Best & Fairest- The Gus Wanganeen Medal Leader Board After Round 18 Name Points Bryce Gibbs 16 Trent Cotchin 15 Dayne Zorko 15 Daniel Hannebery 9 Jordan Lewis 8 Shaun Burgoyne 7 Ben Cunnington 5 Marcus Bontempelli 3 Jack Darling 3 James Frawley 3 Tim Mohr 2 Robert Murphy 2 Tendai Mzungu 2
No changes for the round 19 clash against the Prospectors, with a question mark over Derickx’s return Sutcliffe will continue to be name the emergency for ruck. Go Cuda’s
Round 19 Wrap Final Score Coolgardie (Prospectors) 1,122 def by Groote Eylandt (Barracudas) 1,229 The visitors were out of the gate early with Gibbs racking up 20 effective disposals out of the centre. Capitain Cotchin kicked the first goal of the match after a spill in front of the sticks, he also picked up 30 disposals, Cunnington backed him up with 19 disposals. Bontempelli had an average game with only 13 disposals. It was the defensive structure that really put the visitors in the box seat with Murphy cranking out 32 disposals, the man was on fire. Frawley switched it up kicking a goal and picking up 16 disposals like a seagull after french fries. Burgoyne and Langford grabbed 24 & 21 disposals as they shut down the opposition. Up front this week Goodes showed you can’t hold the old man down as he booted 2 and picked up 18 disposals. Darling was terrific slamming through 3 goals all from about 40 meters out with a conversion rate of 100%. Watts moved the ball on quickly getting his 17 disposals and Zorko netting 17 disposals as well. Lewis continuing to rack up the disposals week in week out as he collected another 26 and in the last quarter bagged 2, one long bomb from outside the 50 meter arc were it sailed beyond the pack and through the centre of the sticks. Mzungu had a different story unfortunately with hamstring problems he was subbed off in the 2nd quarter with only 9 disposals to his name. It was a great win for the travelling Barracuda’s against a top 8 team. Our focus now turns to the final match of the home and away season against the Smugglers for the coveted Islander Cup.
A couple of changes for the round 20 clash against the Smugglers, with Derickx out being replaced this by Ball and Sutcliffe as emergency. The main man Dan Hannebery is back and slips straight into the inter-change position replacing Mzungu who moves to the injury list. Young Cripps of the Jamie kind gets the nod as an emergency. A win is essential for the Cuda’s to have a chance to sneak into the top 8. As it is the last match of the regular season it will show case “The Islanders Cup” between the Barracuda’s and the Smuggles may the best flat foot team win. Go Cuda’s
Round 20 Wrap Final Score Groote Eylandt (Barracudas) 1,368 def Christmas Island (Smugglers) 1,303 Captain Cotchin lead the home team from the start, he was on fire with 22 disposals and a goal to boot. The engine room got clicking with Cunnington burning it up with 3 big ones through the sticks and 28 disposals what a star. Gibbs was hot as well pumping out 28 disposals and cracking one as well. A solid game from young Bontempelli with his 15 disposals. The backline stood up all day with Frawley switching it up kicking a goal and picking up 14 disposals. Burgoyne and Langford grabbed 23 & 27 disposals as they shut down the opposition for the second week in a row even after Burgoyne had a knock to the head in the first quarter. Murphy had a quite day on the park getting 18 disposals. The young guns Darling and Zorko ran amuck up front. Darling smashed 4 goals and collected 17 disposals while Zorko chipped in with 1 goal and picked up 27 disposals. Watts backed up well with 17 disposals with Goodes letting the limelight shine on the young ones, picking up 14 disposals. Young Sutcliffe gave the rucking contest a good go after Ball was omitted. In his comeback game Hannebery was locked down all day by the visitors however he still managed 13 disposals. Lewis went ballistic this week racking up a massive 34 disposals and even put one through the goals in a rampage from this young man who sealed it for the home team in picking up the 4 points and finishing the regular season on a high. More importantly the coveted Islanders Cup will make its home at the Barracuda’s for the next 12 months. Mad Monday will never be the same with this drink vessel.
GEFC Best & Fairest Award Night Saturday night, what a night with all the tribes coming out of the wood work to attend even after Mad Monday week. The GUS medal race is shaping up as a classic with the young Barracuda's bitting at the chance to don this coveted award. At the start of the season the odds to win the GUS were: $3.00 Capitan Cotchin $5.50 Cunnington $6.00 Gibbs $6.50 Hannebery $9.00 Zorko In the first half of the season before the mid-season break it was neck n neck between Cotchin and Zorko on 8 points apiece, followed by Hannabery on 4 and Gibbs, Frawley & Burgoyne on 3 points each. After the break and over the next 5 weeks young Gibbs had a couple of sensational games and moved to equal second with Cotchin on 11 points who had a cracker in round 15 against Eden posting career high stats. They were just behind the shining star of young Zorko on 12 points. Hannabery positioned himself nicely on 9 points followed by Burgoyne and Lewis on 7 points. Round 16 belonged to Cotchin, round 17 seen Gibbs, Cotchin and Cunnington on song in taking down the Sandgropers. Zorko smashed it in the round 18 loss against the Parasites, followed by Gibbs and Lewis who was starting to string together great performances and be labelled the dark horse for the GUS. At this point, things were tied up on the leader board with Gibbs and Cotchin on 16 points each, followed by Zorko on 15 and Hannabery on 9 points (note: this player injured since round 14). Round 19 was a defensive structure win against the Prospectors with Bob Murphy topping the list followed by Lewis (again) and Cotchin who moves 1 point ahead of Gibbs and then 1 further point in front of Zorko. Going into the last round of the regular season it was a pressure cooker against the Smugglers, as a top 8 finish was beckoning, the Islanders Cup to play for and the GUS to be determined. It was a great win for the Barracuda's with Lewis smashing the game wide open followed by Cunnington and Gibbs which meant a tie for the first place. With that a count back was performed to determine the outright winner of the GUS. Drum roll ………………………………..Bryce Gibbs has won the GUS pipping Captain Cotchin with Zorko 2 points behind in 3rd place. There was much sweating at the brow and then relief as he got his hands on the GUS. Bryce Gibbs 17 (winner by count back) Trent Cotchin 17 Dayne Zorko 15 Jordan Lewis 13 Daniel Hannebery 9 Ben Cunnington 7 Shaun Burgoyne 7 Robert Murphy 4 Jack Darling 3 James Frawley 3 Marcus Bontempelli 3 Tendai Mzungu 2 Tim Mohr 2 Best Rookie - The Andrew McLeod Medal Highest score from a rookie - Marcus Bontempelli Round 15 129 points Most Improved - The Michael Long Medal Player last year v this year - James Frawley Increase of 9.7 points
Trade and Auction Rooms Since the trade and auction window have become available the Barracuda's have been cautiously active. In the Auction room, strategic bidding for key positions was high on the agenda; unfortunately the Barracuda's haven't come with the goods yet. Still plenty of window left. In the Trade room, there have been many hours of negations for once again key positions. Finally the Barracuda's have put a run on the board in securing Jonathan Giles from the Bunyips. Being R2 to Big Sauce in 2014 has meant he did not get much game time however rucks went missing at the Barracuda's in 2014 so this no-fuss ruckman will hopeful put together a strong campaign in 2015 as he did in 2013 were he finished ninth in the AFL for total hit-outs at more than 24 a game. As part of the trade Will Langford will be leaving us and heading to Blanchetown, we wish him well in continuing his footy career down south.
Trade and Auction Rooms The Barrcudas have landed a key position player Rhys Stanley set to add further depth to our big man stocks. Stanley is tall but quick (he won the grand final sprint in 2009) and has shown he is capable of playing in a number of positions including ruck. Jake Spencer will be island hopping to King Island as part of the trade, we wish him well in continuing his footy career with our islander rivals.
Trade and Auction Rooms Cameron Guthrie has become a Barracuda after a failed auction bid and long hours at the trade table. The price, pick 10, however this young player is capable of winning his own ball, working hard defensively, he can get into spaces and gain valuable meterage going forward.
Training Report One of the highlights of the Barracudas first full training session on Monday was the sight of lanky ruckman Tom Nicholls striding out in full flight. 'The expectation is I'll be able to do pretty much everything in the preseason,' Nicholls said. The club nearly brought him back in for the last two rounds of the season but decided to put him on ice to have him ready for 2015.
Training Report Patrick Cripps suffered a fractured fibula in the seconds in round 8. This emerging player is the pinup of the modern day midfielder, is tall and strong. Nicknamed the Extractor” he began his pre-season training on Monday, and can expect to don the Cuda's jumper on more occasions next season with an impressive first session.
Training Report <p ></br>On the track Mzungu was on fire in the 3km time trial. He broke away in the final lap to edge out his off-season training partner. </br>'We push each along. It's great for both of us to run a personal best and be there at the end'.
Captain's Log Cotchin has been given the nod to lead the Barracuda's for season 2015 as voted by team mates and confirmed by the coaching group and the board. Trent is looking forward to the New Year after the Cuda's narrowly missed out on a top 8 finish.
Training Report Young gun Marcus Bontempelli has been an early flyer, adding a whopping 7kg to his already imposing frame.
Positional Changes Watts loses his dpp and is named Fwd only, Frawley picks up Def/Fwd as he switched it up during the season, Bontempelli moves to Mid/Fwd as a result of his hard running during the year, Stanley has moved from Def to Fwd as intended as part of trading him in, Guthrie has also moved from Def and moves to Mid only where players will be fighting it out to be part of the engine room.
Trade and Auction Rooms </br>Vickery challenge is in front of him to become a really important player for the Barracuda's but also a solid, key forward across the competition. Vickery is a strong-marking ruckman who can go forward with great effect. He is a competitive player with good decision making ability. </br>As part of the trade Jack Watts will be leaving us and heading to Coolgardie, we wish him well in continuing his footy career out west.
Training Report Young Jack Darling has been cleared to ramp up his rehabilitation from a stress fracture in his foot whichoccur late last year. Big man Tim Mohr is also on target for a round 1 return from a knee reconstruction whichstopped his 2014 seasonshort.
GEFChave delisted the follow players in readiness for the PreSeason Draft: Luke Ball (Retired) Adam Goodes Jack Frost Shane Kersten
Pre-Season Draft 2015 Midfielders: Pick 28 Jake Lloyd - 22yo, average 58.4ppg in 20 games The 180cm has impressed with his speed and endurance through midfield and in attack, and is averaging 14 disposals, four marks and three tackles in his 16 games. Boasting so much poise and skill this young kid is going places. Pick 46 Ben Newton - 23yo, average 40.0ppg in 4 games He's got a great ability to take the ball cleanly from stoppage and get out of traffic well. He's a left footer who has some nice foot skills and he's a goal kicking mid, which is always a good attribute to have. He's a natural finder of the footy &mdash; he can find the ball well. Defenders: Pick 49 Michael Firrito - 32yo D, average 74.2ppg in 210 games Playing on both tall and medium sized forwards, Firrito is able to provide both solid defence and rebound; his versatility is an added bonus for the Barracuda's in the back half.
Team Write up 2015 The Barracuda's are again well set for the new year and beyond, with our depth chart revealing our average age is 25 years old and that a number of young players holding down first 15 positions across most lines. Defence: The Cuda's defensive leadership in Robert Murphy and Shaun Burgoyne have been joined by ever improving James Frawley and the experience of draft pick up Michael Firrito. Coming off an impressive 2014 Cameron Sutcliffe will have a key role during 2015 and coming back from injury in 2014 Tim Mohr will add stability as the emergency. Midfield: The engine room is running white hot with the Cuda's midfield for 2015. Veteran Jordan Lewis and Tendai Mzungu will provide the foundation for the school of young stars which continue to shine. Trent Cotchin again will lead the Cuda's, with his right hand man and BF Bryce Gibbs right beside him. Ben Cunnington, and Daniel Hannebery continue to grow on and off the paddock as leaders in their own right. New comer Cameron Guthrie will make his presents felt in 2015 as his work rate increased over the summer break. Future stars Patrick Cripps and new draftee's Jake Lloyd and Ben Newton will grow under the careful eye of both coach and leadership group. Ruck: The Cuda's rucking stocks have been strengthen by the addition of Jonathan Giles through the trade period and young Tom Nicholls has completed all pre-season training after his knee injury last year. Tom Derick will continue to push for selection as he enjoys his best ever preseason training. Forward: The Cuda's forward line now includes Marcus Bontempelli who set the game on fire in 2014 and will continue this year as the young bloke grows in stature. Young guns Dayne Zorko and Jack Darling will again form a formidable unit in 2015 with the addition of Tyron Vickery who has impressed with his determination in the summer training sessions. Another new face at the Cuda's in Rhys Stanley who brings with him a sure set of hands. Youngsters Jamie Cripps and Liam Jones potential will be carefully managed to provide the club with an attacking brand of footy in front of the sticks.