Groote Eylandt Football Club have 3 awards that players can vie for the 2014 footy season: Best & Fairest- The Gus Wanganeen Medal Votes 3, 2 & 1 for the highest Scores Most Improved – The Michael Long Medal Player last year v this year Best Rookie – The Andrew McLeod Medal Highest score from a rookie
The boys are on the road with Sandlants Coach Tours heading to Ararat. The boys, the club and our fans are pumped ready for the season opener against the Armadillos. Go Cuda's
Round 1 Wrap Final Score Ararat (Armadillos) 1,274 def by Groote Eylandt (Barracudas) 1,308 Barracudas started off slow with some underperforming players in the likes of Hannebery, Nicholls and Garlett. Kennedy wore the dreaded green vest and came on late in the game. The Barracuda’s defence stood out lead by the veterans Murphy and Burgoyne, midfield was pretty consistent lead by Captain Cotchin. The boys coming off the interchange also had a great game (Lewis & Ball) and the young guns in Zorko with 28 disposals & Darling kicking 4 gaols up forward showed exactly why they are stars now and in the future. Langford will be pushing for selection with a solid game in the seconds as did Spencer who will be intent in bumping Nicholls out of the no.1 ruck position if he doesn’t lift his game. With a great finish in the 4th quarter to take to 4 points it's pretty exciting for round 1 and on the road. The boys are looking forward to Mad Monday and getting their hands on their rod.
Some minor changes for this week’s clash against the Bulls, Langford comes into defence and Watts is moved to the big sticks. Mzungu comes into the guts while Hannebery has been named an emergency. After Spencer’s stellar performance in the seconds he comes into do the hit outs as Nicholls is named as an emergency as well as Kennedy being tapped on the shoulder.
We look forward in welcoming the Bulls hitting on the field in the top end. Come on in the waters fine and the Barracudas are biting. Go Cuda’s
Round 2 Wrap Final Score Groote Eylandt (Barracudas) 1,240 def Staghorn Flat (Bulls) 1,117 The Barracudas got started early in Cotchin with 25 disposals and he lifted when needed to but still couldn’t break the ton for this week. Gibbs didn’t have his greatest day and was well held all game only collecting 12 possessions delivering a below par score. Small forward Garlett was inaccurate in front of the sticks botching up a few shots on goal. A turn-over goal from Mzungu was magnificent and one more for the game, he had all guns firing. However, the Logie goes to Jordan Lewis for his on field discretion and it won’t go unnoticed. The Barracuda’s defence stood out again Burgoyne had an outstanding game with 30 disposals including 8 clearances, Murphy 25 disposals working like a dog and Frawley picked up his output this week. Spencer folder under pressure and may well be relegated after been given an opportunity, some work still needs to occur for him to fish with the big boys. What a game, Zorko burned up the field with his blistering performance of 30 disposals and a goal to boot, this kid is a star. In the seconds Hannebery and Nicholls bounced back with great performance to put it up the selection panel. An off ball incident with Derickx may have angered a few and caught the eye of the white maggots. With a great finish to the game to chalk up the Cuda’s second win and first on home turf it had the locals going tropical. The bail is open and our lines are already coming off. It’s long and going deep.
A couple of changes for this week’s clash against the Panthers, Hannebery in the midfield and Ben Cunnington is out and named as an emergency. Nicholls is back in the ruck while Spencer is named emergency. Yound Derickx has been named as an emergency in defence.
Round 3 Wrap Final Score Pearcedale (Panthers) 1,231 def Groote Eylandt (Barracudas) 1,230 The Barracudas got started early with team captain Cotchin riding shot gun to spark his team to almost carrying the Barracudas over the line with his 1 goal and 25 disposals. Lewis was strong with 37 disposals as was the other interchange player Hannebery. Darling was impressive in patches with his 1 goal and 17 disposals, he had plenty of kicks but just couldn’t make their mark. Nicholls continued his performance in the ruck with a good hit out rate and the Cuda’s midfielders were good for the majority of the game. Unfortunately this week the defensive line starting show cracks when under pressure however the diminutive Zorko had an absolute shocker even with collecting a heap of disposals he was well held all day by the Panthers. In the seconds Cunnington (a massive 30 disposals) and Spencer had great games, the team selection committee themselves will be under the blow torch after leaving these guys out of the seniors especially in a 1 point loss on the road.
A couple of changes for this week’s clash against the Goannas, Cunnington is back in the midfield. Spencer has been named as an emergency in ruck whist Derickx is named the emergency in defence. The team selection committee has pushed down Garlett due to poor performance and Mzungu is moved to the forward line, Dean Towers makes his debut named as an emergency. Another young whipper snapper that has been called up is Patty Cripps; he’ll make the trip to Goondiwindi and come in as an emergency in the midfield.
On the road again, heading to the cyclone capital of Australia. Baton down the hatches the Barracuda’s are coming. Go Cuda’s
Round 4 Wrap Final Score Goondiwindi (Goannas) 1,266 def by Groote Eylandt (Barracudas) 1,283 The Barracudas got a good start to the game, the Barracuda’s defence bulked up after last week’s cracks started to appear with Frawley leading the way with 2 goals, 24 possessions was a shining star, Murphy solid and Langford played the tagging role to shut down Thomas and Hall. Cunnington had a magnificent day on the park with 30 possession and 10 tackles in his head to head on the field producing his best game this year so far. Nicholls stood up when it counted and Burgoyne turned it on in the first term with 25 disposals for the game and set the tone. Ball and Gibbs both had solid games with plenty of touches, marks and kicks. Cotchin was hand-cuffed to record his lowest scores since 2009, some commentators have viewed the tactics used on the Barracudas captain were illegal. Darling this week had a shocker. In the seconds Spencer and Patty Cripps had great games and continue to mature. The Cuda’s held on with Mzungu chipping in with an average game to take the 4 points for another win on the road. We’ll have our Walleye out looking to lure in and party on.
A couple of changes for this week’s clash against the Buffalos, Garlett back in and hoping to have a cracker of a game, Mzungu name emergency for the forward line and Dean Towers makes way for the forward line movements. On home turf for the Easter Bunny Long Weekend game, lets hop to it. Go Cuda’s
Round 5 Wrap Final Score Groote Eylandt (Barracudas) 1,225 def by Serengeti (Buffalos) 1,364 The Barracudas got off with a great start to the game, with Captain Cotchin breaking free from the shackles of being tagged with 32 disposal and a goal to boot, a superior performance. Gibbs shone like a star that he is with a goal of his own and 29 disposals. Hannebery ran all day and had great poise collecting his 29 disposals. Darling kicked 2 goals 3, he was on fire with 19 disposals for the young bloke, and some are saying he’s the new “Buddy”. Zorko may not have been BOG or the most influential player but the ball was like a magnet to him when he got near it. Nicholls stood tall for the Cuda’s with 28 hit-outs for the day at the office with Lewis having a solid game and covering for Ball. Luke wasn’t well during the week (Bloody 4X Beer) and wore the green vest and came on late in the last quarter with a couple of touches. Unfortunately by then the game was a formality, a home ground loss. There was no stopping Dangerfield, even the captains superior performance didn’t even get a BOG that’s how good the Buffalos were this Easter Long Weekend.
A couple of changes for this week’s clash against the Monarchs, the Australian of the year is named in the forward line after a long stint with injury. Murphy, Mzungu, Derickx and Garlett are all named emergencies for their respective positions. Always a big game on ANZAC day, let the rivalry being. Here’s to the Diggers bloke. Go Cuda’s
Round 6 Wrap Final Score King Island (Monarchs) 1,401 def Groote Eylandt (Barracudas) 1,216 A late out for GEFC was Nicholls who has succumbed to injury and Goodes gets the green vest. The Barracudas did however get off the a great start to the game, with Zorko kicking a goal and picking up 24 disposals playing a vital role for the Cuda’s, his got the X Factor. Cunnington had a solid performance for his 23 disposals. A superior performance by Gibbs a gun plain and simple for 24 disposals. Hannebery continued his run from last week, what a star collecting his 34 disposals and Burgoyne is a genuine game breaker and a key player for the Barracuda’s kicking 1 goal and picking up 24 disposals. Captain Cotchin was red hot in the opening term but was restricted in the second half by a heavy tag and still picked up 21 disposals. Unfortunately poor performances in the forward line from Darling, Watts and Goodes who came on late in the game after wearing the green vest. There was no stopping the King Island Monarchs on this ANZAC weekend, the diggers would have been proud.
A couple of changes for this week’s clash against the Blowfly’s, Langford has be dropped, Watts moves to the backline Goodes & Garlett named in the forward line. Murphy, Bontempelli, Derickx and Mzungu are all named emergencies. Go Cuda’s
Round 7 Wrap Final Score Groote Eylandt (Barracudas) 1,212 def by Korumburra (Blowfly’s) 1,294 The slow starts are killing the Barracuda’s, Garlett kicking only 1 goal with 7 disposals is not enough in the ORFFU. Gibbs had an average outing, kick a goal and a couple of touches and Ball repeating this trend. The cuda’s were behind the 8 ball in the first term and were also trying to play catch up. A superior performance by Burgoyne booting 2 goals and gathering 33 disposals was a good sign, this guys is a true star. Murphy was solid and worked like a dog for his 21 disposals. Watts was good until he hobbled off with a back injury in the 3rd quarter. Frawley was disappointing and had an ankle complaint in the 2nd quarter. Hannebery continued his run from last week and again had plenty of touches, what a star collecting his 31 disposals as he tried to lead from the front. Cotchin heavily tagged and Cunnington had solid games getting plenty of leather. The only feel good moment was Lewis’s 200th game, what a milestone, kick a goal and had 27 disposals but it wasn’t enough by the home side letting a home town advantage go begging. Poor performances will see the Cuda’s all taking a long look in the mirror and not just to look at their mullets.
Delistments For the up and coming Mid Season Draft (MSD) the Barracuda's are reluctantly delisting 4 players. The decision to delist players was in conjunction with the Board, Team Selection Committee, Recruitment and Head Coach. We wish the below players well as they enter the pool of players competing for selection. Delisted Players: Jeff Garlett, Ben Kennedy, Dean Towers & Thomas Murphy