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<p dir='ltr' style='margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;]ORFFA - First Week of Finals
<p dir='ltr' style='margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;]Chaos with outs, but some handy performances. Bit unusual for ORFFA with only one really close game.
<p dir='ltr' style='margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;]Foul Bay 1386 defeated the Waikiks 1083
<p dir='ltr' style='margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;]The Chief's choice of opponent paid off in spades. Having brushed aside the Cows he must now firm as favourite for another flag. An anticipated donut up forward for the Cows rubbed salt into the wound, but they were never in the race as a few unheralded Chooks stepped up to the plate. Heater top scored with 164 and there was a handy 112 from Danger. But it was 121 from Michael Johnson, 107 from Sam Wright and 106 from Zach Smith in ruck that sealed the deal. The Cows were brave 119 from Sauce, 115 from Mcveigh, 108 from Fyfe and 103 from Harry Taylor (&amp;lsquo;bout bloody time). Sadly the Waikiks fell away at the pointy end of the season while the Chooks look to be building nicely.
<p dir='ltr' style='margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;]Packers 1160 defeated by Birdsville 1229
<p dir='ltr' style='margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;]Pretty much an even spread for the Birds with a handy 130 from McDonald, the Basher chipping in with 113, a much welcomed return from Treloar with 114 and a 107 from evergreen Enright. The Packers had some major contributors with 149 from Rory (no, we don't regret that trade), 142 from Sandi and Hutchings on the interchange with 121. But it was the 9 from Fasolo, 29 from Garlett and 30 from Lake that was the Packer's downfall. The early holiday for Smurf might have the Birds struggling. Foul Bay are seasoned campaigners and know what it's all about.
<p dir='ltr' style='margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;]Vultures 1182 defeated by the Blimps 1244
<p dir='ltr' style='margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;]Thought the Vultures might do better here, but the Guim's decision to take all the players for a South Pacific holiday paid off handsomely with a brilliant even performance across the board. Kreuzer battled hard for the Pippies with 147, supported by Stef Martin with 108 and Gaff with 101, but it was the coaching masterstroke to play Vickery (143) that stole the day for the Blimps. Their only other ton came from Greenwood with 112. The Guim now find themselves going deep into August.
<p dir='ltr' style='margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;]Knobs 1235 defeated by the Lefties 1350
<p dir='ltr' style='margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;]Can't really blame the absence of GAJ for this one. Last year's premiers could only pull a 60 out of Hodgey before he goes off on his well-deserved holiday and his mate Puopolo really struggled in the unfamiliar ruck role with 31. Brighter spots were 118s from Gray and Waite and 111 from Shuey. But not enough to hold back this year's dark horse who had 122 from Priddis, 118 from Tom Lynch, a modest 116 from Goldy, 111 to Josh Gibson, 108 from Josh Hill and a pair of 101s from Joey and Crameri. Can Grav get any more out of this lot and go all the way to the big dance? I reckon he can. He just has to knobble Ty.
<p dir='ltr' style='margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 8pt;]Last man standing. This weekend will see a further set of elimination finals. Judging from last week's results, it is clear you are better chance if you have players from teams that win. Carlton and Norf a case in point.
<p dir='ltr' style='margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;]Foul Bay will take on the Battlers
<p dir='ltr' style='margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;]The Blimps will tackle the Lefties


<p dir='ltr' style='margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;]Heaven forbid - are we looking at an all-South Australian granny?
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Part 2
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<p dir='ltr' style='margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;][span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;]Then there were the also-rans who played off for [span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;]the Plate[span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;]. Also-rans perhaps, but a few scores that would give the big boys some curry.


<p dir='ltr' style='margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;][span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;]The [span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;]Hoppers[span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;] 1161 were trounced by the [span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;]Cockies[span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;] 1523


<p dir='ltr' style='margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;][span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;]Snoz has done well to drag his team beyond 1000 and has built a nice midfield. But 1523? Even flag favourites the Chooks would struggle to top that. Lucky thing Ant wasn't nuked. Gundagai had a nice 131 from Cripps, a 122 from Rocky, 120 from Curnow and 115 from Stringer. But it was the donut from Mullett, coupled with 26 from Marsh and 31 from Cocky (clearly overawed playing his namesake) that was the downfall the team sponsored by David Carradine. Tons of tons for the Cockies with Guthrie 141, Tuohy 125, Wingard 122, a pair of 121s from Hickey and Christensen, Tex with 114, Cunningham with 111, finished off by a pair of 108s from Wallis and Brodie Smith. You can't get odds on the Cockies taking out the Plate after that performance.


<p dir='ltr' style='margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;][span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;]Nuffers[span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;] 1058 defeated the [span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;]Wombats[span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;] 1031


<p dir='ltr' style='margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;][span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;]In the nail biter of the round, bit sad to see Wagga bow out without as much as a whimper after showing so much early promise. Both teams had donuts, but the Wombats could cover that with 157 from Tippett (aided by a ton from Pittard). It was yet another coaching masterstroke that got the Nuffers over the line. JPK topped the scoring for the Nuffers with 129, but it was the Conca donut being covered off the bench by Rowe with 123 that sealed the game. Unfortunately the Nuffers score was not enough to get them to this weekend.


<p dir='ltr' style='margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;][span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;]The Pit[span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;] 1204 defeated a plucky [span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;]Lilacs[span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;] outfit 1017


<p dir='ltr' style='margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;][span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;]The Spelunkers overcame their donut with a nice contribution from Swallow of 126, followed by Savage on 105 and Gunston 104. The Lilacs had a handy 116 from Grimes, followed by a ton from Rampe, but were decimated by Caddy with 40, Hartung with 30, Adcock with 39 and Saad with 42. Saad has been a major disappointment since his return from injury. It seems Aaron Hall has taken over in the middle and Saad's scores halved as a result.


<p dir='ltr' style='margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;][span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;]The Devils[span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;] 1346 defeated the [span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;]Misfits[span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;] 1064


<p dir='ltr' style='margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;][span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;]Now if only the Giants had beaten the Swans. Well, perhaps not even then. The Devils just had tons all over the paddock and are shaping as Plate finalists. A massive 157 from Zorko, 117 from Heppell and his mate Hurley with 113, 109 from Gilbert, 107 from Stevie J., 106 from Pendles, 104 from Redden and a ton from Goodsey. Ever reliable B&F Callan Ward coughed up 103 for the Misfits, followed by a ton from Paddy. The Devils think about what might have been and focus on the consolation, while the Misfits begin plotting in earnest for next season.


<p dir='ltr' style='margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;][span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;]Uglies[span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;] 1196 defeated by the [span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;]Warriors[span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;] 1310


<p dir='ltr' style='margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;][span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;]Depth, depth, depth. Some brilliant performances from the Uglies, but never enough to cover two donuts from McKenzie and Mat Boyd. Ellis led the way with 134, followed by a pair of 115s from Sides and Hamstrings, 111 from Dusty, 102 from Bennell and 101 from Batchelor. Is it just me or are the Uglies trying to outdo Chris for Tigers? The Warriors appreciated the lift from Isaac Smith with 117, a bit better showing from Barlow with 103, a nice 102 from Boak despite the heavy tag. But it was up forward where the game was one with 150 from JJK and 147 from Motts (plus the odd ton on the bench). Good to have a win, but not a performance we can expect to be repeated.


<p dir='ltr' style='margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;][span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;]So, the final wash sees:


<p dir='ltr' style='margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;][span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;]The [span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;]Cockies[span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;] take on [span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;]The Pit
<p dir='ltr' style='margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;][span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;]The [span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;]Devils[span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;] challenge the [span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;]Warriors


<p dir='ltr' style='margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;][span style='color: #000000; background-color: transparent;]Let's hope for some close encounters.
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