Also, a quick bravo to the squad for making it through to the last four in the ORFF knockout competition. Completely unexpected and yet very happy. Have had some luck along the way, but it has been a good run thus far.
After dodging bullets like Neo in The Matrix, the Blimps have finally been punctured, recording their first loss for the year in a great match-up with Foul Bay. Despite some variable scoring, the game was in the balance going into the final stages. However an untimely injury to Michael Walters was the straw that broke the camel's back. Playing with 13 players each week is clearly unsustainable! Well done to Foul Bay, who deserved a bit of luck (and some good scoring) after having a short supply of it thus far this season. Hindy Votes: 5 - Caddy 4 - Savage 3 - Lyons 2 - Cogs 1 - Gunston Coach's discretionary votes to Pretzels Goddard for backing up on about 3 days break and recording a good score, and to Kieren Jack who pressed his case for inclusion this coming week. After seven wins for the whole of last season, five in the first six this season is a decent improvement. That four of the Blimps' top six scorers this week were recruited in the off-season just past is an indication that our recruiting has been on point. And while we don't expect to continue at such a pace, the good start to the season puts us in an encouraging place in our bid to return to the finals. Overall Hindy 22 - Coniglio 13 - Lyons 11 - Goddard 10 - Brown 9 - Walters, Savage 5 - Astbury, Caddy, Gunston 4 - Rance 2 - Vickers-Willis 1 - Edwards, Jack
Very ordinary scoring this week from better players, as well as no ruckman again (late withdrawal) and an in-game injury for the fourth week in a row, has Darraweit barely scrape into four figures. Luckily we were able to escape with a win over the Lefties. Hindy Votes: 5 - Edwards 4 - Rance 3 - Brown 2 - Astbury 1 - Goddard Thank god for the Richmond trio above, as well as Sideshow Brown and Pretzels. Injuries, poor form and no ruckman are really starting to bite the Blimps, with Vickers Willis joining half the defence, the ruckman and Michael Walters on the sidelines. Regrettably what might've been a marquee matchup against @graeme and his Cows looks increasingly likely to be a one-sided affair. There might be an opportunity to wield the selection axe and make some statements. We'll see. Overall Hindy: 22 - Coniglio 13 - Lyons, Brown 12 - Goddard 9 - Walters, Savage 8 - Rance 7 - Astbury 6 - Edwards 5 - Caddy, Gunston 2 - Vickers-Willis 1 - Jack
From the media this morning: "The Cats also expect ruckman Zac Smith to be available for selection after he had a back spasm while sitting in a cafe late last week. The injury forced him to be a late withdrawal against the Giants with Rhys Stanley earning a reprieve." The Blimps have gone one step further and have banned Zac Smith from cafes in the lead up to this week's game. And with the majority of our defensive line - Messers May, Vickers-Willis, Savage, Adams and others - injured or unlikely, we may try to stretch young Zac's back a little further and have him cover an extra spot in defence as well (if this is legal and doesn't breach any human rights conventions, of course).
Despite being presented with some gilt-edged chances to notch win number 7, the Blimps were unable to do so, going down to the Cows in a lower scoring but entertaining contest 1241-1157. Just a couple too many low scores and poor performances each week right now to challenge the top teams. This week poor scoring from Edwards, Astbury and Goddard is almost forgiven given their good efforts thus far this season. Lyons on the other hand might be in danger of a run in the magoos. But too many 50s, 60s and 70s and not enough 100+ scores right now. 1157 is about 100 or so more than what would've occurred in season 2016 though - this year we have a touch more depth and seem to find a way to at least be competitive most weeks. However we are in desparate need of a few consistent efforts and a form turnaround from 3-4 players. While Steven May looks likely to miss a week, Darcy Byrne Jones' form in the reserves gives us some depth. And a welcome back to ruckman Zac Smith, who toiled hard against good opposition in his return game yesterday. Hopefully forwardline talisman Michael Walters returns from injury and provides us with some depth in order to make changes elsewhere on the field. Ditto for Brad Hill and Michael Adams. Messers Newnes, Lyons and a couple of others have been put on notice - after 18 months or so of either poor draft or average trading, Darraweit was a pretty ruthless trade-making whirlwind over pre-season and has no qualms about repeating the dose during mid-season given our three first-round MSD picks and our very itchy trade finger. (Note to fellow ORFFA teams, trade inquiries are welcome and will be given due consideration) Anywhere between three and five list changes are planned for mid-season. And right now there would only be 8-10 players on the list that are safe from the chop. Hindy votes: May 5 - Our backline leader will most likely miss a game or two due to overly passionate protestations causing contact with an umpire. Unfortunate given his fine game on the weekend. Caddy 4 - Star. Nothing more to it. Gunston 3 - Another great off-season recruit Coniglio 2 - A welcome return to form Lewis 2 - Been very handy this season. Another good recruit from the off-season Rance 1 - Because we feel generous today. Overall Hindy: 24 - Coniglio 13 - Lyons, Brown 12 - Goddard 9 - Walters, Savage, Rance, Caddy 8 - Gunston 7 - Astbury 6 - Edwards 5 - May 2 - Vickers-Willis, Lewis 1 - Jack
It is highly likely that four players will be removed from Darraweit's list during the mid-season draft and trade period in a couple of weeks time. While a couple of those players will be delisted, new homes will be sought for others. With the option of retaining any player which doesn't attract trade value, Darraweit will be happy to take on board offers and negotiations for players when the time comes.
Darraweit responded to some tough questions (mainly from the coach!) on the weekend, notching a far healthier score on the way to a win against a depleted Packers outfit. The Packers, like many teams, have got some fitness issues - though those that did take the field scored well (Alex Neal-Bullen I'm looking at you!) But on a positive note for the Blimps, 13 of 15 players scored between 69 and 102. One standout performance from Brown was bookmarked by a poor one from Astbury. A score near 1250 all up was good, wtih Darcy Byrne-Jones showing serious improvement in the twos. Walters' return from injury was a good one too. Regrettably DBJ, May and Lyons will be absent next week due to the post Shanghai bye. Newnes may well return, and hopefully one of Aliir, Brand or Adams steps forward to play defence. Hindy Votes: 5 - Brown, who now ranks as our best mid season draft pick ever. 4 - Gunston 3 - Caddy 2 - Savage 1 - Coniglio Coaches Vote to DBJ for another great game. Overall Hindy: 25 - Coniglio 18 - Brown 13 - Lyons 12 - Goddard, Caddy, Gunston 11 - Savage 9 - Walters, Rance 7 - Astbury 6 - Edwards 5 - May 2 - Vickers-Willis, Lewis 1 - Jack, Byrne-Jones
In further pre-trade period news, we will be offering our first round pick in next year's PSD - by all reports an absolutely loaded draft - for a ruckman. The ruckman will have to be a decent one of course, but Darraweit's patience with our colleagues in Geelong has ended. So there will be further opportunities for traes involving quality players or draft picks with Darraweit in the coming trade and MSD period.
A pleasing all round team performance led by a functioning midfield has seen Darraweit negotiate a tricky partial bye week and notch a win over Terry's Warriors. A score of 1260 or so was unexpected given we lost a midfielder and two defenders to the post-Shanghai bye, and then a ruckman to selection shenanigans. Staring down the barrel of playing with 13.5 players (including an OOP defender) with our OOP ruckman dropped from his AFL team, there was a pleasant surprise when he was announced as a late re-inclusion. So we thank Myles Poholke for his 12 OOP points in the ruck. And we thank Kieren Jack for his 24 OOP points as a defender. The rest of Darraweit's 13 players racked up 1220 or so points, led by a midfield with four centuries, a rare sight down at the Paddock. The win has Darraweit at a completely unexpected 8-2 with a tough matchup against Marble Bar scheduled before the mid-season break. Hindy Votes: 5 - Walters 5 - Caddy - the rare "double five vote phenomenon this week", with both players notching 146 and playing some great football. 4 - Coniglio 3 - Hoskin-Elliott 2 - Savage 1 - Goddard Overall Hindy: 29 - Coniglio 18 - Brown 17 - Caddy 14 - Walters 13 - Lyons, Goddard, Savage 12 - Gunston 9 - Rance 7 - Astbury 6 - Edwards 5 - May 3 - Hoskin-Elliott 2 - Vickers-Willis, Lewis 1 - Jack, Byrne-Jones
Eleven rounds in and the mid season bye period reached with a strong team effort helping deliver win number nine for the season over Marble Bar. Only two scores over 100 and two under 69 means 11 players scored between 70 and 99. A 1300+ score was reached despite losing 40-50 points through in-game injuries and niggles to Coniglio, Walters and May. Shane Edwards played one of his finest games (appropriately given it was Indigenous round) for the Blimps, continuing what has been a great season thus far. However May's absence in the coming weeks due to an ankle problem will be mitigated somewhat by the bye and MSD period. Still, it is another speedhump to overcome. Meanwhile Newnes found some form, and Jack keeps on plugging away to provide some depth. Buzza and Ballard are amongst the youngsters having a go, and Darcy Byrne Jones continues to emerge in defence. Darraweit's 9-2 record remains unexpected, with the coach in particular shocked at surpassing expectations thus far. A middling year and perhaps a finals berth was at the extreme top end of expectations - a 9-2 record and third spot on the ladder is a bonus. Hindy Votes: 5 - Edwards 4 - Rance 3 - Gunston 2 - May 1 - Savage Coach's votes to May, Cogs and Walters for soldiering on through injuries, and to Will Hoskin Elliott for 6 goals. Overall Hindy: 30 - Coniglio 18 - Brown 17 - Caddy 15 - Walters, Gunston 14 - Savage 13 - Lyons, Goddard, Rance 11 - Edwards 8 - May 7 - Astbury 4 - Hoskin-Elliott 2 - Vickers-Willis, Lewis 1 - Jack, Byrne-Jones Time now for drafting, trading and associated fun during the mid-season break. A fuller rundown on who is available for trade discusions will be completed in the appropriate thread very soon.
Darraweit has bid farewell to five players - Ed Vickers Willis, Brad Hill, Kieren Jack, Joel Garner and Kaiden Brand - in the lead-up to the 2018 MSD. We thank all for their efforts, particularly Messers Hill and Jack who have been staples in the Darraweit team in recent season/s. We hope Brad Hill and Joel Garner find success at their new homes. This has left the Blimps with five MSD picks, two of which have already been used - we have drafted Geelong youngster Jordan Cunico to bolster our midfield stocks, and North's Jed Anderson to play forward for now and into the midfield into 2019. We hope both players can grow into midfield roles and provide important support for Stephen Coniglio and Jarryd Lyons, especially given that four current midfielders (Goddard, Lewis, Hoskin-Elliott and Newnes) are likely to be defenders (Goddard/Lewis), forwards (Hoskin-Elliott) or mid/fwd (Newnes) in 2019. With stacked forward and defensive stocks likely next year, it is a good time to draft midfielders.
The Blimps have likely rounded out their 2018 MSD efforts with three more new players joining us at The Paddock. Joining young midfielder Jordan Cunico and young forward (and future midfielder) Jed Anderson are veteran KPD Phil Davis, running defender Mason Redman and mature aged rucking prospect Ryan Abbott. We are excited to welcome Phil Davis, who is going to provide a further veteran presence and stability to a backline well populated with key position defender colleagues. Mason Redman has done a long apprenticeship in the reserves and is now ready to step up as a running defender, with his work reminding some of a young Brendan Goddard (sans the pretzel swiping). Goddard has already offered to take young Mason under his wing here at The Paddock. Ryan Abbott's progression has been noticeable, and he is on the verge of senior selection at Geelong. And between he, Zac Smith and Wylie Buzza Darraweit is hopeful of fielding at least one playing ruckman each week. We move onwards!
Darraweit's players have been working hard during the mid season break, with some encouraging form being shown by some of our younger players. Newly drafted midfielder Jordan Cunico and defender Mason Redman have pushed themselves into contention for our first post-bye matchup, as has Aliir Aliir. Two more defenders - David Astbury and Marcus Adams - are set to return from injury, meaning that Darraweit could have the luxury of having eight or even all nine of its defenders playing when the ORFFA resumes. New draftee Jed Anderson will also return from injury, as will Hindy leader Stephen Coniglio. Jarryd Lyons has also returned to form and to a spot in the seniors. Meanwhile, veterans Jordan Lewis and Brendan Goddard have continued to show good form, creating some unexpected selection dilemmas.
Darraweit Guim's post-bye return was a win, but a pretty average one over a pretty unlucky Lovely Banks team hit by injuries. The Blimps did enough, scoring 1195 despite playing an OOP ruckman and having Gunston withdraw late. Midfield efforts from Cogs and Lyons, as well as some late work from Savage in defence and Walters up forward helped rescue a situation that looked far from positive midway through the game, even with injuries to Lovely Banks' stars Heeney and Jonas. Was good to see May and Adams return to bolster our defence, and Anderson get a run up forward in Gunston's stead. Hindy Votes: 5 - Lyons 4 - Coniglio 3 - Savage 2 - Walters 1 - Edwards Coach's votes to Godard for being OOP ruck, and Anderson for filling in up forward. Overall Hindy: 34 - Coniglio 18 - Brown, Lyons 17 - Caddy, Walters, Savage 15 - Gunston 14 - Goddard 13 - Rance 12 - Edwards 8 - May 7 - Astbury 4 - Hoskin-Elliott 2 - Vickers-Willis, Lewis 1 - Jack, Byrne-Jones, Anderson
Round 13 and a loss to a Brisbane Lions led Birdsville sees the Blimps remain in third but the gap between it and the chasing pack significantly reduce. Bravo to Birdsville, who are a very good team and will hopefully play finals this season! A score of 1230 wasn't bad, but with no ruckman (and literally no ruckman, not even a 1/2 points OOP player scoring something) and half of our midfield simply not functioning, we were lucky to only lose by 100. Team structure and make-up will be a hot topic of discussion in the coming week. The possibility of running six forwards and six defenders with only 3 midfielders is one rooted in reality given Darraweit's strength down forward and in defence. While our ruck has been a clear area of concern this season, we've been short midfielders pretty much from Round 1. A variety of gents have filled the breach over the season, but with Newnes out of form, WHE injured and both Goddard and Lewis slowing as the season ages, it may be up to a couple of our MPP mid/fwds to fill the hole. To that end, Edwards, Walters, Caddy, Anderson, Brown and Gunston all played well on the weekend. Up back, Aliir, Adams, DBJ and Astbury all did their bit (despite hte last three not being selected in the senior Darraweit team). The depth is there, it is just how we mix and match our players that is the key. And we hope that Ryan Abbott might get a run in the ruck very soon. Hindy votes: 5- Gunston 4 - Edwards 3 - Coniglio 2 - Walters 1 - Aliir Overall Hindy: 37 - Coniglio 20 - Gunston 19 - Walters 18 - Brown, Lyons 17 - Caddy, Savage 16 - Edwards 14 - Goddard 13 - Rance 12 - Edwards 8 - May 7 - Astbury 4 - Hoskin-Elliott 2 - Vickers-Willis, Lewis 1 - Jack, Byrne-Jones, Anderson, Aliir
Meanwhile – strange stat – Darraweit features four of the top 12 goalkickers in the AFL for 2018 – Ben Brown (forward), Josh Caddy (mid/forward), Will Hoskin-Elliott (mid) and Jack Gunston (forward). Two other Darraweit mid/forwards – Shane Edwards and Michael Walters – rank first and equal sixth respectively in goal assists for 2018. Maybe running six forwards each week might be the way to go …
A narrow loss to the Marsupials sees the Blimps teetering on the edge of a rather precipitous fall down the ladder with only three rounds to play in the ORFFA season. With some tough matches to come, spirits at The Paddock have taken somewhat of a downward turn after two below par performances. However, despite this from the coach yesterday: the match committee have in fact overridden the decree as they don't believe in punishing those who actually did their jobs by scoring decently. To that end: Hindy votes: 5 - Brown 4 - Lyons 3 - Savage 2 - Coniglio 1 - Anderson Overall Hindy: 39 - Coniglio 23 - Brown 22 - Lyons 20 - Gunston, Savage 19 - Walters 17 - Caddy 16 - Edwards 14 - Goddard 13 - Rance 12 - Edwards 8 - May 7 - Astbury 4 - Hoskin-Elliott 2 - Vickers-Willis, Lewis, Anderson 1 - Jack, Byrne-Jones, Aliir Meanwhile the coach gets minus 5 votes for swapping out the wrong defender for Rance and costing Darraweit the win. Why on earth he'd swap out one of the team's current best four defenders in Aliir instead of our last picked bench defender in Byrne-Jones has many at the club flummoxed. Never make changes on a rushed Friday should be the motto. Goddard, Caddy and a couple of others are on notice, while our unique non-playing ruck set up looks set to resume.
A short note before a short summary to congratulate Stephen Coniglio for winning The Hindy for season 2018. An almost certain first place was assured on the weekend with Cogs amassing a near 150 score in the Blimps disappointing loss to the Hoppers. It has been great to have Cogs back this year after injuries blighted his 2017 season. Onward and upward!
A quick update on the last two rounds of Hindy Votes from a somewhat harried and stupidly busy coach. Regrettably both lots of votes come from games we have lost - losses which have left the Blimps teetering on the edge of the eight with one game to play ... against Fitzy's top of the table Vultures. Last round's loss to Gariwerd was extremely disappointing given the good efforts throughout the first half of the game. Match committee and team selection on Thursday night is going to be very interesting. Round 18 votes 5- Cogs 4 - Aliir 3 - Walters 2 - Lewis 2 - Lyons Coach's vote to May. Round 19 votes 5 - Edwards 4 - May 3 - Lyons 2 - Goddard 1 - Lewis Overall Hindy: 44 - Coniglio 27 - Lyons 23 - Brown 22 - Walters 21 - Edwards 20 - Gunston, Savage 17 - Caddy 16 - Goddard 13 - Rance, May 7 - Astbury 5 - Lewis, Aliir 4 - Hoskin-Elliott 2 - Vickers-Willis, Anderson 1 - Jack, Byrne-Jones