IT'S OVER!!! The inaugural season of the ORFFL draws to a close and with it 2012 playing days of the 10 clubs that didn't make the finals. For the 8 teams that did make the finals, it's one week at a time, baby. Come over the break with us, and we'll talk who those 8 teams are and where they're going.



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HUMPTY DOO HAMMERHEADS980 Def byTARWIN LOWER PIGS1145



A 2012 farewell match for both of these sides from the outset, Tarwin Lower outclassing brave, but ailing Humpty Doo by 165 points. Usual suspects Pendles (116, avg. 125), ROK (121, avg. 101) and Carrots (115, avg. 100) netted hungies, along with Wallis (102, avg. 88) who is probably the best performed 2nd year player besides Milikapati's Gaff. While it's season over for the TLP, they have plenty to look forward to; young midfielders I. Smith and Bastinac both averaging over 90 the past fortnight.



For the Hammerheads of Humpty Doo, the present and the future is, how you say, filled with more adversity. First the present; missing Judd (avg. 110) for the past month has severely curtailed this side's scoring. When one of the Hammerheads other bonafide stars in Wells (36, avg. 99) went down in the 1st quarter with an injury (not to mention Silvagni being a late withdrawal care of Lyin), the Hammerheads had an apt bookend to a frustrating season. The future brings not only the possible return/introduction of Ball, Varcoe and Gray, but pick 3 in the draft, which means Humpty Doo are going to get a very good player. Adversity remains despite these boons, as the Hammerheads are a fair way off the pace.







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PURNULULU BUNGLE RANGERS1161 DefPOOWONG POTOROOS1085



The PBR close their 2012a account with a 76 point win over Poowong who have now lost 4 in a row. Walker (115, avg. 96) hit his 8th ton of the year which is a remarkable effort for a KPF who also missed 5 games through injury/suspension. Lynch (114, avg. 66) cracked his 1st for the year, while rookie dynamo Treloar (115, avg. 82) hit his 3rd, coming off a 129 last week. Purnululu Bungle have been a developing side from the beginning, and a year on will surely only look better a year on from now. Could do with a back-up ruck that actually plays though.



Poowong have stumbled into the finals in the past month, their form somewhat lacklustre since the midseason break. I doubt this will perturb them too much, yet I also don't doubt that Hawkins' (15, avg. 93) concussion will perturb them more than a little. For this is a team that needs its guns to fire. I speak of Gary (126, avg. 137), SJ (140, avg. 96), Thompson (94, avg. 112) and Hawkins. Because after those names it's solid, not spectacular. Tough ask against a probable Mallacoota this week, but not without a shot.







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BONNIE DOON BANDITS1224 DefQUEENSTOWN QUOLLS1221



The ORFFL is a cruel, cruel game. Lest we forget. Queenstown saw their finals ambitions evaporate with a 3 point loss to Bonnie Doon on Sunday night. What a world. Cox (190, avg. 116) proved again that he's still the best in the business, Mitchell (114, avg. 112) and Boomer (118, avg. 95) completing the veterans renaissance down at Bonnie Doon. Pick 5 in the 2013 draft will have the Bandits obtaining a quality player, but perhaps not the FWD they probably need with Harvey and Gia close to the end, and not much in the cupboard. May take some creative trading if Bonnie Doon are up for it.



Is it wrong to say that Swannie's (avg. 124) love of a cold beer cost Queenstown a finals spot? It doesn't feel wrong. On the contrary, it feel Wright. Gibbs (132, avg. 93), Jobe (154, avg. 125-flat) and Grimey (101, avg. 86) were valiant, as they so often are, but it felt like the Quolls were missing something. Around 50-60 points. So while it's season over for the Quolls, they're in quite a good position for 2013. A young, deep and talented DEF, plenty of solid RUC options and 2 of the top 5 players in the middle. FWD of the middle they still lack some firepower, but FWD's like that are hard to come by. Unless you trade a star...







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TORRUMBARRY THUNDA1321 Def byMERTON MEERKATS1391



Torrumbarry needed to win to get into the finals. Alas they did not, Merton winning their bout by 70 points, dispatching the Thunda to the poisoned chalice of 9th spot. The 'Kats have had some lead-in to the finals series, topping 1300 in each of their past 3 matches. On the weekend it was Cotchin (175, avg. 115), Martin (125, avg. 91), Newman (105, avg. 78), Grigg (106, avg. 99) and inspired midseason pickup Edwards (117, avg. 92) who inflicted the pie pain. Oh and King (133, avg. 58), who was majestic, and surprising because of it. Would not want to be playing this side next week.



Torrumbarry have grounds to feel unlucky, 1321 being a score that will get you a win most weeks. Dangerfield's (187, avg. 116) score usually gets you a win most weeks. 'Twas not to be though and Torrumbarry misses out of the finals by a slim margin; Franklin's (avg. 119) hamstring, Broughton's (avg. 82) season ender and Higgins (avg. 78) scheduled absence all proving costly at the finish line. The ORFFL is left wondering how good this team can be if it gets its best side in form and on the park.







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MILIKAPATI SNAKES1194 Def byWARBURTON WANDERERS1285



A veritable clash of the titans that due to a spate of injuries did not live up to theoretical expectations, Warbuton home by a comfortable 91 points, snaring the minor premiership along the way. Murphy (117, avg. 111), Kreuzer (110, avg. 89), Lewis (114, avg. 98), Boak (128, avg. 88) and Hale (117, avg. 94) were the guys that hit triple figures. More tellingly for the opposition side is the role call of players that didn't but are capable: Griffen (late out), Hartlett, MJ, Chornes, Sylvia, and maybe even Rivers at a pinch. Flag favourite and richly deserved.



Injuries cruelled the Snakes on the weekend, 4 of their best 15 sitting it out. Old standards Deledio (116, avg. 117), Birchall (135, avg. 98), Jack (108, avg. 115) and Anthony (119, avg. 91) were up to their usual tricks, but aside from Blease (115, avg. 56) the late call ups for Milikapati failed to step up. Of particular concern is the donut in the ruck, a problem they'd want rectified going into an elimination final. Classy side that aside.







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WOY WOY WIZARDS1261 DefSARAH ISLAND SAVAGES1172



A startling victory from formerly last placed Woy Woy, upsetting Sarah Island by 89 points. Montagna (113, avg. 99), Lake (100, avg. 84), and McMahon (111, avg. 78) notched up centuries, while another 7 scored above 80. The win moves the Wizards off the bottom, and the subsequent stigma attached to it. And they still get their hands on some talented players on the right side of 25. Which they sorely need all over the park.



Let's be blunt: the Savages choked. A chance at 2nd gone begging. NicNat (153, avg. 113) and JPK (168, avg. 121) were supreme, but were the only players to ton up. Patch's (11, avg. 83) injury will hurt for multiple weeks; his part in a FWD that scored just 159 points will hurt for only one. Too many under performers to count as a serious flag threat.







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MALLACOOTA MAGICIANS1132 Def byCOULTA COULDABEENS1314



Coulta did the improbable, travelling to defeat Mallacoota by 182 points and booking themselves a finals berth. Wright (170, avg. 91) was on, so too Priddis (111, avg. 110), Scotland (119, avg. 102), Walker (113, avg. 78) and Ebert (107, avg. 98). Have had a few of their litany of injured return, but could use West (avg. 74) to fill a hole in the ruck, and Zaha (avg. 99) to return from his midseason break if their fortune is to continue in the coming weeks.



The Magicians choked too plainly, blowing an opportunity at the minor premiership. The positives from the final round for Mallacoota were McEvoy (101, avg. 104) continuing as a premier ruck man, Redden (131, avg. 99), and Barlow (104, avg. 94). The negatives, the aforementioned and Fyfe's injury. I foresee coach Johnny breaking some phones over the weekend, regardless.







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POPANYINNING PYRITE1358 DefGLENROWAN GUNSLINGERS1137



Popanyinning went out with a bang, downing the Gunslingers by a massive 221 points. It may have been a case of too much, but too late, the Pyrite were too good on the weekend regardless. Swallow (106, avg. 111), Shuey (133, avg. 107), JRoo (140, avg. 91), Duffield (134, avg. 84) and Wright (126, avg. 75) all smashed out hundreds, the last two, midseason recruits to the club. Which leads me to believe that the 'Yinning will be active once again in the post season. For what, I have no idea. Look pretty shiny to me.



For wooden spooners Glenrowan, fast FWD the tape to 2013. Where they get their pick of all picks and have the chance to lose the stigma of being the Spooner. Although, they will always be the inaugural Spooner. In their last match of 2012, Beams (170, avg. 119) capped off the breakout of all breakout years, Bartel (123, avg. 101) was great at the death and Sausages (116, avg. 86) ran into some late season form after a year wrecked by persistent injury. Matera (112, avg. 68) will be amazing next year if he gets a full preseason under his belt, like wise JOM. Surely.







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JIMCUMBILLY JACKRABBITS1120 DefMOUNT BUGGERY DISAPPOINTMENTS775



Jimcumbilly capped off a disappointing year with a win in their last game, defeating Mount Buggery by a whopping 345 points. Surprisingly only 2 Jackrabbits tonned up in the demolition, messrs Shaw (105, avg. 73) and Smith (107, avg. 66). This author is still of the opinion that Jimcumbilly is actually a quality side and have just been on the receiving end of some horrible luck and Moloney (51, avg. 68) playing like a fried turd. Expect them to improve drastically in 2013.



Mount Buggery enter the finals in style, recording the worst ever score in the ORFFL by some margin (for a coach entering a team), yet still holding onto their place in the face of others failure. 3 donuts, a slew of injuries and no real highlights for the Disappointments. Yet they live to fight another day and avoid the 9th place that I thought was their destiny. This judge is definitely cheering them on. CARN THE 'POINTMENTS!!!







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