Many years back @ChiefRussell posted an opinion piece entitled something like if an ORFFA team were an afl club which one would it be. The creativity impressed me enough to remember it. However, my "sacred" cows were branded as Fremantle. I have seethed increasingly since then, So here is my take on the subject on the verge of the grand final. The list is sorted by finishing place in the H&A series. Venus Bay Vultures – Richmond – the dominant team, always in the mix. Every year they push opponents around but are short on flags. Waikikamoocow Incorrigibles –– Western Bulldogs - was the recent flag a flash in the pan? Look strong but can be a bit flaky. Gundaghai Grasshoppers - Greater Western Sydney – a list to die for after multiple early draft picks. Something always go wrong at the pointy end. This year it was injuries. Next year …? Gariwerd Cockatoos – Collingwood – got the cattle but do not perform to their potential. The oscillations between seeking present success and future success is not the right formula. Iron Knob Codpieces – Sydney – always appear strong but don’t necessarily deliver in finals. Both are trying to solve ruck problem with impersonators. Foul Bay Chickens – Geelong – because of their mutual midfields plus their constant presence in finals since (quite) recent successes. Ageing list may have missed their last chance? Cradle Mountain Devils – Hawthorn – have the players and the science, will it all come together this year? Have absorbed the approaches of previous successful teams and pushed on. Marble Bar Misfits – West Coast - perennial finalists who never quite get it done, will 2018 be their year? Darraweit Guim Dirigibles – Adelaide, always there or there about but injuries and “thinking” seem to get in the way. Birdsville Battlers – Melbourne – a list that is crying out for improvement by the addition of some star quality. Perhaps the preference for skiing holidays in September needs to be resolved? Whitsunday Warriors - North Melbourne – cerebral coach who sees the multi- coloured world in two colours. Tired location, look the goods in preseason but that is where it ends. Wagga Wagga Wombats – Port Adelaide – trade specialists who have built a strong list. Outwardly the strong and silent team but give the impression of busting out with some good news stories. Lovely Bank Lilacs – Brisbane – a lot to look forward to after some smart trading. Improvement has been noted. Charlies Opening Spelunkers – Essendon – talk a good game and do not lack for press coverage. Big budget, small results. Nareewillock Nuffers – Gold Coast - have not developed as yet. New coach and ideas lead to some improvement. Older superstar names have come and gone but real success still eludes them. Wineglass Bay Packers - Saint Kilda – flatter to deceive most years. Surely 2019 will confirm they are on the right lines. Larrikin Lagoon Lefties – Fremantle – based in a wilderness with a coach who has experienced past glories. Relying on a couple of injury prone stars and a lot of kids has not been a success. Sneaky pick for improvement by some sage pundits. Mount Beauty Uglies – Carlton – Going from bad to worse. Excuses abound but we wonder whether it is as simple as they embrace mediocrity.
I applaud the effort and get the sentiment, but the Misfits record reads; 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 - All finished in the 15th to 18th spots, in 2016 we only managed 4 wins (not the lowest tally we've managed either) 2017 3rd and GF 2018 8th and GF 2 out of 7 doesn't feel perenial to be honest
nice work @graeme Once the Nuffers presidnet has 2 shandies under his belt he carries on about as much as Tony Cochrane and the coach has had a good pasture over winter and in current form could give Stewie Dew a run for his money at the buffet table, so you may have nailed our club. Thankfully ORFFA players are slaves for life so if we ever manage to get some half decent players to the club they shouldn't all bolt at the first opportunity to the greener pastures of Cradle Mountain, Venus Bay and elsewhere like most of the Suns list since 2011.
I am Geelong. I think I labeled myself Geelong in the last piece so not much has changed. I think you are better than the Bulldogs @graeme