Just 4 rounds to go in the inaugural season of the ORFFL and, folks I gotta tell ya, I am equal parts excitement and anxiety. Excited because this competition we have all grown attached to is heating up to bonfire proportions. Anxious because as a being that is quite flammable, Im somewhat adverse to large fires. In the words of Natalie Imbruglia "Nothings right, Im torn".

But as my momma used to say (inbrMinsoning) "If you cant be right, at least enjoy being wrong". Join us over the break as we expand on all that can go wrong for your team this round, and how you might best enjoy it.<!--more-->

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TARWIN LOWER PIGS (12th, 1209) vs POPANYINNING PYRITE (8th, 1223)

OUTS: S. Shaw, Patton
INS: Giles

Technically the TLP are still a mathematical chance to make the ORFFL final series. Which combines two of my great loves, mathematical chances and technicalities. Im not sure if TLP coach Kel shares my amore, but hes more than welcome to. At the very least, the Pigs can still cause some considerable damage to those aspiring to finish in the top less-than-half - which Ive always found most enjoyable.

At the selection table there is further good news with the return of Ruckman Giles, with substitute Ruckman Milne a chance to return to the FWD pocket given Pattons absence this week. Recruit Sam Shaw also misses from DEF.

OUTS: Rich, Knights
INS: Cunnington, Clarke, Magner

Popanyinning find themselves in the 8 this week, and when I hold my chained monocle to my right eye, I suspect theyd like to say to stay there for many weeks yet. And theyre a very good chance to do just that; their form post break being most impressive, particularly in the FWD line - scoring 382 the past two weeks thanks to messrs Reid, JROO and Betts combining in spectacular fashion.

This week sees the Pyrite lose Rich from the Sensational Six, opening up the possibility for recruit Magner to break into the biggest and best midfield in the land. Ruckman Clarke also raises his hand for selection - will coach P_L give him the high-five?

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POOWONG POTOROOS (4th, 1223) vs SARAH ISLAND SAVAGES (5th, 1352)

OUTS: Bundy, Mayne, Dickson, Henderson, Patch (?)
INS: Bower, Goddard

Bleurgh. Not only does my team, the Savages, have to travel to a place that sounds like it reeks, its very much, kind of a must-win game. Well, it would be nice to win. Id very much enjoy it. It would mean that Poowong would lose and my team, the Savages, would jump above them on the ladder.

It is however going to be a challenge, with 3, possibly 4, FWDs out in the space of just one week (along with Waite and JJK who are wearing indefinite vests). On the bright side, Goddard returns looking ready to argue with cafe-owners on High St, and Bower is welcomed back as the official club escape goat, a role he seems born to play.

OUTS: Jamar, Sherminator, Smith
INS: Miles

I may not have mentioned it so explicitly yet, but this is an 8-point game, peeps. 4th vs 5th. If Poowong win, that could very well be the Top4 done and dusted. Lose, and it could be likewise (although less favourable for them).

The big news at the selection table is the loss of Jamar, which means the Potoroos are without a specialised Ruck this week. The Sherminator also misses, which in all probability means Hampton could see his 2nd ORFFL match this week. Or Liam Jones. But probably Dawes.

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WARBURTON WANDERERS (3rd, 1236) vs BONNIE DOON BANDITS (16th, 1071)

OUTS: Kreuzer, Chornes
INS:

Sitting comfortably in the Top4, Warburton have the opportunity to plop another cushion on that chair and recline in even greater comfort. That is if they manage to win, which they should going up against the 16th placed Bonnie Doon.

Even so, challenges continue to beset the 3rd placed Wanderers, but like professionals, they just roll with them as they have all season. Kreuzer out means Hale finally gets to use his MPP in the ruck, and with The Chad rested, P-Tard could just get his 1st game in the blue and white (well, the other blue and white).

OUTS: Hargrave, Coniglio
INS: Tippett, Gia, Vezpremi

In 3rd last place at 4-9 with a miserable points tally, the Bandits dont have an ORFFL lot to play for save for spite and pride. However, if I know Bonnie Doon coach Fez (and lets be clear, I dont really), pride may very well be a huge factor. Which I like in this instance.

The fans of the Bandits should like it too, and with Tippet, Gia and Vezpremi returning to a labouring FWD line, Bonnie Doon have all the ingredients for an upset on the weekend. Sure, Hargrave misses from DEF, but the Bandits are well accustomed to having defenders out, so I cant see that causing too many headaches.

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MERTON MEERKATS (6th, 1236) vs MOUNT BUGGERY DISAPPOINTMENTS (9th, 1221)

OUTS: Derickx
INS: Maric, Martin, Milera

2 losses in a row have seen fan favourite Merton slip to 6th place, 2 games shy of the Top4 where they once was, yeah. So while this is not an 8-point game strictly speaking, its fair to say that the Kats would be very keen on winning it.

And incredibly they have a very, very good chance to do so with the the 3 Ms returning. Big Ivan in the ruck, and Martin and Milera up FWD. I expect oodles of points from those 3 (well, not Milera as I dont rate him), and expect that Merton coach SCSS expects what I expect too.

OUTS: Bate,
INS:

After shattering the Jar into itty-bitty pieces over the weekend the Pointments travel down from their mountain lair looking for roadkill in the form of cute, twitchy marsupials. May they find what they seek and with luck continue their push into the Top8, and with it finals action.

Theyre going to need an ORFFL lot of luck this weekend, as not only do they face powerhouse Merton, they also have to face the news that premier FWD Bate is out. Oh Noes! Will they be able to cover him? I remain skeptical.

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PURNULULU BUNGLE RANGERS (18th, 1071) vs HUMPTY DOO HAMMERHEADS (15th, 1132)

OUTS: Pfluffer, Suban
INS: Lynch

Newly dunce-hatted PBR face off against former spoon wielder Humpty Doo in a battle that is for pride and probable picks. May the better team win. Pfluffer and Suban miss for the Rangers, while Tom Lynch of GCS is back available for selection.

OUTS: Darley
INS: Hams

Humpty Doos turn around in form since the midseason break has been remarkable, playing as if they are a new team all together. Warms my cockles, it does. This week finds Darley missing from the backline, and Hams returning to the Hammerheads decidedly low-rent FWD line. Which means Billie "The Kid" Smedts will most likely get a gig in DEF this week.

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QUEENSTOWN QUOLLS (10th, 1156) vs WOY WOY WIZARDS (17th, 1204)

OUTS: Hibberd
INS: Grant

Injuries continue to afflict the 10th placed Quolls, yet at 6-7 they are just one game shy of 8th spot, still in finals contention and a fair chance to notch up another vital win this weekend. Hibberd misses this week, having succumbed to The Weapon, but Grant could well find himself welcomed back into the Queenstown FWD line. He could also no, which is fair enough too.

OUTS:
INS: Doughty

Fresh from a victory that moved them off bottom spot, the perennially unlucky Wizards of Woy Woy may have found their fortunes have finally turned. And Ive never been one to think too little or too late, as little and late in my mind has always been better than nothing and never. At the selection table old man Doughty returns to press his case for inclusion in team that is travelling upwards and onwards (figuratively speaking, theyre actually travelling south geography wise).

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MILIKAPATI SNAKES (1st, 1297) vs TORRUMBARRY THUNDA (7th, 1235)

OUTS: Clarke, Buckley, Adams
INS:

Newly crowned, DiCaprio-esque "King of the ORFFL!" Milikapati have been in blistering form of late, scoring 1300+ in all 3 games after the midseason break. I do wonder what they got up to - thats just harmless curiosity, not suspicion. However, its one thing to take top spot, quite another to hold it down - I should know. And their aint many tasks tougher than going up against an unpredictable Torrumbarry outfit rejuvenated after convincing Humpty Doo to sell the farm and its occupants for some magic beans.

Defenders Clarke and Buckley are both notable absences this week, but the Snakes depth is legendary and messrs Nick Smith and Stratton will no doubt be chomping at the bit to book at spot in this team for finals.

OUTS: Broughton
INS: Johncock, Otten, Waters, Steven

The Thunda go into this round clutching onto 7th spot, needing to win or at the very least needing the other 3 teams on 7 wins to lose if they dont. Yes, shit is getting Israel. But in a time of such strife I could think of no better man to lead such a team than SKT; a man who seems to revel in confected chaos.

And as they say, cometh the hour, cometh the ins. Livewire MID Steven returns when his team sorely needs him, and Waters comes back to replace the injured Broughton, who lets face it has probably complained of a back injury because hes utterly sick of being mismanaged by Ross Lyon. I dont blame him. I blame Ross Lyon.

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COULTA COULDABEENS (10th, 1119) vs JIMCUMBILLY JACKRABBITS (13th, 1202)

OUTS: Walker, Cameron, A. Kennedy, Redden
INS: Petrenko, QStick, Cassisi, Pittard

A host of outs and a host of in for 10th placed Coulta this week. Sunrise, Sunset. Walker, Cameron and A. Kennedy all unavailable for selection in the FWD line, QSticks return to said area small consolation - by my count they have only 2 available FWDs. On the bright side though Pittard seems to have recovered from his stapling and wouldnt be the worst option to throw FWD to have a run around. What have they got to lose? Only the game I suppose.

OUTS: D. Smith, Batchelor
INS: Monfries, Pederson

Having knocked off Merton last week, 13th placed Jimcumbilly will feel theyre every chance to make it 2 in a row, which would be some consolation to what has been a fairly disappointing season for the Jackrabbits. This round sees Monfries back in the line for selection, along with the rarely seen Pederson (who from all reports has been tearing it up in the lower grades). Batchelor is out with some sort of injury complaint, and Devon Smith, who is yet to play a game in the lurid purple, will continue to not play a game this week.

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GLENROWAN GUNSLINGERS (14th, 1147) vs MALLACOOTA MAGICIANS (2nd, 1259)

OUTS: Ziebell
INS: Bugg

Getting a bit woozy now as we preview the last game of the round, suffice to say that Glenrowan, despite their lowly ladder position, have been known to slay giants every once in a while. So I offer a plea, please do it this weekend. Stop the Goliath that is Mallacoota. Will be hard for them with Ziebell out for a month for contesting a ball, though they do welcome back Bugg, a handy inclusion.

OUTS: Stanley
INS: Crameri, Russell

Lastly, we turn to Johnnys men, the Magicians. 2nd placed and with Fyfes return tailored to their finals campaign. Sure they lose Stanley this week, but welcome back a more than handy replacement in Crameri. In short it all seems to be coming up :milhouse: for Mallacoota, which makes this guy rather anxious. Because hell probably want to knock me out of the finals rather quickly, and for that, I dont blame him.

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