Although long overdue, I will be catching up with the 2015 ORFFA awards during the 2016 mid-season break – first up is the article on left-hander Todd Goldstein winning the highest individual accolade in the ORFFA – the Les W Medal, and also playing a monumental role in the Lefties winning the ultimate team prize - the 2015 ORFFA premiership. The Goldstein article is longer than I initially intended however I thought it was imperative that the Goldstein trade during the 2014/15 pre-season was covered in detail – sorry Jim, just remember that most of your decision making throughout the history of the ORFFA has been outstanding and that you have got 15 coaches envious of you coaching an ORFFA premiership. The plan is to publish the 2015 Rising Star Award article in a fortnight’s time. Thanks to the coaches who have already submitted their votes for the 2015 ORFFA Rising Star award. I will make a post in the Rising Star thread in the next day or two and later in the week will chase up the coaches still to submit their votes with PM’s. A link to the 2015 ORFFA Rising Star Award thread is provided below: http://tooserious.net/forum/threads/2015-orffa-rising-star.83772/ Todd Goldstein wins the 2015 Les W Medal and inspires underdog Lefties to the 2015 ORFFA Premiership (Part 1) A phenomenal second half of the season from Larrikin Lagoon Lefties ruckman Todd Goldstein in which he polled 35 of a possible 40 votes catapulted him to winning the 2015 Les W Medal, polling a total of 47 votes for the season to finish eight votes ahead of Foul Bay midfielder Patrick Dangerfield, with Waikikamoocow midfielder Nat Fyfe a further three votes back in third place on 36 votes. Left-hander Goldstein had an ORFFA best seven best afield performances including the five votes five times in six games from Round 10 to Round 16 (Round 11 was abandoned). Three players ranked equal second in the ORFFA for best afield performances in 2015 with four each - Dangerfield, Fyfe, and Lovely Banks midfielder Josh Caddy. In the opening stages of the 2015 season the lead of the Les W Medal changed on a weekly basis with Nunawading midfielder Josh P Kennedy being the first outright leader on a perfect 10 votes after Round 2, he was superceded by Rory Sloane on 12 votes after Round 3 and Fyfe on 13 votes after Round 4. In Round 5 Fyfe was overtaken by fellow Waikikamoocow midfielder Dan Hannebery who had his fourth four vote performance of the season to become the fourth outright leader in as many weeks, taking his tally to 16 votes, two ahead of Fyfe. After Round 6 another midfielder became a leader of the Les W Medal – Darraweit’s David Armitage on 17 votes, equal with Fyfe. Fyfe’s streak of vote-getting games reached Ablettesque proportions with the exciting midfielder polling votes in the first nine rounds of the 2015 season to equal the little master’s feat of a season earlier in 2014. During this exhilarating sequence Fyfe regained the outright lead in Round 6, by Round 9 Fyfe’s tally had increased to 30 votes, seven clear of his nearest rival. In Round 4 Todd Goldstein had his second best afield performance in three weeks, having also polled two votes in Round 3 to take increase his tally to 12 votes after Round 4 and a share of second place, one vote behind Fyfe. Goldstein didn’t poll any votes between Round 5 and Round 8 and as a consequence slid down the leaderboard out of the top 15. From Round 9 onwards Goldstein announced himself not only as the premier ruckman in the ORFFA but the most dominant player in the entire competition over the second half of the season to poll at least three votes in each of his last eight games of the season. Goldstein polled four votes in Round 9 and had his third best afield performance of the season in Round 10 to be the Round 10 ‘player in focus.’ Over the first 10 rounds of 2015 Goldstein averaged 111 points per game, just below his career-best of 114 points per game in 2013. During his eight game vote getting sequence from Round 9 to Round 17 Goldstein elevated his game to a new stratosphere, scoring over 120 points in every game with a season best of 221 points in Round 13, making the most of opposition side Gariwerd Cockatoos not having a ruckman available and being forced to play rebounding defender Andrew Mackie out of position in this role. As well as dominating the ruck with 56 hit-outs Goldstein also made his impact felt around the ground, amassing a season-high 27 disposals comprised of 13 kicks and 14 handballs. Against the Cockatoos Goldstein also took eight marks, kicked a goal, laid four tackles, won eight clearances, 14 contested possessions, 13 uncontested possessions, had a goal assist and used the ball superbly to have a disposal efficiency of 92% - a number any midfielder would be proud of, let alone a ruckman, especially given that just over half his possessions being contested. Fittingly Round 13 was Goldstein’s third best afield performance in a row and resulted in him increasing his tally to 31 votes to overtake Nat Fyfe’s tally of 30 votes. Fyfe struck back in Round 14 with a best afield performance to increase his tally to 35 votes and regain the lead from Goldstein by a vote. A groin injury forced Fyfe to miss Rounds 15 and 16, Goldstein took full advantage to be best afield in both rounds and take an unassailable lead of nine votes into the final round. Goldstein polled three votes in the final round to increase his Les W Medal tally to 47 votes, one vote less than the all-time record of 48 votes by 2014 winner – Marble Bar Misfits midfielder Callan Ward. Due to Round 11 being abandoned Goldstein’s 16 matches in 2015 was one less than Ward played in 2015 so Goldstein did set a new record for votes per game in a season of 2.94, fractionally ahead of Ward’s 2.82 votes per game. Amazingly the Waikikamoocow Incorrigibles had three of the top players in the 2016 Les W medal with Fyfe in third position on 36 votes being followed by team-mates, ruckman Sam Jacobs on 32 votes in fourth place and midfielder Dan Hannebery in fifth position on 31 votes. Goldstein had been a consistent performer in the ORFFA from the competition’s inaugural season in 2012 to regularly be in his club’s best players, averaging 93 points in 2012, 114 points in 2013 and 107 points in 2014 playing for Iron Knob. 2013 was the first season that the Les W Medal was awarded to the best and fairest player in the ORFFA and in the first two seasons of the award Goldstein polled a total of 32 votes, comprised of 17 votes in 2013 and 15 votes in 2014, his best finish during this time was equal 40th in 2013.
Todd Goldstein wins the 2015 Les W Medal and inspires underdog Lefties to the 2015 ORFFA Premiership (Part 2) The trade of Goldstein in between the 2014 and 2015 season created much discussion, however I don’t think anyone in their wildest dreams could have anticipated just how much impact this trade would have on the two clubs involved in the deal. After winning the 2014 Premiership Iron Knob didn’t rest on their laurels and put Goldstein on the trade table, seeking to do a deal to improve the club long-term, confident that they still had a viable option in the ruck after the departure of Goldstein. A deal was eventually done with the Larrikin Lagoon Lefties, trading 2015 PSD pick 2 (which was used on Jordan De Goey) along with ruck/forward David Hale to the Iron Knob codpieces in exchange for Goldstein and 2015 PSD pick 72 (which was used on Alex Woodward). Iron Knob had selected Goldstein with pick 71 at the inaugural ORFFA draft in 2012 and highlighting just how in demand ruckman were he was the 16th ruckman selected. Will Minson was selected by Iron Knob three picks later and formed a terrific ruck combination with Goldstein from 2012 to 2014, averaging between 95 and 113 points per game in each season. Working in tandem with Goldstein brought out the best in Minson, however after Todd’s departure Minson’s form dissipated in 2015, being approximately half of Iron Knob’s games and his average dropped to 77 points per game. After trading Goldstein Iron Knob have had to frequently play an out of position player in the ruck including during an elimination final in the first week of the 2015 finals when they played 173 cm Paul Puopolo in the ruck against the very ruckman they had traded out - Goldstein who dominated to win the ruck 116 points to 31 and was the catalyst for the Lefties upset win over the reigning premier Codpieces by 115 points - 1,350 to 1,235. Still feeling the effects of trading Goldstein away, during the 2016 mid-season when commenting on a trade that created some discussion Iron Knob Codpieces head coach Jim finished his post with the comment “I on the other hand should not be allowed to trade another ruck away, ever.”Not surprisingly this post was well received, getting eight likes from his fellow ORFFA coaches. The Larrikin Lagoon Lefties received the draft pick 2 in the 2015 PSD due to finishing second last in 2014 and Goldstein flourished taking on the responsibility of being the club’s number one ruckman in 2015 and playing in the ruck all game. With Goldstein providing his Lagoon midfielders with first use of the ball the Lefties made a meteoric rise up the ladder from 17th in 2014 to eighth in 2015. The Lefties were ranked fourth for points scored in the 2015 home and away season 36 points per game ahead of the fifth ranked side so the ladder position didn’t give a true indication of their performance during the regular season. As well as performing at an exceptional level throughout 2015 Goldstein also made had the rare achievement of playing for the ORFFA premiers in back to back seasons but changing clubs in between seasons. Having played in Iron Knob’s 2014 Premiership and then being a key reason in Larrikin Lagoon winning the 2015 premiership. Although he was on the sidelines for the thrilling six point Grand Final win against the Birdsville Battlers there is no way that the Lefties would have achieved this success in 2015 under head coach Mike without the acquisition of Goldstein, and in all likelihood without big Todd the Lefties wouldn’t have even made the finals. During the 2015 home and away season 27 year-old Goldstein played all 16 games for the Lefties, averaging 5.9 kicks, 7.9 handballs, 3.6 marks, 0.5 goals, 3.9 tackles, 39.1 hit-outs and 128 supercoach points per game. Goldstein polled votes in an equal-ORFA best (along with Fyfe) 11 games, comprised of seven 5’s, one 4, two 3’s and one 2. The 2016 ORFFA Prospectus was glowing in its praise of Goldstein’s season with his profile saying “Goldstein produced the best season ever recorder by a ruckman. He averaged 128 Champion Data ranking point, ranked No. 1 in the competition and the most ever recorded by a ruckman.”1 Goldstein is the third player to win the Les W Medal, following 2013 winner – Iron Knob midfielder Gary Ablett and 2014 winner – Marble Bar Misfits midfielder Callan Ward. It is fitting that a Larrikin Lagoons Lefties player in Todd Goldstein has become the first left-hander to win the Les W Medal. The feats of Goldstein and the Larrikin Lagoon Lefties during 2015 will be long remembered and provide much inspiration for left-footers. 1 Champion Data, ORFFA* Prospectus – the essential number-cruncher for season 2016, 11th Edition, page 256 AFL* I will post the leaderboard in the next couple of days,
Bloody brilliant Dean! Mid-year celebrations at the Goon have been ramped up in the wake of this Official ORFFA media statement. A lovely subtle reminder of who the reigning Premiers are and a casual barb to the ribs for Jimbo and JC.
awesome stuff Dean! Loved reading it from start to finish especially the breakdown of Goldy's season-best game against the Cockies! We woulda won that game if we hadve had a ruck to contain him.
Great write up Dean... Jack Darling has rightfully applied to the ORFFA for dual position eligibility, but runout has it he was turned away to guffaws of laughter!
2015 Les W Medal - extended leaderboard of players who received at least 10 votes Name ORFFA POS AFL Votes Todd Goldstein Larrikin Lagoon Lefties R NM 47 Patrick Dangerfield Foul Bay Chickens M Adel 39 Nathan FYFE Waikikamoocow Incorrigibles M Frem 36 Sam Jacobs Waikikamoocow Incorrigibles R Adel 32 Daniel Hannebery Waikikamoocow Incorrigibles M Syd 31 Lachie Neale Gundagai Grasshoppers M Frem 29 Robbie Gray Iron Knob Codpieces F/M Port 29 David Mundy Powlett Plains Packers M Frem 28 David Armitage Darraweit Guim Dirigibles M StK 26 Matt Priddis Larrikin Lagoon Lefties M WC 26 Josh CADDY Lovely Banks Lilacs M Geel 25 Dustin MARTIN Mt Beauty Uglies F/M Rich 25 Josh P. Kennedy Nunawading Nuffas M Syd 25 Scott Pendlebury Cradle Mountain Devils M Coll 24 Brett Deledio Gariwerd Cockatoos F/M Rich 24 Scott Thompson Lovely Banks Lilacs M Adel 23 Stephen Hill Charlie's Opening Spelunkers M Frem 22 Callan Ward Marble Bar Misfits M GWS 22 Brent Stanton Nunawading Nuffas M Ess 22 Stefan Martin Venus Bay Vultures R Bris 22 Heath Shaw Foul Bay Chickens D GWS 21 Sam Mitchell Larrikin Lagoon Lefties M Haw 21 Dayne Beams Venus Bay Vultures M Bris 21 Travis Boak Whitsunday Warriors M Port 21 Luke DAHLHAUS Foul Bay Chickens F WB 20 Luke Hodge Iron Knob Codpieces D/M Haw 20 Aaron Sandilands Powlett Plains Packers R Frem 20 Dylan Shiel Wagga Wagga Wombats M GWS 20 Adam Treloar Birdsville Battlers M GWS 19 Marc Murphy Birdsville Battlers M Carl 19 Joel Selwood Foul Bay Chickens M Geel 19 Dane Swan Iron Knob Codpieces F/M Coll 19 Tom Mitchell Waikikamoocow Incorrigibles F/M Syd 19 Rory Sloane Powlett Plains Packers M Adel 18 Michael BARLOW Whitsunday Warriors M Frem 18 Drew Petrie Cradle Mountain Devils F NM 17 Mitch WALLIS Gariwerd Cockatoos M WB 17 Harley BENNELL Mt Beauty Uglies F/M GC 17 Trent Cotchin Mt Beauty Uglies M Rich 17 Mark Blicavs Charlie's Opening Spelunkers R/M Geel 16 Dyson HEPPELL Cradle Mountain Devils M Ess 16 Dayne Zorko Cradle Mountain Devils F/M Bris 16 Adam Oxley Gundagai Grasshoppers D Coll 16 Jordan Lewis Larrikin Lagoon Lefties M Haw 16 Brendon Goddard Larrikin Lagoon Lefties F/M Ess 16 Matthew Boyd Mt Beauty Uglies M WB 16 Jarrad McVeigh Waikikamoocow Incorrigibles M Syd 16 Oliver Wines Whitsunday Warriors M Port 16 Josh J. Kennedy Whitsunday Warriors F WC 16 Tom MCDONALD Birdsville Battlers D Melb 15 Marcus Bontempelli Charlie's Opening Spelunkers F/M WB 15 Ivan Maric Darraweit Guim Dirigibles R Rich 15 Anthony Miles Powlett Plains Packers M Rich 15 Brad Ebert Birdsville Battlers M Port 14 Alex Rance Darraweit Guim Dirigibles D Rich 14 Jackson Macrae Iron Knob Codpieces M WB 14 Hamish Hartlett Mt Beauty Uglies M Port 14 Tom Bell Nunawading Nuffas F/M Carl 14 Cameron GUTHRIE Gariwerd Cockatoos M Geel 13 Devon Smith Marble Bar Misfits F GWS 13 Elliot Yeo Marble Bar Misfits D/M WC 13 Shaun Higgins Venus Bay Vultures D/F NM 13 Cale Hooker Charlie's Opening Spelunkers D Ess 12 Jack GUNSTON Charlie's Opening Spelunkers F Haw 12 Eddie Betts Darraweit Guim Dirigibles F Adel 12 Brodie Grundy Gundagai Grasshoppers R Coll 12 Tom Rockliff Gundagai Grasshoppers M Bris 12 Steele Sidebottom Mt Beauty Uglies M Coll 12 Luke PARKER Venus Bay Vultures M Syd 12 Kurt Tippett Wagga Wagga Wombats F Syd 12 Lance Franklin Wagga Wagga Wombats F Syd 12 Dylan ROBERTON Wagga Wagga Wombats D StK 12 Steven Motlop Whitsunday Warriors F/M Geel 12 Bachar Houli Birdsville Battlers D Rich 11 Justin Westhoff Darraweit Guim Dirigibles F Port 11 Jarryd Roughead Foul Bay Chickens F Haw 11 Gary Ablett Iron Knob Codpieces M GC 11 Mitch DUNCAN Lovely Banks Lilacs M Geel 11 Rory Laird Marble Bar Misfits D Adel 11 Tom Lynch Powlett Plains Packers F GC 11 Liam Shiels Cradle Mountain Devils M Haw 10 Brent Harvey Darraweit Guim Dirigibles F/M NM 10 Jack Ziebell Foul Bay Chickens F/M NM 10 Nathan Jones Gariwerd Cockatoos M Melb 10 Luke Shuey Iron Knob Codpieces M WC 10 Ryan Griffen Iron Knob Codpieces M GWS 10 Nic Naitanui Nunawading Nuffas R WC 10 Richard Douglas Powlett Plains Packers M Adel 10 Jack Steven Venus Bay Vultures M StK 10
UGH reading this is like revisiting a bad divorce. Interestingly, putting aside the flawed decision to move Goldy instead of Minson (oh I would have made out of that one looking like a GENIUS!) here was what ORFFA coaches actually offered for the games best ruckman in the games most vital position, ORFFA medal winner and GF linchpin; Grav offered PSD #2 and Hale Ant offered Matt Scharenberg *crickets* So really, 15 other coaches should be kicking themselves as hard as I do weekly!
Dead set nailed it Jim. I remember the offer myself and thought that Pick 2 was probably about 15 spots too high in terms of the offer. Credit to the Lagoon for doing the deal. With the context since in terms of the worth of ruckmen in the ORRF leagues - and at least a couple of ORFF leagues have similar issues in terms of teams without functioning ruckmen - the deal is a bargain. The trade perhaps came at a time where a number of the ruckmen picked in the original draft by foundation teams exited the AFL. Every foundation team seemed to have the issue covered originally having picked a playing ruckman and perhaps a back up or two in the original couple of drafts. But then retirements came along, players lost form, trades were made .... it has meant that a lot of teams right across all the leagues have been either unable to find an adequate replacement for a ruckman they've "lost" or the back-up ruck they've picked is not going to cut it/is not ready. It is no coincidence that the oldest two ORFF leagues - ours and the ORFFL - have the most teams suffering from this ruck issue. New ruckmen don't burst onto the scene very often. AFL teams that need a ruckman often poach one from elsewhere (Geelong with Smith and Stanley), and those ruckmen are already owned by ORFFA teams, meaning that teams without a ruckman don't benefit from the change. In addition, many teams without adequate ruckmen in the ORFFA are perhaps not willing to pay overs to trade for an adequate ruckman from elsewhere. Personally might starting ruckman averages about 65 ... I'm not going to give up the farm to trade for a ruckman averaging 65-75. Doesn't make sense. What many teams need is a generational shift in ruckmen retiring and new guys coming through. But it doesn't seem like it is going to happen. In the meantime, the haves and have nots are probably stay as haves and have nots. And the situation is going to worsen.
Further to the novella above, it'll be interesting to see what happens: A - in the two other ORFF leagues in the coming couple of years, if they have the same issues. Those in the ORFFU and ORFFF might be advised to stock up on ruckmen! B - in our league as to whether the issue resolves itself.
Yeah its a tough spot to be in. You are right, rucks have become extremely valuable, with my off-season trade talk covering about 6 teams I can attest that 3 teams had no intention of moving even their backups and the other 3 wanted substantially lopsided deals (IMO) to purchase their backups. It puts me in a tough spot (due to my own incompetence) where I basically need to trade away one of my young starlets (and sometimes more!) to get a 65-75 ave ruckman. Something I have found increasingly hard to stomach and thus my lack of activity in actually getting a deal done. After scouring the ruck stocks over the last few weeks you are right that there are simply no standout rucks outside of maybe the top handful and thus backups are being priced as starters, which tbh, is a wise move by coaches. So where does that leave teams like mine now? I guess I am going to have to accumulate ruck projects and pray one of them actually becomes thier teams starter in the coming seasons. Otherwise the Knob will be relegated to mid table until then.
the ORFFF ended up as 16 teams rather than 18 (albeit with squads of 30), and I think if we had went with 14 teams the issue would have been less of a concern, it will be interesting to see how it plays out
Know exactly how you feel Jim. I traded away the "wrong" ruckman as well a couple of years back, but was lucky enough to trade for one back at a relatively reasonable price (thanks to Mr KI Guy). If I didn't, I would be without a playing ruckman and would've ended up picking up Hampson I guess. Even with Ceglar giving me 65 points a match, the choice between Hampson and Young at #1 in the MSD was almost impossible to make. I commend Len for going with Hampson at pick 2 But yeah, the thought processes of trading a good young player and perhaps a draft pick for a 65-75 point per game ruckman just didn't make sense. At worst I'd get 50 points a game playing a 100 point per game player OOP each week. We move on. Maybe the next draft I'll just pick 8 back-up ruckmen in the hope 2 turn out to be decent. Bugger the rest of the team!!!
I refuse to reiterate some of my *cough* best efforts in the hope that everyone else has forgotten them, however if I get drunk enough to allow myself to remember them all tonight I may recant and publish what is without doubt the best list of the worst trades and delistings ever made by an FA team
I'll volunteer my best effort: I traded Nic Nat and Reece Conca away as part of a deal where I got O'Meara, Haynes and Hampson. I then delisted Hampson as he was injured/unfit/not playing, picked up Cam Wood as a temporary backup. Cam Wood no longer on my list and the ruckman I kept over Nic Nat - Maric - now on last legs. Meanwhile, Nic Nat started playing well. O'Meara did his knee again and hasn't played since (and was traded away for Brad Hill and beneficial swap of draft picks without having played a game for the Guim), Hampson took Maric's spot (and even then I decided against drafting him back yesterday, though it was a very tough decision) and I ended up reluctantly trading away Haynes after an injury riddled 12 months so I could pick up a playing ruckman in Ceglar. Note also I'd previously traded away Brad Hill to Fitzy, though the deal I got there was a good one, a rare good trade. So overall I think it works out that I traded Nic Nat and Reece Conca for Cam Wood, Jono Ceglar and about 2/5ths of Brad Hill. And retained Maric over Hampson. Good work, that one.
I did fare better with the trades that saw Goddard and Gibson go to the Lagoon and play in a premiership last year though .... a combination of Steven May, Shane Edwards and Jarryd Lyons as well as draft pick swaps between the two teams has probably seen that one about even. Guys I've traded away in the past 2 or so years have included Nic Nat, Goddard, Gibson, Betts, Ross, the four guys that have headed to Lovely Banks, Lachie Hunter (for a MSD pick, great work there!) That's a bloody awful list. The Betts/Ross trade didn't quite work for me, Nic Nat trade - bleugh. Hunter trade - double bleugh. It is what happens when you don't pay attention to your team.