Waikikamoocow 1302 d Marble Bar 1098
The pinot was certainly flowing as the Incorrigibles toast another win, this time by just over 200 points over the Misfits of Marble Bar.

A formidable midfield scoring effort from Waikik's Fyfe (108), McVeigh (143), Hannebery (122) and Mitchell (113) saw off any and all challenges from Marble Bar, and allowed the Incorrigibles' forwards to virtually have the weekend off.

For Marble Bar, Jack Steven continues to impress (127) while Thomas Nicholls' (121) selection as number 2 MSD pick continues to be justified. Callan Ward and Jezza Cameron (104 and 102) topped the ton as well.



Lovely Banks 1302 d Venus Bay 1018

Oh boy, the sleeping purple flower has awoken, and is wielding more than just a subtle perfume; the Lilacs' second win for the year an absolute belting of the Vultures 1302-1018.

An injection of new talent via the MSD and the return of injured players have provided the tonic towards two impressive Lilacs' efforts since the mid-season break. A fit and firing Jason Winderlich top scored with 138, and received great support from Swan (126), the Mighty Canadian (118) and Craig Bird's continuing (and rather apt) purple patch of form (111).

Six other players topped 80 for the Lilacs.

Meanwhile, slim pickings for the Carrion Eaters, with Malceski (156) almost a lone hand. Next best were Mundy (119) and Kreuzer (107). Poor Clancee Pearce (27) was unable to play out the game, while the Vultures' forwards had a game they'd rather forget.



Birdsville 1258 d Wagga Wagga 1210

A tight, top notch contest between two top four contenders went down to the wire, with perhaps home ground advantage proving enough for Birdsville to battle to a 48-point win.

Entering the final stages of the contest, scores were close. However a slice of late game dominance from best-afield Chris Mayne (138) with support from Zac Clarke proved too much for the Wombats' Dean Cox to hold out on his own.

Besides Mayne, Birdsville enjoyed a very even effort across the board, with only Wells (101) and McDonald (100) hitting three figures. For the Marsupials, youngster Sam Mayes (130) shone in his best game for the club, while Dempsey, Bastinac and Prestia (102, 101 and 100) were also among the high scorers.



Mt Beauty 1053 d Larrikin Lagoon 1019

Another game not decided until well into time-on saw Mt Beauty hold off a determined Lefties' outfit to win by 34 points.

Young stars Martin and Cotchin (120 and 107) cracked the ton for the Uglies, with able support from McGlynn (89), Sidebum (85) and the Motorbike (86).

For the Lefties, left to lament another narrow loss, Tom Lynch repaid the faith (and his selection with a high draft pick in the MSD) by scoring 109, while Jordan Lewis tallied 117.

However despite their best efforts, Priddis and Nic Nat (86 and 69) were unable to do enough to bridge the gap late in the match).



Darraweit Guim 1173 d Gundagai 1016

The Dirigibles emerged victorious in the ORFFA's first ever combined football match and cross-country skiing trial, defeating an improving Gundagai by 157 points.

With the onfield football action hampered by a permafrost at The Paddock, skiing was the order of the day. And it seemed a number of players objected to potentially being labelled as downhill skiiers” and either struggled to score (the Blimps' Betts, Thompson and Otten) or not play at all (the Grasshoppers' Wilson and Neale).

One player who enjoyed the skiing should've been most out of place - the Rock Lobster scoring a game high 147 for the Hoppers. Brett Goodes (110), ROK (107) and Old Man Hayes (96) did plenty too. Jarryd Lyons' first game for Gundagai promised much for a bright future.

For the Blimps, late scoring from Walters (105) and Hutchings (104) averted a Hindenburg-esque crash. Brent Harvey ignored the cold to notch 115, and Cunnington managed 113.



Charlie's Opening 1237 d Gariwerd 1187

It was glowsticks all round at Gariwerd as the Cockies hosted a rave party and invited the Spelunkers as VIP guests.

Apparently a football game was also played - though the fluorescent paint wore off the ball halfway through the first quarter and from there on in no-one really cared as the DJ sets blended together into one long Ibiza-style party mix.

Chief glowstick wearer was Dan Jackson (137), who also won the dance comp during the third quarter for Charlie's Opening. Jack Gunston, Drew Petrie, Shane Savage and Andrew Swallow also enjoyed extended playtime and points scoring.

For the home team, Robbie Gray (118) and Chris Masten (116) partied hardest, Cooney and Deledio providing ample support. The absence of a ruckman didn't help the Cockies, with their tall timber absent and last seen in a haze of suspicious smoke.



Iron Knob 1260 d Nunawading 1110

Try as it might, Nunawading was unable to take advantage of a slightly down week from the Codpieces, going down by 150 points.

The Nuffers enjoyed a boost off the bench in the form of Ricky Petterd - his 120 equalling the totals notched by slightly more celebrated opponents - nudenuts Gary Ablett and Nathan Jones.

Simpson (119), JPK (107) and Stanton (90) were next best for Nunawading.

Besides Ablett and Jones, big Wilbur (118) and the Irishman (105) were among the points, along with Jack Darling (109) - who scored well late in the game.

However coach Jimbowan will be keen to see improved points-scoring out of a few higher-profile players who were, for the most part, well held by the Nuffers.



Cradle Mountain 1170 d Whitsundays 1087

The balmy climes of the Whitsundays seemingly had no effect on the boys from down south, with the Cradle Mountain Devils notching an important victory over the Warriors by 83 points.

Whitsundays had no answer to a couple of magicians in the form of Pendlebury (153) and Stevie J (143). However the latter is again on report and looks set to miss more matches through suspension. Heppell's 107 and Redden's 103 further helped the Devils' effort.

For the Warriors, the midfield duo of Boak (138) and Barlow (113) offered plenty of drive, however their forwards were unable to take full advantage - the dancing feet of JJK (75) more a slow waltz than a jitterbug or jive.

A bright spot for the Warriors was the form of young Nathan Hrovat, whose 84 off the bench may see him start on the field in coming weeks.




Foul Bay 1391 d Powlett Plains 1252
Powlett Plains paid dearly for injuries and absences, going down by 139 points to Foul Bay.
The late withdrawal of Packers' star Lance Franklin, and an early injury to Tom Scully (8) hobbled Powlett Plains' efforts; in fact, scoring 1252 with the best part of two players short ended up quite an impressive effort.
Top scorers for the Packers were Lachie Henderson (125), L Hodge (119), Luke Ball (120) and Tom Bellchambers (114).
Despite leaving a bit of scoring punch on the bench, Foul Bay had more than enough firepower to take the win - Chris Judd (137), Joel Selwood (133), Jarryd Roughead (13) and Tom Liberatore (125) leading the way.


ORFFA Ladder after Round 13


Iron Knob 48 18205

Foul Bay 44 175262

Waikikamoocow 44 16524

Birdsville 36 16234

Darraweit Guim 36 15550

Charlies Opening 32 16529

Wagga Wagga 32 16088

Powlett Plains 32 15983

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Venus Bay 32 15797

Cradle Mountain 24 15414

Mt Beauty 24 14696

Gariwerd 22 15450

Whitsundays 20 14632

Nunawading 16 14089

Lovely Banks 10 15022

Larrikin Lagoon 8 15130

Marble Bar 8 14277

Gundagai 0 11645


Iron Knob remains atop the ladder, a game clear of Foul Bay and the Waikiks.Darraweit Guim has jumped to fifth, but faces the top two teams in the coming fortnight.
Venus Bay's loss sees it fall out of the eight, its place taken by Charlie's Opening.
Meanwhile Lovely Banks move two spots up the ladder to 15th.


ORFFA Round 14 (AFL 17) 19/7 - 21/7 - Bleak Week

In the Southern Hemisphere, the third week of July is considered the Bleak Week - even in Mount Beauty. Enough said really.

On the field the action will be far from bleak (that's a nice segue), with some highly anticipated matches fixtured.





The games between Venus Bay and Powlett Plains, Darraweit Guim and Foul Bay, and Waikikamoocow and Iron Knob are among the pick of the action.

Marble Bar v Lovely Banks

Venus Bay v Powlett Plains

Foul Bay v Darraweit Guim

Gundagai v Whitsundays

Cradle Mountain v Birdsville

Wagga Wagga v Gariwerd

Charlies Opening v Larrikin Lagoon

Mount Beauty v Nunawading

Waikikamoocow v Iron Knob