The first round back from the mid-year hiatus proved to be a crunchy, dry biscuit! The Top3 teams feeling all kinds of upset, dropping games and leaving the Top6 eyeing each other off, all level on 8 wins. At the other end of the fantasy continuum, Humpty Doo notched a mighty 1357 in victory, with what is essentially(ish) a brand new team. Can you say "bye-bye Jaeger!"?

Head over the break and we review shiz.

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But before we do that, a brief word. Due to the wonders of coding technology, the ORFFL now has the ability to rollover teams from week to week; meaning you dont have to select your team every week. Amazing!

Of course this does pose the problem of whether or not we should implement this technology right now, given that two teams have already been punished with the ULTIMATE ZERO this season.

Have your say below. Whatevs you guys want.

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MERTON MEERKATS 1358 Def TARWIN LOWER PIGS 1242

The Juggernaut that is Merton rolled on in round 11, the Kats romping away to a 116 point win over the Pigs. The Fab Four of Cotchin (136), Scooter (134), Tuck (137) and Edwards (111) scurrying around to the taps of TheBigMulletedOne (115). Martin (134) also notched his 3rd ton in YELLOW AND GREEN. Merton move up 4th with the win and leave other ORFFL coaches a little heavy in the underpants at the prospect of facing the TigerKat army in the finals.

In a recurring theme this season Tarwin Lower were not bad, but not good enough. Missing Pendles and Wallis, a green vested Smith (15) in a wash was the last thing they needed. Patton (43) also struggled for points playing in a young GWS side, yet there were plenty of bright spots. Hanley (124), Hocking (125) and OKeefe (124) all knocking up sizeable hungies.

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POOWONG POTOROOS 952 Def by BONNIE DOON BANDITS 1281

Massive, massive upset. For Poowong that is, I imagine Bonnie Doon would be thrilled with the 329 point win. Mitchell (129), Masten (123) and Cox (134) gathered touches at will; Thomas (111) and Tippet (102) also lively. Perhaps more rewarding for the coach was the form of two of his new recruits; Golby (85) and Hargrave (83) posting solid scores.

For the Potoroos, it was just one of those nightmare rounds, common to fantasy football. Lateoutis struck down Thompson, Jones and Jamar. Murphy (44) was vested. Sherman (31) should have been rested. Ablett (87) had one of those rare days where he doesnt score 140+. One to forget and move on, yet the consequence of the loss moving Poowong from 2nd to 6th may linger.

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QUEENSTOWN QUOLLS 1195 Def WARBURTON WANDERERS 1181

Another of the trio of upsets to the ORFFL fancies, Queenstown getting up by just 14 points over the travelling Warburton in a low scoring affair. Despite playing a man down, the Quolls proved stronger over the weekend; Swab (145) and Watson (147) a handy double act in the middle, Brown (130) recording his 3rd ton for the mainlanders and TheGoodGrimey (115) resplendent in his comeback for Queenstown.

While out at Warburton, they will be both rue and lamenting a lost opportunity to take top spot in the ORFFL. Sylvia and Schneider (99) performed well in their debuts for the Wallies, but Griffen (60) and Kreuzer (63) were well under expectations (personally surprised Kreuz got above 50). Defence remains an a concern for the Wanderers (222, avg. 291); something the recruitment of Toovey (52) wont necessarily solve.

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PURNULULU BUNGLE RANGERS 1203 Def by MILIKAPATI SNAKES 1413

Purnululu Bungle put up a good fight, but in the end could do nothing to stop a rampaging Milikapati outfit; the Snakes victorious by 210 points. It was a classic all-round performance from the Snakes (DEF 373, MID 465, FWD 397), with only young rucks Smith (40) and Hickey (53) failing to DOMINATE. Hurley (135) kicked 5 in his maiden tonup, Lids (110) wrote his 11th consecutive century into the record books, and Jack (147) playing Yablett-esque football, averaging 143 over the last month. Even Gaff (109) managed to tonup despite playing only 2 and half wuarters. Who is Spiderman? Who cares.

The story for the PBR is an old one, The Usual Suspects. Selwood (149), Ryder (109) and Walker (101) kept the score ticking over with little help. Liba (101) put in a cameo and Treloar (83) was lively, but the Rangers simply dont have the firepower to trouble the top teams consistently. Yet.



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GLENROWAN GUNSLINGERS 1312 Def SARAH ISLAND SAVAGES 1261

Glenrowan, winners by 51 points, found an elegant and unforseen solution to the famed Jar of Sarah Island. You just shoot the bastard. The coach encouraged all the lads to have a go - 11 players scoring 80+ - in a real team execution. LazrBeamz (117) was a highlight, Hurn (113) a weapon. The win moves Glenrowan up to 13th, just 2 wins shy of of the Top8. Definitely possible.

Over at Sarah Island, we dont like to make excuses or single players out. We would however, like to point out that several players - such as Mundy (65) and Frawley (28) - are severely underdone. They have done so little you could almost be excused for saying they have done nothing. Also Marc Murphy, Simmo (63) misses you. Get well soon.



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TORRUMBARRY THUNDA 1225 Def COULTA COULDABEENS 1150

Fresh from an all-expenses paid retreat at the top-end over the break, Torrumbarry stormed home over Coulta by 75 points. Steven (119, avg. 98) continued to break out of his season, Franklin (130) had a night out, and new recruit Kerr (109) relished the fact that his opposition didnt/dont have any defensive players. Defensively (274) the Thunda were below average this round, though I doubt this will trouble their coach.

The tale of Coultas weekend is a familiar one for ORFFL coaches; a rash of injuries in the FWD line. Zaha and Schulzs absence have cripple the Couldabeens attack (289). Combined with Ebert (76) and Rileys (74) having off days, Coultas chances of victory were slim. Was nice to see the QStick (102) tnup for the first time in the teal though.



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MOUNT BUGGERY DISAPPOINTMENTS 1278 Def WOY WOY WIZARDS 1156

The Wizards travelled up the mountain but came away - yep, Im doing it - disappointed; Mount Buggery rolling them by 122 points. Led by some beautiful scoring in the midfield (107, 107, 106, 105), Goldy (111) hit his 3rd ton in a row, while the Disappointment FWD line combined for a mighty 377 points. DEF (250) is still an issue with recruit Maguire absence with Swellbow, but eh, what are you going to do?

I still claim Woy Woy to be the unluckiest team in the ORFFL, not being able to put a finger on why they keep losing despite the obvious not scoring enough points. Jolly (157) certainly did, as did veterans Black (114) and Kornes (101). However, an 18 from Callinan on debut, Bird (24) vested and the decision to play Connors (34) left the rest of the ageing Wizards playing catchup.
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MALLACOOTA MAGICIANS 1370 Def POPANYINNING PYRITE 1223

The Magicians proved too crafty in this encounter, revealing the Pyrite to be fools to the taste of 147 points. In the book on this famous win, entitled The Return Of BigBoi - How Irony Helped Feed A Starving Midfield, the records will show how Mallacootas midfield combined for a whopping 465 points, only the second time they have gone 400+ in history. McEvoys 130 surely had an impact. MagicMan Johnny continues to work his, er, charm on sneaky goal players; Hill (123) tonning up when needed.

Its too early, far too early, to say that Popanyinnings massive, midseason recruitment drive didnt pay off. Wright (38) was assigned a tagging job, Blake (46) put in a 0 vote game and Betts (65) was lamentable as a key forward. Still, on the bright side the midfield appears to be better than ever over the break. 559 points between Boyd, Swallow, Shuey, and Hayes. Impressive.




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HUMPTY DOO HAMMERHEADS 1357 Def JIMCUMBILLY JACKRABBITS 1270

Probably my favourite result of the round, as I always love to see the underdog get up; the last placed Hammerheads playing like a new team after the break in defeating Jimcumbilly by 87 points. The head coach proving to be something of a midseason drafting savant, recruits Jetta (103), Hams (94), Hooker (86), Goldy (83) and Paine (78) relishing the change of scenery. Not only that, the injection of new blood appeared to spark life in the old stagers; Judd (126), Wells (126) and Bolton (114) leading the way with nobility.

The curse of preseason favouritism continues for the once fancied Jackrabbits. Van Berlos 2 a virtual death knell in terms of victory. Hudson (105) continued to enjoy working unencumbered, Howlett (131) one of the picks of the original draft, and perhaps Brock (116) one of the best of the midseason. A good effort, but its tough playing 14 vs 15.
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