We're finally here at the end of the regular season, Round 8 (or Week 8?) in the ORFFW. I'll take you through the six games that will happen this weekend to see what could happen heading into the four-team finals series. Timboon Trailblazers vs Eastern Park Dragons The rubber is more dead than Richmond's premiership hopes next season, with the ninth placed Timboon Trailblazers looking to pick up win number three and move up to as high as seventh. However they could still finish ninth with Glenbrook boasting almost a 300-point gap and Katanning playing the Valkeries. A win for the Dragons will mean they'll rise from 12th to uh 12th and collect a nice cooking accessory. Luckily for them, the draft is beyond ridiculously strong, so whether they choose Ash Centra, Havana Harris or Zippy Fish ahead of next season, one cannot really lose. Vivonne Bay Valkeries vs Katanning Krushers An equally dead 'thanks for coming' clash takes place here with the eighth ranked Krushers locking horns with the 10th placed Valkeries. The Krushers have the third lowest score for the year but are only fifth bottom and a win would see them leapfrog the Galahs - assuming the Galahs lose, though a loss could see them tumble down a couple of spots. The Valkeries will jump past at least two - and maybe even three - with a win. Bathurst Belles vs Manildra Mystix What's this? A finals relevant bout? Don't mind if I do! The ladder-leading Manildra Mystix travel to Bathurst where they hope to solidify their minor premiership ahead of the semi-finals. The Belles won't be an easy opponent, though do have the lowest total score of any finals hopefuls. They will need to post a mammoth score in order to make finals - while waiting on other results as well. Given third plays fifth and they trail fourth placed by 549, it does make it a little tricky (understatement), but yes, we are telling them there's a chance. Wongan Hills Wallabies vs Glenbrook Galahs Unfortunately for Glenbrook, the finals are just beyond them sitting two wins outside the top four. However the Galahs can play the party pooper on the Wallabies post-season hopes, with Wongan Hills needing to win in order to make the finals. The assignment is simple, win and you're in, lose and your fate is in the hands of the gods. They do have a 285-point gap on their nearest rival to make it in, so as long as they don't decide to show up, it should be alright. Pomona Wood Nymphs vs Lake St Clair Devils The match of the round in terms of importance, with the third placed Nymphs taking on the fifth placed Devils. A top four spot it up for grabs from both sides, and the possibility that the Devils could rub salt into the wound with a win and eliminating the Nymphs in the process. There are a few teams who would love to see Pomona Wood eliminated given it boasts the highest overall season score (6403), and if the Devils can win and make up the 289-point gap somehow then it's a possibility. Nymphs are in a great spot though and could mathematically finish in the top two depending on other results. Junee Jets vs Scone Sirens The final match of the round is like the game where you're checking your watch waiting for it to be over if you're from the Sirens camp. The second placed Jets - barring a catastrophe - can put the feet up for this one, knowing they have secured a finals spot and almost certainly a top two place. They have put out almost 1200 more points than the second last Sirens across the course of the season, but theoretically if the Sirens cause a massive upset, then the Jets could slip as low as fourth if both the Nymphs and Wallabies win. A win and being able to catch the Mystix's score would see them take home the minor premiership as well. Teams due before the massive 12th vs 15th blockbuster of Carlton and Western Bulldogs tonight!
Awesome preview! Certainly some big matchups (and some not so much). It is interesting that 3rd and 4th currently have more 'points for' than 1st and 2nd. Im looking forward to seeing how the weekend goes and who makes finals and what the matchups are next week.
Junee Jets DEF: E. Heads, C. Gunjaca, M. McDonald MID: A. Riddell, A. Anderson, M. McCarthy, S. Conway (S. Cain) FWD: A. O'Loughlin, E. Hampson, C. Gould RUCK: B. Moody (S. Nalder) INT: S. Thompson, S. Lampard (J. Crockett-Grills)
Valks rolling something like this again. Def- McEvoy, Webster, Newton (Steane) Mid - , Hanks, Moloney, Kennedy, Prespakis (dallaway) Ruck - Scholz Fwd - Campbell, Tripodi, TBrown (Yassir) IC - breed , Cann (Hickie)
Eastern Park Dragons - Round 8 Team DEF - Aileen Gilroy, Elizabeth Georgostathis, Madison Newman (Jordyn Allen) MID - Megan Kauffman, Isabel Dawes, Cathy Svarc, Madeleine Guerin (Paxy Paxman) RUCK - Jessica Good, (Tess Lyons) FWD - Jacqueline Parry, Bonnie Toogood, Sophie Alexander (Mikayla Western) IC – Lilly Postlethwaite Jaide Britton (Marianna Anthony) Out: Julia Teakle In: Jaide Britton
Krushers final team for the year Def: Madi Scanlon, Eilish Sheerin, Lucy Cronin (Issy Huntington (OOP) Mid: Bri Davey, Jaimee Lambert, Bess Keaney, Mimi Hill (Hannah Priest) Ruck: Lauren Bella (Darcie Davies) Fwd: Ashling Moloney, Katie Brennan, Ash Brazill (Mikayla Pauga) IC: Hayley Miller, Lily Goss (Darcy Moloney)
DEF: Charlotte Thomas, Maddi Gay, Sarah Goodwin (Tess Craven) MID: Lucy Single, Abbie McKay, Tarni White, Jasmine Fleming (Alicia Eva) RUC: Alice Edmonds (Fleur Davies) FWD: Bec Privitelli, Niamh McLaughlin, Dakota Davidson (Mia Austin) INT: Kaitlyn Srhoj, Shineah Goody (Mikayla Williamson) OTHERS: Brooke Barwick, Isabella Grant, Chloe Molloy (injured)
Lake St Clair Devils Round 8 team Out: Lily Mithen (omitted) In: Claudia Whitfort Def: Sinead Goldrick, Grace Kelly, Georgia Clayden (Zoe Prowse) Mid: Jasmine Garner, Monique Conti, Claudia Whitfort, Olivia Vesely (Kirsty Lamb) Ruc: Lucy Wales (Lauren Wakfer) Fwd: Kate Shierlaw, Georgia Garnett, Eden Zanker (Ruby Svarc) Int: Emma King, Emma Swanson (Lily Mithen)
And now Bri Davey is out for the rest of the year.... sigh.... Hannah Priest comes in as mid, emergency now Kaitlyn Ashmore
Wallabies Round 8 Team: Def: Harriet Cordiner, Jenna Richardson, Beth Lynch (Jae Flynn) Mid: Charlie Rowbottom, Emily Bates, Tyanna Smith, Ella Roberts (Isabella Lewis) Ruc: Mim Strom (Tunisha Kikoak) Fwd: Taylor Smith, Cynthia Hamilton, Tara Bohanna (Georgia Gee) IC: Kate Dempsey, Eliza West (Abbey Dowrick) Unchanged
I blame Len for not reminding me to put my team in earlier.. D - Natalie Grider, Brenna Tarrant, Emily Everist (Belinda Smith ) M - Alyce Parker, Anne Hatchard,Nina Morrison, Grace Egan R - Rhiannon Watt F - Isabella Eddey, Tahlia Randall, Ella Friend IC-Libby Birch Jesse Tawhio-/wardlaw
D: Maeve Chaplin, Jess Hosking. Ruby Schleicher - Gabriella Pound M: Ellie McKenzie, Keeley Sherar, Sofia Hurley, Mikayla Bowen - Gabby O'Sullivan R: Jess Allan F: Megan Fitzsimon, Charlotte Mullins, Gemma Houghton - Bridie Hipwell I: Eilish O'Doyd, Tarni Evans - Caitlin Wendland
Too slow here so I've missed good scores from my Bulldogs girls Hartwig and Gorham... ah well. Def: Daisy D'Arcy, Bianca Jakobsson, Dayna Finn (Angela Foley) Mid: Britt Bonnici, Zarlie Goldsworthy, Georgia Nanscawen, Brooke Walker (Niamh Kelly) Ruck: Stephanie Wales (Sarah Lakay) Fwd: Ashleigh Richards, Imogen Barnett, Vikki Wall (Jacqui Dupuy) I/C: Poppy Kelly, Montana Ham (Piper Window)
Eastern Park Dragons - Round 8 Team (Updated) Just swapping out Paxy Paxman with Teach Charlton in the emergency Mid DEF - Aileen Gilroy, Elizabeth Georgostathis, Madison Newman (Jordyn Allen) MID - Megan Kauffman, Isabel Dawes, Cathy Svarc, Madeleine Guerin (Teah Charlton) RUCK - Jessica Good, (Tess Lyons) FWD - Jacqueline Parry, Bonnie Toogood, Sophie Alexander (Mikayla Western) IC – Lilly Postlethwaite Jaide Britton (Marianna Anthony)
Pomona Wood Nymphs - Round 8 Subject to change In: Laura Pugh, Ashleigh Saint Out: Nicole Bresnehan, Daria Bannister D: Laura Pugh, Jodie Hicks, Serene Watson (Nicole Bresnehan) M: Ebony Marinoff, Jade Ellenger, Mia King, Tilly Lucas-Rodd (Sachi Syme) R: Sabrina Frederick (Lexi Hamilton) F: Courtney Hodder, Danielle Ponter, Ashleigh Saint (Kellie Gibson) I: Bec Beeson, Jenna Bruton (Lauren Pearce)
Mystix Round 8 Out: Isabelle Pritchard In: Sarah Rowe D: Emma O’Driscoll, Tamara Smith, Chelsea Biddell (Chantel Emonson) M: Maddy Prespakis, Eliza McNamara, Allison Drennan, Charlotte Simpson (Amy Smith) R: Kim Rennie (Kate Darby) F: Kate Hore, Chelsea Randall, Zali Friswell (Aine McDonough) I: Dana East, Sarah Rowe (Gabby Seymour)