They say in the AFL that from round 7 onwards the Top 8 stays pretty much the same. If youre in, youre in, and if youre out, youre out. No idea if the same holds true for the ORFFL (were all pioneers here), but I dare say I hope not. How utterly depressing.  With 4 teams just a game off 6th spot, there is certainly solid ground to suggest it will be otherwise. Regardless, round 8 will prove to be another season defining round for the ORFFL as we edge closer to the mid-season break. Join us over the break as we preview the matches of the weekend.

NOW WITH HAMEDAY UPDATES

<!--more-->

<img src="http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/3825/ggvstlp.jpg" alt="" width="480px" />;

GLENROWAN GUNSLINGERS (17th, avg. 1142) 906/11 vs TARWIN LOWER PIGS (14th, 1186) 685/7

What to say about these to teams in the lead-off match of round 8? Both have under-performed to agree, each sitting on just two wins from the opening 7 games. Glenrowan have been beaten with the big injury stick repeatedly this season losing Bock-Bock to a season ending leg-break, Mummy to an indefinite back "infection" and Xavier Ellis to God-Knows-What. All players that I imagine would have been B15 going into the season.

Its something of a similar tale of woe at Tarwin Lower. Carrazzo and Embley out for extended periods with shoulder related injuries, and their depth tested with Patton and Buntine yet to debut for GWS. Could be a close, but ultimately I think the Pigs have the more consistent firepower despite Glenrowans nickname. Pendles is due for a big one.

&nbsp;

<img src="http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/8929/mbdvspoopo.jpg" alt="" width="480px" />;

MOUNT BUGGERY DISAPPOINTMENTS (15th, 1163) 1016/10 vs POOWONG POTOROOS (1st, 1264) 993/12

Bias is an interesting thing on the internet. For one, most folk barely know how to use the term correctly. I do though, and Im going to show mine right here. Please Mount Buggery, defeat these men from Poowong this week. I wants my crown back. The Potoroos have been mighty so far in being undefeated after 7 rounds, and the Disappointments have been, well, yanno. Still, I hold out hope that the new PermanCaptain can defeat the old PermaCaptain, and the substitutions and injuries that have plagued Mount Buggery this year will abate, even if it just for this weekend. Please, make it happen. Best of luck to both teams anyway.

&nbsp;

<img src="http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/3452/bdbvshdh.jpg" alt="" width="480px" />;

BONNIE DOON BANDITS (12th, 1134) 672/9 vs HUMPTY DOO HAMMERHEADS (18th, 1119) 596/6

Bonnie Doon surprised even themselves in victory last week, and with the confidence an unexpected win can bring, will look for a repeat result against Humpty Doo this weekend. Looking likely to field a full side once again, they will more than likely fancy their chances against a Hammerheads outfit that are S-T-Ruggling with an injury list as long as Robin Nahas…record for inconsistent performances. The main thing here for Humpty Doo is that the Clancee Cup has largely been won, and they can afford to let their hair down and go full bore at this contest. Sadly, I dont think it will make a difference.

&nbsp;

<img src="http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/3844/pbrvstt.jpg" alt="" width="480px" />

PURNULULU BUNGLE RANGERS (16th, 1141) 877/12 vs TORRUMBARRY THUNDA (9th, 1202) 551/8

Here we find the surprise packet of the ORFFL in the PBR take on the renegade mob from Torrumbarry. I write surprise packet, because the youthful Rangers are just as capable of scoring large as they are adept at scoring on the low end of the scale. Thats youth for you. Torrumbarry, in somewhat ironic fashion, have been quietly building over the course of this season. Jack Steven (avg. 95) starting to hit the tons that complement his constant 80s and 90s. Im tipping the Thunda to get up in this one, despite losing Shiel this week, in what is already a pretty depleted squad. Could be wrong though.




<img src="http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/1846/qqvsjj.jpg" alt="" width="480px" />;

QUEENSTOWN QUOLLS (7th, 1187) 768/10 vs JIMCUMBILLY JACKRABBITS (10th, 1179) 704/11

Oooooh, a tasty match-up right here with only an average of 8 points separating the 7th placed Queenstown from the 10th placed Jimcumbilly. After losing the first 3 games of the season the Quolls have rallied strongly, largely recovering from their injury setbacks to go on a 4 game winning streak. Over at Jimcumbilly its been quite the opposite tale, injuries and poor form combining to see them slide down the ladder and mired now in the middle of the table. Each of these teams have plenty to play for; the Quolls to continue their ORFFL rise, the Jackrabbits to arrest their slide. Promises to be a heart-stopper. But Ive been lied to before.

&nbsp;

<img src="http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/7079/msvspopo.jpg" alt="" width="480px" />;

MILIKAPATI SNAKES (4th, 1276) 1195/12 vs POPANYINNING PYRITE (11th, 1177) 793/10

Last week saw Milikapati continue their charge up the ladder, moving into 4th spot, while Popanyinning also tasted victory, albeit against an undermanned Humpty Doo. The Pyrite will face a much sterner test this week against what I consider to be one of the fittest, and deepest teams in the ORFFL. Speaking of which, the Snakes see Hurley return from the injury list, leaving them with only Nathan Vardy suffering serious time int the casualty ward (correct me if Im wrong here Liam Johnson?). Popanyinning will need Swallow to go large here to come away with the win, something hes yet to really do so far this year. I think hes due, but even so, will it be enough? Tune in Sunday night to find out.

&nbsp;

<img src="http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/3589/sisvsmama.jpg" alt="" width="480px" />;

SARAH ISLAND SAVAGES (2nd, 1415) 812/9 vs MALLACOOTA MAGICIANS (5th, 1269) 886/12

Everyones second favourite team, Mallacoota, goes down to face the team that everyone loves to hate, Sarah Island, in a clash of two of the ORFFLs top sides. Both teams suffered losses last weekend that dinted their flag aspirations, and likewise, both teams have an opportunity to redeem themselves this weekend. Yet there can be only one. The Magicians see stars Fyfe and BigBoy miss for the 3rd week in a row, while the Savages will have to cope with the loss of Bundy - rested because I couldnt bear to witness Johnny tear up if Bundy notched a ton against him. Fair to say Ive been looking forward to this one for a while. Hope you have too, Mr. Kash.

&nbsp;

<img src="http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/2559/ccvswowo.jpg" alt="" width="480px" />

;

COULTA COULDABEENS (8th, 1207) 841/10 vs WOY WOY WIZARDS (13th, 1235) 871/11

A classic encounter out in the middle of nowhere, which in fantasy, is what the ORFFL is all about. Woy Woy lead Coulta on points scored and yet its Coulta who sit higher on the ladder with more wins. The Couldabeens will be without franchise player Matt Priddis going into this match, while Woy Woy see the continued absence of Luke Hodge balance this ledger. A hard one to preemptively judge given both teams rely on an even spread of players to get the scoring job done. Even harder when many of these players are capable of scoring high and low on a week to week basis. Im just going to hope for a close one, and for ORFFL to be the winner.

&nbsp;

<img src="http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/5504/wawavsmeme.jpg" alt="" width="480px" />;

WARBURTON WANDERERS (3rd, 1260) 704/9 vs MERTON MEERKATS (6th, 1210) 967/11

Fresh from conquering Sarah Island, 3rd placed Warburton host 6th placed Merton in a match that shapes up to be a classic. With no disrespect intended, I would wager that not too many ORFFL pundits expected the Meerkats to be travelling as well as they have been this year. And yet its hard to argue with the scoreboard that reads 4 wins and 3 losses. If Richmond can upset the Bombers on Saturday night logic suggests that Merton will do the same to the fancied Warburton by Sunday night. The Wanderers need to consolidate on their victory last week, if results fall their way its them who could be wearing the crown by Sunday. Nervous times.

&nbsp;
<table width="424" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><col width="229" /> <col span="3" width="65" />
<tbody>

<td width="229" height="18">POOWONG POTOROOS
<td width="65">7/0
<td width="65">8845
<td align="right" width="65">1264



<td height="18">SARAH ISLAND SAVAGES
6/1
9902
<td align="right">1415



<td height="18">WARBURTON WANDERERS
6/1
8822
<td align="right">1260



<td height="18">MILIKAPATI SNAKES
5/2
8929
<td align="right">1276



<td height="18">MALLACOOTA MAGICIANS
5/2
8881
<td align="right">1269



<td height="18">MERTON MEERKATS
4/3
8470
<td align="right">1210



<td height="18">QUEENSTOWN QUOLLS
4/3
8306
<td align="right">1187



<td height="18">COULTA COULDABEENS
4/3
7239
<td align="right">1207



<td height="18">TORRUMBARRY THUNDA
3/4
8416
<td align="right">1202



<td height="18">JIMCUMBILLY JACKRABBITS
3/4
8253
<td align="right">1179



<td height="18">POPANYINNING PYRITE
3/4
8238
<td align="right">1177



<td height="18">BONNIE DOON BANDITS
3/4
7939
<td align="right">1134



<td height="18">WOY WOY WIZARDS
2/5
8642
<td align="right">1235



<td height="18">TARWIN LOWER PIGS
2/5
8304
<td align="right">1186



<td height="18">MOUNT BUGGERY DISAPPOINTMENTS
2/5
8142
<td align="right">1163



<td height="18">PURNULULU BUNGLE RANGERS
2/5
7989
<td align="right">1141



<td height="18">GLENROWAN GUNSLINGERS
2/5
7991
<td align="right">1142



<td height="18">HUMPTY DOO HAMMERHEADS
0/7
7833
<td align="right">1119




&nbsp;