An extended ORFFA break for the Dirigibles - and the rest of the league of course - due to Friday's tragedy saw a number of Darraweit Guim players organise a scratch match against a Riddell League team. Injuries and other absences saw a number of Darraweit players grab opportunities to play - including fringe players Seb Ross, Martin Gleeson and Cam Wood. Wood, Gleeson and Sam Butler had previously not played for Darraweit. In all it was an encouraging hit out, with Armitage, Edwards, Rance, Newnes, Walters and Westhoff all playing very well. Seb Ross was encouraging, while Dom Tyson continued to improve in form. After discussions, the club has decided to award best and fairest votes based on scores from the weekend: Hindy votes: 5 - Armitage =4 - Weshoff =4 - Edwards 2 - Rance =1 - Newnes =1 - Walters Overall Hindy Votes: 37- Armitage 22 - Maric 20 - Edwards 17 - Betts 16 - Coniglio, Westhoff 15 - Rance 8 - Walters 7 - Newnes 6 - Cornes 5 - Seedsman 4 - Mcintosh, McGlynn 3 - Haynes 1 - Hunter, Tyson, Cooney, Vickery
chris88 wrote: An extended ORFFA break for the Dirigibles - and the rest of the league of course - due to Friday's tragedy saw a number of Darraweit Guim players organise a scratch match against a Riddell League team. Injuries and other absences saw a number of Darraweit players grab opportunities to play - including fringe players Seb Ross, Martin Gleeson and Cam Wood. Wood, Gleeson and Sam Butler had previously not played for Darraweit. In all it was an encouraging hit out, with Armitage, Edwards, Rance, Newnes, Walters and Westhoff all playing very well. Seb Ross was encouraging, while Dom Tyson continued to improve in form. After discussions, the club has decided to award best and fairest votes based on scores from the weekend: Hindy votes: 5 - Armitage =4 - Weshoff =4 - Edwards 2 - Rance =1 - Newnes =1 - Walters Overall Hindy Votes: 37- Armitage 22 - Maric 20 - Edwards 17 - Betts 16 - Coniglio, Westhoff 15 - Rance 8 - Walters 7 - Newnes 6 - Cornes 5 - Seedsman 4 - Mcintosh, McGlynn 3 - Haynes 1 - Hunter, Tyson, Cooney, Vickery Good thinking
Round 12 Update After an extended break due to reasons good and bad, the ORFFA resumed in earnest on the weekend and Darraweit returned to the winners list - albeit unconvincingly - in a tough contest against Wagga. Final scores were 1230 to 1172. Darrweit were hit by injury to Shane Edwards, a late withdrawal to Sam Butler, lost Ivan Maric to suspension and endured a bizarre decision to have Boomer Harvey start as sub. Guim coaching staff have launched an investigation into the Harvey sub fiasco, with the cause believed to be confusion over whether a comment Harvey made during the week whilst hungry - though 'wishing to start on a sub for lunch' and 'wishing to start as sub' shouldn't be so easily confused. Harvey and Michael Walters enjoyed less than stellar days up forward, while Seb Ross found himself overwhelmed filling in for one of the Guim's missing midfield battery, subbed out after barely scoring 30 points. Luckily the Guim defence was on fire, with Rance and Newnes topping the ton, May's contribution was more than handy, while Nick Haynes returned from injury and was a late inclusion and did enough. Stephen Coniglio's value was emphasised in the middle - first game back from injury and 113 points. Westhoff's continued good form has been a boon up forward. Arguably most important was the 101 from back-up ruckman Cam Wood, who filled in very nicely for the suspended Maric. There were plenty of pats on the back for the sometimes maligned Wood after the game. In all, a pleasing effort but one with plenty of room for improvement. That improvement may come through some returning players next week - Maric is likely to play, while Greenwood may bolster our midfield. Gleeson and Ben Brown are close to a run and Sam Butler may also return. A replacement may need to be found for the injured Shane Edwards - his absence will be a massive blow - and for Ty Vickery who may be booked (albeit quite unfairly, for mine) for an incident on the weekend. Hindy Votes: 5 - Rance - best KPD in the league. Period. 4- Westhoff - forward, back, in the middle. The Hoff's renaissance continues. 3 - Coniglio - great return from injury 2 - Newnes - just getting better and better 1 - Cam Wood - wow. Gobsmacked. Coach's discretionary vote to Eddie Betts, simply for taking the field after the tragedy of the past week or so. Overall Hindy Votes: 37- Armitage 22 - Maric 20 - Edwards, Westhoff, Rance 19 - Coniglio 18 - Betts 8 - Walters, Newnes 6 - Cornes 5 - Seedsman 4 - Mcintosh, McGlynn 3 - Haynes 1 - Hunter, Tyson, Cooney, Vickery, Wood
The word I heard was that Boomer started as sub as punishment for disregarding coaches orders during recent games.
anthak wrote: The word I heard was that Boomer started as sub as punishment for disregarding coaches orders during recent games. Yep - and apparently he fessed up to doing it because he was trying to hard to help. One of the strangest things I've heard/read.
Round 13 ORFFA action saw Darraweit beaten up by the top of the table Foul Bay outfit 1522 to 1230. Darraweit's lack of playing stocks, a battle that has been fought virtually since the first round of the season - is finally starting to take its toll. Having only 16 functioning players, with a good portion of the remainder out through injury - is simply not going to be enough to beat good ORFFA teams. And Foul Bay is most definitely a good team! Despite not playing at all badly, Darraweit had not answer to a rampant Foul Bay side, with great performances across the board - including Dahlhaus, Shaw, Ziebell, Dangerfield, Cunninton, Roughead, Zac Smith and a few others besides. The best for Darraweit was the ageless Brent Harvey. Stephen Coniglio continued his fine form, while David Armitage extended his lead in the Hindy with another 100+ point game. Many other players exceeded 70 and 80 points, but without big scores from missing players, Darraweit couldn't compete. In positive news, Ben Brown's first game for the club was very encouraging, while Levi Greenwood's debut for the Guim after a long injury layoff was also a good one. Martin Gleeson was the third debutant for Darraweit and worked hard. All three have been given the opportunity in the absence of Shed Edwards, McGlynn, Vickery, Walker and a few others. Hopefully they grasp it. In the meantime, Darraweit will continue to play the kids as they become available with an eye on continuing the work in turning over our list as we have done throughout the past 8 months. Hindy Votes: 5 - Harvey. 4- Coniglio. 3 - Armitage. 2 - Walters. 1 - Westhoff. Overall Hindy Votes: 40- Armitage 23 - Coniglio 22 - Maric 21 - Westhoff 20 - Edwards, Rance 18 - Betts 12 - Harvey 10 - Walters 8 - Newnes 6 - Cornes 5 - Seedsman 4 - Mcintosh, McGlynn 3 - Haynes 1 - Hunter, Tyson, Cooney, Vickery, Wood
A pair of losses to Cradle Mountain and Larrikin Lagoon have see Darraweit teetering on the edge of the final eight with two games to play in the ORFFA home and away season. A disappointing performance against Iron Knob three weeks ago was followed up by an even more disappointing effort against Cradle Mountain a fortnight back. On the weekend a rather more high quality affair between the Lagoon and Guim saw the Lefties home by around 70 or so points - both teams topping 1350 and scoring well. The weekend's effort gave the Guim a bit of extra heart, especially considering the team played one player short down back (with Cam Wood scoring 20 points OOP). To notch 1360 or so in that context was a fine effort. The Guim's injury list remains ugly, with Haynes, Jonas, Butler, Walker (all defenders) injured, alongside Shed Edwards and O'Meara. Shaun Edwards was mysteriously omitted for no particular reason, while Nathan Hrovat is on the comeback trail after tweaking a hamstring. The good news on the weekend was the return of one injured player - Ben McGlynn - to the side. It is hoped that one of the aforementioned 5 absent defenders actually plays on the weekend alongside Rance, Newnes and May - I'm looking at you Sam Butler and Shaun Edwards. Shed Edwards may overcome injury to return as well - his presence up forward has been missed. Youngsters Martin Gleeson and Jarryd Lyons are pushing their cases for senior selection. Lyons in particular almost topped the ton when actually selected to play a full game for Adelaide - a minor miracle thus far in 2015. Levi Greenwood played his best game for Darraweit, while Harvey, Westhoff and Walters all did well up forward. Ultimately the absence of a fourth defender and a minor injury to McGlynn put paid to any chances of a win over the impressive Lefties. Hindy Votes: Round 17: Harvey 5 Rance 4 Coniglio 3 Tyson 2 Newnes 1 Round 18: Westhoff 5 Walters 4 Maric 3 Greenwood 2 Rance 1 Overall Hindy Votes: 40- Armitage 26 - Coniglio, Westhoff 25 - Maric, Rance 20 - Edwards 18 - Betts 17 - Harvey 14 - Walters 9 - Newnes 6 - Cornes 5 - Seedsman 4 - Mcintosh, McGlynn 3 - Haynes, Tyson 2 - Greenwood 1 - Hunter, Cooney, Vickery, Wood Armitage remains in the lead despite two quieter weeks on the field, and has a big enough lead in the count to have almost sealed his first Hindy. Darraweit would have to make the finals for any of Rance, Coniglio, Westhoff or Maric to overtake Armitage ... and even then one of those players would almost have to best afield every week for the rest of the season to overtake Armitage (and that's if he doesn't poll another vote). This week sees Darraweit take on Lovely Banks, fresh off a win over Gundagai, fresh off moving off the bottom of the ORFFA ladder and in fine form, with plenty of young talent really starting to make a mark. The two teams will battle for the Household Cup, with the game having been shifted to a tropical island in the Pacific in order for the holidaying coaches to be able to issue instructions to their charges directly in and out sipping funny looking cocktails with umbrellas in them. Extra points for bombs into the pool and to whomever has the nerve to drink kava.
Round 19 saw Darraweit notch up a much needed win over Lovely Banks in a game played on a Pacific Island. Scoring was of holiday standard, Darraweit not cracking 1200, Lovely Banks not scoring 1000. A number of players not selected for Darraweit of course then went on to play stunning games to confound the holidaying coach. Late withdrawals and replacements played havoc with the Darraweit team. However two late replacements in Betts and Lyons did very well. Lyons gaining 4 Hindy votes on debut by scoring 107. Hindy Votes: Harvey 5 Lyons 4 Newnes 3 Armitage and Betts 2 Overall Hindy Votes: 42- Armitage 26 - Coniglio, Westhoff 25 - Maric, Rance 22 - Harvey 20 - Edwards, Betts 14 - Walters 12 - Newnes 6 - Cornes 5 - Seedsman 4 - Mcintosh, McGlynn, Lyons 3 - Haynes, Tyson 2 - Greenwood 1 - Hunter, Cooney, Vickery, Wood
A stellar effort by Darraweit Guim's defence ensured the Blimps booked their fourth consecutive ORFFA finals campaign, helping lead the way in a 70 point win over Birdsville on the weekend. With team selection an absolute dog's breakfast this week, the Blimps' young defence of Haynes, May, Newnes and Rance played brilliantly, scoring around 400 points between them. A fifth young defender - Shaun Edwards, scored a very handy 75 after coming in as a late replacement for Ben McGlynn. The win saved some blushes given team selection chaos saw three injured players chosen in the side - Tyson, McGlynn and Brown. Tyson and McGlynn did not play, meaning Edwards and Gleeson came in as emergencies. Brown scored only 20-odd and was clearly hampered. Add to that the subbing of Levi Greenwood (20-odd points) and Darraweit clearly needed all the points it could get. The fact the Blimps topped 1300 despite these issues is a good sign. While the defence played well, the forwards also clicked again, with Harvey, Betts and Westhoff topping the ton, while Walters and Lyons offered support. Harvey filled in through the midfield for the injured Steve Coniglio and Shane Edwards. David Armitage clinched his first Hindy for best and fairest at the club, gaining 5 votes on the weekend with a stellar near-150 point effort. Walker and Vickery played well in the reserves. Darraweit's line-up is set to be bolstered with the return of some or all of McGlynn, Tyson, Coniglio, Shane Edwards and Vickery for the first round of finals. We are hopeful, though not confident, that our young team can win a final and show further improvement heading into the end of the season. Hindy Votes: Armitage 5 Harvey 4 Newnes 3 Westhoff and Betts 2 Overall Hindy Votes: 47- Armitage 28 - Westhoff 26 - Coniglio, Harvey 25 - Maric, Rance 22 - Betts 20 - Edwards 15 - Newnes 14 - Walters 6 - Cornes 5 - Seedsman 4 - Mcintosh, McGlynn, Lyons 3 - Haynes, Tyson 2 - Greenwood 1 - Hunter, Cooney, Vickery, Wood
Darraweit Guim legend Brent Harvey has confirmed he has one more year left in him, and will play on for the club in 2016. In what is great news on the eve of the Guim's finals match-up on the weekend, Harvey confirmed he would continue with the club. Former club captain and previous Hindy winner, Harvey recorded the fifth highest points per game average in the Dirigibles team in 2015, underlying his continued value to the team. Coach Chris88 welcomed the news, despite lamenting that the announcement would ensure the team's average age remained artificially inflated by a year or two for at least another season. Harvey is around seven years older than the next oldest player on Darraweit's list, with young midfielder Clem Smith virtually half his age.
Provisional team for the Guim to face Venus Bay: In: Vickery, Coniglio, Shane Edwards, Ross Out: Armitage, Shaun Edwards, Brown, Gleeson Best of luck to Lyons, Ross, Haynes, May, Greenwood and I think Vickery - all playing in their first final for the Guim. Seb Ross unexpectedly getting a late call up in place of Armitage. Shaun Edwards unlucky but may get a reprieve. Some disappointing outs, as well as Tyson and McGlynn failing to get up after injury. Three of Darraweit's starting four midfielders won't play this weekend, while both Greenwood and Coniglio are both serious chances to don the vest. Not ideal. <table cellspacing='10] <td rowspan='2' style='text-align: left;]Def: ]Alex Rance ]0 ]Steven MAY ]0 <td class='Emergency' style='text-align: left;]]Andrew Walker ]0 ]Nick Haynes ]0 ]Jack Newnes ]0 <td class='Emergency' style='text-align: left;] ]0 <td rowspan='2' style='text-align: left;]Mid: ]Brent Harvey ]0 ]Shane Edwards ]0 <td class='Emergency' style='text-align: left;]]Martin Gleeson ]0 ]Levi Greenwood ]0 ]Stephen Coniglio ]0 <td class='Emergency' style='text-align: left;] ]0 <td rowspan='2' style='text-align: left;]Ruc: ]Ivan Maric ]0 <td class='Emergency' style='text-align: left;] ]0 <td rowspan='2' style='text-align: left;]Fwd: ]Eddie Betts ]0 ]Justin Westhoff ]0 <td class='Emergency' style='text-align: left;] ]0 ]Michael Walters ]0 ]Jarryd LYONS ]0 <td class='Emergency' style='text-align: left;] ]0 <td rowspan='2' style='text-align: left;]Int: ]Tyrone Vickery ]0 ]Sebastian Ross ]0 <td class='Emergency' style='text-align: left;]]Shaun Edwards ]0
A minor upset fueled by a rampant Ty Vickery has seen Darraweit win its final over Venus Bay 1244-1182. In a match-up which featured two teams noticeably shorthanded due to injuries to key players, Darraweit managed a level of consistency in its scoring to squeak home with the W despite having three players don the subs vest during the match. 10 Dirigibles scored between 70 and 100 points, while only two - Vickery and Levi Greenwood - topped 100. Vickery's 143 was his best game in around 3 years and is hopefully an indication that years of patience at the Guim might be starting to see some reward. The only three Guim players to score below 70 - Edwards, Lyons and Haynes - were all subbed in or out of the game. Lyons and Haynes may now be in some doubt next week with the possible returns of Armitage, Tyson, Brown and Walker (the latter fighting back from the scrapheap after some stellar reserves form in the past two weeks). Top 5 scorers for Darraweit were: Vickery - 143 - ran rampant in a match winning performance. Greenwood - 112 - steady again, as he has been most weeks since being picked up mid-season Maric and Walters - 99 each - both very good Westhoff - 97 - continued his great second half of the year. Special mention to Seb Ross, whose 90 in the absence of David Armitage was a pleasing effort. He and Martin Gleeson are showing signs of development that will hold them in good stead for next year. Mentions also to Andrew Walker - 100+ in the reserves, playing forward - and big Ben Brown, whose 90+ score in the reserves continues to put the pressure on his forward counterparts to maintain their good form. Next we face Grav's in-form and formidably deep Larrikin Lagoon Lefties, whose late season form has been superb. Just 3 or 4 weeks ago the two teams met in a high-scoring and enjoyable affair, the Lefties winning 1423-1350. That game saw masses of high scoring, as well as Darraweit managing 1350 with only three defenders (Cam Wood played OOP to make up the numbers). The Guim are confident enough to predict we will have a full compliment of defenders this time around! Best of luck Grav.
A heartbreaking loss via the late withdrawal of Michael Walters has seen Darraweit fall around 45 points short of a ORFFA grand final berth, going down to the Lefties in the Preliminary Final on the weekend. The Guim recovered from a tough start - Coniglio and Walker putting in season worst games, a pity, especially after Coniglio's great season - and rampant early opposition form through the enormous efforts of Tiger quartet Edwards, Maric, Rance and Vickery. The foursome, along with Justin Westhoff drew the Guim back to within striking distance of the Lefties with only a few players remaining. Eddie Betts and the Lefties' Tom Lynch then put on a clinic with big tons, but down games from the Lefties' Priddis and Hill saw Darraweit only needing average efforts from Saints trio Armitage, Ross and Newnes, and Fremantle's Michael Walters, to sneak home. The Saints did enough in tough conditions to give Darraweit the lead, but when word filtered through of Walters' unexpected late withdrawal, supporters' hearts sank, knowing that the 40 scored by reserve Ben Brown was not going to be enough to hold on. The Lefties Tendai Mzungu enjoyed an fine game to seal the win. Coach and players have been left somewhat despondent with the loss, with wanted signs featuring Fremantle coach Ross Lyon quickly appearing on lightpoles and in shop windows around Darraweit. Coach Chris88 lamented letting an unexpected grand final appearance slip. 'We've not really had our best team on the park all year - through serious injury, suspension or other extenuating circumstances like those affecting Eddie Betts during the middle of the season,' he said. 'Yet we've fought hard, got a decent team on the paddock for the Prelim final and got to a point where victory was close, only to be thwarted again by an unexpected late out. 'It is frustrating, but we'll aim to get better next year - much of our trading has been focussed on 2016 and 2017. 'Best of luck to the Lefties in the big one, and to our friends at Birdsville as well.' Top 5 scorers in the Prelim were: Eddie Betts - 117 Ivan Maric 115 Shane Edwards - 111 Alex Rance - 109 Justin Westhoff 104. Big Ivan Maric is named Darraweit's Finals MVP, with Justin Westhoff and Levi Greenwood a close second. Ty Vickery and Eddie Betts are tied for fourth. Team management said the next step for the team would be the maddest of Mad Mondays. Upcoming trade periods will be interesting times, with the team after a ruckman and a defender.
Righto - no time is wasted when it comes to trade periods and team lists. Please find the Guim list below. As is always the case, no player is untradeable - it is a matter of who you are willing to part with ... or what. I am chasing a ruckman and perhaps a defender. And I am willing to trade quality, as has been shown in trades over the past 12 months. That means no-one is untouchable. Keen observers will note that Mr Betts was on the trade table at midyear. Those discussions are expected to begin again in earnest. I am seeking a ruckman and a defender, will accept draft picks too (though of course not all for Eddie alone!!) Get in touch, and I'll get in touch with people as well. Meanwhile, player ratings will appear here in coming days, starting with defenders. <table width='617' cellspacing='0' cellpadding='0' border='0] <col width='361' style='width: 271pt;[/img] <col width='128' span='2' style='width: 96pt;[/img] <td style='height: 15pt; width: 271pt; text-align: left;' class='xl66]Player <td style='width: 96pt; text-align: left;' class='xl66]2015 pos <td style='width: 96pt; text-align: left;' class='xl66]2016 expected pos <td style='height: 15pt; text-align: left;' class='xl65]Top of tree <td style='height: 15pt; text-align: left;]David Armitage M M <td style='height: 15pt; text-align: left;]Shane Edwards M/F M/F <td style='height: 15pt; text-align: left;]Alex Rance D D <td style='height: 15pt; text-align: left;]Levi Greenwood M M <td style='height: 15pt; text-align: left;]Michael Walters F F <td style='height: 15pt; text-align: left;]Stephen Coniglio M M <td style='height: 15pt; text-align: left;]Dom Tyson M M <td style='height: 15pt; text-align: left;]Jack Newnes D/M D/M <td style='height: 15pt; text-align: left;]Jaeger O'Meara M M <td style='height: 15pt; text-align: left;] <td style='height: 15pt; text-align: left;' class='xl65]Upper branches <td style='height: 15pt; text-align: left;]Steven MAY D D <td style='height: 15pt; text-align: left;]Brent Harvey M/F M/F <td style='height: 15pt; text-align: left;]Eddie Betts F F <td style='height: 15pt; text-align: left;]Nick Haynes D D <td style='height: 15pt; text-align: left;]Ivan Maric R R <td style='height: 15pt; text-align: left;]Martin Gleeson M D/M <td style='height: 15pt; text-align: left;]Tyrone Vickery F F <td style='height: 15pt; text-align: left;]Justin Westhoff F D/F <td style='height: 15pt; text-align: left;]Ben Brown F F <td style='height: 15pt; text-align: left;]Sebastian Ross M M <td style='height: 15pt; text-align: left;] <td style='height: 15pt; text-align: left;' class='xl65]Middle branches <td style='height: 15pt; text-align: left;]Andrew Walker D D/F <td style='height: 15pt; text-align: left;]Thomas JONAS D D <td style='height: 15pt; text-align: left;]Jarryd LYONS M/F M or M/F <td style='height: 15pt; text-align: left;]Shaun Edwards D F <td style='height: 15pt; text-align: left;]Nathan Hrovat F M or M/F <td style='height: 15pt; text-align: left;]Ben McGlynn M M/F <td style='height: 15pt; text-align: left;] <td style='height: 15pt; text-align: left;' class='xl65]Lower branches <td style='height: 15pt; text-align: left;]Cameron Wood R R <td style='height: 15pt; text-align: left;]Sam Butler D D <td style='height: 15pt; text-align: left;]Clem Smith M M
Darraweit Guim Season Ratings: Backs: Alex Rance - 25 yo, 21g, 96.7 avg. Best KPD in the league and among best scoring defenders in the league. Brilliant year. Can't ask for much more to be honest. 9.5/10 Jack Newnes (D/M) - 22 yo, 21g, 90.3 avg. Repaid the faith and now looks to be a savvy draft pick in the mid 40s. Class and will only get better. Among top 15 defensive scorers. 8.5/10. Steven May - 23yo, 17g, 76 avg. Battled injury and suspension early, but did most of what was expected after trading him in to replace Josh Gibson. Likely to again improve. 7.5/10. Sam Butler - 28yo, 13g, 74 avg. Brought in mid-year for depth but spent most of the second half of the year injured. A good player who until then had enjoyed a very good year. On the trading block. 4/10. Nick Haynes - 23yo, 17g, 68.5 avg. The fourth of our young quartet of defenders had an up and down year, battling persistent groin problems late on which affected his average. Still, plenty to like. 6.5/10. Andrew Walker - 29yo, 11g, 63.3 avg. A mainstay at Darraweit, Walker's body started to fail him this year. Missing for a long stretch, though appearances up forward in late-season games will see him DPP D/F in 2016 if he decides to play on. 5/10. Thomas Jonas - 24yo, 16g, 55.9 avg . Disappointing year. Dropped for poor form for a stretch, though showed encouraging signs late in the year. Will need to improve in 2016. 4.5/10. Shaun Edwards - 21yo, 8g, 51.1 avg. A speculative mid-season draft pick, Edwards showed enough to suggest he might be worth persisting with. Will be a forward next year, and played some good games for Darraweit in 2015. 5.5/10.
Darraweit Guim season ratings: Mids: David Armitage - 27yo, 20g, 110 avg. Darraweit's MVP in 2015 and enjoyed a banner year for the oft-struggling Saints. Hard worker, leader, and mid-field general. A delight. 9.5/10. Brent Harvey (M/F) - 37yo, 21g, 93 avg. Father Time remains 20m behind Brent Harvey, struggling to keep up as Boomer runs towards goal. A miracle. Another superb season through Darraweit's mid and fwd areas. One more year in 2016 ... 8/10. Shane Edwards (M/F) - 26yo, 14g, 92.7 avg. Returned home after a stint in Lovely Banks in return for a high draft pick - and was worth every cent. Despite missing five late season games, was among Darraweit's best 3-4 players. And has scope to improve. 9/10. Stephen Coniglio - 21yo, 18g, 91.7 avg. A very good season for the youngster, who is now a first choice midfielder at the Guim. Among a batch of good young midfielders that will continue to produce into the future. 8/10. Jack Newnes (D/M) - see previous. Ben McGlynn - 30yo, 7g, 87.7 avg. Ben was unable to replicate his great 2015 form, hobbled by continued hamstring issues. Was very good when out on the park. 6.5/10. Levi Greenwood - 26yo, 7g, 80.9 avg. Very encouraging 2nd half of the season from Levi, gained in a trade at mid-season and returning after a broken leg. Played some great games through the latter half of the year and the ORFFA finals. 8/10. Dom Tyson - 22yo, 15g, 79.9avg. A disappointing 2015 after a breakout 2014. Was never fit throughout the year, with knee and hamstring issues dogging him. That said, improved a little in the second half of the year. Much to work on, but only young. 6.5/10. Seb Ross - 22yo, 9g, 63.8 avg. Another youngster with an injury-affected season, though he was drafted with the injury already having occurred. Showed plenty in the second half of the season with no pre-season, scoring 70.5 in non-sub affected games and playing ORFFA finals. Much to look forward to. 7/10. Marty Gleeson - 21yo, 21g, 57.5 avg. Darraweit were excited to pick him up at mid year, and he got on the park for a couple of late season games. Plenty of sub-affected scores, but at 21, huge potential. Averaged almost 63 in non-sub affected games. Exciting and almost certain to be a D or D/M - which would be great. 6/10. Jarryd Lyons (M/F) - 22yo, 11g, 46.5 avg. Mr Subs Vest won't have that problem next year when the stupid rule is abolished. And in the games he wasn't sub, showed plenty with scores in the 90s and 100s. Making his way as a midfielder/forward and will improve. Encouraging. 5/10. Clem Smith - 19yo, 6g, 23 avg. A speculative draft pick that may not be long for Darraweit. Showed some nice things and still has plenty of time and opportunity to improve. May be traded given glut of young midfielders at the club. Lots of time in subs vest. 3/10. Jaeger O'Meara - 21yo, 0g, 0avg. Devastating injury after being traded to Darraweit put him out for the year. One of seven or eight Darraweit mids aged under 22, and will play a vital role alongside guys like Coniglio, Tyson, Ross, Newnes and Gleeson as we move forward. N/A.
Darraweit Guim season ratings: Rucks: Ivan Maric - 29yo, 21g, 95 avg. Just a legend. Seriously. Still among the best 6-8 rucks in the comp and spent most of the year rucking by himself for Darraweit. Probably needs help to be honest. Huge during ORFFA finals. 9/10. Cam Wood - 28yo, 17g, 68.2 avg. Picked up as a backup and he filled in more than handily a couple of times. Future unclear, thus meaning Big Ivan will need further backup in 2016. Did as required. 5.5/10. Forwards: Justin Westhoff - 29yo, 21g, 93.5 avg. One of the best trades Darraweit has ever completed. A pedestrian start to the year changed when his role was clarified as playing wherever he wants, opponent optional. Played back, forward, midfield and ruck. Smart footballer and cult figure. Brent Harvey (M/F) - see previous Shane Edwards (M/F) - see previous Eddie Betts - 28yo, 20g, 86.75 avg. The human highlight reel. Everyone loves Eddie. Overcame mid-season slump and much unhappiness due to Phil Walsh's death to have a near career best season. Firm fan and Darraweit coach favourite. 9/10. Michael Walters - 24yo, 20g, 81 avg. Slow start to season, but second half of year was very good. Among best small forwards in the league alongside teammates Betts and Harvey. Lucky to have him, even after his absence in Prelim Final. 7.5/10. Ty Vickery - 25yo, 13g, 78avg. Finally, Ty Time might have arrived. Won back his spot at Richmond and then played like we have hoped he would eventually play for about 3 seasons. ORFFA finals campaign brilliant. After being shopped around by the Guim during 2014, is now well set in future plans. 7/10. Ben Brown - 21yo, 18g, 64.9avg. Very excited to pick him up at midyear. Looks to be a player of massive potential, and only 21yo. Great kick, strong mark and hard worker. Ty and he have enough hair for 6 normal people, or 3 Marics. 6.5/10. Nathan Hrovat - 21yo, 7g, 62 avg. Traded in at midyear for Kam Mcintosh, and took some encouraging steps forward in2015. Can play and showed plenty at senior and reserves level. Young and will improve. 4.5/10. Jarryd Lyons (M/F) - see previous.
Darraweit Guim has welcomed defender Garrick Ibbotson to the rolling hills of the region after a trade with Foul Bay that has seen fan favourite Eddie Betts leave the club after a stellar career for the Guim. Betts, who enjoyed his finest year during 2015, was traded along with veteran Andrew Walker and young midfielder Seb Ros in the deal that netted Ibbotson, Pick 36 in the coming PSD and a first round pick in the MSD at mid-year. The trade - Betts for Ibbotson, Ross for Pick 36 and Walker for a 1st round MSD pick - was a nice one which aimed to fulfill needs at both ends. Darraweit's need for a further defender was an overriding factor, with Betts' great form making it harder to trade him. However given he is slightly older than Michael Walters, and scores slightly less than the younger Shane Edwards, we reluctantly let him go. Seb Ross showed himself to be an improving young player during 2015, but with Seb being the third of three SKilda midfielders at Darraweit, we felt we needed some diversity. Andrew Walker is a veteran who will have D/F status next year, making him an attractive trade for backup at both ends for Foul Bay despite an injury riddled 2015. A first round MSD pick is a pretty fair trade. We welcome Garrick Ibbotson to the Guim, and hope he'll provide leadership to a very young defence. A starting defence of Rance, Newnes, Westhoff and Ibbotson, with May and Haynes as back-ups, would be a nice outcome. Alas it appears increasingly unlikely Jack Newnes will be a D/M in 2016, which will probably mean we have to seek out another defender - Pick 36 may be put on the block pretty quickly.
Updated Darraweit player list (post player position changes) DEFENDERS: Alex Rance (Rich) Garrick Ibbotson (Freo) Martin Gleeson (Ess, not suspended) Steven May (GC) Nick Haynes (GWS) Sam Butler (WCE) Tom Jonas (Port) Clem Smith (Carl) (D/F) MIDFIELDERS: David Armitage (Stk) Dom Tyson (Melb) Jack Newnes (Stk) Jaeger O'Meara (GC) Levi Greenwood (Coll) Stephen Coniglio (GWS) Jarryd Lyons (Adel) (Mid/Fwd) Shane Edwards (Rich) (Mid/Fwd) FORWARDS: Brent Harvey (Nth) Justin Westhoff (Port) Michael Walters (Freo) Ben Brown (Nth) Ben McGlynn (Syd) Nathan Hrovat (WB) Shaun Edwards (Ess, not suspended) Tyrone Vickery (Rich) Jarryd Lyons (Adel) (Mid/Fwd) Shane Edwards (Rich) (Mid/Fwd) Clem Smith (Carl) (D/F) RUCK: Ivan Maric (Rich)Cameron Wood (Carl) Relatively happy with the squad, though I am slightly shorter for mids than I thought I would be. I will be looking to delist two further players to bring my squad numbers down to 24. I'll be looking for another ruck and perhaps a defender at this stage. Any player is and will be tradeable - some will come at more of a cost though.