Round 2 and the first game at the Eden Sporting Complex and despite being undermanned, the Whalers put up a good effort. Not a win, but a good effort all the same. Both teams had great players with 6 on each side scoring 100+. Flynn in particular being brilliant in the ruck whilst Dixon was in form up forward. Zorko was BOG, scoring well against the reduced defence which from reports will be rotating a suspended Broad with a returning Gardner this week. Next week is a mirrored situation for the 2 sides, Eden facing a winless King Island whilst Groote face an Armadillos side with both unbeaten. BAFFU: Zorko 3, Flynn 2, Bont 1 Giant Tap: Flynn 132 def Stanley 86
Cow Bay 1,241 def by Serengeti 1,250 $%**ing 9 points was the final scoreline but the fact that the home side was on the wrong side of the ledger meant that the visiting players copped plenty of abuse, water bottles and croc sausages being thrown at them as they left the field. Former elite SC player Mason Cox was sitting in the crowd cheering on the Buff during the game and copped a stray sausage to the eye during the kerfuffle. After a few lean years, Taranto (95), Hopper (119) and Worpel (99) have turned their form around with more opportunity in the middle. Young ruck Williams (65) won the battle of the rucks up against former Crocs Lycett (48). Noble (107) and McGrath (101) were best down back while only Moore (109) was a threat up front. Cow Bay saviour Sheezus (114) delivered for the 2nd week in a row. Parish (124) and Merrett (114) combined to be a formidable force in the midfield. Saad (113) was the only above average defender for the visitors on the day while Ballard (17) almost lost the Buff the game. Another former Croc Cameron (149) starred up forward ably supported by Greene (97) and Powell-Pepper (89). Big Tap Williams (65) def Lycett (48) BAFFU 3 Cameron, SFB, 149 2 Parish, SFB, 124 1 Hopper, COW, 119 The win gives the Buff a 2-0 start to the year and puts them in 3rd place on the ladder. Next week they head back home to take on the Huskies. Cow Bay meanwhile has a 0-2 start and sit in 13th place. The Crocs will be hoping to open their account at home next week against the Bunyips.
Hughenden Prairie Dogs 1,225 DEF Coolgardie Prospectors 1,109 Hughenden thrilled the home crowd with a come from behind win over the Prospectors by a solid 116 points, giving the locals some hope this year will see them play some finals football. It was Hughenden’s consistency which was the winning edge with Oliver (135), Mills (123) and Lanford (109) controlling the midfield despite the ruckwork of Ratugolea (31) being below par against the Prospector’s McInerney (89). The Prospector’s mids were able to get some of the ball early through Miller (106) and Short (100) but their forwards let them down with on Larkey (87) providing them with something. This was due to Hughenden’s Brennan Cox (131) continuing his early season form, controlling the backline together with Battle, DBJ and Barrass with lockdown roles on the other Prospector forwards. Off the bench the Prospectors Seron (101) did his best to ignite the team but it wasn’t enough with Ash (94) for Hughenden providing a spark for the home team in the last quarter to secure Hughenden’s first win of the season and see them in the 8 where they hope to stay. A great contest but Hughenden’s consistency and a 5 goal haul from Langford proving to be the difference. 3 Oliver – Hughenden (135) 2 Cox – Hughenden (131) 1 Mills - Hughenden (123) BIG TAP Prospectors McInerney (89) easy winner over Hughenden’s Ratugolea (31) @JPK
Bulls 1246 defeated by Parasites 1392 @ddsaints Footy returned to Mill Park this week as the Parasites made the trip up to NE Victoria. The Bulls midfield misfired for the second week in a row with McCluggage firmly in the sites of selectors following 2 substandard efforts. On the flip side Setterfield & Sidebottom knocked out 147 & 146 respectively to dominate on the inside and outside and give the Parasites first use of the pill. With Marshall (129) winning a ripper duel with Nank (118) and SINclair providing the run and carry off half back the Bulls were never in the contest. The Bulls forward line made most of their opportunities with Coniglio and Ryan contributing well but all in all it was a dominant performance by the much improve Parasites who go top of the ladder at 2 & 0. 3 - Setterfield (PAK) 2 - Sidebottom (PAK) 1 - Marshall (PAK) Big Tap - Marshall d Nankervis Next week sees the Parasites travelling west to Coolgardie whilst the Bulls remain at home hosting the Cormorants.
At The Stadium, the locals (Elliott 101) are leading Christmas Island 3/180 - 2/159 (Daniel 86). and a late OUT in Davies-Unacke will make the job a lot tougher @DamoH
Down in The Crater it is the Buffaloes holding onto a lead Serengeti 866/9/96 v Horsham 807/11/73 @Wolffy84
Update from The Stadium and it gives me no pleasure to report scores from one of the most uninspiring games of football known to the ORFFU community. Christmas Island lead Banchang 13/970/75 to 9/630/70, where 4 players from the local team failed to reach 150 pts in total... However some good news was able to be gleaned from the debacle, where Crouch 111 and Curnow 107, provided plenty of impetus for the visitors while Dawson 114 and Buckley 99 did likewise for the home team. Tomorrow should be interesting but the Smugglers are odds on to take the choccies in this one... @DamoH
Full time at The Stadium and Christmas Island, in a low scoring game, have run out winners 1066-1010. BOG: 3. Dawson BB 2. Crouch CIS 1. Curnow CIS BIG TAP: De Koning CIS def Ladhams BB 79-61 Round 4 sees Christmas Is. at home to Korumburra and Banchang are off to Blanchetown. @DamoH
Match Report @eagle_eyed Nuytsland 1286 def Southern Cross 1226 The Nuytsland Vikings are a team known for their physical prowess and competitive spirit, and they demonstrated their strength, agility, and endurance in their clash against the Sandgropers. They outmaneuvered their opponents with superior knowledge of tactics, allowing them to win key battles in the defenders, midfield, and interchange areas of the field. The Vikings' best players on the day - Petracca, Mitchell, Liberatore, English, and Newman - were able to showcase their individual skills, as well as work together as a cohesive team to secure victory. Their combination of strength, agility, and endurance allowed them to overcome the Sandgropers' fierce resistance and emerge as the victors. Despite the Vikings' dominance in some areas, the Sandgropers put up a valiant effort and won the ruck battle and forward battle. Their best players - Laird, Neale, and Grundy - demonstrated their own unique talents and fought hard against the mighty Vikings. Ultimately, the game was a thrilling and intense battle, with both teams putting up a fierce fight. However, it was the Vikings who emerged as the victors, showcasing their physical prowess and superior knowledge of tactics to outplay their opponents. The Sandgropers may have lost, but they can hold their heads high knowing that they gave it their all against such a formidable opponent. 3. Grundy 2. English 1. Newman Big Tap Grundy 143
Bulls 1097 defeated Cormorants 1000 @ron swanson Back to back games at Mill Park this week as the Cormorants made the arduous trip up to NE Victoria. There are two ways to asses this game, one a low scoring highly intense scrap fest with tough hard footy from both sides. The alternative one of the more boring FU games in this its 10th year. The ruck contest was the highlight of this game with Darcy taking the points over Nank 132 to 124. Big Nank proving you don't need to be dead to be stiff as he slumped to 0-3 in the Big Tap despite averaging 118 and being the #3 ruck in the comp thus far. In all honesty the tone for the game was set early when only 14 Cormorants got off the bus, the Team Manager then applied the wrong rule book and started a sub and then the coach decided to play your Day out of position. The Bulls coach is hoping that his team was merely going through the motions as only Weller, Shiel, Newcombe Nank and Maynard posted scores above 80. The Cormorants tried hard and a full compliment would have got the points on the day. Wood was superb in a BOG performance whilst Day dominated OOP, Rachele and MacDonald were more than nuisance value in the forward line, but weight of numbers prevailed as the Bulls ran out 90 odd point victors. 3 - Wood (CC) 2 - Darcy (CC) 1 - Nankervis (SFB) Big Tap - Darcy d Nankervis Next week sees the Cormorants return to WA but still on the road to Southern Cross as they look at break their duck, whilst the Bulls will look to square the ledger at 2 & 2 as they travel to Cow Bay.
After a fortunate victory in round 2, the Serengeti faithful welcomed the home town heroes for the first time in season 2023 with keen anticipation. With memories of last years finals failure still burning in their hearts, much was expected of the team to hit the ground running this year and show they were willing to make up for the lost oportunity. Unfortunately for the visiting Huskies, this meant that the Serengeti players were just as keen to deliver on the fans hopes and they ran into a team intent on walking the walk. Despite the best efforts of Jarrod Witts (124) in the ruck and Harris Andrews (130) doing his best to repel the numerous Buffalo attacks, they did not have the depth of squad to compete this week. Josh Kelly (148) led the Buffaloes in a starring performance but it was Steven May's (101) inclusion for his first game of the season that proved to be the major catalyst. His presence inspired the rest of the defence to a dominant showing including a rise from Charlie Ballard (86) that saw him rise almost 70 points from his round 2 effort. The backline completely blacked out the Husky forwards, even causing Sam Flanders (26) to walk off during the 2nd quarter through a combination of lack of opportunity and heckling from the angry locals who had bought the lie that he was going to deliver on his promise this season. By match end, every Buffalo could walk off with their head held high. Even Toby Greene (40) who had a quiet scoring day, endeared himself to the locals by taking the second half off as a rest and instead signing autographs for the home fans excited to see the team's newest recruit. a comfortable 346 point victory in the end meant the Buffaloes continued their winning start to the season while the Huskies dropped to 1-2. Final Scores Serengeti 1427 def Horsham 1081 BAFFU 3 Josh Kelly 148 (SB) 2 Harris Andrews 130 (HH) 1 Adam Saad 128 (SB) Big Tap Witts 124 def Lycett 89 @Wolffy84