The Games


Powlett Plains 1382 d Wagga Wagga 1101


Powlett Plains continued on their merry way with a thumping win over the thus-far impressive Wagga Wagga Wombats.

Again, the veterans led the way for the Packers - Jolly top scoring with 136 in the ruck, Kane Cornes scoring 114 and Luke Ball 105.
Lachie Henderson chimed in with 108 in a wonderfully even effort.
For the Wombats, the Kanagroos' duo of Thompson and Bastinac led the way with 117 and 125 respectively. Prestia was next best with 109.



Foul Bay 1348 d Marble Bar 1221


Another even team effort saw the Chickens from Foul Bay score a comfortable, though not entirely convincing, win over Marble Bar.
Foul Bay were led by Dangermouse, Liberatore, Bartel and Roughead, though they enjoyed 14 players out of 15 scoring above 70.
For Marble Bar, it was an impressive effort which belied the Misfits' ladder position. Midfielders Ward, Sewell and Steven top scored, while Danny Stanley's even 100 marks a continued return to form.



Cradle Mountain 1210 d Lovely Banks 1082


For this section of the review I hand over to the eloquent coach of Cradle Mountain, dmandrews:

The visiting Lovely Bank Lilacs gave a brave but undermanned performance against the Cradle Mountain Devils, playing three men short and losing by 128 points, with a full team on the park it is likely that Lovely Bank would have won the match.

Three players from Lovely Banks were in the votes, Mitch Duncan, Dane Swan who spent more time in the midfield than the past two weeks and Craig Bird. Lovely Banks gave a consistent performance with only one player Andrew Krakouer scoring below 60.
Jack Redden was best afield for the Devils, scoring 149 points whilst his captain Scott Pendlebury has been a model of consistency in Rounds 8, 9, and 10 to score 118, 119 and 119 respectively, receiving Les W medal votes in each game.

Another four Devils including young gun Nick Vlastuin scored at least 100 points.
Unlike Lovely Banks the Cradle Mountain Devils had no problem fielding a full strength team having 19 players to choose from however they will be looking for improvement in players 11-15 in the second half of the season with all five players in this range scoring below 60 against Lovely Banks.



Darraweit Guim 1339 d Charlie's Opening 1260


Darraweit Guim continued its good run of form, edging Charlie's Opening in an exciting climax to their Round 10 match.
The Dirigibles faced a steep deficit going into the final stages of the game after Spelunkers' forward Drew Petrie had a picnic and scored 178.
However the Richmond quintet of Maric, Rance, Vickery, Foley and Shane Edwards were able to overhaul the deficit and outscore the Spelunkers' last three players in Hill, Jackson and Le Cras.
For Charlie's Opening, Petrie led the way, with able support from Jack, Stephen Hill and Swallow. For Darraweit Guim, Andrew Walker returned to form with 150, while Harvey scored 137. Every Guim player bar one scored over 65 points.



Waikikamoocow 1298 d Gariwerd 1060


The boys from New Zealand certainly had an enjoyable flight home after a comfortable win over Gariwerd.
McVeigh and Fyfe led the way for the Cow-kickers, with 116 and 108 respectively. Hibberd up back scored 115, Macaffer a handy 100 and Westhoff - in his final game with the team - 107.

For Gariwerd, Deledio led all scorers with a gilt-edged 131.
Unfortunately it was a bit of a lone hand, as only Hurn, De Boer and Masten scored above 90.
However Vardy made a timely return to the ruck position, scoring 73 and showing signs of real improvement.


Nunawading 1177 d Larrikin Lagoon 1167


In the close one of the round, Nunawading continued their improvement with a dramatic 10 point win over the unlucky Larrikin Lagoon.

Nunawading enjoyed a comfortable lead going into the late stages othe game, only to watch as Larrkin Laggon's Natanui, Priddis and Selwood (the latter with 140) came oh so close to causing an upset.


Given that the Lefties were one short with no ruckman, the effort was even more noteworthy.

But to the victor go the four points - Brent Stanton led Nunawading with 121, while Goodes, Black and Kennedy provided great support. Big Jack Hombsch was a revelation even playing OOP up forward.
For Larrikin Lagoon - Selwood, Lewis, Nic Nat and Hale led the way.



Venus Bay 1320 d Gundagai 597


Venus Bay enjoyed a resounding win over the hobbled Grasshoppers, who are looking forward to some rest, recuperation and a batch of new players over the coming mid-season break.

Malceski, Krezuer and Garlett led the way with 110+ scores for the Vultures, while Parker scored 106 and Jeremy Howe continued to fly high with 93.

For the Grasshoppers, Brett Goodes and Ryan O'Keefe kept up their great efforts for the injury ravaged club, who were an unbelieavable 7 players short. In fact, scoring almost 600 from 8 players is a damn good effort to be honest!
Good to see Pat Karnezis deliver a handy 74 for the Grasshoppers too. For them, a first round MSD pick awaits, with plenty of talent to choose from.



Iron Knob 1468 d Birdsville 994


Iron Knob just keep on rolling, or should we say steamrolling, kicking the sweep this week and winning easily over Birdsville.

While Ablett (129) gets most of the attention, it is in fact a number of lesser lights that continue to step up for the Codpieces - Richard Douglas (120) playing his best footy ever, the ruck duo in Goldstein and Minson (120 and 133), Breust with 100 and Garland 114. However Ryan Griffin top scored with 174.

For Birdsville, injuries and some poor form stopped them from scoring at their usual clip.
Ebert continued his good form with 112, Treloar got 100, and Zac Clarke battled manfully up forward OOP due to Cloke's withdrawal. Brent Moloney's injury hopefully not too serious for Birdsville.


Whitsundays 1026 d Mt Beauty 885


The midfield duo of Barlow and Sloane were the difference as Whitsundays defeated Mt Beauty in a low scoring game marked by absent and injured players.

Barlow (141) and Sloane (134) received able support from young Aaron Black (131), who has definitely made a big impact this year.
For Mt Beauty, the break can't come quick enough with a few injured players due to return after the byes. Sidebottom scored 127, while the impressive Wingard kept up his fine season with 95.



The Ladder

(Courtesy of Lenny - thanks heaps mate)



Iron Knob 36 14211

Foul Bay 32 13306

Waikikamoocow 32 12691

Venus Bay 28 12433

Birdsville 28 12399

Powlett Plains 28 12399

Wagga Wagga 24 12360

Darraweit Guim 24 11991

-----------------------------------

Charlies Opening 20 12695

Cradle Mountain 20 12208

Mt Beauty 20 11413

Whitsundays 20 11375

Gariwerd 16 11852

Nunawading 16 10987

Larrikin Lagoon 8 11781

Lovely Banks 4 11182

Marble Bar 4 10739

Gundagai 0 8876




Darraweit Guim jump into the top 8 and open up a game's break between the top half and the chasing pack. Four teams loiter close by on 5 wins.
Iron Knob continues to lead the way, with Foul Bay and Wakikamoocow a game back.



Best of luck to everyone in the coming trade and draft periods. Hope we can all find some reinforcements and able bodies to revitalise some tired legs!