Round 12 Review Foul Bay 1206 went down to Gundagai 1369 In the early years of the ORFFA Foul Bay were synonymous with the top of the ORFFA table, while Gundagai were with the bottom. Should make this victory a bit sweeter for Snoz as he knocks off Chief and sends him down to 8th. Games are won and lost in the midfield and that couldn’t be truer in this game, Foul Bays only score above 60 in the midfield coming from youngster James Jordan (101) and TKelly (49), Selwood (58) and Langford (45) all disappointing, could this be a sign of the direction of the Chickens? On the other end was Gundagais midfield which has to be arguably the strongest in ORFFA history, Neale (111) and Oliver (140) delivered allowing Mills (86) and Cripps (95) to have a back seat. Going to be very hard to beat this team in finals. Wagga Wagga 1235 defeated Lovely Banks 1202 The classic 8 point game, Wagga extend their win streak to 5 as Lenny went the unorthodox approach of coaching the team from Amsterdam. It isn’t all sunshine and rainbows though, with Ben Hobbs rucking Lenny will be keen for a Pittonet or Lycett return ASAP. Lovely Banks would’ve given Tom Stewart a spray after the game but they have a very promising young team where young Josh Gibcus may relish the extra minutes. Wagga go equal 4th alongside Lovely Banks in the middle of the table log jam. Gariwerd 1494 smoke Wakik 1167 A big week from Gariwerd who now go 2 games clear at 3rd. This was led by 150+ scores from Hall (153) and Laird (156), Willie Rioli also repaid the faith, chipping in with 127. Waikiki were let down by Brownlow medalists Fyfe (41) and Mitchell (80), but Prestia getting KO’d on 16 was never going to help their case. In good news for the Cows, Papley finding form is nice for a potential inclusion in weeks to come. Nareewillock 1033 roll over Iron Knob 996 The Ashcroft Cup? Iron Knob now a game and 80 points clear at bottom, Nuffers a game and 170 points clear of 3rd last. Jack Sinclair a bright light this season for IK alongside Sam De Koning who reached 100 for what will not be the last time. Nareewillock will be happy with Warners emergence who has turned into a favourite player of mine to watch. Both teams will valiantly play out the season but the eye is on the future here. Venus Bay 1232 get over the line vs Larrikin Lagoon 1105 VBV continue to do just enough to stay undefeated, however this will come to an end unless they start to have some stronger midfield scores, with Gaff leading the way with an 81 this week. Hogan and Fisher may not be the first picked but with tonnes they show their value and depth to the squad that remains a premiership contender. It was a valiant fight from Larrikin Lagoon with 104 from Markov and 129 from Will Brodie, however the fans won’t be happy with Tarryn Thomas’ 17 hurting any chance of an upset. Charlies Opening 1377 take the chocolates vs Dunsborough 1124 Charlies opening posting a big score for a team sitting in 13th. Jackson relishing no Gawn for 122, Blakey dropping 126 and youngster Paul Curtis showing a bit for 87. This team has plenty of young talent particularly in the midfield and the coveted ruck position. Dunsborough had the return of May and Coniglio keeps up his form, the team has shown improvement in the back half of this year however sights are beginning to be cast to 2023. Mount Beauty 1363 were unlucky vs Cradle Mountain 1532 A shootout here, unfortunately for Bama it’s very hard to beat a score of 1500+. Any time I see a 1500+ I know that team is a serious contender and Cradle Mountain did it comfortably, dropping 8 tonnes, lead by 6 over 130!!! Marshall 156 and Lever 135 on the interchange shows the depth this squad has. Nank 141, Rich 135, Pendles 130, Vlaustin 130… the numbers speak for themselves. MB can count themselves unlucky. Viney played a great game for 123 and teammates Maynard, Walsh and Fogarty also topped 120. MB are stiff to not be in 4th after this round, but Cradle Mountain are certainly deserving of that spot after this result. Whitsundays 1300 conquer Marble Bar 1169 Two teams just outside the 8 faced off however Les W leader Jarrod Witts pocketed another 5 votes to help his team take the win. A comeback from injury TiB couldn't have dreamed of, Witts made up for slightly below average scores from Port stars Boak (93) and Wines (96). A strong performance from Harmes (103) and Farrell (97) show that having depth is crucial to getting wins as well. Marble Bar would've loved to see some form return to Jake Lloyd after a leaner start to the year, however a milestone Mundy delivering 25 shows he is human and the Misfits will be chatting to him about the plan for future years. Wineglass Bay 1121 get the W up against Birdsville 1101 A bottom 8 tussle kept fans on the edge of their seat, with the Packers keeping their finals hopes alive, now only a game and points out. While Birdsville have a solid overall points tally they couldn't come away with a W here. Baker dropped 126 for Wineglass Bay but its the talls of Darcy Cameron and Tom De Koning which have the fans feeling very positive about the future. Birdsville have a good young lineup as well with Lewis Young currently holding the rucks and All-Australian smokie Dylan Moore delivering another 100+. Matt Kennedy continues to be a great pre season pick with 112.
Wonderful words Fitzy. ThatKIGuy has unearthed another talent. Very much liked the confident analysis of each team - all pretty hard to fault. Well done.
Well done Fitzy, thanks. I found it overly kind to Mount Beauty, assumedly to keep their fans at bay lol
Top effort @Fitzy - you are right, the changing of the guard has caught up very quickly with some older cows (Fyfe, Mitchell). It's happening to some other teams but maybe not to the same extent. Well done to @anthak you seem to have found an elixir of youth for your squad.