Venus Bay 1270 d Lovely Banks 1240 In what was probably the match of the round, a Luke Parker special has helped the Vultures overcome Lovely Banks and remain well in the finals fight. Parker’s 151 continues his fine season and topped off a late game fightback generated by two unlikely sources in defence – Andrejs Everitt (138) and Sam Docherty (110). Mundy, Beams and Gaff were all solid in the midfield, while Blair’s 84 proved handy up forward. The Lilacs enjoyed a far more consistent effort than in recent weeks, but even a last-gasp stunner from Mitch Duncan (124) was not enough for them to make up the late-game deficit. Lovely Banks’ forward line was on fire, with Bird (111), Edwards (114), Ballantyne and Chapman continuing to excel. However injuries to Thompson (71) and Rosa (84) which saw them subbed off in their respective games may have proven the difference between a win and a loss. Birdsville 1173 d Gundagai 1067 Birdsville have moved into the top eight at Lovely Banks expense after a hard-fought win over the Grasshoppers. Late game heroics from Mark Murphy (124) and Lewis Jetta (99) were enough to confirm the Battlers’ victory. An even scoring effort also featured a top-notch 106 from Tom McDonald and 90+ scores from Clarke, Treloar and Rischitelli. Gundagai were again led by Tom Rockliff. His 141 propels him further up the Les W leaderboard – with the medal now up for grabs with Gary Ablett’s injury. Lachie Neale put in another great game with 124, while Suckling’s 88 and Witts’ 97 were the best of the rest. And while he only scored 13 points, it was great to see Anthony Morabito finally return to the field – hopefully he repays the faith that the Grasshoppers have shown in him this year. Charlie’s Opening 1169 d Larrikin Lagoon 1111 Charlie’s Opening has strengthened its hold on a top six spot after escaping with a close win over Larrikin Lagoon. Well down on their previous good form, the Spelunkers were forced to dig deep late in the game to overcome a 100+ point deficit. Ultimately it was Andrew Mackie (100) and young sensation Marcus Bontempelli (111) who did the job and got their team over the line. The Spelunkers had started the game in fine form, with Jack Gunston (144), Drew Petrie (120) and Andrew Swallow (100) all playing well. But a series of poor performances and some selection headaches (three 100+ scores not on the field) allowed the Lefties to take a late lead before Mackie and Bontempelli set to work. For the Lagoon, Nick Suban (114) and Tendai Mzungu (102) performed strongly off the bench. And Matt Priddis (123) propelled the team to a late game lead. Foul Bay 1409 d Cradle Mountain 1270 The highest scoring game of the round, befitting of two Top 8 teams, has seen Foul Bay win by 139 points. The Chickens’ undermanned forwardline put in a great display, with Bartel (108), Ibbotson (107), Jaensch (103) and Harwood (74) all playing well. In all, seven Foul Bay players scored 100+ – led by Liberatore with 128 – and none scored under 70 in a great team effort. The Devils’ midfield shone: Heppell (97), Stevie J (119), Pendles (134) and Zaharakis (123) all playing well. Ben Kennedy’s late game heroics propelled him to 123, while Zorko scored 99. Unfortunately a late injury to Zak Jones saw him red vested and subbed with only 5 points to his name. Mt Beauty 1258 d Gariwerd 1109 Mt Beauty’s good recent form continued, making it three wins from its last five by defeating the Cockies. The Uglies score was constructed around a fit and firing midfield of Cotchin (133), Hartlett (111), Bennell (110) and Ellis (103). Mid-forward Dustin Martin rounded out five century scorers with 102, while Troy Menzel turned heads with a nice 82 point game. The Uglies definitely remain in the running for a finals spot and with winnable games in the run home could come home with a wet sail. The Cockies were unfortunately hit hard by an absent ruckman, the late withdrawal of Kurt Tippett and an injury to Trent McKenzie. Robbie Gray (114) and Cam Guthrie (100) led the scoring, while Polec continued his great year (95) and Casboult underlined his promise with 91. Iron Knob 1245 d Powlett Plains 1121 Iron Knob stays undefeated and atop the ladder with a hard-fought win over the Packers – but the reverberations of a serious injury to Gary Ablett may be felt for weeks to come. Only one Codpiece – the wonderful Pearce Hanley (111) topped the ton; Minson and Goldstein put together solid 90+ scores, as did Harbrow, Shuey and Darling. Special mention to Jackson Macrae, whose 71 was garnered in barely a half of football after being inexplicably green vested. A number of good scores for Iron Knob (Griffin, Mackay) were left out of the side this week, an indication that the Codpieces retain the depth to be able to cover for Ablett’s injury. For the Packers, it continues to be the Levi Greenwood show. Arguably the hottest player in the ORFFA right now, Greenwood’s 140 continues to see him rank among the most inspired mid-season draft picks in league history. Anthony Miles scored another century (109), Tom Lynch compiled 117 and Lachie Henderson 108. Toby Greene’s return was muted (31) but it was good to see him back on the park, while Andrew Carrazzo joined the list of injuries from the game. Darraweit Guim 1293 d Whitsunday 1235 The Dirigibles have snuck home over a fast-finishing Whitsunday outfit in a game blighted by late withdrawals and late replacements. Both team were reduced to 14 players apiece with the Warriors’ Matt Thomas and Guim’s Nic Naitanui not taking the field and without replacements. Both teams were also forced to make last-minute changes with Brad Hill and Jason Tutt replaced by David Armitage and Aaron Hall respectively. Armitage’s late call-up proved inspired, his 110 helping steady Darraweit late in the game. The Guim also enjoyed season-best games from Big Ivan (126), Andrew Walker (113) and cult hero Eddie Betts (114), while Harvey’s even 100 rounded out the top five scorers. Whitsunday’s SA connection was again prominent – Sloane (143), Lobbe (119) and Boak (95) running riot in the middle. Steven Motlop’s late game 124 was stellar, Sam Gibson continued his renaissance with 105 and young Darcy Gardiner played his best ever game to score 100. Waikikamoocow 1264 d Nunawading 1169 The depleted Incorrigibles had to pull out all stops to hold out Nunawading by 95 points. Playing two players short and without a number of established stars, the Cowkickers got big efforts across the board – headed by some vintage Harry Taylor (129) work up back, and Fyfe (125), Brad Crouch (a noteworthy 122) and NDS (118) in the middle. In all, seven of Waikik’s 13 players scored tons. Nunawading was led by Jaeger O’Meara (143), David Myers (a stellar 123) and Rick Petterd (100). Stanton and Palmer scored 90+, while Tim Mohr’s 86 down back was handy. Unfortunately the Nuffers also saw Charlie Dixon (38) go down with injury and get subbed out of the game. Wagga Wagga 1201 d Marble Bar 878 Wagga Wagga have sewn up a finals spot with a comfortable win over Marble Bar. The Wombats were slightly off their game, not reaching the scoring heights of previous weeks but importantly still coming away with the win. David Swallow led the way with 135 – a sign of things to come perhaps given the injury to Gary Ablett. Dean Cox scored 106, while Jasper Pittard came up with a very handy 91 off the bench. Marble Bar had a weekend it would rather forget, unfortunately, with injuries and poor form biting hard. Sam Day shone with 105 in defence, Callan Ward scored 93 and both Ryder and Devon Smith topped 80 points. Brad Sewell (6) is again injured, while some higher profile players simply struggled to make an impact as coach Len foreshadowed changes to the list during the off-season. The Ladder: <table width='645' border='0' cellspacing='0' cellpadding='0' style='width: 484pt; margin-left: 4.65pt;] <tr style='height: 15pt;] <td valign='bottom' style='background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #84b714; height: 15pt; width: 154pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
Club <td valign='bottom' style='background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #84b714; height: 15pt; width: 29pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
P <td valign='bottom' style='background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #84b714; height: 15pt; width: 26pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
W <td valign='bottom' style='background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #84b714; height: 15pt; width: 26pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
L <td valign='bottom' style='background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #84b714; height: 15pt; width: 28pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
D <td valign='bottom' style='background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #84b714; height: 15pt; width: 48pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
F <td valign='bottom' style='background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #84b714; height: 15pt; width: 41pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
A <td valign='bottom' style='background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #84b714; height: 15pt; width: 48pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
% <td valign='bottom' style='background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #84b714; height: 15pt; width: 60pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
Form <td valign='bottom' style='background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #84b714; height: 15pt; width: 24pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
pts
<tr style='height: 15pt;] <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 154pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
Iron Knob Codpieces <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 29pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
13 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 26pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
13 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 26pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
0 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 28pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
0 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 48pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
17970 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 41pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
15186 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 48pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
118.33% <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 60pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
WWWWW <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 24pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
52
<tr style='height: 15pt;] <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 154pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
Foul Bay Chickens <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 29pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
13 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 26pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
12 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 26pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
1 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 28pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
0 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 48pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
18409 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 41pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
15644 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 48pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
117.67% <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 60pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
WWLWW <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 24pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
48
<tr style='height: 15pt;] <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 154pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
Waikikamoocow Incorrigibles <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 29pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
13 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 26pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
10 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 26pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
3 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 28pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
0 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 48pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
17714 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 41pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
15868 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 48pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
111.63% <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 60pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
WLWWW <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 24pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
40
<tr style='height: 15pt;] <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 154pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
Darraweit Guim Dirigibles <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 29pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
13 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 26pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
10 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 26pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
3 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 28pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
0 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 48pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
16744 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 41pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
15619 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 48pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
107.20% <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 60pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
WLWWW <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 24pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
40
<tr style='height: 15pt;] <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 154pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
Wagga Wagga Wombats <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 29pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
13 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 26pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
10 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 26pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
3 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 28pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
0 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 48pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
16739 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 41pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
14815 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 48pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
112.99% <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 60pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
LWWWW <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 24pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
40
<tr style='height: 15pt;] <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 154pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
Charlies Opening <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 29pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
13 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 26pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
10 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 26pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
3 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 28pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
0 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 48pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
15646 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 41pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
15057 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 48pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
103.91% <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 60pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
LWLWW <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 24pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
40
<tr style='height: 15pt;] <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 154pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
Cradle Mountain Devils <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 29pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
13 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 26pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
8 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 26pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
5 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 28pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
0 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 48pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
15811 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 41pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
15989 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 48pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
98.89% <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 60pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
WWLWL <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 24pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
32
<tr style='height: 15pt;] <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 154pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
Birdsville Battlers <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 29pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
13 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 26pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
6 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 26pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
7 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 28pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
0 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 48pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
15592 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 41pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
15502 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 48pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
100.58% <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 60pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
WWLLW <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 24pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
24
<tr style='height: 15pt;] <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 154pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
Lovely Banks Lilacs <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 29pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
13 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 26pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
6 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 26pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
7 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 28pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
0 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 48pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
15174 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 41pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
15508 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 48pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
97.85% <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 60pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
LWLLL <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 24pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
24
<tr style='height: 15pt;] <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 154pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
Venus Bay Vultures <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 29pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
13 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 26pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
5 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 26pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
8 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 28pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
0 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 48pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
15623 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 41pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
15403 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 48pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
101.43% <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 60pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
WLLLW <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 24pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
20
<tr style='height: 15pt;] <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 154pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
Nunawading Nuffers <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 29pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
13 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 26pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
5 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 26pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
8 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 28pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
0 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 48pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
15453 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 41pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
15926 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 48pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
97.03% <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 60pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
LLWLL <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 24pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
20
<tr style='height: 15pt;] <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 154pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
Whitsunday Warriors <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 29pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
13 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 26pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
5 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 26pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
8 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 28pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
0 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 48pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
15408 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 41pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
16212 <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 48pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt;]
95.04% <td valign='top' style='height: 15pt; width: 60pt;