Given that we're closing in on the end of the ORFFL Draft, and selections have slowed due to Flag Day, I thought now would be an opportune time for some further analysis. Thokash has got something he's preparing comparing our draft to those held at FF, I on the other hand am going to delve into comparison between the teams in the ORFFL. Principally, how their players did last year and a tiny glimpse into the crystal ball of 2012 and beyond.



Join us over the break.



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N.B Starting 15's are picked on highest 2011 averages.



Humpty Doo Hammerheads (Lucas)
Fresh from coaching Germans in Northern Africa, Lucas landed the top job at Humpty Doo with much fanfare, and assembled a talented and impressive team. 2nd in overall 2011 ave., and above average in all lines except the ruck (3 points off). Where he would hope to get the damage done is in the midfield(409 ppg, 3rd best in the ORFFL, and 30 ppg above the league ave.). The names Judd, Wells, Ball and Bolton ring out, but at the average age of 29, the Hammerheads need to strike with hot irons really quickly. And repeatedly.



Overall 2011 team Ave. 1324 (2nd)



Overall Ave. Starting 15 Age: 27



Mallacoota Magicians (Thokash)
This is a very balanced side from the former Mr. SuperCoach top 20. Only the midfield is just below the league average (1 point off),but at the average age of 24, they should be able to close the gap. The remarkable thing about the Magicians is that they're very close to the 1300 mark (1296), which I think will be the marker for true challengers for the ORFFL crown, and yet their ave. age is only 23. Young, talented and one to definitely watch for the future.



Overall 2011 team Ave. 1296 (6th)



Overall Ave. Starting 15 Age: 23



Jimcumbilly Jackrabbits (BGT2110)
This man some call Brett may not have the profile of other ORFFL coaches (he does have a wicked logo raring to go), however he is slowly and surely putting together a supreme list. You should check them out preseason if you haven't already. 1st in 2011 Ave, and all lines above average for the league (DEF +29). At an ave. age of 26, this team should be good for a long while. Mozz intended.



Overall 2011 team Ave. 1336 (1st)



Overall Ave. Starting 15 Age: 26



Popanyinning Pyrite (P_L)
The coach of the alleged richest club in the ORFFL has assembled a top class midfield of Boyd, A Swallow, Shuey and Rich, topping the 400 mark in average (406, 4th, +28), coupled with some great bench options in Hayes and Zac Clarke. Defence, however, is an area of concern (253, 18th, -64), and the Pyrite will need Grima and Gilham to return to 2010 form (91, 70) and Mackenzie to break out in a big way if they're to challenge in 2012.



Note of interest: 4 North Melbourne players.



Overall 2011 team Ave. 1212 (16th)



Overall Ave. Starting 15 Age: 25



(Mount Buggery Disappointments)
'The Chief', as he's known in ORFFL circles, has managed to cobble together a very well balanced team with an eye to future (average age of 23). Their defence is a little below average (296, 16th, -23), so the coach of the Disappointments may be asking for Conca and Hardingham to step it up quickly, no doubt aided on a diet of Cheetos and Jolt cola. On the other hand though, Rockliff and Goldstein have the potential to go BANG in a big way, and he may not have to worry about the ball get back there.



Overall 2011 team Ave. 1283 (Equal 7th)



Overall Ave. Starting 15 Age: 23



Torrumbarry Thunda (SKT)
It should surprise no one that the Thunda have a stellar forward line (378, 1st, +54), he's been tweeting about it from Day 1. It also should not surprise keen ORFFL observers that his midfield is suffering because of it (328, 17th, -50) ,but I get the feeling SKT is banking on improvement from Steven, Shiel and Dangerfield over the coming years. Either that or he's going to trade his way to domination. Both strong possibilities.



Overall 2011 team Ave. 1253 (13th)



Overall Ave. Starting 15 Age: 23



Woy Woy Wizards (Gumby)
'If I could turn back time, I'd give it all to you'. I wouldn't, but I'm sure Gumby is hoping he gets his time machine working out at Woy Woy before the season starts, and if he does, look out ORFFL. In 2010 his team averaged 1490. To put that in perspective, that's 260 points in front of 2nd best. That's two Gazzas. The downside though is the average age of the Wizards is a hefty 30 going into the season. So Gumby needs to get that flag soon.



Overall 2011 team Ave. 1264 (Equal 11th)



Overall Ave. Starting 15 Age: 30



Glenrowan Gunslingers (Doobs)
The Gunslingers are a little behind the pack regarding 2011 form, but this is a team with time on its side (Ave. age 23). Their forward line consisting of Rioli, Beams, Fasolo and Dahlhaus, were only slightly below league par in 2011 but with an average age of 21, could be positively terrifying in a few years time. One to watch.



Overall 2011 team Ave. 1219 (15th)



Overall Ave. Starting 15 Age: 23



Coulta Couldabeens (Bearfly)
The men from Coulta reign supreme in defence (359, 1st, +40) but it comes at a cost, with an average age of 31 and midfield that's a little light on (355, 14th, -23). The man they call Bearfly will be looking for Shiels to continue to progress and his boy, the smaller headed Ebert, to have a breakout season in 2012.



Overall 2011 team Ave. 1264 (Equal 11th)



Overall Ave. Starting 15 Age: 26



Milikapati Snakes (Johnson)
A similar tale is found over in Milikapati, with the Snakes boasting an impressive defence (344, +25) but a lacklustre midfield (298, 18th, -80). Johnson will be looking for Jack, Anthony and Gaff to sep it up over the coming years, and time is one thing they do have on their side at average of just 22 years in the middle.



Overall 2011 team Ave. 1205 (17th)



Overall Ave. Starting 15 Age: 23



Queenstown Quolls (BB)
Up the guts. The fellas down at the Gravel Pit in Queenstown sure know where the point are kept; in the midfield. Swan, Gibbs, Watson and Jones, with Wellingham sitting on the sidelines, is a formidable combination (416, 1st, +38). Sure the other lines have suffered, but they are only just below the league average. All in all, a solid team with good depth, could see this team making it across to the mainland in August.



Overall 2011 team Ave. 1283 (Equal 7th)



Overall Ave. Starting 15 Age: 25



Purnululu Bungle Rangers (Tino)
The PBR, as they've come to be known, are the babies of the ORFFL at an average age of 22 over the 15 starters. This fountain of youth policy means that the 2011 averages are a little on the low side, the forward line in particular (271, 18th, -53), although their defence rates quite highly (341, 4th, +22), but is that little bit older at an average age of 25. Tell you what though, if Trengove, D Swallow and Libba kick on like you imagine they would, the PBR will become a powerhouse of the ORFFL. Mark. My. Words.



Overall 2011 team Ave. 1183 (18th)



Overall Ave. Starting 15 Age: 22



Warburton Wanderers (EddieV)
The Wanderers of Warburton appear to be another impressive side ready to challenge for the ORFFL Flag straight away. Above average in the middle (396, Equal 6th,+18) and up forward (325, Equal 9th,+1), and with impressive youngsters Hill and Hartlett warming the IC bench. Their defence may be a little underwhelming, but their strength through the middle may render that problem irrelevant.



Overall 2011 team Ave. 1273 (Equal 9th)



Overall Ave. Starting 15 Age: 25



Merton Meerkats (SCSS)
'Richmond Exodus To Merton' have been a staple ORFFL headlines this preseason, and I think selecting 13 players out of twenty from the Yellow and Black bears mentioning. If the Tiges are capable of cracking the top4 SCSS will be laughing all the way to ORFFL Premiership. Of course if they're not capable of that feat, it could miserable times out at Merton. Overall, the Meerkats are only really lacking a bit of grunt in the middle (354, 15th, -24) and the ruck (69, 18th, -23), which can be solved by Cotchin and Scooter going up another gear and Big Ivan relishing the primary ruck position.



Overall 2011 team Ave. 1228 (14th)



Overall Ave. Starting 15 Age: 25



Bonnie Doon Bandits (Fez)
The Bandits, it can be argued, suffered a bit from the merciless arms of the Picking Machine&amp;trade;, but it has given them a terrific 2011 average (1316, 3rd, +61). It has also given him the 2nd highest average team age at 28. So Fez needs to get it done soon before the rot sets in. Reckon he's in with a sneaky chance though. Especially if Griffin plays.



Overall 2011 team Ave. 1316 (3rd)



Overall Ave. Starting 15 Age: 28



Poowong Potoroos (Jason)
A super team put together by Jason, above average in all areas aside from the ruck, but only just missing the cut at 86ppg. Their midfield is the place they will do the most damage to other sides (414, 2nd, +36); Ablett, S. Thompson and Sewell will batter a lot of sides this year, along with Miles, a great prospect, sitting in reserve. A team to fear.



Overall 2011 team Ave. 1306 (5th)



Overall Ave. Starting 15 Age: 26



Tarwin Lower Pigs (Kel)
Another quality side out of the Gippsland area, the TLP are above average in all facets of the ground aside from the interchange. This is understandable given the amount of 1st year players Kel has picked and Porplysia's solitary 13 last year. At an average age of 26, and with plenty of talented youth sitting in reserve, the TLP should be a contender for a long while.



Overall 2011 team Ave. 1273 (Equal 9th)