams went into the match very excited to renew rivalries, the Pakenham team defeated the Korumburras Westside hardcore in the basketball playoffs only weeks earlier so @Mick was keen to get one back on his rival coach. It was a fairly exciting match with Pakenham posting some quality scores across the board to hold on for a good win. Korumburra tried hard but had to many weak links in the end to really test the home team. Pakenhams coach asked for some better scoring from his mids and that’s exactly what they did. With an avg of 111 from his 4 plus Sinclair’s 99 it was a quality showing. Micks mids failed to fire with an avg of 91, it proved the difference in the end. Unfortunately Ablett has gone down again....to injury so Mick will have some worries on his hands. Top scorers for Pakenham Sidebum 134, Hogan 125 and Gaff 123 where the highlights Korumburra had Walters 132 Menegola 128 and Vlaustin 103 how fought hard Final scores Pakenham 1324 Korumburra 1159 3. Sidebum 134 2. Walters 132 1. Menegola Big tap Bellchambers 80 defeats Goldmember 57
Mitchell is the only player in my team who can back it up week to week, if I had others who could constantly pump out those scores and relegate Mitchell to 1 vote id be stoked
Southern Cross Sandgropers 1177 def @HOLKY ’s Eden Whalers 986 It was the battle of the cellar dwellers. After finishing 2017 on top of the ladder the home town supporters had hoped for a better start than 0-2. Eden hadn’t fared any better either, also sitting 0-2. This match presented one team with the opportunity to get their first win of the season. Things started brightly for the Whalers with Crisp (128) running riot in defence while Curnow (86) was serviceable in the middle against Kennedy (52). With the visitors holding a 160 point lead word came through that none of Tarrant, Hartley nor emergency O’Brien made the flight leaving Eden with only 13 players. The news seemed to deflate the visitors and rather than lifting to try and cover their losses only Jones (107) managed to salute with no one else managing to exceed 80 points; a special mention for Castagna (49) who at 181cm took the Big Tap points. Eden (986) were done. With a numerical advantage and the door ajar the home side pushed their way through. It wasn’t as pretty as it had been in the past but the Sandgropers did enough. Ably lead by Fyfe (160) and the returning Wallis (107) Southern Cross (1177) took out the win by 191 points. Unlike the visitors the home side ended up with seven players scoring more than 80 but only two managed to break 100. There’s definitely room for improvement for the Sandgropers but a wins a win. We’ll take winning ugly with the expectation that the players start to find some form now we are settling into the season. BAFFU 3 votes - N.Fyfe (160) SCS 2 votes - J.Crisp (128) EW 1 vote - M. Wallis* (107) SCS GIANT TAP Castagna (49) defeated Howard (32) *Wallis tied with Jones on 107 points but gets the vote by virtue of being on the winning side
The Buffs have left the start gate, leaving the Bulls in the stalls Bulls 0/0/0 Buffs 162/2/81 @wrightbrendan
Over in Cow Bay we have another tightly fought ball game. At 4/9ths time the Crocs lead by 184 but have had an extra 3 players take the field. Crocs: 636 from 9 for an ave of 70.7 Grenades: 452 from 6 for an ave of 75.3 In a dour affair, just 2 players have managed a score better than 85 so far, Taranto (116) and Withderden (103). For the visitors, Neale has top scored so far with 85, followed by D Talia with 82.
Went at 69%, I'm guessing the 21 uncontested possessions didn't help the score. 6/9ths of the way through and the Grenades have edged ahead and hold a 23 point lead. Crocs: 776 from 11 for an ave of 70.5 Grenades: 799 from 11 for an ave of 72.6 Still to come: Crocs - McGrath, O McDonald, Acres, Gunston Grenades - A Brayshaw, Billings, T Kelly, Gresham
@Mick Update from the Terrordome...the Blowflys have struggled without some of their star men leaving the door open for the Sandgropers who have made an excellent start. KB - 759/11/69 SCS - 729/7/104 Go Gropers!
The Barracudas are on 899/10 89.9 and the Parasites are on 540/7 77.1 For the home side there’s still J Kolo, Frawley, Stanley, Hawkins & J Lewis to come. Plenty to come for the visitors in Carlisle, Duryea, Newnes, Blicavs, Hogan, Marshall & Sinclair
Update from Dino Park sees the visiting Banchang leading Banchang Barcrawlers 997/12/83 Hughenden P/Dogs 889/9/98
Update from Mill Park sees the reigning premier in control and looking to post their first victory in 2018. On the back of Ben Browns 167 its Buffs 729/8/91 Bulls 605/9/67 @wrightbrendan
A massive win to the P Dogs who have their season back on track. Final scores from the Dino Dome:- Hughenden Prairie Dogs 1,447 defeat Banchang Barcrawlers 1,228