Round Up of Round Three – Circles are Round

Round Up of Round Three – Circles are Round
After I saw the name for this round, one song started playing in my head. Listen up while you read the circular review of the round.

What stood out was how many teams, including those at and towards the top of the ladder struggled to field a full strength-team. Should the early rounds byes continue, will coaches change their strategy in the PSD? Still there were some mighty close tussles alongside the odd blow out.

If the afl is going to serve up again the nonsense that is this year’s “fixture list” again they are thumbing their noses at all forms of fantasy football. The pièce de résistance being requiring extended teams for Sunday games to be announced on Thursday at 6:30pm, but the teams for Monday's game not being required until 6.20pm Sunday. Go figure.


Wineglass Bay Packers 1267 vs Birdsville Battlers 1128
After sitting out two rounds, for possession of toot, Elijah Hollands repaid Tracey’s faith (well it is Easter) by cutting up (the opposition) lines 22 times, feeding Charlie (Curnow), blowing North away while smacking out a 116. Dutchy2’s performance was mirrored by recent additions Worpel (150) and Noble (105), a free from injury Hewett (124) and McGrath (110).

JC’s battlers were also short-handed, fielding only 13 and Hipwood (12). But were they daunted? Ryan (130) was excellent, as was Cerra (128). Conor Nash (106) seemed to relish the conditions. Harry McKay (137) seems to have found some kicking boots that work (for the time being anyway). But it was not enough despite Tracey’s ruckman posting 18.


Iron Knob Codpieces 896 vs Larrikin Lagoon Lofties 1008
The only people who might have enjoyed this tussle would have been the mothers of the players, and possibly churchboy and KIGuy. Still a win is a win and a loss is not. Your scribe found little to enthuse over.

The codpieces who were only able to field 12 players, Nic Martin (136) excelled with 44 disposals which equalled Parish’s club record for most possessions in a game. Maibor Choi (93) is turning into a successful draft pick.

Blake Hardwick (47) played his 150th game at a misty MCG where he was less entertaining than the weather. Bonner (104) looked good with 32 disposals, but created an unwanted new afl record with 17 clangers. Acres (96) produces top numbers for a guy notionally a winger. The Lofties running out the winners.


Dunsborough Dung Beetles 906 vs Gundagai Grasshoppers 1253
There is about 18,000 km between the two coaches home locations, yet only two places on the ladder between these teams at first bounce. Something had to give. And it wasn’t the sceptic. Five places now separate them.

Sheezel (128) and T Powell (92) were excellent, but they had little support; it would have been a bit disappointing for Cursing, but he did produce a fab round 2 review at short notice. Am I the only one who thinks it is strange for a die-hard Saints supporter to not have any of their players in his team? Oliver Henry (92) played his 50th game, but as an emergency he did not get to contribute.

Hopper Neale returned from injury with a 129 which Pendles (75) paid Devilish close attention to by enthusiastically tapping Lachie in the midriff for encouragement. Or that’s the way the travelling rabble saw it. Other Hopper stars were the Scottish Suitcase (110), Crippa with an even 100, Prince (?) Charlie (122), Grundy (114). Kudos to Ollie (pink boots) Dempsey (86), who is starting to shine and should be in every SC team.


Charlies Opening Spelunkers 1237 vs Mount Beauty Uglies 1278
A circle round Naicos for his 50th game, his 112 was barely a pass mark for the prodigy. I am sure the Commish had semi mentally pencilled in 150+ from one of his gifts form some bloke on an island off SA. Merrett (136) and the Bont (110) compensated - but not enough. Were some poor decisions at the selection table to blame for the loss?

For the visitors Big Maxy pumped out a non-drug assisted 177. Speaking of Ugly, a slightly bulbous looking Maynard huffed and bumped his way to 94 alongside a former team mate of Angus Brayshaw as Jack Viney, a recent addition to bama’s coven, produced an influential 94 in his 200th game. You could not make this stuff up. D Rioli (117) was his normal influential self. However, Butters (slightly off) and Tracca disappointed with 98 and 97 respectively.


Cradle Mountain Devils 1428 vs Nareewillock Nuffers 1127
Tom Hawkins (70) played his 350th game – boy oh boy wowee – he’s come a long way and fitting that the milestone game was at a lightening affected MCG. There was also noteworthy entertainment from Zorko the Magician (127) as he auditioned for Magic Circle membership. Heppell (139) continued dmandrews’ pensioner theme. English (126) was the latest ruck man to take advantage of the eagles lack. Naughton contributed a handy 110. Then Vlastuin (167) spread the icing around the cake.

While for Chris’s “weakened” side Todd Marshall (70 with 14 clangers) brought up his century of games in (only) his eighth year on Port’s list – an excellent reward for persistence. Soright (125) was his normal reliable self while Soldo (112) surprised. The Chad and Errol show was expected to continue. However, on one hand a pair of 73’s was not what Chris with his Nuffers’ hat on had hoped for. On the other hand, a Richmond win (where else but the MCG?) was probably more than adequate compensation.



Lovely Banks Lilacs 1198 vs Waikickamoocow Incorrigibles 1186
The Lilacs had a “nearly huge” round with Wilkie (84), Wines (96), Stewart (99), Duncan (99) and Parish (80) posting almost huge scores. The high hopes for later in the weekend were not misplaced. Bolton (119) was WYSIWYG, and Heeney (148) truly is an entertainer. It is consistency that produces wins at TS, and extra household chores for Chris this week. Congrats Jen.

Patrons at The Bulls Hit Tavern savoured the milestone of Titch’s 200th game (actually his 201st, but who’s counting). The sole survivor from the cow’s original draft rolled back time with a 121. New boy Alex Neal-Bullen (134) and Gov (120) were two of the too few bright spots for the cows. Would like to attribute it to selection errors, but that would be churlish.


Marble Bar Misfits 1087 vs Gariwerd Cockatoos 1137
The Marble Bar is a lamented establishment that was on the ground floor of the George Street (and then back) entrance to the original Hilton Hotel. While that’s neither here nor there, some of the interest in this matchup centred around how many would each side field. Manfully / optimistically Len suggested 14 afield including emergencies and “The Package” as a ruck man. Ant countered by naming 19. A clear numerical advantage. But, remember, only 15 scores count.

Tim Kelly (104) was effective for Len’s side dubbed the Marble Bar Missing. Ex giant Taranto (128) went more than okay as did Adam Treloar (124). Then Len’s long-term faith in Jake Lloyd (125) was finally rewarded. It looked as though quality might be rewarded albeit some of the Misfit’s absolute quality was at the beach

The cocky’s Adelaide pair of Laird (111) and M Crouch (110) got their side of to a good start. I am not sure many think of Chandler (90) except as in “Friends.” The cockies stuttered after Drew (135) imposed himself with 11 tackles. Then Sunday and Monday saw some ascendancy which got ant home. Holmes (84) could easily have come off early after aggravating an already strapped ankle in quarter 2. Perhaps a reward for quantity over quality? Maybe, it was closer than the scoreline suggests; but no cigar for Len.


Wagga Wagga Wombats 1038 vs Venus Bay Vultures 1030
Mate against mate, thirteenth against fourteenth, and a high probability that one team would have a win on the board at the end of the round. Yet it was so nearly a draw. Setterfield (late out), Tex Walker (29), Pickett (42), Daniher (49), Billings (42), all gave the clear impression that they wished it was their bye round. And then there was an early sub off for Libba and a strange, lengthy stint on the sub bench for Crisp. Events well beyond either FA coaches’ control.

To mark Brodie Smith’s 250th game Lenny gave him a run in the ruck – guess he figured a momentous occasion deserved a change of scenery. It didn’t really work – Brodie scored 88 (then halved for OOP) with 2 tackles and 3 FF’s, no hit outs; but a round of applause for originality and entertainment value. Caldwell (99), Rozee (102), Liberatore (98 in 59% TOG) all chimed in at times.

For Fitzy’s mob Houston (105), Crisp (76 in 39% TOG after starting as the sub), McInerney (107) all went well. However, injuries or managed minutes affected the performances of Lynch (64) and Charlie Dixon (78) who normally play close to 100% TOG. The clear case in point was Yeo (82 in 66% TOG). Had any of them been fully fit the outcome may well have been different.

 

Always my favorite read of the season, the young lad from the land of the white cloud
and his loquaciousness....(not ever sure that's a word, doubt it hahaha).

Thanks Graeme, still chuckling at this...."The only people who might have enjoyed this tussle would
have been the mothers of the players". Mike will love it !

 

Thanks, as always, for the write up @graeme. Great stuff, mate.

My unintentional heavy investment in two teams has left me shorthanded two weeks running - though I highly doubt it would have changed either result. The Packers were too good for us this week - well done @Tracey.

It seems I'm one for the simpler days when Round 1 was actually the first bloody round, we had a draw rather than a fix(ed)ture, and all the teams played each round. But then I'm also the kind of dinosaur that preferred Friday night lockouts for normal SC, so what do I know?

 

Great write up @graeme!

DungBeetles knew it was going to be a long weekend when our ruck man was crucified on Sam Mitchell's selection committee table, delivering us an egg shaped score. The coaching group clearly were hoping for an Easter miracle but alas Gundagai sadly, got all four chocolates. Again. Congratulations @snoz.

Yes, I am sad not owning more Saints players. Imagining Tom Green in the red white and black doesn't quite stop the bleeding. But I live in the knowledge that once Mattaes hits his straps it will seem like I own them all!!

 

Nicely prosed Graeme, a great read over morning coffee. Some very close encounters there.
Cheers

 

Ah .... Well .... I feel self reflection is best suited for song writers & perhaps Greg Chappell
Instead take the rage out on the next team to cross the white line (no matter what Isle they hail from )