The penultimate round of the ORFFL was a pearler; all creamy like. 2 games were decided by less than 5 points, and both have a large bearing on the upcoming final series. Which is in like a weeks time! Exciting! Head over the break and we get to it all!

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But first a message from our sponsors.

As you know, or should know, the first week of the finals series works thusly: 1st gets first choice of opponent, 2nd gets 2nd choice, and so on.

What has yet to be worked out is when these decisions would be made; before teams? After teams? DURING TEAMS??

Have your say in the little box and the bottom of your screen.

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TARWIN LOWER PIGS 1297 Def by MALLACTOOTA MAGICIANS 1355

This was one of those matches that was actually quite close, the final margin of 58 points the Magicians way belying how even the contest was for much of the weekend. Which is to say nothing against the DOMINANT performance of Mallacootas finest. Bennell (193, avg. 98) was glorious - is he the best 2nd year player, Johnny?, McVeigh (135, avg. 100) superb, and Barlow (111, avg. 93) finding his scoring fortunes improve with Fremantles. McEvoy (126, avg. 104) also has the rare ability as a ruck man to score large while allowing his opponent to do likewise. The ultimate fantasy team player.

RUN HOME: If not 1st, 2nd.

R17 vs Coulta

The TLP put in a mighty effort to go along with their equally mighty effort last week. On both occasions it just wasnt enough. Giles (177, avg. 91) said anything Dan can do I can do equally well, Bastinac (117, avg. 74) made a welcome return to the hundred club, while Pendles (126, avg. 126) had an average game.

RUN HOME: Couch/Viney/Toumpas. See Lucas.

R17 vs Humpty Doo




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WARBURTON WANDERERS 1340 Def POOWONG POTOROOS 1339

Match-ish of the round didnt disappoint with Warburton defeating Poowong by just a solitary point. ONE FREAKIN POINT. It would appear that the affectionately monikered Wallys are the masters of clutch scaling, winning the close and important ones.  Hale (141, avg. 93) amazingly had half of his taps go to advantage on Friday, Hartlett (126, avg. 94) managed a score before being vested, while Colin (115, avg. 97) enjoyed playing against the Suns. Chadwick, Murphy and Griffen also made their way to centuries; its a bit of a roll call out at Warburton.

RUN HOME: Win and its 2nd, lose and its 4th.

R17 vs Milikapati

Poowong were valiant, but the reality is the loss means the Top4 dream is over for the Potoroos on the back of a second half of the season slump. Gary (165, avg. 165) remains the best player in the game by some margin, Hawkins (147, avg. 97) making a claim for the best KPF in it - bar Franklin of course.  Sewell (137, avg. 100) also hit triple figures while wearing his "Veterans do it in August" apron.

RUN HOME: Top 4 hopes dashed, might be time for the General.

R17 vs Purnululu Bungle




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BONNIE DOON BANDITS 1145 Def by PURNULULU BUNGLE RANGERS 1348

One of those weeks where the boy wonders of Purnululu Bungle came up trumps, 203 point winners over Bonnie Doon. And how they did celebrate! Selwood (132, avg. 122) was his indomitable self, TexWalker (135, avg. 94) a match winner, while Treloar (129, avg. 79) played a blinder in his rookie season. The win sees the Rangers climb to 16th place.

RUN HOME: Lachie or Joe. Joe or Lachie.

R17 vs Poowong

Bonnie Doon is a team, I feel, that needs most things to go right in order to triumph. Not much did on the weekend. Cox (76, avg. 112), and Mitchell (86, avg. 112) were below average, only Thomas (109, avg. 98), Harvey (125, avg. 94) and Coniglio (117, avg. 75) above.

RUN HOME: Grundy would be an excellent long term pick. Dont know how much patience there is at Bonnie Doon though.

R17 vs Queenstown

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MERTON MEERKATS 1323 Def WOY WOY WIZARDS 1116

A lob-sided affair it was, Merton all over Woy Woy to the tune of "207 points" (Morrissey). BigIvans (149, avg. 116) year of utter DOMINATION continued,  as it did for Merton mainstays Cotchin (115, avg. 112), Zorko (105, avg. 99), Tuck (101, avg. 114) and Jackson? (119, avg. 73). The win sees the Kats move up to 5th and attain the subsequent bragging rights over 6th place.

RUN HOME: Win and they keep 5th, lose and they probably dont.

R17 vs Torrumbarry

Down at Woy Woy theres been whispers. Whispers of what you say? Ill tell you, whispers of witchcraft. Now I dont want to ALARM anybody by calling SHENANIGANS, but the decision to play first-gamer Tom McDonald (121) OOP in the ruck over veteran ruck Darren Jolly (168) is positively mystifying. Granted the debutant in McDonald did pretty well in the ruck for a first game DEF.

RUN HOME: Still Jaeger.

R17 vs Sarah Island




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QUEENSTOWN QUOLLS 1247 Def POPANYINNING PYRITE 1078

Can you spell season over"? I can, and just did, but its not quite for Popanyinning despite the Quolls skipping away to a 169 point win.  The win certainly kept Queenstowns season alive, Gibbs (118, avg. 90), Jobe (143, avg. 123), Jones (124, avg. 100) and Grimey (110, avg. 84) tonning up at a crucial time for their season. Worth noting that the Quolls midfield has been on a tear the last 3 weeks, averaging 469 points.

RUN HOME: Need to beat Bonnie Doon and pray Torrumbarry loses.

R17 vs Bonnie Doon

Walesy wont let me use the c word, so instead Ill say that Popanyinning blew an opportunity to solidify their place in not this weekend but next weekend action.  A full side, but 5 scores under 50, including a 40 from Schuey that knocked 5 points off his average. Boyd (123, avg. 112), Rich (101, avg. 89), JRoo (102, avg. 88) and Hayes (110 avg. 107) were the shining lights for the Pyrite.

RUN HOME: Need to beat Glenrowan with a massive score, and have Torrumbarry, Queenstown and Coulta all lose. Tough from here.

R17 vs Glenrowan




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MILIKAPATI SNAKES 1290 Def GLENROWAN GUNSLINGERS 1184

An 106 point victory for Milikapati over Glenrowan in what is becoming something of a routine for the Snakes. Winning, and winning large, that is.  Lids (144, avg. 118) loving playing in the middle, Pav (179, avg. 113-flat) enjoying kicking bags of goals. Then theres Jack (113, avg. 115), Kelly (110, avg. 102), Gaff (100, avg. 94) and Greene (88, avg. 90). Might need to purchase some ruck insurance though, Zac Smith (34, avg. 70) has failed to score a century all year.

RUN HOME:  Win, stay top dog. Lose, most likely 4th. Should be a cracker.

R17 vs Warburton

I was actually going to call SHENANIGANS on Glenrowan, but then realised it was just my personal bias that saw the inclusion of Cale Morton (12, avg. 57) into any side at any time to be an outright admission of tanking. I realise we dont all feel the same way. Anyways, SausagesMumford (110, avg. 83) announced his return in a big way, Rioli (124, avg. 104) hit his 5th ton in a row, and is Beams the most significantly improved player from last year (significant because its at the top end, and hes a FWD)?

RUN HOME: Glenrowans run home leads to the draft. Theyll get someone dynamite in their current position.

R17 vs Popanyinning

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SARAH ISLAND SAVAGES 1219 Def HUMPTY DOO HAMMERHEADS 1001

Bit of a low quality, dour, winter affair between Humpty Doo and Sarah Island, class prevailing in the end by 218 points. Goddard (122, avg. 102) hit his 2nd 120+ in a row, Mundy (128, avg. 83) his 2nd 100+ in a row, and Jori (103, avg. 109) his 3rd. Waite (117, avg. 90) also made nice return from his sabbatical.Get it while you can.

RUN HOME: Win and 3rd is theirs. Unless theres a draw between Milikapati and Warburton.

R17 vs Woy Woy

In looking at Humpty Doos performance over the weekend I can say two things: they didnt adjust to the colder climate and they didnt field enough players. And that probably cost them in the end. But what are you gonna do?  SauceJacobs (104,  avg. 102) was the only Hammerhead to make triple figures.

RUN HOME: The seasons over, but that just means the preseason begins early. Viney/Couch/Toumpas look likely.

R17 vs Tarwin Lower

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COULTA COULDABEENS 1196 Def MOUNT BUGGERY DISAPPOINTMENTS 1157

Definitely a 6-point game right here with Coulta keeping their slim finals hopes alive with a 39 point win over Mount Buggery.  Rookie Jeremy Cameron (121, avg. 62) made his first century in the teal, Priddis (107, avg. 110) remained a model of consistency, while Ebert (103, avg. 97) and Burgoyne (109, avg. 82) had welcome returns to hungy form.

RUN HOME: Need  to beat Mallacoota (not easy) and hope that Torrumbarry and Queenstown lose.

R17 vs Mallacoota

Mount Buggerys late season slump continues with the loss putting them at risk of falling out of the 8.  Well, slumps probably not the right word, as a substitute vest on Shepard (4, avg. 59) prrrrrreeeeeeettttty much cost them the game. Roughead (114, avg. 105), Sidebum (121, avg. 109), Ward (142, avg. 107) and Conca (123, avg. 72) were brave in defeat. This team needs Stanton back.

RUN HOME: Win against Jimcumbilly and theyre in the finals. Lose and they need 2 of Coulta, Queenstown and Torrumbarry to lose also. Possible 9th finish for the Pointments.

R17 vs Jimcumbilly

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TORRUMBARRY THUNDA 1264 Def JIMCUMBILLY JACKRABBITS 1260

A absolute nail-biter with only 4 points separating Torrumbarry in favour of Jimcumbilly. Performances from Dangerfield (127, avg. 112) and Douglas (106, avg. 81) at the seat got the Thunda over the line, while Waters (108, avg. 102), Kerr (142, avg. 100), Goodes (116, avg. 85) and Bellchambers (115, avg. 86) were also suitably awesome.

RUN HOME: Win and theyre in. Barring some almighty score miracle.

R17 vs Merton

The loss snuffs out the faint chance the Jackrabbits had of climbing into the final 8.  Its a cruel game. On the bright side Brock Mclean (111, avg. 112) continues to play like a 2nd round pick in the original as opposed to the midseason, and NDS (112, avg. 103) and Fisher (104, avg. 83) have been slowly winding back the clock to last year.

RUN HOME: Finals hopes over, theres still the possibility of knocking over the chief, and his team out of the finals. Live the dream.

R17 vs Mount Buggery

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