Courtesy of @JC ORFFA Round 3 Review Charlies Opening Spelunkers 1136 vs Gariwerd Cockatoos 1226 An up and down effort from Gariwerd but it was enough to get the job done against the cave dwellers. The Cockies players ranged from outstanding to awful as five players, led by Goddard (133) and Jones (123), racked up 110+ to offset the damage done by Taylor (24), Young (29) and Guthrie (32). Impressive youngster Touk Miller (114) continues to shine. As for the Spelunkers, the mids were good, the Bont was the Bont (133) and SPS (116) was great in just his third game, but everyone else was ‘meh’ or worse in an underwhelming performance. Wagga Wagga Wombats 1013 vs Marble Bar Misfits 1218 Lenny – Leon Cameron would like a word. You played Ryan Griffen in the ruck last week and now he’s out for 10 weeks. He’s not a happy man. As for the game itself, the improving Misfits easily accounted the struggling Wombats. Amazing what a playing ruck (not this weekend though) and some trade success can do for a team. Recent acquisitions Murphy (158) and Lloyd (99) continued their good early form and Kelly (110) looks on track for a breakout year. There was little to cheer about for the Wombats outside of Gibbs (119), Swallow (117) and the emerging Oliver (102), as the rest were generally down on their usual output. Cradle Mountain Devils 1271 vs Darraweit Guim Dirigibles 1087 The Devils belted the Blimps to remain one of only two undefeated teams after round 3 and are delivering on Chiefbet’s prediction as a top 8 contender. Pendles (125), Lynch (110) and Zorko laid the platform for another solid performance, but the Devils had plenty of contributors. The emergence of youngsters such as Nank, Zak Jones and Steele has the Devils in good spot going forward. A tough day at the office for the Blimps with only Rance (121) and Zac Smith (127) putting up a fight. The rest found the going a bit tough. Waikikamoocow Incorrigibles 1259 vs Iron Knob Codpieces 1203 The Cows found the mark and kicked the Knobs where it hurts. I’m sure Graeme was pleased to see Hanners (112) show some signs of life, but was probably even more pleased with the effort of youngster Brandan Parfitt (99) who certainly looks the goods. Fyfe (113) did what Fyfe does and Newman looked right at home on his way to 105. The Knobs got enough from the likes of Gazza (112), Shuey (109) and Macrae (108), but poor days from Breust (36), Milera (38) and Poppy (44) were costly. Mount Beauty Uglies 1393 vs Foul Bay Chickens 1333 The match of the round between two of the flag favourites saw the Uglies pluck the Chooks (sorry, that was poor). CR would’ve been excused for thinking that 120+ from all of Danger, Selwood, Libba, Mummy and Dahlhaus might have laid the foundation for a win but bama’s boys had other ideas. Dusty (155), Rooey (161) and Cotchin (120) were the Uglies best but they got a good enough contribution across the board to easily cover Max’s hamstring-induced 27. After hearing 12 weeks on the sidelines for Max, bama must have wondered if the season was Gawn (that one was probably worse). Thankfully for the Uglies, the Berger is back at the Bombers (I’ll stop now) to provide some cover. Birdsville Battlers 1196 vs Whitsunday Warriors 1213 The Warriors overcame an OOP ruck to post an unconvincing win against the Battlers in a game that saw the loser hold their position on the ladder and the winner drop down the ladder. Ollie (122) and Jezza (112) were the standouts or the Warriors and they got some help from Barlow (101), but half a Lobb (31) in the ruck dragged their score down a bit. The Warriors coach asked pre-game which Battlers team would turn up. Not a very good one was the answer. Some were good, some were ok, but most were a bit shit. Venus Bay Vultures 1502 vs Wineglass Bay Packers 1273 Fitzy’s Vultures now boast the two highest scores for the year as they eclipsed last week’s effort of 1488 with a superb 1502 this week – and that was despite O’Meara (44) wetting his pants against his old side and Higgins (58) coming back to earth with a thud. Everyone else passed 80 – and most even went past 90 – as the Vultures were far too good for the Packers. An early season warning from the Vultures who are averaging a 100ppg more than anyone else so far. Given Tracey’s threat of cheap wine, there’s every chance she’ll give Hipwood the goon bag this week after his grand contribution of 1. The Packers mids were terrific with Sloane (168) clearly BOG and Mundy (143) not far behind. But Hipwood’s horror show and an ordinary effort form the backline made it too hard against that score from the Vultures. Nunawading Nuffers 1100 vs Gundagai Grasshoppers 1396 I’m not sure if there is such a thing as an ominous looking Grasshopper, but if there is, then it comes from Gundagai. Snoz’s patience looks like being rewarded as his youthful investment is starting to reap some rewards. There seems to be a lot less Magpies in there than I remember, though, so maybe that’s the real key to the improvement? Martin (133), Adams (122) and Curnow (117) were the best for the ‘Hoppers, who had seven players rack up 100 or more an only three fail to get to 80. On the flipside, the Nuffers left too much to too few. They did have four centurions, led by JPK and Ebert who both scored 107, but there wasn’t much else to go with it. Larrikin Lagoon Lefties 751 vs Lovely Banks Lilacs 934 The Lilacs were thankful to have the bye this week given they wouldn’t have made it to 1000 if they’d been playing an official game. I think all we really need to know about this one is that the Vultures would’ve almost beaten these two combined this week. Duncan (120) was a clear BOG for the Lilacs and the Hoff (91) was ok, while Seb Ross (99) was the best for the Lefties. It’s been alleged that Crowded House finished their set by leading Lilacs fans in a rousing rendition of “Can we play you every week”, but we’re yet to have this confirmed.
excellent review - many thanks JC. Somehow the jokes are funnier after a win. Here's hoping I find the reviews humourous all year.
Great write up JC... the Spelunkers were optimistic about their win in Rouhd 1, but after two losses on the trot it seems it might be a long season. SPS lighting it up brought a smile to the match committee's face however
Brilliant stuff @JC So disappointed that I couldn't make this utterly degrading record come to fruition. Predicting that in about ten rounds time we will give the opposition a huge scare, for a good 15 minutes.
I'd never use underwhelming to describe you though, Terry. I can think of a few other words I might use....