Charlies Opening

You've got Rory Thompson??? Jason hates Rory Thompson.

 

LUCKLESS Spelunkers forward Mark LeCras will undergo surgery today to repair a small fracture in his right arm, but The Spelunkers coaching staff and medicos remained optimistic about LeCras' injury.
'Lecca has a slight fracture in his arm... (he will have) surgery tomorrow.' Bandit said after the game against Cradle Mountain last night.

LeCras missed all of the 2012 season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament during the NAB Cup.

The 26-year-old broke his arm in a collision during the third quarter.[span style='font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 1.3; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;]LeCras attacked the contest but was met heavily as both players had eyes only for the ball.
The goalsneak, who was one of the Eagles' best before going down with injury, was quick to use his jumper for a sling after the clash.

 

Clearly life is dangerous down in the mines.

 

[span style='font-size: 13px; color: #ff0000;]Round 1 Review - Cradle Mountain vs Charlie's Opening Charlies Opening 1234 defeated Cradle Mountain 1068 <p style='color: #444444; margin-bottom: 10px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 18px; background-color: #fbfbfb;]The opening to the 2013 ORFFA season kicked off with the now customary 'keep it in the family' match up between Cradle Mountain and Charlie's Opening. <p style='margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #fbfbfb;][span style='font-size: 13px; color: #444444;]Much was mentioned in the pre-game of the Spelunkers midfield, and they came out guns blazing with Swallow (137), Hill (120) and Jack (116) running rampant against the Devils. A lot of the chat in the presidents lunch centered around the return to thefirstteam of the Frenchman Mark LeCras. Hopes were high that he would be a catalyst to a successful Spelunkers season, and he started off the game like he has never been out for a year, tearing apart Sam Gilbert, forcing the Devils coach to move Heppell onto LeCras. <p style='margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #fbfbfb;][span style='font-size: 13px; color: #444444;]No sooner had that happened than LeCras started off on a powerful lead, providing an options for Stephen Hill screaming through the midfield. It was all over so quickly that many people still speculate as to what exactly happened, but the common belief is that LeCras caught his arm in a lock of Heppels hair. The hair proceeded to wrap itself around the arm in a python like grip like nothing ever seen before. In less than a second the Frenchman's arm was snapped like a crusty baguette, putting an end to a very impressive first game back. <p style='margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #fbfbfb;][span style='font-size: 13px; color: #444444;]Andrew Mackie has a great first outing for the Spelunkers, turning in a triple figure return and upsetting the WAGs no end when his wife Georgiaturnedup and began pouring some of the number one Sponsor's product in a very provocative way. <p style='margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #fbfbfb;][span style='font-size: 13px; color: #444444;]<img alt='' class='ForumImage' src='http://bestdemotivationalposters.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Red-Bull-Best-Demotivational-Poster.jpg[/img]
[span style='font-size: 13px; color: #000000;]This turned the tide of the game because the crowd were more interested in the performance of Georgia than the performance of the players, however the Spelunkers held on for a well deserved victory of the mod from the mountain. [span style='font-size: 13px; color: #000000;]
[span style='font-size: 13px; color: #000000;]The party pies after the game were well received, and there was plentiful supply with Heath Shaw being absent from the ground. [span style='font-size: 13px; color: #000000;]The Spelunkers look forward to next weeks game against the Wombats from the Wagga Wagga... [span style='font-size: 13px; color: #000000;]
[span style='font-size: 13px; color: #000000;]Round 1 Votes for the Pit Boss award [span style='font-size: 13px; color: #000000;]3 Andrew Swallow [span style='font-size: 13px; color: #000000;]2 Stephen Hill [span style='font-size: 13px; color: #000000;]1 Kieren Jack [span style='font-size: 13px; color: #000000;]

 

Round 2 Review -Wagga Wagga 1342 defeated Charlie's Opening 1221
It was a tough battle for the Opening, and despite some of the press stating that the win was comfortable for the Wombats, the Spelunkers can walk away knowing that their score was high enough to beat 12 of the other teams in the competition, so it was simply a case of the better teamtriumphingon the day.
Heath Shaw made a welcome return to the team (100), and any claims that he is about to go on the Michelle Bridges 12 Week Body Transformation were quashed when he found out that there were no pies or sausage rolls on the food plan. Joey Montagna also returned to the side to give asolidperformance as well (98), however it was the standout performances of Keiren Jack (130), Andrew Swallow (117) and Josh Jenkins (105) that have the match committee looking forward. The only slight selection hiccough was leaving Josh Hill back at The Pit, where he belted out 104 in the reserves, which will have him seriously in consideration for the next match at Gundagai.
The form of Captain Phil Davis is a concern for the match committee, however it is early in the season and the captain has been known to be a little bit slow out of the blocks.
Round 2 Votes for the Pit Boss Award:
Keiren Jack : 3 Andrew Swallow : 2 Josh Jenkins : 1
Progressive: Andrew Swallow 5
Kieren Jack 4
Stephen Hill 2
Josh Jenkins 1
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[span style='color: #ff0000;]Davis retains his spot despite form Spelunkers captain Phil Davis has retained his spot, despite indifferent form in the first two games of the season. The only change Charlie's Opening have made to the team is the shock inclusion of Mark leCras, only two weeks after breaking his arm in the hair of Dyson Heppell. It is unknown if LeCras will be subbed out during the game, but the Spelunkers match committee are prepared to take a chance, and can only hope he pulls through the match unscathed. Terry Milera is the person who will make way for LeCras. <p style='margin-bottom: 10px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 16px; outline: 0px; color: #000000;]Spelunkers Team for the Round 3 clash with the hopping insects <div id='spBody' class='Forum_Normal' style='font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 16px; outline: 0px; color: #000000;] <p style='margin-bottom: 10px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; outline: 0px; background-color: transparent;]Def Heath Shaw Phil Davis Ben Reid Andrew Mackie <p style='margin-bottom: 10px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; outline: 0px; background-color: transparent;]Mid Leigh Montagna Andrew Swallow Kieren Jack Stephen Hill <p style='margin-bottom: 10px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; outline: 0px; background-color: transparent;]Ruc Jonathan Giles <p style='margin-bottom: 10px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; outline: 0px; background-color: transparent;]Fwd Drew Petrie Sam Reid Josh Jenkins Mark LeCras <p style='margin-bottom: 10px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; outline: 0px; background-color: transparent;]Int Daniel Jackson Liam Picken <p style='margin-bottom: 10px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; outline: 0px; background-color: transparent;]Emergencies: Hooker (D), Savage (M), Josh Hill (F), Milera (I) <p style='margin-bottom: 10px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; outline: 0px; background-color: transparent;]In: LeCras <p style='margin-bottom: 10px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; outline: 0px; background-color: transparent;]Out: Milera

 

[span style='color: #ff0000;]A return to form for Davis, but the Spelunkers form is shaky
Gundagai 1009 defeated by Charlie's Opening 1127
It seems like Captain Phil Davis has responded to the coaches plea for a lift in his performance, putting in a creditable performance for Charlie's Opening in the win against an undermanned Gundagai outfit on the weekend, however the form of some of the other players has the coaching staff scratching their heads.
Had Gundagai been able to field a more complete team, the result very much couldhavegone the other way. Shaw (51), Jack (68), S. Hill (65) and Petrie (41) put in performances that they would care to forget, but at the end of the day the Spelunkers walked away with the points, and it remains to be seen what changes the match committee will make this week to take on last years premiers.
Votes: 3 Leigh Montagna
2 Andrew Swallow
1 Daniel Jackson <div>
Progressive: Andrew Swallow 7
Kieren Jack 4
Leigh Montagna 3
Stephen Hill 2
Josh Jenkins 1
Daniel Jackson 1 <div>

 

[span style='color: #ff0000;]The Chooks scrape home against a valiant Spelunkers side
Foul Bay 1360 vs Charlie's Opening 1339
Reigning premier Foul Bay travelled down to The Pit hoping for a fairly easy ride in their round 4 clash, but were somewhat relieved to take the points in a very close matchup against the home team.
A desperately needed return to form from Patrick Dangerfield (120) gave a massive boost to Duckwood (163) and Libba Jnr (134) to get the Chooks off to a flyer, but the Frenchman (124) did something foreign to his country, and refused to let the Spelunkers lay down and surrender. Jack (130), Petrie (120) Hooker (115) and Joey (114) fired up as well, but the performance of Jackson (36) will come under the microscope. A welcome return to from the captain Davis (87), and recruit of the year Mackie (86) showed that the Spelunkers will not be push overs on their home turf.
Next week the Spelunkers take on the team from Ekatahuna, and will be looking forward to putting together a stronger performance than the corresponding fixture from last year, where some local eel was rumoured to be slightly past it's best by date. The Incorrigibles however are also a vastly improved outfit from last year, and the game should be a very tough contest.
Pit Boss votes: 3 Kieren Jack
2 Mark LeCras
1 Drew Petrie
<div>
Progressive: Andrew Swallow 7
Kieren Jack 7
Leigh Montagna 3
Stephen Hill 2
Mark LeCras 2
Josh Jenkins 1
Daniel Jackson 1
Drew Petrie 1
<div>

 

<p style='font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 13px;][span style='font-size: 13px; color: #ff0000;]A battle at the pit demonstrates the true Anzac spirit <p style='font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 13px;]
<p style='font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 13px;]Charlie's Opening 1260 defeated by Waikickamoocow 1262 <p style='font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 13px;]
<p style='font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 13px;]After the media circus that surrounded last year's 'Eel Gate' controversy, it was feared that the next match in the rivalry between the Incorrigibles and the Spelunkers would be filled with vindiction, intimidation and retribution. However what was to be witnessed at The Pit was a good old battle for the points, with two teams trading scores until the very end, neither flinching in the big moments that define games, and leaving the ground with nothing more to give. <p style='font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 13px;]
[span style='line-height: 13px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; font-size: 13px;]The Spelunkers had surged back into relevance with big win over the Grasshoppers, and then went down to the reigning premiers in an enthralling contest of tough, free flowing football that excited the football world. They wereunderno illusions however of the enormity of the task that was before them. <p style='font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 13px;]
<p style='font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 13px;]For the visitors, it had certainly been a productive few weekends with three consecutive wins for the Incorrigibles after being touched up by the pippie diggers, and the Pinot Project had been receiving some flattering reviews. When Chels rocked up at the Pit, he looked up at the pouring rain and stuck his tongue out to taste it - to some it may have tasted like limestone enriched mineral water... to Chels it tasted like victory. <p style='font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 13px;]
[span style='line-height: 13px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif;]Chris Knights was outstanding for the visitors, kicking three goals in an unusual backfield role to keep them in touch throughout the night. If it wasn't for his performance there may have been tanking allegations, but Knights was determined to make an impact on the game, and the output was nothing short ofunbelievablefor a back pocket.
[span style='line-height: 13px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif;]
[span style='line-height: 13px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif;]When last minute emergency call upStewartCrameri kicked his goal at the six-minute mark of the last quarter to give Waikick a 14-point lead, its biggest of the night, the Incorrigibles looked like they might finally break-away from the Spelunkers. But the visitors refused to go away in a pulsating last 10 minutes.

[span style='line-height: 13px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif;]Josh Hill converted a remarkable set shot from deep in the left forward pocket to cut the margin to just eight before Drew Petrie took a trademark contested mark and kicked his only goal of the game to bring The Opening within two points with six minutes to play.

[span style='font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 13px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif;]Jack then gave the Tigers the lead inside the final two minutes when he goaled after running onto the football with electric pace, Waikick now in danger of relinquishing a victory they had held all day[span style='line-height: 13px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif;].[span style='line-height: 13px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif;]But they knuckled down and won the next clearance, and McVeigh bobbed up with a miracle goal to reclaim the lead. [span style='line-height: 13px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; font-size: 13px;]
[span style='line-height: 13px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; font-size: 13px;]In the end the Incorrigibles won by two points, with the two teams joining together in a huddle at the end of the game to have a minutes silence in memory of their fallen Anzac countrymen, in a display of loyalty and mateship that would have been fitting at Anzac Cove. [span style='line-height: 13px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; font-size: 13px;]
[span style='line-height: 13px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif;]There will be a lot of heated debate at the match selection committee this week, after the omissions of both Ben Reid and Jack Gunston left 215 points in the reserve team. These players have well and truly put their hand up for selection, with MacKenzie and Jenkins feeling the selection pressure this week, and having to put massive efforts in on the training track to keep their position in the starting 13.

Votes:
3 Heath Shaw
2 Andrew Swallow
1 Kieren Jack
<div>
Overall Andrew Swallow 9
Kieren Jack 8
Leigh Montagna 3
Heath Shaw 3
Stephen Hill 2
Mark LeCras 2
Josh Jenkins 1
Daniel Jackson 1
Drew Petrie 1 <div>

 

[span style='color: #ff0000;]Spelunkers 2 from 5, but still optimistic of a top 8 finish.
Charlie's Opening 2IC Bandit stated today at a poorly attended press conference that whilst the Spelunkers only had 2 wins from 5 so far in the season, it was surely not cause for alarm.
With a percentage of 99.11, and narrow defeats against Waikickamoocow (2 pts) and Foul Bay (21 pts), the Spelunkers are showing that they are there or thereabouts this year, and just need to have a bit of luck to snatch a win. Somequestionableselection decisions have also hurt Charlie's Opening, and Bandit announced a vacancy has been created on the match committee for a chairman of selectors, as the current panel of Number 1 ticket holder David Boon, Ground Superintendent Wai Yu Hai Ding and List Manager Synon Daline were lacking leadership and decisiveness in their selection process.
Applications are currently being considered, and an announcement will be made in coming weeks once the successful candidate has been appointed.

 

[span style='color: #ff0000;]Spelunkers declare season back on track after a good old fashioned blasting wakes Charlie's Opening from their slumber. <p style='margin-bottom: 10px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 13px; outline: 0px; color: #000000;]Whitsunday Warriors 1031 defeated by Charlie's Opening 1409 <p style='margin-bottom: 10px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 13px; outline: 0px; color: #000000;]After a torrid affair last week, the Spelunkers were looking forward to the trip to Hook Island, hoping to snatch a win and in the process procure some post match hospitality from Chelsea Roffey and Rebecca Judd. <p style='margin-bottom: 10px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 13px; outline: 0px; color: #000000;]After TiB granted his blessing for the boys to camp out at the north east end of the island (even getting rid of the bats for us), we set to work immediately levelling out the area more to our liking. Unfortunately our guys got a little carried away with the amount of explosive... resulting in some minor roadworks to fix a small pothole in the main street. <p style='margin-bottom: 10px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 13px; outline: 0px; color: #000000;]/Portals/0/User%20Images/blasting.jpg' style='width: 600px; height: 400px; <p style='margin-bottom: 10px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 13px; outline: 0px; color: #000000;]Once the area was repaired, the boys jumped on the team bus with a few of the locals cheering us on, clearly we had improved the road conditions and they were quite happy about it! <p style='margin-bottom: 10px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 13px; outline: 0px; color: #000000;]/Portals/0/User%20Images/bus.jpg' style='width: 350px; height: 240px; <p style='margin-bottom: 10px; outline: 0px;][span style='line-height: 16px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; color: #000000;]Arriving at the ground the team were still on a high from the evening's blasting, and quickly got changed out of the high vis clothing and into uniform. The additional adrenaline from the previous nights shenanigans resulted in the Opening opening the game at afreneticpace, and the likes of Heater (125), Joey (125) and Swallow (134) putting the ball on an absolute plate for the forward line, with the Frenchman (117) and Petrie (121) lapping up the service. Not since our TiB suggested pre-season trip to Pat Pong Road has there been such a great supply of balls into hands. <p style='margin-bottom: 10px; outline: 0px;][span style='line-height: 16px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; color: #000000;]After halftime the team could not maintain the pace, and the Warriors began to respond, with Boak (125) and Warnock (105) doing their best to rally the team, but the damage was done.[span style='line-height: 16px; color: #000000; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif;]When Jack (126) nailed a 1950's style stab pass 3 metres off the ground for his 9th inside 50 on the chest of Petrie. it was game over, and all that was left was for Heater to clean up the remaining Lobster pies <p style='margin-bottom: 10px; outline: 0px;][span style='line-height: 16px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; color: #000000;]
<p style='margin-bottom: 10px; outline: 0px;][span style='line-height: 16px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; color: #000000;]/Portals/0/User%20Images/pies.jpg' style='width: 768px; height: 576px;
<p style='margin-bottom: 10px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 16px; outline: 0px; color: #000000;]Overall a solid performance by the team, and we look forward to facing Nunawading next week. <p style='margin-bottom: 10px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 16px; outline: 0px; color: #000000;]Votes: <p style='margin-bottom: 10px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 16px; outline: 0px; color: #000000;]3 Andrew Swallow
2 Kieren Jack
1 Heath Shaw <div>
Overall Andrew Swallow 12
Kieren Jack 10
Heath Shaw 4
Leigh Montagna 3
Stephen Hill 2
Mark LeCras 2
Josh Jenkins 1
Daniel Jackson 1
Drew Petrie 1 <div>

 

Wow, the Spelunkers supporters really turned up in force. look at all those people! Hook Island has a population of 64 and everyone of them were out there on the road to get their first ever glimpse of a bus. And the bus did not let them down. Luckily the Spelunkers supporters were on hand to explain what a bus is used for; like trying to dig a hole to get back to middle earth. Couple of locals reckoned it would make a good artificial reef. Heater will feel the effects of those pies next week and suggest he be given his own change room.

 

[span style='font-size: 13px; color: #ff0000;]Charlie's Opening get home over Nuffers, but the 2IC is nowhere to be seen, Stephen Hill also not on team bus
Nunawading Nuffers 968 Defeated by Charlie's Opening 1136
Whilst the Spelunkers have come away with a solid 168 point win over the outfit from Nunawading, the main story of the day was the absence ofthesecond-in-charge, normally apermanentfixture at all Spelunkers games, be they home or away.Rumour had it that Bandit was absent without leave, having decided to get out of the darkness of the pit and escape to a more tropical climate for a bit of R&R, and therefore stayed on Hook Island after the last game. The official word from the club pre game via public relations manager Anita Mandalay wasthat Bandit is currently away from his desk, and to please leave a message on the post it notes provided.
/Portals/0/User%20Images/post%20it.JPG' style='width: 303px; height: 347px;

Mandalay went on to say that whilst they were concerned about the sudden absence, they are sure that everything will be resolved in due course, and that their primary focus was the upcoming game with Nunawading.
And indeed that was what the Spelunkers did. In a fairly low scoring affair, Petrie (122) and Jack 'Norman' Gunston (102) were the only two players to tonne up, with Heater (98), Jack (96) and Swallow (93) providing solid support, albeit not the same level as normally encountered. It is believed Shaw was distracted by the aroma of the Cheesecake Shop on the corner of Whitehorse and Mitcham roads, however it is not known why Jack and Swallow were down about 20 points on their season averages.
The Nuffers were a one man band, with Kennedy (143) the only player in triple figures, with Goodes bringing back some of the old school with a 98. Even the Mitcham Tigers supporters however were impressed with the form of Jaeger (89) who surely must be in line for rookie of theyearhonours.
The Spelunkers however were happy to get away with the win and to get on board the train and start preparation for the Uglies. Many thanks to the Nuffers for the warm showers and hot dogs after the game, and to Andy for giving us a lift to the station.
Votes: 3 Drew Petrie 2 Jack Gunston 1 Heath Shaw [span style='font-size: small;]
[span style='font-size: small;]Progressive: Andrew Swallow 12
Kieren Jack 10
Andrew Mackie 6
Heath Shaw 5
Drew Petrie 4
Leigh Montagna 3
Jack Gunston 2
Stephen Hill 2
Mark LeCras 2
Josh Jenkins 1
Daniel Jackson 1

 

[span style='color: #ff0000;]Bandit still MIA.... but Spelunkers machine rolls on
Charlie's Opening 1358 defeat Mount Beauty 1187
/Portals/0/User%20Images/img104.jpg' style='width: 600px; height: 480px;
As the pile of post it notes continues to grow on Bandit's desk, scuttlebutt and innuendosurroundthe whereabouts of the 2IC. The official message from The Spelunkers is that Bandit is due back early next week, and he will arrange a media conference to answer any questions. However as they say in the classics 'The show must go on' and the Opening had a home game against the Uglies. Mount Beauty had hit a bit of form recently, and this as certainly not a game to be taken easily. The WAGs from the Spelunkers were even more concerned when the WAGs from Mount Beauty arrived for their pre-game pamper session, and the beauticians quickly realised that more hair removal wax was going to be required.
One of the trucks used in the pit for coal mining was quickly put to use however, and soon there was more raw material brought into tackle the hirsuteness issue:
/Portals/0/User%20Images/rubyhill2.jpg' style='width: 526px; height: 334px;
The Spelunkers were up for this one, with no fewer than 8 players tonning up. Joey (137) led the way with Jack (120) returning to form and Norman Gunston (128) also playing starring roles. Jackson (107), Mackie, Hill, Jenkins (all 105) and Hooker (100) also hit triple figures.
There are concerns over Giles' form (30), but it is hoped that is only a temporary glitch against Leuenberger (86) who was very good in the ruck for the Uglies. Ellis (149) tore the Opening apart across the back line, with Cotchin (119) and Martin (118) relishing playing under the lights at The Pit.
There are still some players who need to improve their form, with the Frenchman (47) and Swallow (81) struggling, and captain Davis, Stephen Hill and Shaw to come back into the side. It might just be coincidence, but there were a lot of left over pies this week with Heater being out. Special mention to first gamer Jackson Thurlow, who is his first hit out with the Spelunkers first team showed what a quality player he is going to be for years to come.
Next week the Spelunkers take on Venus Bay, where Giles will be very keen to show Fisty what he traded away. Should be a cracking match.
Studs: Montagna, Jack, Gunston Spuds: Giles, LeCras, Picken, Bandit
Votes: 3 Leigh Montagna
2 Jack Gunston
1 Kieren Jack
<div>
Progressive Andrew Swallow 12
Kieren Jack 11
Leigh Montagna 6
Heath Shaw 5
Drew Petrie 4
Jack Gunston 4
Stephen Hill 2
Mark LeCras 2
Josh Jenkins 1
Daniel Jackson 1
<div>

 

Sort of expected your face to be a bit whiter after all that swimming off Koh Chang. Had a chance to check out your supporters on the Whits thread?

 

[span style='font-size: 13px; color: #ff0000;]Defection of Jon Giles to The Pit still raw for Venus Bay
The Vultures say Jon Giles will just be another Spelunkers player on Saturday, but the bitterness over his departure isn't far below the surface.

Giles quit the pippie diggers at the end of last year to join Charlie's Opening in a swap for Matthew Kreuzer.

Asked if the ruckman was a big loss, Vultures coach Fitzy said: 'That's up for conjecture.

'We received a former number 1 draft pick in return, even if his previous coach thinks he is a bit of a spud.'

For his part, Giles has referred to his former coach a 'flog' and a 'potato farmer', albeit tongue in cheek.

Vultures defender Zac Dawson said today the players would be treating all players in Spelunkers jumpers the same when the two teams meet for the first time since Giles's departure, but was quick to add that he was comfortable with Kreuzer being referred to as a Spud, as Dawson himself is known as the biggest spud of all.

'We'll be playing the jumper. You don't see too many faces out there any other time,' he told the ORFFA website.

He played here for a while but this week we'll just be focusing on trying to beat Charlie's Opening and all that other stuff will take care of itself.'
It seems those comments upset coach Fitzy, as Dawson has now been dropped for this weekends match.

Don't be surprised if Luke Parker goes straight to the Spelunkers' No.26 in an attempt to get under his skin.

 

[span style='color: #ff0000;]Absent Bandit finally shows up, team performance suffers
Venus Bay Vultures 1377 defeat Charlie's Opening 1345
As the facts begin to emerge, it seems that Bandit's little excursion wasn't full of scurrilous actions and evil intent. At a packed press conference on the beach at Venus Bay prior to the bounce, Bandit simply stated that whilst there may have been problems with the internal communications at The Pit, the trip was a planned absence to simply scout out the other ORFFA teams prior to the mid season draft which starts soon.
'I don't know why everyone is so up in arms, I left a post it note on the desk of the CEO's desk, and followed it up with a scrawled note on the back of a beer coaster which I gave to his assistant' Bandit exclaimed.
'Anyway, let's focus on the game at hand, I've got a job to do to get the team up and ready for Venus Bay'
The Spelunkers opened up well, and when the the midfield of Jack (96), Joey (134), Swallow (124) and Jackson (117) got their hands first to the ball they were simply outstanding. The quality entry into to the forward line saw the Spelunkers shoot out to a handy lead at quarter time, with Petrie (115) and Gunston (107) looking dangerous. However, the worrying sign was that Giles (77) was being manhandled by Kreuzer (92) in the guts, the latter literally shoving the ball down the throat of Watson (166), Mundy(131) and Gaff (98). The sitaution wasn't helped by Giles bringing the wrong footwear to the game, claiming that frangipani adorned Haviana's were more than acceptable for a bit of beach football.
The defence of the Vultures began to win the battle in their part of the field, with Gibbs (109) and Malceski (96) giving 2nd gamer Thurlow (31) an absolute touch up.
By three quarter time scores were tied, and with Howe (116) going beserk up forward for the Vultures, they eventually ran out too strong for the Spelunkers, winning by 32 points, another narrow loss for the Tasmanians.
Bandit is planning on being active in the trading market, with Menzel, Savage, Milera, and MacKenzie all expecting to be given their marching orders, and even captainPhil Davis potentially coming under scrutiny.
Next week the team face a tough challenge again the Blimps from Darraweit Guim... Hopefully Bandit can turn the teams performance around in time.
Studs: Montagna, Swallow, Jackson, Petrie, Gunston Spuds: Hooker, Picken, LeCras
Votes: 3 Leigh Montagna
2 Andrew Swallow
1 Daniel Jackson <div>
Overall: Andrew Swallow 14
Kieren Jack 11
Leigh Montagna 9
Heath Shaw 5
Drew Petrie 4
Jack Gunston 4
Stephen Hill 2
Mark LeCras 2
Daniel Jackson 2
Josh Jenkins 1 <div>

 

The Spelunkers recruitment and player development departments met with bandit today to review the intelligence he gathered on his recent scouting trip to other clubs.
The Spelunkers are keen to discuss trades with clubs, and will be commencing negotiations shortly.
Here is the current trading block for Charlie's Opening
No chance, well not zero... but you would have to make it incredibly attractive:
<table style='margin-bottom: 10px; font-size: 12px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; line-height: 16px; color: #000000;] <tbody style='font-size: 12px;] <tr style='font-size: 12px;] <td style='padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: middle;]Defence: <td style='padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: middle;]Heath Shaw, Andrew Mackie, Cale Hooker, Ben Reid, Jackson Thurlow
<tr style='font-size: 12px;] <td style='padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: middle;]Midfield: <td style='padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: middle;]Kieren Jack, Andrew Swallow, Leigh Montagna
<tr style='font-size: 12px;] <td style='padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: middle;]Ruck:
<td style='padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: middle;]Jonathan Giles, Josh Jenkins (Fwd)
<tr style='font-size: 12px;] <td style='padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: middle;]Forward: <td style='padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: middle;]Jack Gunston, Mark LeCras


Will consider trading, but would have to be a good offer <table style='margin-bottom: 10px; font-size: 12px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; line-height: 16px; color: #000000;] <tbody style='font-size: 12px;] <tr style='font-size: 12px;] <td style='padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: middle;]Defence: <td style='padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: middle;]Phil Davis
<tr style='font-size: 12px;] <td style='padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: middle;]Midfield: <td style='padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: middle;]Stephen Hill, Liam Picken, Daniel Jackson, Joshua Simpson (FWD)
<tr style='font-size: 12px;] <td style='padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: middle;]Ruck:
<td style='padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: middle;]Jarrad Redden
<tr style='font-size: 12px;] <td style='padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: middle;]Forward: <td style='padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: middle;]Marco Paparone (MID), Drew Petrie, Josh Hill, Sam Reid


Open to offers: <table style='margin-bottom: 10px; font-size: 12px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, San-Serif; line-height: 16px; color: #000000;] <tbody style='font-size: 12px;] <tr style='font-size: 12px;] <td style='padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: middle;]Defence: <td style='padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: middle;]Eric MacKenzie
<tr style='font-size: 12px;] <td style='padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: middle;]Midfield: <td style='padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: middle;]Shane Savage
<tr style='font-size: 12px;] <td style='padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: middle;]Ruck:
<td style='padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: middle;]

<tr style='font-size: 12px;] <td style='padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: middle;]Forward: <td style='padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: middle;]Terry Milera, Daniel Menzel

 

[span style='color: #ff0000;]He who fires the first shot is not always the winner, but may have some premature gratification
Charlie's Opening 1260 defeated by Darraweit Guim 1339 Charlie's Opening opened up all guns blazing, with Petrie (178)tearing McPharlin (66) a new one. Jack (121), Swallow (114)and Stephen Hill (110) played well in the midfield, especially Hill coming back from injury. Joey Montagna (67) was disappointing, and the rumours he may have inhaled some of the helium that was on site to inflate Darraweit's mascot have not been proven wrong yet. Andrew Mackie (105) was the lone ranger in defence, and Cale Hooker (65) got a lesson from Walker (150) However, it was a general lack of consistency that hurt the Spelunkers this week... and they were simply over run by a far better Darraweit outfit, who came home with a wet sail, and snatched the win at the end. Studs: Petrie, Jack, Swallow, S. Hill Duds: Giles, LeCras, Montagna Votes: 3 Drew Petrie
2 Kieren Jack
1 Andrew Swallow <div>Overall:
Andrew Swallow 15
Kieren Jack 13
Leigh Montagna 9
Drew Petrie 7
Heath Shaw 5
Jack Gunston 4
Stephen Hill 2
Mark LeCras 2
Daniel Jackson 2
Josh Jenkins 1 <div>