Wow you went from chocolates to boiled lollies didn't you mate? I expected to get pumped. Bad luck holkster... that's SuperCoach I guess! Oh and it's arbitrary considering the result but Wells scored around 105 I think so he will get 50odd for rucking. Thanks for the write up mate!
Bulls get the job done over a stubborn Barcrawlers outfit Bulls 1283 Barcrawlers 1192 Review to follow tomorrow
The Prospectors remain undefeated agains the Blowflys, edging out the home team by 14 points (1258-1244). Match report later in the week.
Looks like with a player down (damn you AFL and your Tuesday games not having teams finalised), the remaining voodoo in the visitors rooms did the trick for the Prospectors this week. Maybe we can get some for the Eagles at the MCG (where's the crying face - I need a few of them right now!)
Unfortunately our team is soft as butter away from home; it's going to take some major personnel changes to correct this. Until then we can look forward to being flat track bullies and being knocked out in the first week of the finals unless we can manage a top 4 spot. Even then we will go to water when the opposition plays tough at the G. On another note Southern Cross look forward to the visit from Coolgardie this week end. The Sandgropers have finally found some form and it couldn't come at a better time than when playing our 'little brother' from down the road. We've set up the tents on the basket ball courts for you; unfortunately there is still no running water on that side of the park.
Back home from 2 wins in a row for the first time in their history the Crocs succumbed to the Parasites losing by 32 points, 1130 to 1162. A selection stuff up saw Tom Boyd being left stranded back in Gisborne after Round 4's win and not making the team bus back home. His 60 points should have secured a 3rd win for the Crocs. The whispers going around the FU community are one of sabotage where a false memo outlining Boyd's "injury" stated he would miss this week and was circulated within the Cow Bay camp. Turns out that one Dr. Ima Leech signed this memo and is not a doctor. The dogs and hunters are confident of tracking the supposed doctor down, the current trail leads them towards the SE suburbs of Melbourne. It was a tough battle in the middle with no tons scored by any mid and the Big Tap went to Tippett (54) over fill in Keays (35). The Cow Bay defensive 4 are starting to gel with the youngsters doing themselves proud in the hard fought slog. Jones (115). Hampton (103) and first year sensation McGrath (82) were a brick wall, however, the inconsistent Martin (64) did his best to be a broken brick this week. Libba (79) and Acres (99) did their parts but Hopper (66) and Blakely (68) are causing a few frustrations for the coaching staff. Up forward, Jeremy Cameron (139) has stepped it up this year to be the current 6th highest averaging forward and was well supported by Gunston (99). Tucker (57) did what he could off the interchange but being a man down was always going to be tough for the young Crocs. Old stalwart Kade Simpson (91) continues to lead by example, edging out Brand (81) and Brown (81) for best Parasitic defensive scorer this week. The man who was a Croc for 5 minutes GAJ (91) led the visiting midfield and had some above average contributions from Watson (90) Sidebum (81) and Gaff (79). NRoo (79) and Franklin (70) had down weeks but young Hipwood (85) is really starting to shine this year and provides some elite young talent up front for Pakenham. Blicavs (104) top scored for the visitors off the bench. The win secures Pakenham their 2nd of the season to move up to 15th spot while the Crocs continue to hover in the lower part of the ladder in 14th spot. A win would have taken Cow Bay to an all-time high ladder position of 10th and the home team will rue what could have been. Nevertheless, the Crocs will be confident of taking the 4 points next year when these teams meet. @ddsaints , in 2018 your ass is mine. Next week the Parasites head home to host Banchang while the Crocs will visit King Island. BAFFU 3 Cameron, Cow Bay, 139SC 2 Jones, Cow Bay, 115SC 1 Blicavs, Pakenham, 104SC
Bulls Barcrawlers Review The round 5 encounter saw the Barcrawlers make the long trip to NE Victoria on an epic road trip. Despite holding a 3 - 0 advantage over Banchang their was a sense of nervousness amongst the crowd at Mill Park. The locals are accustomed the the occasional shocker from the home side and therefore dropping winnable games like this one. The match had the added spice of a number of ex Bulls returning back to Mill Park for the first time (Hall / Basti & Ibbo) on the Bulls side it was Joel Selwood playing against his previous team for the first time. The Barcrawlers lead this match for the first three quarters with Adams 121 (Marcus variety) & Tuohy 116 providing the backbone to the outfit and Mitch Robbo 116 adding some much needed grunt off the bench. A Hall chimed in with 85 and was the best of the returning Bulls. This match was ultimately decided in the middle where a resurgent McEvoy (117) who is relishing the removal of the third man up rule as he continues to put his best numbers up since 2014, took care of Sinclair (72) providing Selwood (154), Rockliff (104) and the Hill brothers (100 & 85) with first use of the pill. Hall, Adams (Taylor variety) Gray & Lyons toiled hard but were ultimately outclassed by the Bulls heard. In the end, the support to (Adams, Tuohy & Robbo) was missing as 9 Barcrawlers scored 75 or under as the Bulls ran out 91 point victors 1283 to 1192 The Barcrawlers continue their Victorian road trip next week with a match up against Pakenham who sit at 3 and 2 in 9th place. Interestingly the Barcrawlers have outscored the Parasites YTD and will be looking at keeping pace with the log jam of clubs lining up for the 8. For the Bulls they make the trek over the Snowy mountains to confront their bogey side Eden @HOLKY. The Bulls are yet to taste victory against the Whalers and will looking at breaking that duck next weekend as they strive for the best opening 6 games in the FU. They will do so another mid down with Hill (Stephen variety) pinging a hammy late in the game. Myers is banging down the door for selection after a dominate display in the 2's whilst Coniglio may be a surprise in for the Bulls. Votes: 3 - J Selwood (BB sorry SFB) 2 - M Adams (BB) 1 - Big Boy McEvoy (SFB) Thanks @choppers and all the best for remainder of 2017!
Nuytsland Vikings 1,381 def Hughenden Prairie Dogs 1,187 Hughenden were out of the blocks early but were unable to sustain 5 days of football with the Vikings muscling their way to an easy victory in the end. The Vikings had winners all over the ground with Roberton (116) and Montagna (94) leading their defensive line not allowing any of the Hughenden forwards an opportunity to score but it was the midfield where Nuytsland had all the winners with Mitchell (127) with a T and Crouch (124) with an M and Ross (123) with an S destroying Hughenden. The Vikings forward line was held for most of the day but Greene(118) and late call up McLean(91) provided enough fire power to help the midfield to kick a winning score. Hughenden’s only shining light was in the ruck with the ageing monolith Sandilands (101) out playing Grundy to notch up another Big Tap win. It was obvious the lack of pre-season game time has taken its toll on Jack(35) with a K as he has finally succumbed to a nagging hip injury which will allow someone else an opportunity. Best for Hughenden was Oliver (115), Ward (100) and Shiels (109). Overall it was a resounding victory for the Vikings who were ruthless in their quest to retain top spot on the ladder with Hughenden left pondering where their first win is going to come from…. BAFFU Awards 3 Mitchell T, Vikings (127) 2 Crouch M, Vikings (124) 1 Ross S, Vikings (123)
Groote Eylandt (Barracudas) 1,158 def by Southern Cross (Sandgropers) 1,416 “They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.” The ANZAC spirt was truly with the Sandgropers in round 5 as they kicked the Barracudas from pillar to post on their way to the highest score for the round. For both teams the engine rooms worked the centre bounces and corridors like soldiers on the front line. The visitors have Fyfe, Cunnington, Duncan and Prestia whilst the home side, Zorko, Cripps and Hannebery. Bontempelli had some emotional leakage in the first half but rose to the occasion. Ryder played a lone hand literally as the home side went for “team balance” whatever that means. Attack always starts in defence and the Sandgropers dug deep with Hibberd leading the way as the visitors owned the paddock. 300 hundred gamer Murphy was solid as was Burgoyne and Lloyd however young Weitering struggled to gain any traction. Up forward is where the line fell down for the Barracudas, Hawkins and Phillips crumbled under the pressure as Stringer and Smith for the visitors served it up. To rub salt in the wounds Cripps of the Jamie variety kicked a turd that was as hard as a rock and is out for at least the next 6 weeks. Crouch in his first game back for the Sandgropers did a job on Guthrie as he struggles to get back to form. At polar ends of the spectrum the Southern Cross’s season is on a high moving forward as last year’s premiers take some big hits especially in front of the big white sticks. BOG awards 3 Nathan Fyfe (126) 2 Michael Hibberd (124) 1 Dayne Zorko (121)
Round 5 - Korumburra Blowflys 1244 defeated by Coolgardie Prospectors 1255 The Prospectors rolled into Korumburra town this week, supremely confident, carrying with them an undefeated record against the home side. Despite the 2017 Blowflys being a vastly different (some media analysts would even say vastly improved) group than that of previous seasons, Coolgardie managed to retain their nemesis status with a hard fought 11 point win. The match was won and lost in the ruck with utter confusion reigning over who out of Mumford (126) and Martin (107) was the Prospectors competing ruck and who was merely raising an arm to either wave to the hardcore travelling fans / or to signal the team "masseuse" to have a cold can and a sausage or 10 readied at the interchange shelter. These new rules are reaking havoc on the mindset of the BAFFU champion from 2 seasons ago, Goldstein (87) who has found himself tripping balls at various stages in each match this season. The midfield battle was fairly even with KB having a slight edge due to another 3 vote BOG performance from that man, Captain Rory Sloane (139). Could we see the Blowflys have 2 BAFFU winners in the space of 3 seasons!?... Barlow (112) and Picken (97) battled like the hardened soldiers they are against the solid midfield of Coolgardie's JPK (91) Wines (122) and Ebert (122). Jamie McMillan (114) was everywhere down back for the Prospectors, thwarting many Blowfly forward thrusts and rebounding with aplomb. The Korumburra defense was impressive again with young gun Hunt (99) continuing his break out season kicking up much dust, turning defense into attack throughout the contest. Johannisen (98) and Docherty (93) did what they do but Hodge (67) was disappointing - clearly still dazed and confused (despite passing all concussion tests during the week). Sam Menegola is still running laps of the Terrordome as you read this (stopping randomly at the coaches order to perform burpees on a section of broken glass in the carpark) after not only rattling Hodge's brain cage but for further letting his teammates down by leaving them one gun midfielder short this match. The bulk of the scoring for both sides in this match came from the midfields and rebounding defenders. CP's Westhoff (95) the only forward worth noting in this match. Coolgardie's selection bungle did almost bring them undone with Josh Smith (AWOL) named on the bench over the likes of Baguley, Sicily and Parfitt. Any of these 3 guys added into the rotation would have resulted in a comfortable victory but the Prospectors still did what good teams do - found a way to win regardless. The Blowfly selection commitee have been drinking heavily this week after a tough decision to leave out excitement machine Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti cost them this win. His chase and tackle pressure + ability to hit the scoreboard would've been the difference in the end but the commitee just couldn't bring themselves to drop young Zac Fisher and damage the kids confidence after such an impresive debut. Korumburra could easily be standing proud atop the ORFFU ladder at 5-0 if the 2 nailbiting losses at home had gone the other way. Instead they are sitting 8th with a decent % and a solid 3-2 record so far. Not bad for a cellar dweller last year firmly on the rebuild path. Meanwhile, Coolgardie have leapfrogged the Blowflys and moved up into 6th place on the back of this tough win on the road. All signs point to a good season ahead for both clubs. Korumburra will be hoping for a rematch come finals time... BAFFU 3 - Rory Sloane (KB) 139 2 - Shane Mumford (CP) 126 1 - Oliver Wines (CP) 122 1 - Brad Ebert (CP) 122 What's the protocol here? Both Wines and Ebert get 1 vote? 0.5 votes each? Highest average gets the vote?
Nice report Mick. Good question about the protocol - I'm not sure that one has ever happened before.... There'll have to be some thinking music involved in this one...
Blanchetown Bunyips 1148 Def Gisborne Grenades 893 A bit of a lack lustre affair in Blanchetown last weekend. Both teams are well off what the top teams are scoring with consistency being the problem. Jarrod Witts got the job done over Jacobs. Another point for the smokey Witts. Unfortunately for the grenades an early injury to Daniel Talia who could only score 5 points. Hopefully he is back this week as he has been named on an extended bench for Adelaide. BOG Points R Gray - 3 points Laird - 2 Points Neale - 1 Point Thanks for the match up @Tomster. Looking forward to the MSD!
Round 5 Serengeti Buffaloes 1240 def Christmas Island Sugglers 1040 In a match that promised plenty with both sides coming into the contest with an even win/loss ledger at 2-2, no great heights were reached. The midfield was an even battle with makeshift ruckman Trengove (87) slightly edging Billy Longer (56) who was being given a run for the first time since 2015 after Buffaloes regular ruckman Tom Hickey was reported to be having mental health issues dealing with the unfamiliar position of not losing every game to start the season. Neither group of midfielders at the feet of these ruckmen were able to assert any great dominance although Smuggler Heppell (123) and Buffalo Dangerfield (120) did their best to inspire their respective teams. The problems started to hit for the Smugglers once the ball exited that midfield area with Hartlett and White missing the flight over to Serengeti much to the coach's dismay and Buffalo forwards Riewoldt (120) and Daniher (105) were able to take full advantage of the undermanned backline although Marley Williams (105) tried hard all day for the Smugglers. It was always going to be tough for the boys from Christmas Island after the missed plane episodes and it proved to big a mountain to climb with the Buffaloes running out 200 point winners. Serengeti move to 3-2 and stay at home for the last of a 3 game home stand that they have currently split 1-1. They're taking on the Bunyips who currently sit in 5th spot but the home town side are confident of scoring an upset win. Christmas Island will look to regroup as they take on surprisingly fellow 2-3 side Groote Eyandt with both sides looking to get their seasons back on track after disappointing losses in round 5. BAFFU votes 3 Heppel 123 (CIS) 2 Riewoldt 120 (SB)* 1 Dangerfield 120 (SB)* *Riewoldt awarded 2 votes over Dangerfield given FWD status over MID status
Smugglers/Barracudas Preview FU action returns to Flying Fish Cove Park this weekend, with the annual “Eylandt Nation Cup” (naming rights follow the current holders) game between Christmas Island and Groote Eylandt @YAD69 The Smugglers are yet to open their account at home in 2017, and hosting the Premiers and FU powerhouse Cudas is definitely a challenge for Xmas Island. Further challenges have arisen through the local coach’s bizarre decision to rest 2 of his few fit players in Dunstan and Menzel, meaning the Smugglers go into the clash with only 2 recognised forwards. We’ll see how Jake Lever goes as a swingman, and fingers crossed Markov can survive Sunday team-sheets. The clash of two of the best young midfields going around should be worth the price of admission – Dusty vs the Bont is the headline, but Heppell vs Zorko and Beams vs Cripps are more than adequate support acts. With the teams both sitting 2-3 in 10th and 12th this is a vital game to win to keep in touch with the top 8. Last time: Groote 1464 def Xmas 1157. All time: Groote 2, Xmas 1 Preview: Team-sheets mean that man-on-man the Smugglers need to be 10% better than their Cuda opposition to be competitive. They’re not. Cudas by plenty.
The mind games have stared early with @DamoH firing the first shot hanging the favouritism on the Barracuda's. On paper we may have the upper hand however paper doesn't play footy! Getting smashed on home turf last week by @eagle_eyed Sandgropers for the ANZAC game was pretty hard stuff. Let hope for "Team Balance" sake that Giles actually plays and out of favour Stanley can make the journey as well. Lewis back in after being suspended is a welcomed relief.
1/9th of the way into Nugget Cup IV and its the hometown Sandgropers 166/2/83 leading @JPK 's Prospectors 104/1/104. Mummy's 104 point haul has moved him into outright favouritism to take out the big tap point for this round. Go Gropers!
How on earth did Mummy only score 104 points from 52 hitouts and 7 tackles? Yeah ok, 1 kick and 7 handballs doesn't help, but surely...!!!???