The inaugural ORFFU Draft is done and dusted and Banchang has drafted a very talented group who will do the Banchang community proud, I'm sure. Having assembled the group together at the Gold Coast Convention Centre, immediately after the Draft, I was fortunate enough to run into an old mate of mine, retired Ex-Army General, Peter Cosgrove, Australia's future Governor-General, who was able to organise our group to travel to Amberley Air Force base, where a C130 Hercules was waiting to take us on our homeward journey. <p style='text-align: center;] <p style='text-align: center;] The boys were really looking forward to this novel way of travel. However that soon changed once we were airborne and I had the Officer in Charge take the Herc up to and maintain an altitude of 11,832ft. I assembled the group in the vast area of the vacant cargo hold and took them through a 2hr 'altitude training session'. We aren't financial enough to take them to Colorado, so this was the next best thing. Unfortunately for us, our trip was to be cut short just after we crossed the West Australian coastline somewhere near Broome. The OIC received new orders to attend an emergency and we were to be offloaded on Christmas Island. Having received this latest info, we then made contact with Damo, leader of the Christmas Island Smugglers, who agreed to put us up overnight until further travel arrangements could be made. We made landfall late afternoon and Damo had us taken to some 'dormitory style' accommodation where we could sleep the night. Damo explained to us that we were indeed very lucky as this accommodation had only become vacant during the past few months. The accommodation was sufficient, although 1 toilet and 2 showers for the 22 of us was a bit light on. Although the razor wire on the surrounding fence, to keep predators out, was a nice touch. We were all up, bright and early, next morning to find Damo had been extremely busy overnight and had organised a fishing boat, laying idle in the harbour, to take us the rest of the way. The captain and crew were Indonesian, and only too happy to up anchor and be on their way legally, especially now with Aussie passengers, and able to take with them all the goods, courtesy of the Australian Government, that they had accumulated over their stay. <p style='text-align: center;] Once out to sea and on our way, the Skip explained to me that all the cigarettes, money, food, clothes, mobile phones, etc. that he had received, would make him a very wealthy man, once he returned home. The trip was slow and tedious and not without incident. At one stage, I saw the Skip turn off the engine and then make radio contact with the Australian Navy. I don't know what was said, but not long after, a Navy vessel came alongside and we were very quickly under tow. We sailed this way for quite a long time until the engine 'miraculously' came to life and the navy departed and we were on our own again, unattended. 'Saves fuel' was the only response I got, when questioning the Skip. We finally arrived in Banchang and were immediately taken to our new accommodation, which was huge improvement on what we had experienced the past few days. The boys will now rest and recuperate and prepare themselves for some serious pre-season training, starting tomorrow, Later this evening they will meet our Hotel Liaison Officer, Nook, who will be only too happy to show them all the facilities and services that the Resort provides. NOOK Footnote: Our thanks go to the Christmas island Smugglers for accommodating us at short notice and we will look to reciprocate that generosity when they next visit us during the 2014 ORFFU AFL season.
Quality write-up. Always a pleasure to host the Barcrawlers, and we're looking forward to some famous Thai hospitality later in the season. I did hear a disturbingrumour thoughthat youforced theforwards to hold on to some engine pipes en route, saying that 'calluses help in holding the big marks.'
The 1st Round has come and gone with the Barcrawlers coming from behind to post a win over the Orangutans 1138 to 1079, leaving us in 9th place. It's always good to get the first win up in Rd1 and especially away from home. We now focus our attention on Rd2 and the visit of the Sandgropers to our beautiful town. This will be a very difficult match for us I'm sure, as the Sandgropers are coming off a very good win, have an extremely talented midfield, and have players in each line, including their interchange, able to 'ton up' just as they did in Rd1. Some of our boys will need an improvement on their 1st Round showing for us to be a chance. However we do get 'Joey' Montagna back from his 1 game suspension and Laidler will probably be elevated from emergency. The weather here may also help us a little as we come into our summer with the forecast for the weekend at 26C min - 37C max. although the 'Gropers are not as unaccustomed to hot weather as some of the teams from the Eastern States. All in all, another close game looks like being the order of the day.
ORFFU 2nd Round.....Banchang Barcrawlers vs Sthn. Cross Sandgropers....a win to the 'Gropers 1280 - 1193 The Sandgropers arrived in Banchang really fired up for their 2nd Round clash, after a very good win in Rd1, hoping to go 2-0. The local team was up for the challenge, but once again, just like in Rd1, too much was left to too few. Our defence couldn't withstand the forward pressure exerted by Franklin, Yarran and the Flying Frenchman, and we crumbled badly. Hodge going off early didn't help our cause, and Shaw had his worst game ever, managing just 20 pts. Our forward line tried hard all day, but were well held by their defence, and Shuey, Fyfe and Myers smashed us in the middle. The only positives I could take from the match were Selwood's great start to the season, coming off a limited pre-season, and the much maligned Robbie Warnock tonning it up in the Ruck. We now look to put in a good week on the training track in readiness for our trip to the 3rd placed Pakenham Parasites. Hopefully, we can get Hodgey up for it and maybe Laidler in to help shore up our defence, and Winderlich in our forward line maybe, if he's over his tight hammy. All 3 will need to get through today's final training session to be considered.
ORFFU 3rd Rd.....Pakenham Parasites 1242 vs Banchang Barcrawlers 1254.....a win to the away team by 12 pts. After an uneventful flight/bus to Pakenham, the boys were really fired up to continue their away form against the 3rd placed Parasites. The game started off in rather warm conditions, but having done a fair amount of pre-season training in humid Banchang weather, this was no obstacle for the 'Crawlers. The Parasites, with a very vocal hometown crowd getting behind them, had the better of the 1st half and were worthy leaders at 947 to 896, highlighted by their midfield with Ablett (182) Sidebum(131)and Beams(103) all scoring well. Selwood,Crameri,Cooney and Swallow all played well for the 'Crawlers to keep the margin to only 51. The 2nd half began and it was noticable early that the Barcrawlers were up for the fight and Winderlich(96) in his 1st game back, started to find the ball, and a massive 123 from Slammin' Sammy Gibson was enough to get the away team over the line. Another fine win to the Barcrawlers. We now look forward to our next game at home to the 3rd placed Coolgardie Prospectors, who are one of only 3 undefeated teams. Another challenge that we look forward to. B&F Rd3... Selwood 3, Gibson 2, Crameri 1. Leaderboard after 3 rds.... Selwood 9, Swallow 4, Gibson 2, Hodge,Crameri,Cooney 1. POOOYA Award nomination.......Sam Gibson for his match winning 123, after a 1st round effort of 42.....a huge improvement and he really did POOOHA
We're going to have some tired and thirsty boys (and supporters) when we get to Banchang, so we're hoping for a well organised pub crawl to get us re-hydrated. Can we trust you and your boys to organise something special for us Choppers?
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT Today is a special day in the very young life of The Banchang Barcrawlers, with the announcent that Thai Beverages Plc.(ThaiBev), the producers of the world famous Chang Beer, have agreed to be our No.1 Sponsor for the next 2 years. 'LIVE LIKE YOU MEAN IT' /Portals/0/User%20Images/Major%20Sponsor.jpg' style='width: 300px; height: 250px; Chang beer is a truly exceptional Thai Beer, created to compliment the unique culture, heritage and cuisine that is Thailand. And it comes in time for our home game this weekend against the visiting Coolgardie Prospectors. And as a show of good faith in our Sponsorship deal, ThaiBev have agreed to supply free Chang beer to all players and supporters of both teams during the Barcrawl after the game on Sunday. You only need to show your matchday ticket to avail yourself of this offer. We will also be providing free transport from the Stadium to 'The Strip' via a fleet of very up to date taxis, to enable everyone at the game to partake in the Barcrawl. /Portals/0/User%20Images/chiang-mai-tuk-tuk-driver.jpg We at the Banchang Barcrawlers Australian Rules Football Club, would like to welcome ThaiBev on board and hope our association is a long and fruitful one.
Sweet mate. The boys are absolutely rapt that your new sponsors will be shouting the barcrawl for all players and supporters who make the trip from Coolgardie to Banchang. We're looking forward to the match, and definitely looking forward to the Thai holiday and hospitality.
It's 10pm here in Banchang and I've just returned home from another wonderful evening meal at Whan's Seafood Restaurant. Whilst wolfing down my moo dat yeoh, and tom yum goom, Whan advised me that this Sunday, 13th was Sonkran, a water festival celebrated by the Thais in honour of the Lunar New Year. This should make for a very interesting barcrawl.......more to follow....
This just gets better and better! Just ease up a little please mate. You make it all too good and my boys might not want to come back home :-O
55555555. I know that feeling JPK, only too well. But alas, I have to return to the Land Downunder after next week's round, albeit only for a short 6-7 weeks, thankfully. I might even be able to get to my only AFL game for the year, when my mighty Suns take on the GWS Giants at Metricon.
I can accept that. You do seem a little disenchanted about coming back to Australia. I actually like the Suns and the style of footy they play (must be something to do with the coach - good ol' Bluey!). If you said that the other way around however..... I must disagree though with they way you're mixing fantasy footy and real life. Surely fantasy footy is much more important ;-) Car'n the Prospectors
ORFFU 4th Rd..... After losing our 3rd Rd match at the Tribunal during the week, for playing an ineligible player, the boys wanted to atone and have a big one at home against one of the form sides at the moment, the Coolgardie Prospectors. We didn't start off too well in the 1st Qtr, but after a spray was handed out at the Qtr time huddle, the boys, with a 2 goal wind at their backs, turned it around and went into half time leading 11/868 to 11/827. We had some solid contributions from Hodge 96 Selwood 126 and Swallow 107, while The Prospectors were well served by Wines 126, Ebert 129 and O'Meara 105. The 2nd half began slowly but the superior running power of the younger visitors started to tell, and we couldn't halt their midfield's supply to their forwards, where Petrie 88, had a match winning game, whilst their defenders, Hooker 108 and Baguley 101, shut down our forwards superbly. Final Score Coolgardie Prospectors 1244 def. Banchang Barcrawlers 1153 B&F Rd4....... Selwood 3 Warnock 2 Swallow 1 Leaderboard after 4 Rds.....Selwood 12 Swallow 5 Warnock, Gibson 2
After yesterday's game, our Major Sponsor, ThaiBev, producers of the 'Mummy tummy' beer, CHANG, came to the party and sponsored the barcrawl down 'The Strip'. Yesterday, being the 13th April, was also the start of The Thai New Year and combined with the New Year's celebration known as Songkran, it certainly was one very enjoyable 'crawl'. Here's just a few of the photos taken at yesterday's event. All photos shown will pass Australia's strict censorship's laws. /Portals/0/User%20Images/d11Songkran023.JPG' style='width: 300px; height: 250px; /Portals/0/User%20Images/Songkran-festival-2014.jpg' style='font-size: 14px; width: 300px; height: 250px; I also managed to take a photo of the Coolgardie Prospector's Coach, JPK, on his way back to his hotel room...... /Portals/0/User%20Images/Training%20drill.jpg' style='width: 300px; height: 250px; The Banchang Barcrawlers are a little down that we didn't manage a win yesterday, but the after game 'barcrawl' went a long way to alleviate those feelings and we look forward to the return match in Coolgardie. Late News: Shane Mumford was held over at the Immigration Dept at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, trying to smuggle a slab of Chang tinnies in his luggage. He was severely reprimanded and handed a 2 match penalty and made to hand the slab over to the officials, who immediately shouted 'Happy New Year'........
Thems fighting words, Choppers!... ...But there's no fight necessary, because I've already beaten you! ;-)
RD5........A good win away, over our friends from Christmas Island, The Smugglers, where Joey Montagna finally clicked into gear with a season high 140, and big Robbie Warnock continued on his consistent start to the season with 111. Matthew Shaw showed improvement with a fine 92 which helped us over the line. BOG Award. 3. Montagna 2 Warnock 1.Adcock, Swallow LEADERBOARD. 12. Selwood 6. Swallow 4. Warnock 3. Montagna 2. Gibson 1. Crameri Hodge Cooney Adcock
<table id='tblPostBody66920' width='100%' cellspacing='0' cellpadding='0' align='left' border='0' style='color: #444444; margin-bottom: 10px;] <td align='left' valign='top' style='padding: 0px; border: 0px; text-align: left; width: 100%;] <div id='spBody' class='Forum_Normal] <p style='margin-bottom: 10px;]RD6....... <p style='margin-bottom: 10px;]Full time at The Stadium with the Banchang Barcrawlers getting home over the Ararat Armadillos 1352-1125, to register their first home win of the season. <p style='margin-bottom: 10px;]A mighty effort from all the boys but special mention must go to Joey Montagna who scored 174, Shaun Grigg with 91, his best game this season and another consistent display from Sam Gibson, 122. They were ably supported by the ole reliables, Hodge Adcock and Swallow. <p style='margin-bottom: 10px;]The visitors were well served by Hibberd 124,Cross 99 and Minson 93. Bernie Vince had a good game in the 'magoos' with 117 and must surely be considered for promotion next game. <p style='margin-bottom: 10px;] <p style='margin-bottom: 10px;]BOG Award. <p style='margin-bottom: 10px;]3. Montagna...174 <p style='margin-bottom: 10px;]2. Hodge... 124 (winning team) <p style='margin-bottom: 10px;]1. Hibberd... 124 <p style='margin-bottom: 10px;] <p style='margin-bottom: 10px;]That's all from The Stadium as I've got a bar crawl to attend
RD7...... An away game at Staghorn Flats to face the Bulls in Rd7 and we weren't able to follow up our good home win, and succumbed to the relentless pressure applied, and fell away late in the game to go down by 7points, 1375-1368, to leave us at 3-4 and 11th place, heading into the byes. We had some good performances in defence, from Hodge 113, and Adcock 96, with our midfield once again leading the way, a total of 460 points (av.115) coming from the four, but our attack leaves a lot to be desired, with only Blair 115, and Monfries 92, on his comeback game, able to dominate. We now have the byes to recharge the batteries, with some of our players looking over their shoulders, dreading getting the pink slip, but a few will be forthcoming. BOG AWARD 3.Montagna 2.Cooney 1.Blair LEADERBOARD 12. Selwood 9. Montagna 6. Swallow 4. Warnock 3. Cooney, Gibson, Hodge
The MSD has come and gone, and unfortunately we had to let 3 players go, namely Shaun McKernan, Viv Michie and Tom Clurey. However we believe we were able to replace them with some quality young AFL players, who will be around for a long long time, and I'm sure our lifestyle here in the Land of Smiles will not disappoint them and we have no fear of them developing homesickness, although Martial Law being implemented here last Tuesday, is probably not the welcome they were expecting. Banchang welcomes Jordan Murdoch, Sam Lloyd and Jack Leslie into the Barcrawlers culture....