This weekend saw the FIXture committee elect to celebrate International Players Round, where all overseas players and coaches are held up to the sun like a baby Simba in Raffiki's hands. Not sure why the Lion King reference, but just like the Lion King the Brisbane Lions saluted on the weekend reminding all of us that when a club or player has to move, it can take a while for some players to adjust.
This round has particular relevance for our friends across the trench at Waikikamoocow, and also for our expat coaches in NYC (Gundagai is now a small neighbourhood just off Central park) and Thailand (the Whitsundays are going to be renamed Koh Whits in recognition of their Thai based leader, which is far better than some other options ending in 'Whits').
Also a lot of pre-game hype given to our players from overseas Myke Pyke from the Lilacs, Zach Tuohy from Gariwerd, and others.
Onto the round, and what a cracking round it was. 6 games decided by less than 50 points, a number by less than 20, and a total winning margin across the league of only 631 points. Last year some games would have pushed that as an individual winning margin and it is a very good indicator of how the league is evening up.
Individual game reviews below:

Birdsville Battlers 1223 def Lovely Banks Lilacs 1204
What a match, Big Myke Pyke led the team out to a stirring rendition of 'O Canada' and then it was the under rated Lilacs who notched their first win last week up against the vastly improved Birdsville team who can't really lay claim to being battlers anymore.
The Birdsville defence lit up with Tom McDonald (123) and Mr. Std Deviation Corey Enright (126) repelling countless attacks from the Hobbit (48). Mitch Duncan (153) owned the ball in the guts for the Lilacs, with Josh Caddy (107) and Adam Saaaaaaaaad (106) providing great support, but too much was left to too few, with seven Lilacs players scoring below 70.
It wasn't all roses on the Birdsville side either, with Big Boy McEvoy (32) and Luke McDonald (34) leaving a terrible stench in their wake, causing Issac Heeney to do a medial ligament desperately trying to turn away from the odour. Jetta (110) and Treloar (101) flew the flag for the Battlers and they now sit proudly on top of the ORFFA ladder.



Nunawading Nuffas 1192 def by Wagga Wagga Wombats 1235
It was a bitterly cold day at Whitehorse Road, so much so that the Nuffers Cheerleaders defied protocol and came out dressed in Wombat onesies, which caused Coach Andy to question which team the cheerleaders were actually supporting.
Kurt Tippett (143) clearly fancies a bit of wombat action (as an aside, did you know they have square poo, the wombats that is not Kurt), and with Thompson (113), Gibbs (113), Shiel (104), Watson (95) and Prestia (92) lighting up the midfield for the marsupials, the ball was coming Kurt's way faster than you could say Vombatus ursinus.
Bell (143), JPK (135), Easton Wood (126) and Cross (101) tried their best for the Nuffers, but the late withdrawal of Kade Simpson with no bench cover was to prove costly, the Wombats home by 43 points.

Waikikamoocow Incorrigibles 1172 def by Gariwerd Cockatoos 1324
The land of the long white cloud turned on a beautiful afternoon for the match against the Cockies, and to celebrate the fact that they are the only true international team, the Cows performed a pre-match haka, with the pukana display an absolute highlight.
Coach Graeme had the cast iron pot over the coals from the first light of dawn, with threats of poor performance resulting in those team members being sacrificed to appease Tūmatauenga.
Teen Wolf Nat Fyfe (121), Sauce Jacobs (127) and the best player never to get a run Tom Mitchell (125) were clearly fired up, but they made the huge mistake of letting Bundy Christensen (133) apply some war paint, which caused him to go absolutely nuts for the Cockies, with Fisher (109), Masten (109), Hickey (108) and Cameron (116) joining in on the frenzy.
Matt Crouch and Gleeson (both 33) were caught up in the moment and failed to fire, and in the end it was the Cockatoos who got the Chocolates and Pinot in a convincing win.

Venus Bay Vultures 1415 def by Foul Bay Chickens 1420
The lead up to this match had impartial onlookers licking their chops. One of the perennial ORFFA Juggernauts was facing up to one of the up and comers in this year's competition in the Vultures, and with the match being decided by 5 points in an absolute thriller, the crowd at Pippie Beach got the value for money.
The Vultures had 8 players ton up, with massive scores to Martin (145), Steven (122), Picken and Parker (119), and D. Beams (111) all going big, but the Chooks had the more consistent performance all over the ground, with only two players scoring less than 75, with only the Pav (134) scoring a big ton.
Jaensch (110), Judd (108), Selwood, Montagna, and Mumford (all 104) helped the Chief get one over Fitzy who will walk away head held high... the Vultures will put many a team to the sword this year.

Gundagai Grasshoppers 1132 def by Marble Bar Misfits 1140
With 7 rising Star eligible players on the team lists, this was always going to be a match between two of the teams positioning themselves for the future seasons.
With only 3 wins between them both coaches knew it would come down to who could provide the X factor. sNoZ thought he had the chocolates with Jack Billings going massive with a 143, but Len's team rallied with Callan Ward (131) inspiring the youngsters with some real hard footy. Zac WIlliams (8) and WHE (18) gave Len some more grey hairs, but the Misfits fell over the line to win by 8 points.

Mt Beauty Uglies 1005 def by Cradle Mountain Devils 1131
Two of the best midfields in the comp went at it hammer and tongs in this one, however for a midfield to dominate the ruckmen must stand up. It looked a bit one sided with Liam Shiels rucking against Leuenberger, but the honours were even on the day.
Inaugural number 1 draft pick Pendlebury (102) showed his class for the Devils however it was the Spelunkers import Petrie (131) who turned back the clock in a dominant performance against the hapless Newman (34) and then Bugg (32). Salem (117) showed glimpses of his outstanding talent for the Uglies, with Dustin Martin (124) trying to lift his side, but the injury riddled Uglies went down to make it four losses in a row.

Iron Knob Codpieces 1290 def Darraweit Guim Dirigibles 1266
Two of the red hot fancies for the flag at the start of the year going at it, with reigning premiers the Knob feeling the pressure of a growing injury list.
Shane Kersten (16) went up against big Evaaaaahn Maric (123) in the ruck, and it was reminiscent of Balboa vs Drago in Rocky 3, with Maric screaming 'I must break you' pre-game to have Kersten, leaving him running to the bench for a new pair of shorts before the ball had even been bounced.
The more experienced Codpiece heads rallied however, with Burgoyne (127), Griffen (107) and 50 Shades of Robbie Gray (143) standing up. The Blimps had big scores from Armitage and Edwards (both 134), and the mosquito fleet forward line of Betts (117) and Harvey (119) lifting, but at the end of the day coach Chris must be left cursing the substandard performances of Rance, Haynes, McIntosh, Walker and Walters who all failed to score over 60.
As Brian Taylor would say, Boy oh boy wowee what a game we had here, the Iron Knob getting up by 24 points in a thriller.

Charlies Opening Spelunkers 1277 def Larrikin Lagoon Lefties 1248
Two mid table teams were facing off at The Pit, with second in charge coach Bandit downplaying the Spelunkers chances during the week.
When Savage (26) decided to imitate a Kipfler it seemed the coach was going to be on the money, but young guns Thurlow (104), The Bont (113) and Blicavs (117) turned on the gas, and Savage would be the only player to score less than 70.
The pensioner brigade of the Lefties in Goddard (135), Priddis (127) and Mitchell (117) would back the clock, but in the end it was sub standard efforts by Suban (46), Cunnington (39) and Lloyd (50) that would cost them the match. Spelunkers home by 29.

Whitsunday Warriors 1072 def by Powlett Plains Packers 1297
With Christine Anu banging out 'My Island Home' one could have been mistaken for thinking that TiB had got his musos booked for the wrong week, but it was a radical attempt to rally the troops in much the same way as the sedate tones of 'Never Tear Us Apart' fire up TiB's beloved Port Power.
Sitting winless at the bottom of the table, stress was starting to show at the Tiki Bar, and when Tom Cutler (18) knocked over a tray of margarita's the proverbial really hit the fan. Boak (113), Barlow (116) and Birchall (100) tried hard for the home team, but the visitors had too much fire power with Miles (149), Mundy (113), Lurch (108) and Clancee Pearce (103) all tonning up, and four other players scoring 90+.
The Pack goes to second on the ladder and TiB is back to the whiteboard looking for answers.

The Ladder:


<table width='617' cellspacing='0' cellpadding='0' border='0]
<col width='210' style='width: 158pt;[/img] <col width='35' style='width: 26pt;[/img] <col width='36' style='width: 27pt;[/img] <col width='29' style='width: 22pt;[/img] <col width='26' style='width: 20pt;[/img] <col width='44' style='width: 33pt;[/img] <col width='45' style='width: 34pt;[/img] <col width='64' style='width: 48pt;[/img] <col width='86' style='width: 65pt;[/img] <col width='42' style='width: 32pt;[/img] </colgroup>
<tbody>


<td class='xl63' style='height: 15pt; width: 158pt; text-align: left;]Club
<td class='xl67' style='width: 26pt; text-align: left;]P
<td class='xl67' style='width: 27pt; text-align: left;]W
<td class='xl67' style='width: 22pt; text-align: left;]L
<td class='xl67' style='width: 20pt; text-align: left;]D
<td class='xl67' style='width: 33pt; text-align: left;]F
<td class='xl67' style='width: 34pt; text-align: left;]A
<td class='xl67' style='width: 48pt; text-align: left;]%
<td class='xl67' style='width: 65pt; text-align: left;]Form
<td class='xl67' style='width: 32pt; text-align: left;]pts




<td class='xl64' style='height: 15pt; width: 158pt; text-align: left;]Birdsville Battlers
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 26pt; text-align: left;]6
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 27pt; text-align: left;]5
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 22pt; text-align: left;]1
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 20pt; text-align: left;]0
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 33pt; text-align: left;]7555
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 34pt; text-align: left;]7063
<td align='right' class='xl65' style='width: 48pt; text-align: left;]106.97%
<td class='xl64' style='width: 65pt; text-align: left;]WWWWW
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 32pt; text-align: left;]20




<td class='xl64' style='height: 15pt; width: 158pt; text-align: left;]Powlett Plains Packers
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 26pt; text-align: left;]6
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 27pt; text-align: left;]5
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 22pt; text-align: left;]1
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 20pt; text-align: left;]0
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 33pt; text-align: left;]7544
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 34pt; text-align: left;]6837
<td align='right' class='xl65' style='width: 48pt; text-align: left;]110.34%
<td class='xl64' style='width: 65pt; text-align: left;]WWWWW
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 32pt; text-align: left;]20




<td class='xl64' style='height: 15pt; width: 158pt; text-align: left;]Darraweit Guim Dirigibles
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 26pt; text-align: left;]6
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 27pt; text-align: left;]5
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 22pt; text-align: left;]1
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 20pt; text-align: left;]0
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 33pt; text-align: left;]7481
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 34pt; text-align: left;]6933
<td align='right' class='xl65' style='width: 48pt; text-align: left;]107.90%
<td class='xl64' style='width: 65pt; text-align: left;]WWWWL
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 32pt; text-align: left;]20




<td class='xl64' style='height: 15pt; width: 158pt; text-align: left;]Foul Bay Chickens
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 26pt; text-align: left;]6
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 27pt; text-align: left;]4
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 22pt; text-align: left;]2
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 20pt; text-align: left;]0
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 33pt; text-align: left;]7921
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 34pt; text-align: left;]7451
<td align='right' class='xl65' style='width: 48pt; text-align: left;]106.31%
<td class='xl64' style='width: 65pt; text-align: left;]WWLLW
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 32pt; text-align: left;]16




<td class='xl64' style='height: 15pt; width: 158pt; text-align: left;]Venus Bay Vultures
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 26pt; text-align: left;]6
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 27pt; text-align: left;]4
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 22pt; text-align: left;]2
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 20pt; text-align: left;]0
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 33pt; text-align: left;]7871
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 34pt; text-align: left;]7533
<td align='right' class='xl65' style='width: 48pt; text-align: left;]104.49%
<td class='xl64' style='width: 65pt; text-align: left;]LWWWL
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 32pt; text-align: left;]16




<td class='xl64' style='height: 15pt; width: 158pt; text-align: left;]Wagga Wagga Wombats
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 26pt; text-align: left;]6
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 27pt; text-align: left;]4
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 22pt; text-align: left;]2
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 20pt; text-align: left;]0
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 33pt; text-align: left;]7614
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 34pt; text-align: left;]7552
<td align='right' class='xl65' style='width: 48pt; text-align: left;]100.82%
<td class='xl64' style='width: 65pt; text-align: left;]LLWWW
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 32pt; text-align: left;]16




<td class='xl64' style='height: 15pt; width: 158pt; text-align: left;]Waikikamoocow Incorrigibles
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 26pt; text-align: left;]6
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 27pt; text-align: left;]4
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 22pt; text-align: left;]2
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 20pt; text-align: left;]0
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 33pt; text-align: left;]7562
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 34pt; text-align: left;]7436
<td align='right' class='xl65' style='width: 48pt; text-align: left;]101.69%
<td class='xl64' style='width: 65pt; text-align: left;]LWWWL
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 32pt; text-align: left;]16




<td class='xl64' style='height: 15pt; width: 158pt; text-align: left;]Charlies Opening
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 26pt; text-align: left;]6
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 27pt; text-align: left;]4
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 22pt; text-align: left;]2
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 20pt; text-align: left;]0
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 33pt; text-align: left;]7385
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 34pt; text-align: left;]7160
<td align='right' class='xl65' style='width: 48pt; text-align: left;]103.14%
<td class='xl64' style='width: 65pt; text-align: left;]WWLLW
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 32pt; text-align: left;]16




<td class='xl64' style='height: 15pt; width: 158pt; text-align: left;]Iron Knob Codpieces
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 26pt; text-align: left;]6
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 27pt; text-align: left;]3
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 22pt; text-align: left;]3
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 20pt; text-align: left;]0
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 33pt; text-align: left;]7570
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 34pt; text-align: left;]7496
<td align='right' class='xl65' style='width: 48pt; text-align: left;]100.99%
<td class='xl64' style='width: 65pt; text-align: left;]LWLLW
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 32pt; text-align: left;]12




<td class='xl64' style='height: 15pt; width: 158pt; text-align: left;]Nunawading Nuffers
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 26pt; text-align: left;]6
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 27pt; text-align: left;]3
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 22pt; text-align: left;]3
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 20pt; text-align: left;]0
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 33pt; text-align: left;]6926
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 34pt; text-align: left;]7326
<td align='right' class='xl65' style='width: 48pt; text-align: left;]94.54%
<td class='xl64' style='width: 65pt; text-align: left;]WLWWL
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 32pt; text-align: left;]12




<td class='xl64' style='height: 15pt; width: 158pt; text-align: left;]Larrikin Lagoon Lefties
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 26pt; text-align: left;]6
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 27pt; text-align: left;]2
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 22pt; text-align: left;]4
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 20pt; text-align: left;]0
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 33pt; text-align: left;]7578
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 34pt; text-align: left;]7689
<td align='right' class='xl65' style='width: 48pt; text-align: left;]98.56%
<td class='xl64' style='width: 65pt; text-align: left;]WLLWL
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 32pt; text-align: left;]8




<td class='xl64' style='height: 15pt; width: 158pt; text-align: left;]Cradle Mountain Devils
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 26pt; text-align: left;]6
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 27pt; text-align: left;]2
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 22pt; text-align: left;]4
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 20pt; text-align: left;]0
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 33pt; text-align: left;]7317
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 34pt; text-align: left;]7343
<td align='right' class='xl65' style='width: 48pt; text-align: left;]99.65%
<td class='xl64' style='width: 65pt; text-align: left;]LLWLW
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 32pt; text-align: left;]8




<td class='xl64' style='height: 15pt; width: 158pt; text-align: left;]Gariwerd Cockatoos
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 26pt; text-align: left;]6
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 27pt; text-align: left;]2
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 22pt; text-align: left;]4
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 20pt; text-align: left;]0
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 33pt; text-align: left;]7070
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 34pt; text-align: left;]7070
<td align='right' class='xl66' style='width: 48pt; text-align: left;]100%
<td class='xl64' style='width: 65pt; text-align: left;]LLLLW
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 32pt; text-align: left;]8




<td class='xl64' style='height: 15pt; width: 158pt; text-align: left;]Mount Beauty Uglies
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 26pt; text-align: left;]6
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 27pt; text-align: left;]2
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 22pt; text-align: left;]4
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 20pt; text-align: left;]0
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 33pt; text-align: left;]6795
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 34pt; text-align: left;]7024
<td align='right' class='xl65' style='width: 48pt; text-align: left;]96.74%
<td class='xl64' style='width: 65pt; text-align: left;]WLLLL
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 32pt; text-align: left;]8




<td class='xl64' style='height: 15pt; width: 158pt; text-align: left;]Marble Bar Misfits
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 26pt; text-align: left;]6
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 27pt; text-align: left;]2
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 22pt; text-align: left;]4
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 20pt; text-align: left;]0
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 33pt; text-align: left;]6693
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 34pt; text-align: left;]7241
<td align='right' class='xl65' style='width: 48pt; text-align: left;]92.43%
<td class='xl64' style='width: 65pt; text-align: left;]WLLLW
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 32pt; text-align: left;]8




<td class='xl64' style='height: 15pt; width: 158pt; text-align: left;]Gundagai Grasshoppers
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 26pt; text-align: left;]6
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 27pt; text-align: left;]2
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 22pt; text-align: left;]4
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 20pt; text-align: left;]0
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 33pt; text-align: left;]6648
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 34pt; text-align: left;]6968
<td align='right' class='xl65' style='width: 48pt; text-align: left;]95.41%
<td class='xl64' style='width: 65pt; text-align: left;]LWWLL
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 32pt; text-align: left;]8




<td class='xl64' style='height: 15pt; width: 158pt; text-align: left;]Lovely Banks Lilacs
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 26pt; text-align: left;]6
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 27pt; text-align: left;]1
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 22pt; text-align: left;]5
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 20pt; text-align: left;]0
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 33pt; text-align: left;]6808
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 34pt; text-align: left;]7509
<td align='right' class='xl65' style='width: 48pt; text-align: left;]90.66%
<td class='xl64' style='width: 65pt; text-align: left;]LLLWL
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 32pt; text-align: left;]4




<td class='xl64' style='height: 15pt; width: 158pt; text-align: left;]Whitsunday Warriors
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 26pt; text-align: left;]6
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 27pt; text-align: left;]0
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 22pt; text-align: left;]6
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 20pt; text-align: left;]0
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 33pt; text-align: left;]6684
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 34pt; text-align: left;]7391
<td align='right' class='xl65' style='width: 48pt; text-align: left;]90.43%
<td class='xl64' style='width: 65pt; text-align: left;]LLLLL
<td align='right' class='xl64' style='width: 32pt; text-align: left;]0





Next Round:
Round 7 - One Round Wonders

They rose, they shone and they were a household name for a weekend. We celebrate the infamy that lingers around this unfortunate group of 1080 men who could only manage to get it on for one week.

Birdsville Battlers v Larrikin Lagoon Lefties

Darraweit Guim Dirigibles v Powlett Plains Packers

Cradle Mountain Devils v Whitsunday Warriors

Marble Bar Misfits v Charlies Opening Spelunkers

Foul Bay Chickens v Iron Knob Codpieces

Gariwerd Cockatoos v Mt Beauty Uglies

Wagga Wagga Wombats v Gundagai Grasshoppers

Lovely Banks Lilacs v Venus Bay Vultures

Nunawading Nuffas v Waikikamoocow Incorrigibles


Some great games on the board for Round 7 - highlighted perhaps by Powlett Plains travelling to The Paddock to take on the Dirigibles. Birdsville v Larrikin Lagoon should be a good one, while Foul Bay and Iron Knob renew their great rivalry.