<p style='text-align: justify;]Apart from the odd blowout, Round 16 of the ORFFA saw some tight tussles where lady luck played a big hand. Goldy and GAJ played a big hand as well.
<p style='text-align: justify;]In a low scoring affair, Birdsville were at home to Gundagai. The Grasshoppers reveled in the dry conditions and, although the Battlers took the chocolates 1089 to 1029, there is not a blade of grass left on the Track. The Battlers had tons from Mayne (117), Big Ben (116) and Smurph (104), while major contributors for the Hoppers were Oxley (118), Curnow (117) and Rocky (101). Using their influence at the Pies (and the threat of a nuclear holocaust), the Hoppers were able to limit Cloke to just a single point, but it wasn't enough to get them over the line.
<p style='text-align: justify;]Another tight tussle saw the Uglies (1296) get one over the Vultures (1262). The Vultures are flying in second spot, but can now feel a few breathing down their (long) neck. Hamstrings (126), Sides and Cyril (117) and Maximum Gawn (105) all pulled their weight for the Uglies to bring off the upset. Gaff (114), Jack Crisp (103) and Parker (102) did their bit for Venus Bay, but below par scores from Beams and Jack Steven let the side down. Big game for the Vultures this week, so that pair had better bounce back.
<p style='text-align: justify;]Home ground advantage saw Iron Knob (1251) scrape home over their NZ visitors, with the Incorrigibles (1228) throwing everything at them bar the wild pig. Despite sub-par scores from Hanley and Swanny and playing with no ruck, it was GAJ (189) who did enough to seal it, ably assisted by Robbie 122, Our Man Jack (112) and vintage Hodgey (110). It was a real brave effort from Sauce to pull out a 162, and NDS (124) plus McVeigh and Hannebery (102) all did their bit. Sadly though, Harry Taylor continues his disappointing season and Nat Fyfe had another ordinary day out. Otherwise it might have gone the other way.
<p style='text-align: justify;]Away wins are hard to get, especially when it is this close. The Nuffers (1286) slipped right down the Opening (1260) to steal victory. Old stagers led the way with Stanton (119) and Daniel Cross (117), well supported by JPK (105), Breakout Bell (108) and Nic Nat (100). Hugh Goddard made his debut for the Nuffers with a very promising 72. Tons were everywhere for Charley, but it was not enough. Hill top scored with 125, followed by Cripps (116), Savage (111), Gunston (106) and Swallow (102). It was the Interchange Bench that let Charley down and they just need a little more depth.
<p style='text-align: justify;]The Lilacs were welcomed to Whitsunday for the battle of the spoon, which saw the Warriors (1245) come away with the win over Lovely Banks (1003). Boak (130), Douglas (126) and Motts (119) were the main contributors for the Warriors, but it was the more even performance across the board that got them home against major efforts from the Lilacs in Caddy (171), Thompson (150) and Duncan (123).
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<p style='text-align: justify;]What is happening in Wagga? The Packers (1242) handed the Wombats (862) a bit of a thrashing and Wagga is teetering precariously on that 8th spot. Only two tons from Marley (137) and Mundy (133), but a nice even spread from all other Powlett contributors. Dylan Roberton top scored for the &amp;lsquo;Bats with 89 on what must have been a miserable day out. Packers now in a bunch in the top 4 - big improvers despite some debilitating injuries this year.
<p style='text-align: justify;]Lefties (1338) and the Cockies (1310) were only able to exhale after the final siren. Great match, tons all over the shop for the Cockies, but just not enough to counter Goldy (221) who single handedly dragged the Lefties over the line. God (106) and Tom Lynch (102) were the other contributors for Larrikin, but there were some outstanding efforts for Gariwerd with Lids (141), Wingard (122), Christensen (121), Masten (104) and Tex (102), almost pulling it off.
<p style='text-align: justify;]The Dirigible's (1230) would be handy on most days, but not when the Chooks are on the rampage. Foul Bay belted out (1522) to send a bit of an underground tremor up there in Iron Knob. This was achieved without a single Goldy or GAJ. Not in any order, but have a look at this: Heater (126), Vintage Kelly (106), Dangermouse (121), Cunnington (107), Zach Smith (116), Roughie (106), Arbtel (101), Ziebell (125) and Dahlhaus (143). Crikey! Contributors for Darraweit were Harvey (118), Coniglio (112) and Armitage (109).
<p style='text-align: justify;]Match of the round? No doubt about it. The Devils (1297) nipped the challenge from the Misfits (1295) in the bud right at the post. It is these close ones that really hurt. Despite Brisbane clearly eyeing off that #1 draft pick, Zorko (145) hadn't heard the message. He was supported by Hurley (120), Pendles (110), Grigg (106) and Vlastuin (105). For Marble Bar, Ward (130), Paparone (116), Ryder (101) and Dunstan (100) all tried hard. Scrutiny though must fall on Lachie Whitfield. Just when he was needed most.
<p style='text-align: justify;]So now the ladder looks like this:
<p style='margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;]Chooks 42
<p style='margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;]Vultures 38
<p style='margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;]Battlers 38
<p style='margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;]Packers 38
<p style='margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;]Knobs 34
<p style='margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;]Incorrigible Kiwis 34
<p style='margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;]Zeppelins 34
<div style='padding: 0cm 0cm 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1.5pt; border-style: none none solid;]
<p style='margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm; border: none; text-align: justify;]Wombats 30

<p style='margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;]Lagoon 26
<p style='margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;]Charley 26
<p style='margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;]Nuffers 26
<p style='margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;]Cockies 22
<p style='margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;]Devils 22
<p style='margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;]Uglies 22
<p style='margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;]Misfits 14
<p style='margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;]Hoppers 10
<p style='margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;]Warriors 6
<p style='margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;]Lilacs 6
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<p style='margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;]And coming up this weekend we have a few season defining matches:
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<p style='margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;]Vultures (2) vs Battlers (3)
<p style='margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;]Incorrigibles (6) vs Hoppers (16)
<p style='margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;]Nuffers (11) vs Uglies (14)
<p style='margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;]Lilacs (18) vs Iron Knob (5)
<p style='margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;]Wombats (8) vs Charley (10)
<p style='margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;]Cockies (12) vs Warriors (17)
<p style='margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;]Chickens (1) vs Packers (4)
<p style='margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;]Misfits (15) vs Lefties (9)
<p style='margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;]Devils (13) vs Dirigibles (7)
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<p style='margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;]Match of the round? A lot of interest in 2 vs 3, as well as 1 vs 4, but for me it will be 8 vs 10 that will shake the ladder.