What an absolute belter of a round of ORFFL! 4 games decided by under 20 points including, wait for it, a draw. A freaking draw! And nobody called it! Disgraceful. We find the 'Pointments clambering into the 8 on the back of said draw, and the Pyrite falling out of it on the back of another Reid sub- 60.



Head over the break so we can get personable.



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TARWIN LOWER PIGS 1194 DefPOPANYINNING PYRITE1188



Tarwin Lower concocted a truly improbable 8 victory over Popanyinning despite being 2 players down. Sometimes the fantasy gods smile upon you. Pendles (127) continued where he left off last week, as did ROK (117) who has averaged a mighty 113 since R8. In fact the recent form of a couple of key Pigs (Carrots, Hanley, Porps) has been incredible; all averaging 105+ over the past month. At 2 and a 1/2 wins behind 8th spots it's not inconceivable, therefore not theoretically impossible for the TLP to make the finals from here. They will need some more of the good fortune they experienced this weekend.



Dislike-wise, the 'Yinning will need less of the bad fortune they experienced on Sunday; a loss that saw them slip to the unfashionable 9th place. The OUTS: of Shuey and Rich from the famed 6Pack rippled through that area of the round; Boyd (80) and Swallow (92) down compared to recent form, Magner (54) down on his FA form. Somewhat interesting note that Duffman scored 85 playing in the 'Yinning reserves.







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POOWONG POTOROOS1316 Def bySARAH ISLAND SAVAGES1333



An EPIC 8-point encounter between 4th and 5th, Sarah Island defeating Poowong by 17 points in a match that featured some dazzling performances from both sides. For the Savages it was JPK (157) and Jori (141) that caught the eye most, but for mine it was one man who sealed this victory for his side. A man who widely derided, has averaged 97 in his time this year. Kepler (98), thank you.



Poowong did many a thing right on the weekend - case in point the scores of Gary (150), SJ (136), Hawkins (139) and Sewell (100) - sadly it was just not enough. The forced OOPS of debutant Miles (93/2) in the ruck would have stung, as would the scores of Mattner (43) and Murphy (62) in a defence that is averaging just 240 points over the last month. To compound the fall from the Top4, the Potoroos have arguably the toughest run of anyone going into the finals. But as they've said before, their destiny is in their own hands.







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WARBURTON WANDERERS1323 DefBONNIE DOON BANDITS1107



A bit of a blow out in this one, Warburton proving 216 points too strong for Bonnie Doon as they retained their 3rd spot. It was the even performance we've come to expect from the Wanderers, 8 players (Murphy, Griffin, Lewis, Boak, Gilbert, Hill, MJ, Sylvia) made their way to centuries in a barnstorming win. The Wanderers have seemingly booked their spot in the Top4 and contendership despite having to carry a defence that is withering; averaging 257 over the past month.



'Twas a pretty miserable weekend for Bonnie Doon, with only Mitchell (106), Harvey (107), Corey (101) and Griffin (109) notching tons - Griffin particularly handy averaging 102 off the IC this year. Tippet's (4) glass jaw is an ongoing concern, Drummond's (33) history more of a saga. It may sound harsh, but the Bandits need Daisy (62) and Cox (76) to hit their averages to compete with those at the top.







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MERTON MEERKATS1224 DREW WITH OMGZMOUNT BUGGERY DISAPPOINTMENTS1224



I didn't want to believe it, but there it was. A draw. Mount Buggery and Merton in a see-sawing encounter that left both sides exactly equal on 1224 points, a picture of perfect mid air harmony. The draw kept Merton a game clear of their newly 7th opponents Mount Buggery - who oddly had only 2 century makers (Rockliff and Sidebum). For the 'Kats, 16th round pick Shane Tuck (155, avg. 112) put last week behind him, Zorko (115, avg. 99) kept up one of the best debut years in scoring history, and Ivan (100, avg. 111) made a welcome return.



Feels somewhat unsatisfying reviewing a draw. I've prayed to the fantasy gods for these teams to meet in the finals.







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PURNULULU BUNGLE RANGERS1102 DefHUMPTY DOO HAMMERHEADS1028



A match which saw Humpty Doo's run of form end abruptly, going down to Purnulu Bungle by 74 points in a low scoring affair. For the victors the PBR, familiar faces Shaw (106) and Liba (103) made their way to 3 figures, Broadbent chipped in with a 90 and Melksham (38/2) was horribly OOP in the ruck. Still, a win is a win and this one sees the PBR move to 16th.



15th placed Humpty Doo had a shocker; Garlett (100), Mackie (102) and Gunston (108) hitting triple digits, but Sam Darley leaving a donut sized hole in defence. While we're on the subject of food, Hams (53) had one of his off days, while Hooker (53) was exposed. Hammerheads missing the Cardboard Giant (avg. 110) at the moment, along with Goo (avg. 82) and Wellingham (avg. 87), all out with suspension. Frustrating year.







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QUEENSTOWN QUOLLS1380 DefWOY WOY WIZARDS1286



Queenstown put in their best performance for the year, and the best for the round, winning by 94 points over a gallant Woy Woy. Heavy hitters Swan (143, avg. 124) and Jobe (101, avg. 122) remain in the elite of the comp this year, while Grimes (138) reached 100+ for the 3rd time in 2012 and Jones (111, avg. 98) carried on his remarkably consistent year. On equal wins with the 8th placed Thunda, but 928 points behind, it becomes a very simple equation for the Quolls from here on in. They need to win, and Torrumbarry and 9th placed Popanyinning need to lose.



1286 is a decent score in the ORFFL, but fortune continues to favour the young this year, which Woy Woy decidedly ain't. Midseason recruit Clancee (125, avg. 102) is and was, along with Cross (111, avg. 102) who has recovered from 2011 and Fletcher (106, avg. 87) who is still playing like it's '93. A wretched season thus far for the Wizards that sees them sitting in Jaeger place. So it ain't all bad, or old.







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MILIKAPATI SNAKES1288 DefTORRUMBARRY THUNDA1275



A nail-biting, face-tightening classic, home team and 1st placed Milikapati triumphing by 13 points over 8th placed Torrumbarry. Pav (160, avg. 109) was superb once again; his last 4 weeks (avg. 140) coinciding with Milikapti successful month (avg. 1351). That's cape-wearing leadership for you. Birchall (105, avg. 98) and Breust (107, avg. 87) had a field day on Saturday, and Gaff (121, avg. 92) seems a certainty to take out the best 2nd-year player award. Milikapati's 11th win of the season sees them retain top spot with it all to lose from here on in.



It happens at least once a year, Higgin's (44) hamstring goes and with it fantasy victory hopes for whomever has him. In this case 8th placed Torrumbary. Danger (138), Vince (125) , Douglas (125) and Bellchambers (114) were courageous is defeat, Waters (87) and Steven (68) slightly underwhelming on return. The equation for the Thunda going into the finals is the same as those fighting for 8th place; keep winning. Top4 seems beyond reach at this stage.







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COULTA COULDABEENS1163 Def byJIMCUMBILLY JACKRABBITS1283



Jimcumbilly racked up their 5th win of the year in a commanding 120 point win over an ailing Coulta. Droopy (161, avg. 101) was the hero with a 5 goal last qtr, Hudson (101, avg. 99) the best 2nd ruck in the game. McPharlin (127) and R Shaw (126) showed what they are capable of, albeit not with any consistency. Brock Mclean (109, avg. 107) also cemented his claim to best pick of the midseason draft.



For Coulta, things went from bad to worse over the weekend. With McCarthy (24/2) and Petrenko (39/2) not relishing being shifted FWD out of necessity, there came the news that midseason recruit Jasper Pittard (12) broke some ribs and collapsed a lung in his first game of the season, joining Schulz, Zaha, Walker and Laidler on the sidelines. Wright (115, avg. 86) continued to do his thing in the background with Scotland (127, avg. 101) and Priddis (110, avg. 110), while Cassisi (125, avg. 81) seems better for the time off and Reilly (117, avg. 97) remains in AA contention. The Couldabeens drop to 11th with the loss and face an uphill battle to get back into the 8 despite being equal on wins. Costly run of fortune.







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GLENROWAN GUNSLINGERS1134 Def byMALLACOOTA MAGICIANS1280



And finally to Mallacoota, this author's tip for the flag and 146 point winners over Glenrowan. Featuring a revived midfield of Redden (119, avg. 97), Barlow (101, avg. 92) and McVeigh (127, avg. 98), with Duncan (148, avg. 77) ready to take Risky's (60, avg. 68) spot at the click of a mouse, the Magicians are shaping up at the right time of year. Sitting in 2nd spot, with, if my source is correct, Nathan Fyfe to return this week, Mallacoota appear perfectly placed to assault the ORFFL flag and its loveliness.



Glenrowan on the other hand will begin to rue the decision not to draft Mike Pyke, with Mummy (69, avg. 80) beginning to go down with Andre The Giant-type injuries. Monsteritis they call it. Same thing that happening to Sandi up at Woy Woy. Beams' (162, avg. 114) move into the midfield shows that coach Doobs is already thinking of next year, while Cyril Rioli (127, avg. 100) was the only other appetising thing for the Gunslingers. The defence (258, avg. 275) remains a concern, although Bugg (90) shows signs and Bock is still to return next year, albeit with question marks.







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