The penultimate round of the ORFFL Season 2012. If I know my latin correctly, that means its the ultimate round for that plucky domesticated penguin, Pen-Pen. Goodluck, my friend. And good luck to all those ORFFL coaches still vying for a place in the finals. To those above me I hope you lose so I can take your place, and to those at the bottom, I envy the draft picks of anyone out of the 8. Onwards, to preview land!

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TARWIN LOWER PIGS (13th, 1220) vs MALLACTOOTA MAGICIANS (2nd, 1265)

Tarwin Lower said goodbye to their finals hopes last weekend with a spirited performance that ended in a loss. Does this mean their seasons over? Ish-ish. They still have an opportunity to stick it to the 2nd placed Magicians, a side warming up their scoring for the impending finals series. On their day the TLP have the fire-power to match it with the best in the ORFFL. Will Saturday be their day? Will Mallacoota coach give Gysberts or Riski a run?




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WARBURTON WANDERERS (3rd, 1242) vs POOWONG POTOROOS (5th, 1228)

One of the matches of the round again includes 5th placed Poowong, this time travelling to Warburton to take on the 3rd placed Wanderers. Poowong need to snap a 2-game losing streak to fend off a fast finishing Meerkats looking to take their 5th spot. Warbuton need to keep wining to keep hold of their 3rd place from an equally fast finishing Sarah Island. Some impressive inclusion for both sides at the weekend; Warburton see Hale and Hartlett press for selection, Poowong find Sherman putting his hand up. Warburton lose Schneider to a leg and Poowong lose Guthrie to parts unknown.




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BONNIE DOON BANDITS (15th, 1086) vs PURNULULU BUNGLE RANGERS (17th, 1067)

A match between 15th and 17th at this stage of the season shouldnt really provide much interest to the ORFFL punter, yet it kinda does for me. Why? The outs for Bonnie Doon this week could see them struggle to field a side, let alone beat 2nd last, the PBR. Corey, Gilbee, Vezpremi all missing this week for the Bandits, along with Tippett who looks like playing the rest of his career in an unsightly helmet. On the other hand, inclusions Daisy, Griffiths, Coniglio and Drummond will help stem the tide to a degree. For the Rangers, HarryO comes back from his vacation. With just a win and 285 points separating the two combatants, its not impossible to see these two teams trade ladder places.

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MERTON MEERKATS (6th, 1244) vs WOY WOY WIZARDS (18th, 1209)

A lob-sided affair on paper with the 6th placed Meerkats hosting the bottom of the ladder Wizards. If Merton wins they could snag themselves 5th possie with a faltering Poowong above them. And yet Richmond, Mertons AFL equivalent find themselves faltering too at the business end of the season. For Woy Woy the equation is far simpler. Win and it could be goodbye No. 1 pick. Woy Woy see prime mover Cross out with a shoulder but welcome back ruck man Jolly. Merton mainstay DEF Darren Glass misses through suspension.

*The ORFFL does in no way condone tanking. We can also however do not deny that the teams at the bottom of the ladder have a better pick than those above them.




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QUEENSTOWN QUOLLS (10th, 1175) vs POPANYINNING PYRITE (9th, 1222)

Can you spell "8-point game"? I cant, but the internet has ruined my literacy skills. On the balance of probabilities, whoever wins this will give themselves a pretty darn good shot of climbing into the 8 - theyll most likely need to win next week, but youve gotta start somewhere. For Queenstown the task is made harder buy their poor total points scored, for Popanyinning the task is made harder by Sam Reids knee injury. Id argue its probably a blessing in disguise, Reid shouldve been dropped weeks ago. Rich returns in his place.







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MILIKAPATI SNAKES (1st, 1302) vs GLENROWAN GUNSLINGERS (16th, 1144)

Over 150 points separate these two clubs; ladder leader Milikapati versing 3rd last Glenrowan. Not surprisingly we find the Snakes taking the opportunity to rest Buckley and Clarke from a defence that has been the envy of the competition this year. Glenrowan see competent recruit Nicholson miss through an injured jaw, Dahlhaus through soreness, but see Morton and Tapscott return for rare games. Milikapati also see Hurley and Day available for selection.

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SARAH ISLAND SAVAGES (4th, 1356) vs HUMPTY DOO HAMMERHEADS (14th, 1129)

Having dispensed with the the side Humpty Doo gifted players to in an effort to undermine the ladder leaders through stealth, 4th placed Sarah Island now turn their to 14th placed Humpty Doo themselves. With Waite and Simpson back in the side Sarah Island have the opportunity to continue to put pressure on those above them through Charlie Sheen-like winning. For the Hammerheads theres not a whole bunch to play for, save for pride and whipping the smile of the face of Sarah Islands GM. Which may be substantial factor on both counts actually. Big Sauce also returns along with Wellingham and Hooker, but McKay misses with a toe injury, not sure which one.




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COULTA COULDABEENS (11th, 1123) vs MOUNT BUGGERY DISAPPOINTMENTS (7th, 1211)

I wouldnt say this is an 8 point game as such, but definitely worth more than for at this stage of the season. Perhaps 6. Coulta needing to win to keep their slim finals hopes alive see their talismanic FWD in Schulz make a welcome return to the field this week. Fair to say hes been in the wars this year………

……getit….

…Adam Kennedy also returns to put his hand up for selection, though I dont know if youd take it unless you were forced to, and Brogan replaces West in the ruck for his sendoff game. For the 7th place Pointments, losing isnt December of this year, but a win would just about seal their pointment in late August. With Maguire and Duigan out of action in DEF, and the man we once called permacaptain in Stanton sore in the middle, victory could be tough for a Mount Buggery who were deplorable last weekend despite being victorious. Sidebum returns though so it aint all bad news.

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TORRUMBARRY THUNDA (8th, 1234) vs JIMCUMBILLY JACKRABBITS (12th, 1220)

Win or die. Thats what faces these 2 sides, death of course being no finals in the ORFFL. Nothing much to write home about in the ins and outs for the Thunda; for the Jackrabbits Rosa misses from the middle of the park, Lindsey Thomas and Monfrees misses from up front, but the JPod returns from a long layoff. Surprisingly only 14 points on average separate 12th from 8th. Could be a close one.




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