IT BEGINS!!!The inaugural 2012 ORFFL Finals! Where once there were 18, now only 8 remain. If this is starting to sound like the opening monologue to a reality TV show, well sir, your perception couldn't be more mistaken. For you see, this ain't reality, it's UTTER FANTASY! And as such it should reveal EVEN MOHR about the character of the players, coaches, water boys and travelling secretaries. Which is what fantasy sport is all about, right? right?!



I dunno, it's been a long week. Where were we, oh yeah, preview.



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WARBURTON WANDERERS(1st, 1251) vsMOUNT BUGGERY DISAPPOINTMENT(8th, 1182)



It's been something of a dream season for the Wallies of Warburton. First the preseason cup. Second the minor premiership. And then? That's the pertinent if badly phrased question. Can Warburton win the all important 3rd crown? Because it's flags or death in the ORFFL.



When the question turns to how the Wanderers have achieved what they have so far this year, the answer lies in unmatched strength in 2 key departments: up forward and all-round depth. The Warburton FWD line (1st, avg. 354) doesn't boast the best FWD's in the land, but the combinations of Lewis, Hale, Chornes, MJ, Sylvia and Schneider have left more fancied lineups in their wake. In short, too many beats too good.



Likewise, the IC is a fair indicator of all round depth, and the Wanderers sit 3rd on that chart at an average of 172 ppg. Having Murphy, Griffen, Scully, Boak, Hill, Hartlett and Palmer to swing through the middle and the bench has held Warbuton in good stead when the inevitable injuries have hit this year.



Is it fair to say that Mount Buggery have limped into this finals series? Yes. This is a team that has averaged just 1000 ppg over the last 3 weeks on the back of the majority of its side being injured. And yet here the 'Pointers are, surviving to fight another weekend in the face of all odds.



Mount Buggery aren't all that different to their more fancied opponent. A strong FWD line (5th, 337), and midfield (7th, 380), a young RUC (9th,87) and a relatively poor DEF (16th, 258). Injuries have really crueller the 'Pointers year though, losing best 15 FWD's Clark (84) and Watts (91) for much of the year and Callan Ward (107) with OP at the death. Yet the depth just hasn't been there for Mount Buggery. Not alone there.







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MILIKAPATI SNAKES(2nd, 1295) vsCOULTA COULDABEENS(7th, 1138)



Milikapati have been one of the DOMINANT teams of 2012; 2nd for total ppg (1295), 1st for DEF (360) and 4th in the MID's (399). While not to downplay Warburton's performance last weekend, if it were not for a spate of sudden injuries to key players it may have been Milikapati wearing the Paddy Hannan commemorative helmet going into the finals.



Thankfully, Kelly (102) returns from a brief absence, as do wunderkids Greene (90) and Adams (73), and backup RUC Hickey (56ish). Which is better than having no RUC at all. While still this pundits tip for the flag, the RUC situation will be interesting in 2013 if the Snakes don't get the ultimate prize in 2012. Sitting last in this department, will Milikapati recruit a seasoned RUC to protect ZSmith (70)?



Their opponents the Couldabeens snuck into the finals on the back of a couple of commanding late season victories. Struck down with injuries in the middle of the season, the return of Walker (78), Schulz (79) and now Zaharakis (99) has funnily enough coincided with an upturn in Coulta's form. It also helps when Wright (91) scores 170.



Can he do it again? Sure, why not? Realistically, Coulta is a clear outsider in this match. Yet the underdog will sit comfortably with the Couldabeens, and expect them to draw plenty of support because of it.







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MALLACOOTA MAGICIANS(3rd, 1262) vsPOOWONG POTOROOS(6th, 1226)



What to say about those merry and mendacious Magicians that hasn't been said, by me, already? They have a banging FWD line (4th, 343), a plus 100 RUC in McEvoy (104) and a solid DEF (5th, 319). This pundit (it's fun writing that) thinks coach Johnny's bleatings about Mallacoota's midfield (358) are overwrought, but he probably just wants them to score more points, I suppose. Fair enough really.



Fyfe returns for Mallacoota this week, but is a possible vest risk due the fantasy Kryptonite (Realitonite) that is Ross Lyin. I love him and hate him in equal measure. Aside from that, the Magicians look in pretty good nick to scale the mountain of ORFFL premiership.



The Potoroos of Poowong, not so much. Averaging a healthy 1256 ppg going into the midseason break, a paltry 1182 ppg since. Why for this thing I said happen? Injuries, basically. 1st choice RUC Jamar (76) has played just one game for 12 points since the break. One can easily make a case that the injuries surrounding FWD Darling (76) has greatly impacted on his scoring this year. To top it off breakout FWD goliath Hawkins (93) went down for the count last week and won't come up for this all important match.



Most of the signs point to a Poowong loss. Except one. Gary (137). Play him at CHF and he's a chance to score 300.



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SARAH ISLAND SAVAGES(4th, 1337)MERTON MEERKATS(5th, 1257)



Are Sarah Island feared or jeered? Are Merton feared or jeered? If life has taught me anything, it's that it's always both. The 4th placed Savages lead the ORFFL in total ppg 1337 by a fair margin, have the 2nd best DEF (344), the 2nd best IC (178), 3rd best RUC (102) and the 5th best MIDfield (398). And yet the ORFFL knows that the majority of these points were earned in the early stages of the season, that the Sarah Island of April (1457) is different to the Sarah Island of August (1196).



The Savages of today go into this elimination final without Chaplin (86), Patch (83) and Bundy (79), all better than their replacements. Which means that once again victory lays in the ample hands of one man; Kepler Bradley (76ish). Stay frosty.



Travelling side Merton have little of the injury concerns that have befallen their hosts. On the contrary they appear absolutely raring to go averaging a colossal 1359 in the past 3 weeks. The 'Kats were roundly mocked preseason for being close to all of a certain yellow and black footy denomination. Turns out in 2012, Tigers = points. So if 'Kat = Tiger, 'Kat=$$$.



Maric has led the Meerkats to be 2nd in the RUC (108) after 17 rounds, and the pioneering move of Merton coach SCSS to start his prime mover on the IC has led them to leading that category (199) by some margin over the next best (see above). As we say every week concerning Merton, it all comes down to one match. For my sake Ross, GIVE EM THE CLAMPS!!!











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