ORFFL Grand Final Preview: Popanyinning Pyrite v Queenstown Quolls Okay, so I’m back from 2 weeks of sun and fun on the NSW Central Coast and just in time for the ORFFL Grand FInal. After falling at the penultimate hurdle unfortunately the TLP won’t be represented however a big pat on the back to the whole team who far exceeded expectations for 2016. It would be mean to say that the best thing about this year’s GF is that the Savages aren’t playing, but I’m going to say it anyway, the best thing about this year’s GF is that the Savages aren’t playing. We do however have 2 teams who have clearly taken their opportunities and now have the chance to claim the ultimate in Fantasy Football, the ORFFL Premiership. Popanyinning Pyrite: After finishing the regular season in 4th the Pyrite have carried form into the finals with two 1300 plus scores which were both enough to take out the Seagulls and the Pigs in close fought encounters. Key to the Pyrite all year has been the development of the Bearded one, Big Max Gawn. With 17 ruckman on the list, I guess one had to come through and Maxy has done that this year. Queenstown Quolls It was a battle for the Quolls just to make the 8, and perhaps it was that hardened edge that saw them smash the jar in the first week of finals. Whatever it was, Kool and the Gang had a small but discernible increase in google hits as BB had ‘Celebration’ blaring all over Queenstown. Rumours that a boatload of celebrating Quolls fans went to trash Sarah Island, only to find that there really isn’t much there anyway and that what is there is in ruins, are still being investigated. Just a tip, if you do the Sarah Island tour and you think you need to go to the toilet when you get off the boat, I suggest that you do and don’t wait until you get back (I’m talking number 2’s here). The party wasn’t over after the first week though as they added the second placed Magicians to the hit list. Taking out the clear top 2 performers of 2016 in the finals means they have earned their place in the final week. Probable lineups (updated Friday afternoon): Pyrite: Defense Johannisen Biggs K Kolodjashnij Duryea (Tomlinson) Midfield Shuey Viney Swallow Cunnington (Keays) Ruck Gawn Forward Lyons Jenkins Daniel Petracca Interchange Henderson Lobbe Average Score 1263 Quolls (Updated Friday morning) Defence Laird Howe Saad Day (Morris) Midfield Gibbs Mitchell Jones Hopper (Mzungu) Ruck Hampson (Giles) Forwards Boyd Robinson Wright Hrovat (Bell) Interchange Motlop Thompson Average Score 1284 When they last met (R9) Pyrite 1132 Quolls 1137 Fair to say that there are some non household names amongst that lot but here they are in a grand final and on paper at least it looks like a close battle. Best of luck to both teams. By Sunday night we will have a new team added to the ORFFL Honor Board to join Sarah Island and Woy Woy.
Thanks Kel, it's good to see an article up. Thanks for all the time taken to do so this year. It's a good read and as I hadn't even heard of the Quinnstown Shoals before this week it was nice to read a bit more about how they snuck into the eight and somehow toppled such illustrious empires. Must say it's been a huge surprise for my own team as well. Not one of the 19 ruckmen saw this coming and they're well taller than me. Was still in rebuild mode at start of season, which is annoying because Zilliams could have been useful but now he's stagnating hiding up a mountain. Good luck, Ian.
Thanks for the write-ups kel, I've enjoyed reading them. Curnow out will be a blow but hopefully the Quolls can continue in the purple-patch of form they have recently found. You too PL, may the best team win.
2 soldiers out, 2 soldiers in. Sounds about right. Could have a Pyrite make his debut on the big stage.
Can someone with the power update the ORFFL matchday page so we can see the final teams or if the reps from the Doughballs and Shoals could post final teams in here. I will try and keep the OP up to date with running scores as the weekend progresses.
Quolls line-up for the big one, pending an unlikely but possible adjustment tonight. Laird, Saad, Day, Howe (Morris ) Gibbs, Jones, Mitchell, Hopper (Mzungu ) Hampson (Giles ) Robinson, Wright, Hrovat, Boyd (Bell ) Thompson, Motlop
Some tough decisions to be made. Only one forced change and we'll back the warriors from last week to get the job done. Backs: Johannisen, Kolodjashnij, Duryea, Biggs (Salem) Mids: Shuey, Viney, Cunnington, Swallow (Keays) Ruck: Gawn Fwds: Jenkins, Lyons, Daniel, Petracca (Tomlinson) Int: Henderson, Lobbe
Leeroy spending too much time playing WoW instead of focusing on form before finals. Hampson better not go down pre-game or all I'm calling shenanigans
WHile I'm here my scores are at: QUE 762/10 Howe, Mitchell, Robinson, Hrovat, Boyd POP 852/11 Johannisen, Duryea, Biggs, Daniel Close game.
Weird round when Lobbe scores more than Gawn. It is closer than I originally thought it'd be. Going to come down to the last game. 90pts v Robinson --- Duryea v Howe, Mitchell --- JJ, Biggs, Daniel v Hrovat, Boyd
That'd be right, team lets me down all year, makes it to the GF on a miracle and then I spud the bench selection. Won't be able to check scores till after it's over I don't think, so fingers crossed the remaining Quolls can stand up.
POP 1044 v 1073 QUE After HAW/COLL game & HT FRE/WBD Need Daniel, JJ & Biggs to gain 30 points on Hrovat & Boyd