In a match that had little consequence other than a solid hitout for both sides before finals, this was a contest that reached no great heights. All the focus was on how in the world Lance 'no-ones Buddy in Serengeti' Franklin was actually allowed to enter the country and play in this match. Earlier in the week, Franklin had assaulted one of the local customs officials with an elbow to the head but somehow escaped punishment after some long-winded talking by Korrumburra mangement distracted authorities long enough for Franklin to run away. It was to prove a match defining move by the Blowflys brains trust as Franklin led the forward line with authority while up the other end the Serengeti forwards decided this pre-finals tune up wasn't worth investing in. The end result was a 51 point win to the Blowflys who finish the regular season in 5th place and await their finals destination. They'll be bouyed by the return of Jeremy Howe and will be desperately hoping Nick Vlastuin recovers in time to join him in the backline in time for finals. For Serengeti, they somehow conspired to score the 3rd most points during the regular season and still finish 8th. With a finals campaign to look forward to though and the likes of Cameron and Thomas to return to bolster the forward line, hopes are high that a dream finals run could be on the cards. Final Scores Korrumburra 1262 def Serengeti 1211 BAFFU votes 3 Zac Merrett SB (168) 2 Jack Steele KB (158) 1 Caleb Daniel KB (128) Big Tap Draper 101 def Goldstein 77 @Mick
Sorry to the ORFFU community for the silence last week, and expecially @bryzza for the resultant lack of match report. Work a bit crazy after the lockdown easing. Back on track now though and looking forward to producing some match previews once the finals aspirants make their selections!
Full time at the Sandpit and the Prairie Dogs (1203/15/80) have taken out a hard fought 24 point win over the Sandgropers (1179/15/79). Exceptional performances for the visiting P-Dogs, from both Oliver (166) and Mills (129), coupled with some solid contributors across the park, was enough to take the four points. The home side went in undermanned, playing the inexperienced Bergman, OOP in defence. The usual suspects, Selwood, Laird & Grundy, stepped up, Prestia (113), imprest , on his return to first team action, however the forward line continued their post bye malaise, with all players well down on early season averages. Congratulations must go to @Batfink for steering his side back (?) into the top 8, with the win for Hughenden, seeing them consolidate seventh spot on the ladder; the loss for Southern Cross however, sees them drop from 2nd to 4th, and with the fall, also lose the ability to choose their first round opponent There’ll need to be a lot of hard work or just plain luck, for either of these teams to go further than the first week of the finals. Hughenden’s form has been inconsistent, winning one week only to lose the next, whereas Southern Cross have been consistent, consistently poor, since injuries started to pinch a month back. BAFFU 3 votes - C.Oliver 16G (HPD) 2 votes - C.Mills 129 (HPD) 1 vote - D.Mundy 126 (SCS) Giant Tap B.Grundy 110 (SCS) defeated E.Ratugolea 35 (HPD) Bring on the finals! Go Sandgropers!!!
Final result from the Horsham V Eden match with the Whalers taking a hard fought 134 point win (1221 vs 1087), with the winner not decided until early in the last match of the round. Eden were kept in the match early by Crisp (143) and Andrews (121), but it was late performances by Amon (152), Baker (106), Dixon (100) and Papley (94) that eventually got them over the line. Horsham's young side felt they were in with a chance of obtaining just their 2nd win of the season, but eventually a lack of forward points cost them. Reeves (112) won his first ruck contest and Fiorini (106), Harmes (100) and Henry (95) were good contributors again. BAFFU 3 votes - K Amon (EW) 2 votes - J Crisp (EW) 1 vote - H Andrews (EW) Big Tap N Reeves (HG) defeated T Cole (EW) 112 to 25 Eden heads off to the draft with a 10th place finish, two games and percentage outside of finals. Horsham wins the spoon.
The final game of the regular season in the Goldfields was a close fought one between the hometown Coolgardie Prospectors and the visiting Banchang Barcrawlers @choppers In the end it was the visitors holding off the home side to hold their spot in the finals and see the Prospectors miss yet another finals series. The midfields of both sides had an extraordinary outing (except for Ed Langdon, who decided to try the "work from home" method of playing footy, with no success at all). Every single one of the Prospectors five on-ballers managed triple digits, while three of the five Barcrawlers also managed the same feat. Unfortunately for the home side, this is where the good news ended, exemplified by 30 points on the interchange from B Parfitt, 44 points in the forward line from N Larkey, and a pair of 50's in defence (including H Clark, who was clearly underdone, and outshone by the bloke he replaced). For the visitors there was a much more rounded performance, with J Dawson (122) and T Doedee (114) down back, and P Wright (103) and A Neal-Bullen (110) up forward all continuing the triple digit bonanza. This was simply too much stability shown by the Thaiboys, and the gold diggers just couldn't keep up, many of them seeming overwhelmed or heavily distracted by the flashy yet unusual outfits of the Banchang 15. In the final giant tap of the season, O McInerney of Coolgardie defeated S Lycett of Banchang by 41 points, 113 to 72. The final votes went to: 3 - J O'Meara, Coolgardie, 156 points (and robbing his teammate of a valuable "ORFFU Brownlow" vote) 2 - T Miller, Coolgardie, 142 points 1 - J Dawson, Banchang, 122 points ...and on the ORFFU Brownlow, I've just noticed that its a 5-4-3-2-1 system, not a 3-2-1 system, so if I find the time I might do an anlysis to see how the two ladders would differ with the different voting systems. Next week sees Banchang march into the finals, off to Korumburra with flyswats and Mortein firmly in hand. Meanwhile Coolgardie will head into the losers finals as the top-ranked team, which means we'll be unceremoniously knocked off in the first week by the very under-performing Christmas Island outfit.
Grand Final Update: At the 1st break, Banchang lead Serengeti 4/380/95 to 3/263/87.7., a lead of 117. Will it be enough? The 4 Barcrawlers played above their collective averages, with Robbie Gray 126, probably earning himself a contract for 1 more year, and Lycett responded well after his injury in the last game, with 117. Not to be outdone, the visiting Buffaloes, McKenzie, back from injury, Burton and Smith, all performed above themselves with 91,90,82 respectively. And with 6 v 6 in tomorrows games. it should set it up for an enthralling final finish to the season come Sunday's games. But Sundays' games will be to Serengeti's strength, so the home side need a big day tomorrow, to have any chance for the Cup to come to Thailand for the 1st time. @wrightbrendan
Grand Final Update: The 2nd section of 3 in this Grand Final contest is done and dusted and apart from 3 players out of the 12 who were in action today , it can only be described as an underwhelming display of talent ...there were exceptions of course. First up, Jordan Dawson from the home team delivered his best ever score of 158, followed by the ever reliable Lyons, in the middle, with 113 and then in the dying moments of play, the Buffaloes Josh Kelly let everyone know there was a game to be won, scoring 124, to bring Serengeti well into the frame. At the close of play. Banchang 10/879/87.9 are leading Serengeti 9/753/83.7 by 126 pts. This match is far from over........if the remaining players from both teams play to their average, then the Visitors, from the depths of the African jungle, will run out winners by 40, and the Cup will be heading west for the 2nd time. However, Banchang have every reason to believe they can pull off the miracle win......miracles happen every day and who would have predicted at the beginning of the season, that the 6th placed team would play the 8th placed team in the ORFFU Grand Final.... GAME ON.................. @wrightbrendan
Crazy! Was certainly hoping it would not be so close by this stage! Did Dangerfield actually go backwards in the final quarter last night?!?
Grand Final score update:..... Adl v Nth 3/4T Banchang 15/1295 Serengeti 15/1275 *allow for scaling @wrightbrendan
Full Time on the 2021 season, and it's going to come down to scaling.... As it stands Banchang 1322 Serengeti 1303 Report on todays games to come later. @wrightbrendan
Grand Final Report: Play in the 2021GF has just concluded, and some fine performances were witnessed today, none more so than the Buffaloes Tarryn Thomas who scored 139, when he had it all to do, and was well supported in the middle by the usual suspects, Merrett 120, and Heppell 96. Ridley 80, tried hard down back but was unable to stop the Barcrawler's forwards, Elliott 113 and Wright 99, from hitting the scoreboard, both netting 4 snags each. Final result sees Banchang 1322 defeat Serengeti 1304, with Banchang claiming the premiership Cup for the 1st time. @wrightbrendan
Congratulations to the CarBrawlers from Banchang for taking out the second annual ORFFU COVID cup! Nice work @choppers on putting together a Premiership winning team, and great match reports throughout. Unlucky there @wrightbrendan but I imagine we'll see the Buffaloes from Serengeti back in the mix once again in 2022. What a season! How can you not love the ORFFU!!! Congrats again to @choppers and the Banchang Barcrawlers, 2021 ORFFU Premiers.