2013 ORFFA Team Previews

Over the coming two to three weeks I'll be working my way through each of the 18 teams in our fair league, offering previews for each and looking at each team's key players, x-factors, question marks and recruiting in the lead-up to the start of the 2013 ORFFA season. The previews are designed to prompt discussion, debate and a bit of analysis, while keeping things light and breezy. I'll start tonight with the Battlers from Birdsville: Birdsville Battlers: Key arrivals: Brent Moloney, Jesse Lonergan, Shannon Byrnes. Key departures: Sam Iles (again, why the hell was he delisted in the AFL?), Nick Malceski Key players: The Battlers will be looking to midfield dynamos Marc Murphy, Brad Ebert and Daniel Wells to lead from the front in the middle. The defensive trio of Houli, Geary and Fisher will need to chalk up good points most weeks, while Sauce Merrett and Ash McGrath might lend handy support up back or down forward. Up forward JC will be hoping big Jono Brown can turn back the clock one more time, and that a focused Travis Cloke recaptures some consistent form. Potential X-Factors: The drafting of Jesse 'The Hulk' Lonergan at pick 12 was hailed by many fellow ORFFA coaches as a good choice. Meanwhile the performances of Brisbane duo of Daniel Rich and Brent Moloney in the midfield have the potential to make or break the Battlers - get good seasons from them both and all of a sudden Birdsville's midfield looks deep and capable of some healthy scoring. Question Marks: Can Travis Varcoe recapture his pre-injury magic? Can Shannon Byrnes capture any magic at his new club? Can Jono Brown beat Father Time (most likely with his bare hands)? Can the Battlers' unheralded ruck duo of Ben McEvoy and Zac Clarke do enough to support their more high-profile teammates? Summary: If everything clicks, the boys from Birdsville are a definite flag contender. A midfield of Murphy, Wells, Ebert and one of Rich or Moloney could easily notch up 500+ points by itself. The backline scoring might be a little shallow, and coach JC will hope ruckmen McEvoy and Clarke can stand up over the season, but overall Birdsville have talent, depth and a good mix of youth and experience.

 

Charlie's Opening Spelunkers: Key arrivals: Jackson Thurlow, Josh Simpson. Key departures: None really. Key players: The form of Andrew Swallow and Leigh Montagna are vital to Charlie's Opening. Coach Bandit will be hoping Kieren Jack can provide able support, and that draftee Liam Picken can be a solid M4-M5. The veteran duo of Heath Shaw and Andrew Mackie lead a predominately inexperienced defence - perhaps youngster Jackson Thurlow might be able to add depth. But it could be the Spelunkers' forwardline that makes or breaks the team's 2013 hopes. Simply put, can Petrie, Josh Hill, Gunston, Le Cras and Sam Reid put enough scoreboard pressure on opponents? Potential X-Factors: Stephen Hill often seems set for a huge year, but has yet to deliver consistently. Will this be his year? Plenty of talk about Jackson Thurlow during the ORFFA draft, and coach Bandit has drafted well with low picks - snaffling Thurlow, Simpson and Paparone. WIll any of them have an impact in 2013? We will wait and see. Question Marks: Can the Frenchman return triumphantly from injury - and how will his return impact on teammate (in all senses of the word) Josh Hill? Can big Jonathan Giles follow up his 2012 with another great year? Which of the Spelunkers' young backmen will make their mark? Will Daniel Menzel get back in some way before the season is over? Summary: Coach Bandit has drafted shrewdly, something which will improve the Spelunkers' chances of rising up the ladder in 2013. But is it enough? Charlie's Opening will rely on a number of youngsters taking the next step and improving their scoring in order to support its veterans and tried-and-true scorers. If they can step up, a finals' berth isn't out of the question. Otherwise, a development and building year awaits.

 

Next up will be previews for Cradle Mountain, and some ramshackle outfit out Darraweit Guim way. Hopefully the Guim is getting some of this much-needed rain.

 

Cradle Mountain Devils: Key arrivals: Tigger Vlastuin, Lee Spurr, Key departures: Setanta O'Hailpin (yes, really) Key players: Pendlebury, Redden, Stevie J, Zaharakis, Dale Thomas. That's a possible M1-M4 (plus one on the bench) setup that would strike fear into the heart of any opposition coach. Dyson Heppell and Go Go Gadget Fletcher lead the backline, while Michael Hurley plays the spearhead role. Plenty of M/F choices with Johnson, Thomas, Jude Bolton and 2012 sensation Dayne Zorko. Potential X-Factors: Nick Vlastuin has shown enough in the early going to get plenty of people excited. This guy could be anything. His fellow Cradle Mountain defender James Gwilt will play a vital role with coach dmandrews hopeful he can return to full fitness and slot into a D4 spot. The drafting of Lee Spurr should release Heppell and Vlastuin into an already obscenely talented midfield. Question Marks: Can Gwilt re-capture his best scoring.Will Dale Thomas be fit and firing in 2013? Can young forward Arryn Siposs continue his improvement? Can ruckmen West and Jamar do enough to hold their own? Can Zorko replicate his 2012 form? Summary: From my vantage point here in front of the PC in my comfy Dr Evil style swivel chair, the Devils are a very real premiership threat. Talent, point-scoring ability, youth, good draft picks, flexibility with a number of DPPs … I'd hate to be choosing a first 15 each week. If Dale Thomas can recover from his ankle injury, and West and Jamar can battle manfully, the Devils will give the flag a massive shake.

 

Darraweit Guim Dirigibles:
Key arrivals: Michael Walters, James Frawley, Bradley Hill, Jesse Stringer Key departures: Dom Cassisi, Nick Smith, Liam Picken, Jeremy Howe Key players: The ever-reliable Matthew Boyd will lead the Guim's midfield from the front, looking for backup from a mix of well-known names (Nick Dal Santo, Nathan Foley) and lesser lights (Ben Cunnington, Nathan Van Berlo, Stringer, Jack Newnes). The Dirigibles' defence looks to be its strength, with Duffield, Rance, Frawley and Grimes leading the way. However, Ivan Maric may be the team's most vital player, as the Guim enters 2013 with only one ruckman. Potential X-Factors: Michael Walters has everyone talking - can his recruitment shore up a forward line heavy on small guys (Harvey, Edwards, Betts, Bewick) and without a proven spearhead (only Ty Vickery could fit the bill). Question Marks: Can Ivan Maric ruck one out for the entire season? Can any of the young recruits step up during 2013? Can Ty Vickery, Nathan Foley and Dylan Grimes overcome long spells on the sidelines to make an impact? Can Matthew Boyd and Nick Dal Santo provide one more vintage scoring year? Can Darraweit's mosquito fleet of forwards cover for Brent Harvey's six week holiday”? Summary: A few pundits are rather high on the Dirigibles' chances this year (if you excuse the pun) but coach Chris88 isn't amongst them. A distinct shift towards recruiting youth and rebuilding before hitting rock bottom has seen nine new players aged 24 and under arrive at the club. And while the Dirigibles' top end talent is good enough to match it with anyone - including a backline ranked among the best in the ORFFA - the loss of depth and experience may stop it going all the way.

 

Good reading, ty sire.

 

Murphy is a gun JC, a lock in my SC team, he will brain Judd this year for mine..

 

Excellent work Chris. Thanks for taking time to do this. I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of the teams.

 

JC wrote:
Jen wrote:
Nice work sweetie - sorry Chris. Can't wait to see what you say about my team. Haha. I'm going to bet it'll be lacking in controversy. I am a journalist without fear or favour ... I cannot be influenced or bought!! (At least not cheaply)

 

Next up in the previews, at some stage later on today, will be Foul Bay and Gariwerd. And some bad news for ORFFA coaches ... the SC Gods and their player position decisions have made it even tougher for anyone to beat the Chickens of Foul Bay this year....

 

Agree pretty much with everything you said hereChris. Not sure about jack offering 'support'... last year he averaged 112 to lead the midfield!
The majority of theburdenfor a successful season rests on the Frenchman's shoulders... if he lights it up like I hope he does then we are a sneaky finals chance. If he doesn't then we will be making up numbers.
Our Tasmanian friends/rivals are going to give the Chooks a real run this year I think

 

You're spot on about Jack, Bandit. He has emerged as the leader of your midfield methinks - hopefully the others can actually offer him some support!

 

Lenh191 wrote:
Murphy is a gun JC, a lock in my SC team, he will brain Judd this year for mine.. Wandering back up the beach, Chris was most upset that anyone could think that Marc had more brains than he did, particularly with the rise in collective IQ since they showed Fev the door. His retort was, 'If Marc is so clever, how come he is not Visy Ambassador?' And anyway, all SC eyes this year are on Gibbs. He will steal points from Chris and Marc. You do have a gun in Murphy JC, just try pointing it at Len.

 

We take gun pointing seriously here in NSW Murphy vs Judd seasons total points, loser has a pink tutu as their teams logo next year

 

Foul Bay Chickens: Key arrivals: Nathan Hrovat, Dan Giansiracusa, Brock McLean, Bernie Vince Key departures: Jeff Garlett, Sam Wright Key players: Pat Dangermouse and Joel Selwood lead a frighteningly deep midfield for the Chickens (McLean, Kelly, Vince, Liberatore, Trengove, etc etc), while veterans Matthew Pavlich and Jimmy Bartel are the senior members of the forward line. Down back, Greg Broughton will hope for improved scoring at his new AFL new club, as will Danyle Pearce. Scott McMahon and Chris Yarran provide the depth up back. Shane Mumford will split ruck duties with Jarrad Roughead, especially when the latter is needed up forward. Potential X-Factors: Josh Kennedy and Tom Liberatore return from long lay-offs and simply make a frighteningly good team even more impressive. If Brock McLean rounds into some form, or young draftees Nathan Hrovat and Jordan Murdoch make an impact … God have mercy on the rest of the ORFFA. Question Marks: Can coach Chief Russell successfully choose the best 15 players to put on the park each week? How the hell did this team end up getting drafted in the same draft as the rest of our teams? Summary: The $3 odds offered for Foul Bay in the premiership betting are at least $1.50 too generous. Simply put, the reigning premier will begin his title defence with an even better line-up than in 2012 - ably assisted by having Greg Broughton, Danyle Pearce and Jimmy Bartel newly christened as DPPs. The Chief's premiership window is not only wide open, but the curtains are drawn and the breeze is gusting in.