Barcrawlers have taken out the Outside Australia cup 1052-1042, Apologies @choppers for the lack of updates over the weekend, if it is any consolation, my lack of attention also cost the Buffaloes the result! Full match report to follow
Another week, another good effort beaten by a better side. Plenty of positives to focus on with Curnow once again leading the way with 136. The forwards and IC even got ahead of the Panthers even with Cunningham only scoring 30. But the Panthers won the day with Kennedy leading with 151 and Hunter with 114. Next week Pearcedale play Blanchetown while we play Hughenden. Eden Whalers: 1108 Def: Crisp 86, Andrews 80, Tarrant 77, Joyce 37 (O'Brien) Mid: Jones 95, Curnow 136, Atkins 63, Papley 49 (Lester) Ruck: Phillips 52 (Soldo) Fwd: Castagna 82, Lynch 82, Jenkins 93, Cunningham 30 (Otten) IC: Amon 65, Motlop 81 Pearcedale Panthers: 1257 Def: Howe 92, Savage 72, Shaw 88, Burton 77 (Ellis) Mid: Hunter 114, Parker 88, Josh P Kennedy 151, Caddy 88 (Jetta) Ruck: Nankervis 81 Fwd: Daniel 87, Melksham 50, Simpkin 52, Weller 87 (ANB) IC: Conca 77, Mundy 53 BAFFU: Kennedy: 3, Curnow: 2, Hunter 1. Giant Tap: Nankerkis 81 def Phillips 52
Gisborne 1217 defeated by Hughenden 1287 Die-hard Gisborne fans were treated to a relatively high-scoring, tightly contested affair in Round 7. The long-suffering locals haven't seen much entertaining (fantasy) football played, let alone close matches, so this was one to warm even the deepest cockles of the darkest hearts. However, it was a loss, and the season looms as another chance gone begging after a promising start to the year. In the end, some underwhelming scores from Hughenden stars were nullified by some large scores from others. Sandi was a leader around the ground, racking up 144 points and leaving Wittsy in disbelief that he could lose a Big Tap match despite scoring 114. Clayton Oliver was a bit like the new sky rail in Clayton - useful and everywhere and necessary but a bit of an eyesore. Still, you can't complain with 124 points. Yeo was the only other ton for the Praire Dogs with 111, whilst others had scores which hovered in the vicinity of their averages. 4 tons for Gisborne was a promising sign, but disappointingly two more were sitting on the bench. Had the right moves been made by the selection panel, this was a winnable game. Douglas, Neale and Kelly did their best in the midfield, an underrated part of the Gisborne line up. Billings continues to amaze with his complete lack of form and apparent disinterest, whilst Seedsman is justifying the long winters he was held in the Gisborne list. Mitch McGovern appears to be finding form as well, although it was against Carlton, who may win a game this year. Has any AFL team done that? BAFFU 3. Sandilands 144 2. Douglas 134 1. Oliver 124 Big Tap Witts 114 defeated by Sandilands 144
After 3 weeks away from home the Buffaloes were looking forward to hosting their offshore rivals, @choppers and his Barcrawlers, down in The Crater. However, what followed was a continuation of inconsistent performances from the home team that ultimately cost them a win. Shaun Higgins (123) starred in a below average match as he was well serviced by Barcrawlers ruckmen Callum Sinclair (115) despite the best efforts of Serengeti big Tom Hickey (107) who has been one of the few bright spots of the Serengeti season so far. Mitch Robinson (100) continued his career renaissance in an unusually open forward line created by the ineptitude of Serengeti match committee who sent out the team 1 defender short with the fit and ready to go potential debutant Charlie Ballard sitting and watching on from the outer. This latest debacle has already caused one long time supporter of the club to vent his frustrations publicly and if things don't start to turn around quickly for the Buff it could unravel very quickly. With all of that going on the match was still in the balance late in the last quarter but when Scott Pendlebury (63) went off injured this one was done and the Barcrawlers took it out by 10 points. Final scores Serengeti Buffaloes 1042 def by Banchang Barcrawlers 1052 BAFFU votes 3 Shaun Higgins BB 123 2 Hugh Greenwood BB 116 1 Callum Sinclair BB 115 Big Tap Sinclair 115 def Hickey 107 There is no quick relief in sight for the Buffaloes (2-5) as next round sees them travel to league his scorers Nuytsland while the Barcrawlers (3-4) will look to level their win/loss ledger as the long road trip continues on taking them to Cow Bay.
Round 7 Trivia Hughenden achieved their 20th win in their existence (both overall and H&A wins). Southern Cross' has evened their overall win loss record which now stands at 38-38. The match between Korumburra and Staghorn achieved a few things: It was the 11th lowest scoring match in FU history with a total match score of 1,940 points (KB 1,113 vs SFB 827) and was the lowest scoring match that both teams have been part of. It was Korumburra's lowest winning score ever. It was Staghorn Flat's lowest score ever Staghorn's score of 827 was the equal 17th lowest score ever by a FU team Two teams are currently in their worst losing streaks in their history: Blanchetown has recorded their 11th loss in a row, a streak which started last year in FU round 14 (AFL round 17). Compared to all losing streaks ever seen in the FU, this is the 4th longest and on par with 11 losses in a row sustained by the now defunct Manangatang, Nuyts and Cow Bay. There's still a way to go to get to the longest losing streak of 21 losses in a row suffered by Cow Bay. Eden has recorded their 7th loss in a row, a streak which started in round 1 this year. It's the 6th longest suffered by a FU team. On the flip side, Ararat is on a 7 game winning streak. It's a decent effort but it's not their best effort. They've hit 10 wins in a row twice before (the current FU record for most wins in a row).
At least Cow Bay's losing streaks are getting shorter! 21, 11, 6, maybe 3 will be the most for the Crocs this year!
Coolgardie 1355 def King Island 1273 The visiting Prospectors struck gold down at King Island with a really strong team effort. Sicily (145) led the way floating around the ground whilst avoiding doing anything stupid, O'meara (106) was the best of the midfileders, Stef Martin (114) had the better of NicNat (93), Astbury (95) played an important role locking down Monarch spearhead Kennedy, but the highlight was late inclusion Willie Rioli (109) who continually harassed and ran-down a slow looking Monarch backline. For the home side it was a classic case of one man trying to single-handedly drag his team across the line. Despite close attention from Touk Miller, Jack Macrae (189) was unstoppable and continued to show he's the hardest working midfielder in the competition. Unfortunately for the Monarchs he was a lone hand with no other player cracking the ton and the performance of the bottom end players proving to be the difference in the match. Votes 3 Macrae 2 Sicily 1 Martin
Christmas Island 1248 defeated Cow Bay 1137 @fresh The Smugglers maintained their undefeated record against the Crocs in a hard fought 111 point win at Flying Fish Cove Park. The Crocs started brightly, with Andy McGrath getting 27 possies across half-back, and going at 85% efficiency to set up plenty of opportunities early. Jack Martin with 2 goals was the main beneficiary, as the veteran Smugglers struggled to match their younger opponents' energy. In fact, such was the lackadaisical approach taken by the hosts, that Shaun Grigg and Michael Johnson stayed in bed on match day, granting opportunities to Marley Williams and Bailey Dale. Unfortunately with two scores in 50s the pair did little to impress, but due to the Smugglers’ injury woes are likely to retain their spots. The home crowd was starting to get restless as Laverde could only post a 43SC, and this turned to outright concern as Dusty missed some sitters to kick 0.4 and only score 87. This gave the Crocs a one point lead at 10/15th’s time 769 – 768 and the unbeaten streak was a reasonable chance of ending. However, despite De Goey’s BOG heroics (5 goals and 123SC) trying to drag the Crocs over the line, the bigger bodied Smuggler midfield eventually started to exert dominance, with Dunstan and Beams matching the output of Taranto, Blakely, Hopper and Worpel. Lewy Taylor’s 4 late goals iced the game, with the 111 point margin flattering the hosts. With a bevy of young talent still come into the team, the home crowd left knowing that it won’t be long before the Crocs get the better of the Smugglers. As other results fell their way, the win sees the Smugglers move up to 2nd, while the Crocs slip to 13th and a 3-4 season record. Next week sees the Christmas Island head to Southern Cross @eagle_eyed in the match of the round, while Cow Bay will give themselves every chance at home against Banchang. BAFFU 3 - De Goey (CBC) 2 – Dunstan (CIS) 1 – Beams (CIS) Big Tap Lycett (CBC) 68, Kreuzer (CIS) 64
@wrightbrendan , apologizes in advance for the lack of updates for this round as ill be working all weekend. Will try and update tonight.
Early update from Mill Park sees the Cudas opening a small lead over the Bulls in a free flowing contest thus far SFB 265/3/88 GEB 332/3/110 @YAD69
As we approach half time it the Bulls who have opened up a surprising lead against the Cudas in a free flowing game thus far. SFB 675/7/96 GEB 521/5/104 @YAD69
@choppers At 5/9ths time out at the Cow Bay home ground we have another ball game with just 25 points the margin. Crocs 663 from 8 for an ave of 82.9 Banchang 638 from 8 for an ave of 79.8 Barass (112) and Gunston (102) are the best scorers so far in this game. A total of 9 players are on the field tonight.
@wrightbrendan In a sad state of affairs both teams are struggling to put runs on the board. Nuytsland 1000/14/71 Serengeti 718/10/72 Stars still to come for Buffalos Pendles, Danger and Brown should bring home the bikkies Grundy the only Viking ready to go
Cracking game at the Sandpit with the forwards and rucks for both teams putting on a clinic. It’s @DamoH ’s visiting Smugglers leading by 122 points. SCS - 1061/11/97 CIS - 1183/14/85 If Dusty has a huge one anything is possible but even with their points advantage it’s going to be tough for Christmas Island to hang on. The equation being Dusty & 122 points vs Selwood, Duncan, Cunnington & Stephenson. Some decent performances from the remaining Sandgropers should see them take the four points and close the gap to the second placed Smugglers. Go Gropers!
@choppers At 7/9ths time and it's still a close match at Cow Bay. The Crocs lead by 58 points. Cow Bay - 1,083 from 13 for an ave of 83.3 Scharenberg and DeGoey are putting on their boots. Banchang - 1,025 from 12 for an ave of 85.4 Still to come: Tuohy, Higgins and Adams Based on player averages, Banchang should get the win in the final 2/9ths of the match.
Update from the Dino Dome sees Hughenden with a commanding lead over the Whalers:- Hughenden 1253/14/89 Eden 920/11/84 Sandi (150) has again blown the game apart with Oliver (143) the beneficiary.
Cheers @bryzza With no replacement for Selwood’s late withdrawal and Pendles still in doubt you may have just enough runs on the board already!
@choppers In another close encounter out at The Swamp, the visiting Barcrawlers have over run the Crocs in the last moments of the match to take out a 13 point win 1,324 to 1,311. Match report to come once the scoring sheet has been audited.
A cracking contest at Mill Park sees the Cudas get home over the Bulls by 39ish points 1296 - 1257 @YAD69