With the end of the H&A season we get down to the serious (for some) business of finals. This year with 16 teams the bottom eight competition is more structured than previously. A prerogative (for sNoZ, it means something that you have the right to do because of who you are) of writing a review is to poke fun at other teams or members who she or he thinks deserve it – let’s hope some of you have thick skin! The review of each game starts with their ladder position after round 14 and ends with their position going into the finals series. An observation early on Sunday afternoon from checking out the line-ups for this round. Surprised at how may players who are injured or unavailable are included in the playing teams. Oh, and in nominative determinism news it’s a big hello and congratulations to the new chief restaurant officer for McDonald’s in the UK and Ireland: Zoe Hamburger. Wineglass Bay Packers 1334 vs Charlies Opening Spelunkers 1401 Eleventh versus second, so pretty clear cut huh. Your local bookmaker would be offering Wink’s like odds on the comfortable “Points For” leader. And the bonny mare “romped” home, but not without some scares in the back straight and on the corner. Darcy Cameron (132) was excellent and Ben Keays (158) had the game of his life to win the keys to Adelaide. For COS Bont () and Brayshaw provided enough in the midfield to get home. The cavemen stay second on the ladder, and the Packers remain eleventh. Cradle Mountain Devils vs Dunsborough Dung Beetles Eighth versus fourteenth, so easily predictable. A question: how is the team with the third highest “Points For” total languishing in eighth place? Answer: after losses by 1 point (to the ‘hoppers) in round 13, and 7 points (to Tracey’s Packers) in round 14. If the devils were trying to tank - and I am not suggesting they were – accolades would be in order. Supplementary question: who wants to play them in the first round of finals? @dmandrews has posted a better review of the is game than what I can provide (see: http://tooserious.net/forum/threads...down-teams-talk-and-banter.91672/#post-250656 ). All I can add is that the actual game was far closer than any preview would have predicted. A common theme for the round. After the dust has settled the devilish devils finished seventh and the improving dungers remained 14th. Lovely Banks Lilacs 1211 vs Iron Knob Codpieces 1176 Again, ninth versus sixteenth – simples, yeah? Gosh, this betting lark looks easy – why aren’t all punters rich and the bookies broke? Cannot figure that out. Tom Stewart (121) is back in form which is good news for the Lilacs finals aspirations. The middling scores from many of the other Lilacs (eight at 80 or under) is a worry. For the knobs Jack Sinclair (140) turned out to be a false dawn. They seem to be short on codpieces as exemplified by a total of 43 on the Interchange bench (Brandan Parfitt 35, Jack Macrae 8). In a 35 point loss that is coach killer material (thanks Chris Scott and Bevo respectively). The Lilacs finish the H&A season in eighth place (congrats Jen, you and chris topping and tailing the eight) while churshboys work in progress remain in 16th place. Marble Bar Misfits 1176 vs Birdsville Battlers 1269 Tenth against sixth, albeit based on the “Points For” column the Misfits would be in sixth spot versus the Battlers in seventh. So, the prospect of a close-run affair – a good betting play. Well, the table did not lie. JC could not hide the wide grin at the performances of Sam Flanders (128) which was to be expected, but Jayden Hunt (138) was a revelation. For the Misfits Lachie Whitfield (137) and Adam Treloar (158) rolled back the clock but had too few performing teammates (eight at 80 or less). Probably not enough depth among the Battlers for a real tilt at finals; still, as Frankie famously said "Welcome to the Pleasuredome”. Len will be rueing the Misfits injury list, retirement provides ample opportunities for reflection amigo The Battlers rose a place to fifth, the Misfits remained tenth. Wagga Wagga Wombats 1230 vs Larrikin Lagoon Lefties 1202 Thirteenth comes up against fifteenth – looked certain to provide gripping viewing for aficionados of the parody oeuvre. Or so I thought – silly me. Both teams must have thought it was finals time as they produced some grand footy. Lenny enjoyed Sicily’s symmetric (123), Connor Rozee (113), Cam Rayner (122), Jack Ginnivan (137) and David Swallow (116) which suggested a top team. But, a donut and three others under80 is a concern. For Trader Vic’s current mob Harry Perryman (131) blue mooned and Jase Burgoyne (123) were excellent and few other (Xerri and Connor MacDonald) boosted their trade value. Hard to see much value in the nine at 80 or less, albeit there is at least one gem there. The Wombats rose to twelfth on the ladder, the Losers comfortably 15th. They may meet again. Venus Bay Vultures 1166 vs Gundagai Grasshoppers 1301 Seventh plays third, two frequent final series contenders are scheduled to meet. Only one really turned up for the tune up before the big dance. Oscar McInerney (107) and Jesses Hogan (115) the standouts for Venus Bay. Some of there teammates seemed to be on another page. The dreades equal to or less than 80 stat had eight members. Depth, is an issue for Fitzy. I can sympathise. The supplementary draft coupled with the PSD gave potential leg ups to the bottom sides but provided little comfort for teams who were mid-table in 2023. For the ‘hoopers some muscle flexing from Lucky Cripps (114) and the Scottish suitcase (115). A warning for other teams with aspirations for 2024. A round score of 1301 with Lachie Neale (78), Brodie Grundy (72), Clayton Oliver (79) and Jordan Dawson (81) not really turning up is a loud warning alarm. sNoZ’s mob remained third. Fizzy’s lot dropped to ninth missing the eight by a narrow decimal point differential. Gariwerd Cockatoos 993 vs Mount Beauty Uglies 1253 Twelfth up against fifth, last year’s champs (sorry anthak, but I still cannot believe I am typing that) versus a team looking to slip into the top four. Bama and his sidekick did not so much as slip into the top four as marched and stomped their way in. The Cocky’s were not so with a thirteenth-place finish. The Uglies got down and dirty with Daniel Rioli (133), Darcy Fogarty (118) and old Travis Boak (112) among the pearls. Two points about the performance. First, there four players in the equal to or under 80 stat. Pretty strong you say. Yep. Because second point Zac Butters (89) hardly got going and Maxy Gawn will be back ‘Nuff said. For the cockys Sam Draper (116) looked pretty lonely out there. Eleven players with 80 or less tells the story of a sorry 2024 year. Think I heard ant say “roll on 2025.” Waikickamoocow Incorrigibles 982 vs Nareewillock Nuffers 1356 Fourth against first, but really boys against men; especially after the Tribunal’s acceptance of an arcane legal argument. A one-sided match with the cows struggling to get anywhere near 1000 points. Josh Treacy (120) and Michael Hinge (108) provided the Bulls Hit patrons with a glimpse of the future. Matthew Johnson being a late out hurt, but ten others in the equal to or less than 80 club pretty much sums up a woeful performance. Would not be a surprise to be playing chris’s side again next week as the cows finished sixth. (P.S. picking Jen’s team for a healthy home). in round one is not recommended Very consistent scoring from the visitors with the Nuffers travelling much better than Chris’s beloved Tigers. For the table toppers Ed Richards (144) has been a revelation. Caleb Serong (140) goes from strength to strength. Connor Idun (120), and Kyle Langford (119) put there hands up for finals berths. There is more to come from the Swans pair of Errol Gulden (108) and Chad Warner (89). A ruck to replace Samson Ryan’s 15 would be the icing on the cake. Well done to the Nuffers for winning the H&A series. Let the real games commence.
Excellent, thanks for a great review. I read the whole thing for once! btw, it was 2022 the Cockies won the flag, not last year.
Enjoyable read - thanks, @graeme ! The depth will be tested again this week with TDK out, especially if Moyle goes out for Witts. Ah well, whatever happens from here, it's been a much better performance than last year - which has pleased the locals greatly. Starting 1-4, not even the most optimistic Battlers supporter thought we would finish the home and away season in fifth. Best of luck to all for the coming weeks.
Thanks for the write up Jaime.............yep sorry, long weekend, too many beers, blah blah blah.......will get this to you this morn mate.