The Birdsville Battlers used their two picks in the 2013 mid-season draft to pick up emerging defender Rory Laird and key position prospect Jordan Lisle. At 19 and 23 respectively, they inject some much needed youth into both the back line and forward line and we look forward to seeing their development in the coming years. In order to accomodate the arrival of Rory, Jordan and Lewis Jetta, coach JC delisted midfielder Karmichael Hunt and forwards Ian Callinan and Shannon Byrnes.
TerryinBangkok wrote: /Portals/0/User%20Images/Avatar21.jpg <img class='ForumImage' src='http://arrogantass.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/boo-fucking-hoo-011609.jpg?w=300&h=280[/img]
The Battlers welcome ruckman Daniel Currie and forward Jesse White, their two picks in the recent expansion draft, to Birdsville. Both of these boys were taken as longer term prospects with Battlers management hopeful of greater opportunities for both Daniel and Jesse in 2014. Any opportunities they receive in the second half of this season will be considered a bonus.
Currie will be a very good pick up long term. While, as you say, White will probably be getting a regular gig somewhere else next year, not so sure he will be getting the quality of delivery.
TerryinBangkok wrote: Currie will be a very good pick up long term. While, as you say, White will probably be getting a regular gig somewhere else next year, not so sure he will be getting the quality of delivery. Yeah, I'd agree with that Terry. With White, he was a gamble and it was always a case of what happens to him in the offseason affecting how his long term prospects are viewed.
The Battlers management have decided that, despite the win on the weekend, no B&F votes will be awarded for the game. Coach JC said the decision came following a performance where not one of the 15 spuds that took the field on the weekend could manage to score 100.&rdquo; When asked whether this could be seen as an overreaction given that his team did record a win, JC replied we only won because one of the Nuffers got subbed out early and another was forced to ruck OOP. The Nuffers should consider themselves very unlucky to lose that game.&rdquo; A clearly irritated JC put his players on notice when he said We're got too many passengers whose performances have dropped off noticeably from last year. We might be top 4 at the moment, but we're a long way off the 3 in front of us and in danger of being overtaken by a few sides in the next couple of weeks. The message to the players is simple - the shit they dished up on the weekend is not acceptable and will not be tolerated, particularly at this stage of the season!&rdquo;
TerryinBangkok wrote: Bet that scared them. Probably not. I hope it did though. Otherwise continued non-performance may see significantly more delistings than the required minimum.
Results and B&F votes for rounds 11 to 17: <table width='891' cellspacing='0' cellpadding='0' border='0] <col width='24' style='width: 18pt;[/img] <col width='97' style='width: 73pt;[/img] <col width='23' style='width: 17pt;[/img] <col width='117' style='width: 88pt;[/img] <col width='24' style='width: 18pt;[/img] <col width='96' style='width: 72pt;[/img] <col width='24' style='width: 18pt;[/img] <col width='112' style='width: 84pt;[/img] <col width='26' style='width: 20pt;[/img] <col width='97' style='width: 73pt;[/img] <col width='24' style='width: 18pt;[/img] <col width='93' style='width: 70pt;[/img] <col width='25' style='width: 19pt;[/img] <col width='109' style='width: 82pt;[/img] <td style='height: 15pt; width: 18pt;] <td class='xl67' style='width: 73pt;]R11 <td class='xl65' style='width: 17pt;] <td class='xl67' style='width: 88pt;]R12 <td class='xl65' style='width: 18pt;] <td class='xl67' style='width: 72pt;]R13 <td class='xl65' style='width: 18pt;] <td class='xl67' style='width: 84pt;]R14 <td class='xl65' style='width: 20pt;] <td class='xl67' style='width: 73pt;]R15 <td class='xl65' style='width: 18pt;] <td class='xl67' style='width: 70pt;]R16 <td class='xl65' style='width: 19pt;] <td class='xl67' style='width: 82pt;]R17 <td style='height: 15pt;] <td class='xl67]Powlett Plains <td class='xl65] <td class='xl67]Charlie's Opening <td class='xl65] <td class='xl67]Wagga Wagga <td class='xl65] <td class='xl67]Cradle Mountain <td class='xl65] <td class='xl67]Nunnawading <td class='xl65] <td class='xl67]Venus Bay <td class='xl65] <td class='xl67]Waikikamoocow <td class='xl69' style='height: 15pt;]W <td class='xl66]1371 - 1276 <td class='xl69]L <td class='xl66]1206 - 1241 <td class='xl69]W <td class='xl66]1258 - 1210 <td class='xl69]W <td class='xl66]1246 - 1122 <td class='xl69]W <td class='xl66]1134 - 1063 <td class='xl69]L <td class='xl66]1110 - 1117 <td class='xl69]L <td class='xl66]1231 - 1406 <td style='height: 15pt;] <td class='xl66] <td class='xl66] <td class='xl66] <td class='xl66] <td class='xl66] <td class='xl66] <td class='xl66] <td class='xl69' style='height: 15pt;]5 <td class='xl66]Ebert <td class='xl69]5 <td class='xl66]Cloke <td class='xl69]5 <td class='xl68]Mayne <td class='xl69]5 <td class='xl66]McEvoy <td class='xl66]No votes <td class='xl69]5 <td class='xl66]Wells <td class='xl69]5 <td class='xl66]Mayne <td class='xl69' style='height: 15pt;]4 <td class='xl66]McEvoy <td class='xl69]4 <td class='xl66]Ebert <td class='xl69]4 <td class='xl68]Wells <td class='xl69]4 <td class='xl66]Murphy <td class='xl66]awarded <td class='xl69]4 <td class='xl66]Cloke <td class='xl69]4 <td class='xl66]Wells <td class='xl69' style='height: 15pt;]3 <td class='xl66]Porplyzia <td class='xl69]3 <td class='xl66]McEvoy <td class='xl69]3 <td class='xl68]McDonald <td class='xl69]3 <td class='xl66]Cloke <td class='xl66] <td class='xl69]4 <td class='xl66]Treloar <td class='xl69]3 <td class='xl66]Clarke <td class='xl69' style='height: 15pt;]2 <td class='xl66]Brown <td class='xl69]2 <td class='xl66]Mayne <td class='xl69]2 <td class='xl68]Treloar <td class='xl69]2 <td class='xl66]Clarke <td class='xl66] <td class='xl69]2 <td class='xl66]Rich <td class='xl69]2 <td class='xl66]Ebert <td class='xl69' style='height: 15pt;]1 <td class='xl66]Moloney <td class='xl69]1 <td class='xl66]McDonald <td class='xl69]1 <td class='xl68]Rich, Ebert <td class='xl69]1 <td class='xl66]Ebert <td class='xl66] <td class='xl69]1 <td class='xl66]McEvoy <td class='xl69]1 <td class='xl66]Houli
So, the winner of the 2013 Battlers B&F is.... Ben McEvoy Congratulations to Ben on a terrific season which saw him poll votes in 10 rounds, including four BOGs. Ben led the B&F since round 3. Special mentions to Daniel Wells for consecutive 2nd place finishes, Travis Cloke and Chris Mayne for their efforts in an often dysfunctional forward line and Bachar Houli for playing almost a lone hand in defence at times this year. The final vote tally is provided below. 35 McEvoy 30 Wells 27 Cloke 21 Ebert, Mayne, Murphy 14 Houli 11 Treloar 9 Clarke, Howlett 8 Moloney 7 Brown 6 Fisher 4 Geary, McDonald, Rich 3 Merrett, Porplyzia, Russell 1 Jones
The Battlers in a boilover The Birdsville Battlers have caused an upset with their defeat of second ranked Waikikamoocow Incorrigibles. In a weekend of upsets that saw three of the top four ranked sides beaten, the Battlers responded to coach JC's plea for his team to lift, downing the Waikiks 1399 to 1120. The Battlers cause was clearly helped by catching the Waikiks on a rare poor day, as they posted their lowest score since Round 7 and their third lowest score for the year. The Battlers received contributions across the board, with only one player scoring less than 70 and 11 players posting scores of 89 or more, including six tons. It was some of the Battlers &lsquo;lesser lights' in Geary (130) and White (121) who led the way, well supported by Rich (118), Clarke (116), Wells (107) and Murphy (102). It was a memorable win for the Battlers, though perhaps less memorable for some of their travelling supporters, who may have celebrated a little too much. <img alt='' class='ForumImage' src='http://www.beencaughtsleeping.com/userfiles/image/Submissions/September%202011/9873_urinal-passed-out.jpg[/img]
Since trade discussions have apparently begun in earnest, the Battlers playing is provided below for your consideration. I will consider all reasonable offers but, like most of you, the better the player the better the offer needs to be. D Sam Fisher D Jordan Russell D Bachar Houli D Jarryn Geary D Tom McDonald D Rory Laird D/F Ash McGrath D/F Daniel Merrett M Brent Moloney M Daniel Wells M Marc Murphy M Matt Jones M Ben Howlett M Brad Ebert M Daniel Rich M Adam Treloar M Jesse Lonergan R Daniel Currie R Ben McEvoy R Zac Clarke F/M Travis Varcoe F/M Lewis Jetta F Jonathan Brown F Jason Porplyzia F Travis Cloke F Jesse White F Chris Mayne F Jordan Lisle My draft picks, based on the minimum 4 delistings, are 14, 50, 68 & 86.
A lot was tried but little came to fruition for Battlers management this offseason. In the end, seven players were turned over from last year's squad but the Battlers approach this season with a healthy dose of realism about their chances of success. The Battlers squad for 2014 is: DEF: Corey Enright, Bachar Houli, Sam Fisher, Tom McDonald, Rory Laird,Joel Patfull, Tom Clurey D/F: Daniel Merrett D/M: Luke McDonald MID: Marc Murphy, Brad Ebert, Daniel Wells, Adam Treloar, Brent Moloney, Daniel Rich, Michael Rischitelli, Jesse Lonergan, Tom Sheridan, Brad McKenzie M/F: Ben Howlett, Lewis Jetta FWD: Travis Cloke, Chris Mayne, Jesse White, Jason Porplyzia, Jonathan Brown RUC: Ben McEvoy, Zac Clarke (new players in bold)
We have been left pondering for some time why the Battlers are not in their usual position of Top 4. So far, we have managed to narrow it down to two things; one being a distinct problem in the Battler's forward line and the other attributable to our handing JC a role on the FIXtures Committee, not expecting him to take it quite so literally. These 'tarting four forwards' take their fixtures quite seriously: <img alt='' width='237' height='181' src='/Portals/0/User%20Images/katoey01.jpg[/img]/Portals/0/User%20Images/katoey02.jpg<img alt='' width='174' height='178' src='/Portals/0/User%20Images/katoey03.jpg[/img]
TerryinBangkok wrote: We have been left pondering for some time why the Battlers are not in their usual position of Top 4. So far, we have managed to narrow it down to two things; one being a distinct problem in the Battler's forward line and the other attributable to our handing JC a role on the FIXtures Committee, not expecting him to take it quite so literally. These 'tarting four forwards' take their fixtures quite seriously: <img alt='' width='237' height='181' src='/Portals/0/User%20Images/katoey01.jpg[/img]/Portals/0/User%20Images/katoey02.jpg<img alt='' width='174' height='178' src='/Portals/0/User%20Images/katoey03.jpg[/img] I was going to say 'I thought it was just because we suck', but in light of the pictures you've just posted, I'll probably avoid any unnecessary confusion - or association - there.
Agree. Reminds of that old(ish) Snickers ad; 'I think it's the nuts'. /Portals/0/User%20Images/nuts.jpg
Following this week's retirement of Birdsville captain and favourite son, Jonathan Brown, Battlers management have decided on a fitting tribute for 'the People's Champ'. For the remainder of this season, the Birdsville Battlers will be renamed as the Birdsville Brown Dogs. A new logo has also been designed for the occasion and is displayed below. Congrats on a great career big fella! We wish you all the best in retirement. <img class='ForumImage' src='http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a4d807b3127ccef621c0f07d7e00000030O02AasmbVm5buAe3nwA/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00800793532520140627015509279.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D315/ry%3D315/[/img] *Please note that we do not require, or request, any alteration to the team name in FIXture listings etc.