Packers team DEFENDERS Lachie Ash, John Noble, Bodhi Uwland, Josh Daicos - Liam Baker MIDFIELDERS George Hewett , Tom Sparrow, Ryley Sanders , James Worpel RUCKS Darcy Cameron FORWARDS Seth Campbell, Jacob van Rooyen, Cooper Trembath, Leonardo Lombard - Ben Keays INTERCHANGE Andrew McGrath, Lachlan Cowan - Sam Taylor Good luck to all
Haemoragging everywhere Bont out, ANB out on top of several others. Soft underbelly exposed. Here's the team.... Blitz playing OOP Good luck @chris88
ORFFA 2026 Preliminary Finals update (1) @snoz ‘s Gundagai Grasshoppers 795/8 Average 99.4 Lead (7) @Tracey ‘s Wineglass Bay Packers 799/10 Average 79.1 Gundagai Grasshoppers – progress Preliminary final score Def: C Mills, L Humpries 102, W Powell 70, J Weitering (B Hough) Mid: J Dawson 107, L Neale 65, C Oliver, J Newcombe 101 (S Davidson) Ruc: B Grundy (N Madden) Fwd: I Rankine 157, J Simpkin 89, C Curnow, S Coniglio (B McCreery) Int: P Cripps, O Dempsey 104 795/8 Average 99.4 Packers team – progress Preliminary final score DEFENDERS Lachie Ash, John Noble 91, Bodhi Uwland 90, Josh Daicos 123 (Liam Baker) MIDFIELDERS George Hewett, Tom Sparrow 80, Ryley Sanders, James Worpel 54 RUCKS Darcy Cameron 98 FORWARDS Seth Campbell 40, Jacob van Rooyen 86, Cooper Trembath 82, Leonardo Lombard 55 – (Ben Keays) INTERCHANGE Andrew McGrath, Lachlan Cowan - Sam Taylor /2 799/10 Average 79.1 2026 minor premiers, the Gundagai Grasshoppers made a blistering start at home led by the ORFFA’s number one ranked player in the five week period from Round 12 to week one of the finals, forward midfielder Izak Rankine. At quarter time the Hoppers led the Packers by 221 points, 436 to 215. After the first break Wineglass Bay have significantly increased their scoring with defender Josh Daicos being his club’s best player. The Packers made some inroads to outscore the Hoppers 363 to 309 in the second quarter to reduce the deficit to 167 points at half time. The Packers are playing in their second preliminary final of all time and the first since relocating from Powlett Plains to Wineglass Bay in 2016. In the first ORFFA finals series the Packers who had finished sixth on the ladder lost a preliminary final by 216 points, 1,218 to 1,444 against the Foul Bay Chickens who had finished third on the ladder and went on to win the premiership. It took until the ORFFA’s sixth finals series in 2017 for the Gundagai Grasshoppers to make their fist preliminary final. From 2021 to 2026 the Grasshoppers have made five of a possible six preliminary finals with the only exception being 2024 when they suffered a semi final loss in week 2 of a four week finals series. In their first two prelims Gundagai lost to the eventual ORRA premiers, having a 418 point loss on the road to Waikickamoocow Incorrigibles in 2017 and a 170 point loss to the Cradle Mountain Devils in 2021. At their third attempt Gundagai won a preliminary final, having a 91 point victory against Venus Bay Vultures, 1,399 to 1,308. The following year at home the Grasshoppers had a 55 point victory against the Nuffers, 1,317 to 1,262. The 2025 preliminary finals are the only ORRFA season where all four teams scored 1,375 in their preliminary final. An undermanned Gundagai were unlucky to have a six point preliminary final loss to finals nemesis, Cradle Mountain 1,387 to 1,393. The Devils were closer to full strength which contributed to them upsetting the Grasshoppers, on the flipside the Hoppers being without several best 15 players including midfield gun Lachie Neale. To make matters worse forward James Peatling suffered a corked thigh in the third quarter and took no further part in the game. 2026 is shaping as a season of redemption for Gundagai and they are on a 16 game winning streak since the 2025 prelim. The Grasshoppers are playing in their sixth preliminary final to be joint ORFFA record holders in this category along with Cradle Mountain. (2) @Bandit ‘s Charlies Opening Spelunkers929/10 Average 92.9 Lead (6) @chris88 ‘s Narrewillock Nuffers 647/7 Average 92.4 The Spelunkers are contesting their third consecutive preliminary final from 2024 onwards whilst the Nuffers have gone one better and are in their fourth PF in a row from 2023 onwards. The Nuffers have had one win and two losses whilst the Spelunkers have a squared ledger of one win and one loss. The Nuffers preliminary final victory was by 165 points, 1,444 to 1,279 in 2024 against Cradle Mountain. The following year the Nuffers surpassed this tally but it wasn’t enough on the road against Charlies Opening who were undefeated all-season, with the Nuffers losing the 2025 PF 1,469 to 1,534. Several scoring records were set in the 2025 preliminary final with the Spelunkers setting the record for highest winning score in a PF whilst the Nuffers hold the unenviable record of highest losing prelim score. The classic 2025 prelim shoot-out between the Spelunkers and Nuffers was the first time hat two teams recorded an aggregate score of 3,000 points plus in a preliminary final. In 2026 Charlies Opening andNarrewillock are doing battle in a preliminary final for the second season in a row. Just under 60% of the way into the 2026 contest the Spelunklers have an extremely narrow advantage on points per player by 0.5 points, 92.9 to 92.4. Scoring is slightly down on the record breaking 2025 contest however the two teams are going goal for goal and the result is on track to be determined in time-on of the last quarter. Charlies Opening Spelunkers – progress Preliminary final score Def: L Whitfield, N Blakey, J Short 78, O Florent (L Duggan) Mid: N Daicos 110, Z Merrett, W Ashcroft 120, A Brayshaw 116 (S Grlj 55) Ruc: L Jackson 111 Fwd: G Miers 63, J Waterman, M Blicavs OOP 119/2 60, B Close 66 Int: L Meek 81, J Berry 124 (H Kyle) 929/10 Average 92.9 Narrewillock Nuffers – Preliminary final scores D: J Clark 114, C Idun, M Redman, H Himmelberg (M Keane 73) M: E Gulden, E Richards, M Rowell 118, C Serong 124 (S Swadling 114) R: V Visentini (J Riccardi) F: J Horne Francis 90, C Warner, J Ross 82, R West (K Langford) I/C: J Fitzgerald 69, P Voss 50 647/7 Average 92.4
At the moment I reckon I am about 50 or so points short of where I'd like to be to have a chance. My guys have been, generally, pretty good, but Bandits group has been very good - above average efforts from Berry and Blicavs in particular have been the difference. It may come down to the last game and how my third game ruck goes against Brodie Grundy. But I think the Spelunkers are just slightly ahead at the moment. The Nuffers are putting up a good fight though, and Sam Swadling is absolutely one for the future given he was around pick 100 or so in the last PSD.
Yeah, Short of massive scores from my Sydney duo or injuries to Bandit's players - which I wouldn't want to see happen - the Nuffers arent going to make up the ground. When three or four Spelunkers score anywhere between 30 and 70 points above season averages, it really doesn't matter about 1/2 score forwards or missing Bonts! Add to that West deciding to take the weekend off and that probably seals it ... wish Brent Daniels was fit enough to take his place. But let's see if Errol can pump out a Rankine-esque score to make it interesting!
I wandered away for a bit and it seems a few of my gents decided to make the coach eat his words. West turned up for the second half, Richards had a great game, and Errol, Warner and big Vigo played well. A bit stunned, don't know if it will be enough, but it'll be close now.
Unofficial ORFFA 2026 Preliminary Final scores at full time (1) @snoz ‘s Gundagai Grasshoppers 1,433/15 Average 95.5 defeated (7) @Tracey ‘s Wineglass Bay Packers 1,240/15 Average 82.7 Gundagai’s exceptional opening term to open up a 221 point lead, 436 to 215 put them in the box seat to advance to their third Grand Final in four seasons. Wineglass Bay outscored Gundagai across the middle two quarters by 746 to 679 to reduce the margin to 154 points at the last change. The Grasshoppers were never threatened and extended the final margin to 193 points, 1,433 to 1,240. Forward/midfielder Izak Rankine continued his rich vein of form to deliver another best afield performance and was supported by seven Grasshoppers teammates who recorded tons with midfielder Patrick Cripps (115) and ruck Brodie Grundy being the only other GGH players to score 110 + points. In addition to the three scores of 110+ eight Hoppers scored between 80 and 109 in a consistent team performance. A trio of Wineglass Bay players reached triple figures, defender duo Lachie Ash (144) and Josh Daicos (123) along with midfielder George Hewett (116). The Packers didn’t get enough from their bottom third to challenge Gundagai with five WBP’s having sub 60 scores. It was a successful 2026 season for Wineglass Bay, returning to the finals and defeating fellow Apple Isle team Cradle Mountain in a quarter final. Gundagai Grasshoppers – Preliminary final scores Def: C Mills 69, L Humpries 102, W Powell 70, J Weitering 82 (B Hough 35) 323/4 Mid: J Dawson 107, L Neale 65, C Oliver 100, J Newcombe 101 (S Davidson) 373/4 Ruc: B Grundy 114 (N Madden 63) Fwd: I Rankine 157, J Simpkin 89, C Curnow 61, S Coniglio 97 (B McCreery 135) 404/4 Int: P Cripps 115, O Dempsey 104 219/2 1,433/15 Average 95.5 Wineglass Bay Packers team – Preliminary final scores DEFENDERS Lachie Ash 144, John Noble 91, Bodhi Uwland 90, Josh Daicos 123 - Liam Baker 448/4 MIDFIELDERS George Hewett 116, Tom Sparrow 80, Ryley Sanders 59, James Worpel 54 309/4 RUCKS Darcy Cameron 98 FORWARDS Seth Campbell 40, Jacob van Rooyen 86, Cooper Trembath 82, Leonardo Lombard 55 – (Ben Keays) 2563/4 INTERCHANGE Andrew McGrath 78, Lachlan Cowan 44 - Sam Taylor 122/2 1,240/15 Average 82.7 (2) @Bandit ‘s Charlies Opening Spelunkers1,401/15 Average 93.4 Lost to (6) @chris88 ‘s Narrewillock Nuffers 1,503/15 Average 100.2 In each of the first three quarters Charlies Opening and the Narrewillock Nuffers each scored between 325 points and 375 points. At three quarter time the Nuffers led by 30 points, 1,072 to 1,042. Perhaps spurred on their 2025 preliminary final loss the Nuffers led by midfielder Errol Gulden (151) and forward/midfielder Chad Warner (131) lifted their scoring in the final term to outscore the Spelunkers 431 to 359 to record a 102 point victory 1,503 to 1,401. Five Nuffers scored 120+ with the other players in this category being defender Connor Idun (134) along with midfielders Ed Richards (134) and Caleb Serong (124). It is a phenomenal performance to score approximately 1,500 points at an average of 100 points per player. The Nuffers are in their second Grand Final in three seasons. Charlies Opening averaged 100+ points per player on four of the five lines with the only exception being the forward line where they were undermanned and played swiss army knife, defender/midfielder Mark Blicavs out of position. Seven Spelunkers scored tons and Blicavs would have been in this category if he was played in position. A duo who aren’t the usual suspects led Charlies Opening in scoring, defender Oliver Florent (128) and midfielder Jarrod Berry (124). Usual suspects, midfield trio Will Ashcroft (120), Andre Brayshaw (116), Nick Daicos (110) and ruck Luke Jackson (111) weren’t far behind. The Spelunkers forward quartet contributing 261 to their teams tally proved costly in a high scoring game. Two seasons in a row the Spelunkers and Nuffers have provided a shoot-out preliminary final. The Nuffers were able to flip the 2025 script to progress to the 2026 Grand Final. Charlies Opening – Preliminary final scores Def: L Whitfield 109, N Blakey 91, J Short 78, 124 (L Duggan) 406/4 Mid: N Daicos 110, Z Merrett 72, W Ashcroft 120, A Brayshaw 116 (S Grlj) 418/4 Ruc: L Jackson 111 Fwd: G Miers 63, J Waterman 72, M Blicavs OOP 119/2 60, B Close 66 261/4 Int: L Meek 81, J Berry 124 (H Kyle) 205/2 1,401/15 Average 93.4 Narrewillock Nuffers – Preliminary final scores D: J Clark 114, C Idun 134, M Redman 81, H Himmelberg 76 (M Keane 73) 405/4 M: E Gulden 151, E Richards 134, M Rowell 118, C Serong 124 (S Swadling 114) 527/4 R: V Visentini 90 (J Riccardi) F: J Horne Francis 90, C Warner 131, J Ross 82, R West 59 (K Langford) 362/4 I/C: J Fitzgerald 69, P Voss 50 119/2 1,503/15 Average 100.2 Congratulations @snoz and @chris88 on your Grasshoppers and Nuffers respectively progressing to the 2026 Grand Final. 2026 ORFFA Grand Final (1) Gundagai Grasshoppers vs (6) Narrewillock Nuffers The number one seed has been a regular in the ORFFA Grand Final with mixed success. Last years minor premiers, the Charlies Opening Spelunker won the Grand Final to complete an undefeated season, winning all 18 games. Gundagai will be attempting to replicate this feat in the 2026 GF. The 2026 Nuffers are the first number six seed to make the Grand Final, completing ladder position Grand Final bingo, each of the eight positions in the top eight have now made at least one Grand Final.