Gaelic Football in South Australia

[fongfc]

looks like there might be a bit of a shake up in the league with sundays games atm due to be cancelled and everyone awarded a draw

[Zelezny Chucks]

looks like there might be a bit of a shake up in the league with sundays games atm due to be cancelled and everyone awarded a draw

???

[the milky bar kid]

the new hot weather policy ZC.

It seems i may have missed that point as I rambled on for 30 minutes to you at the cricket

[rupert]

Then there were 5...well to be fair there have only been five teams competing for the top 4 all year. While most games last week went to script the match of the round was a great battle with the result only being decided late. While it now is tough for the Flinders boys with the game in hand they can still give the top 4 a shake.

Having witnessed a few of the games over the past week I can saw that the umpiring does not determine the result. Normally its the team that has the ability to put the scores on the board when they have the ball counts. The refs this season are doing a great job. I witnessed a game which kenny cool cat ref'd the other week and from the side line found his calls clear and had great control of the contest. It will take some time for the newies to have this confidence but as a league we need to support them as they develop. Whenever we have new refs not everything may get picked up to the standard of a more experienced ref but its the consistency we are after. We will never have something like the cricket DRS to pick up everything and why should we...Didn't see much of an issue with either refs on sunday and I do believe the ref in the Irish/Onkas was his first. The only comment I would make may be where they position themselves during the game.

To this weeks games and with the exception of tonights blockbuster between NaFianna and the Saints it should be a relatively one sided weekend.

Onkas against Mitcham. Onkas accounted for the Irish easily last week and even had the audacity to send their main men down back for the last quarter and freed up and isolated Snoop Dog "one out". The Onkas continue to be the measuring stick and have some fantastic finishers up forward. Mitcham went down to the NaFianna juggernaut but the margin didn't really do them justice. If Mitcham continue to turn the ball over and provide Onkas with the opportunity to score we will see another blowout here. Onkas by 10-15 points

Port up against Flinders. Port had good numbers out friday and took it up to the Saints in a good contest with the experience of the Saints telling. Flinders put their best after Xmas team on the park and just come up short against the Goats. With the game in hand the Flinders boys still have an outside chance of the 4 and are hoping this weeks games are not called off with the heat rule. If the games is on expect the Flinders boys to wipe the Port lads by 15+ points

WI against Irish. Been a few disappointing weeks for the Irish boys. By the look of it getting consistent numbers is telling. two back to back big losses and looks like the weather may be the only thing from a third. The goats got up over Flinders in a tight contest and expect the many Flos to be the calming influence with Gags, Klunny and probably the other 13 to all get on the scoreboard. WI by 15+

Game of the round sees NaFianna up against Saints. Expect a tough contest which should be played in ideal conditions. Case of the two extremes with Saints getting the job done but not looking the most polished up against the formidable "Lawlor 15" who have posted back to back 15+ wins. NaFianna for and against improvement now gives them a realistic chance for a top 2 and double chance finish but they need to keep winning while the Saints can miss out if the Flinders boys get on a roll. The NaFianna boys keep building with Marvelous matty Hill sliding into the side on the weekend and with kenny and Jolly providing the scoring impetus while being supported by the frugal Timmy Javor and Milko down back. Will the lack of a couple tough hit outs in recent weeks effect them? The Saints though continue to get the choccies but are only in 1st gear. Expect the pace of Bachman, the many little Ginos, Pomers and Mills to cause trouble. Expect an interesting matchup for kenny kool kat with the blanket bevan to get the job with the winner of this clash to maybe tip the balance of the match. Expect the result to be close with Sainst by 1-5 and thereby sealing there spot in the 4 and shutting the door on the unlucky Flinders boys.

[Cheese Twisties]

The Taints by 8-10ish over a pretty depleted Na Fianna outfit (despite some textbook cracking 1on1 saves from Wristy) and Onkas over Mitcham by a cricket score (with Mitchell Johnson bowling - think big) very interesting to see THE Gabe Phillips suited up and warming up for Onkas...

[Flinders O'Neills]

Just warmimg up?...

was he on the match sheet.........Onkas qualifying the man for finals me thinks....

[wristwatcher]

The Taints by 8-10ish over a pretty depleted Na Fianna outfit (despite some textbook cracking 1on1 saves from Wristy) and Onkas over Mitcham by a cricket score (with Mitchell Johnson bowling - think big) very interesting to see THE Gabe Phillips suited up and warming up for Onkas...

Thanks mate. Well done to your boys on friday night. Great team effort and looking good at the right time of year again. No doubt you will be very dangerous especially now the double chance is looking a real possibility. Correct me if im wrong but West Ireland will only get one point for the draw and lose a point per season, post and pre Xmas. Thats -3 for the Goats and double chanceski looking more than a little shaky. Surely we are not on the verge of a Taints Threepeat!!!

Also on Gabe. I was so pleased to see him kit up and warm up but was shocked by the fact he never took the field. Not even for a minute. I remember a club once manipulating a team sheet and being stripped of all their points. With 3 games to go b4 finals it appears obvious what is being done. GP didnt just feel like wearing the outfit but is attempting to qualify for finals. Be very careful with that one my Onkaparingans. You may have a half a dozen bodies on the commitee but a few onlookers have a dozen decades of experience. Damn rules have bitten me b4 and i believe they bit you in a womens final last year.... Im probably just over thinking it, Gabriel probably did just want to Don the big bad baggy blue shorts.

[Breaking Balls]

Good to see not much has changed over the past few weeks with the likes of re MBK, CT, WW and the great Rupert still making sure the forum goes from strength to strength.

And i ask the people of the forum (well three in particular) this- Who would ever want to be a referee when all people do is bag and criticise their performances. I could rant and rant forever about this but there's no point. Without referees we would not have a game!

Unless teams wanted to ref there own games and players call their own 'fouls', however we've seen how this works in American Street Basketball movies such as 'White Men can't Jump' and let me tell you, there were some very dubious calls from a one Wesley Snipes!

Enjoy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnMKbKk6CBc

[the milky bar kid]

Great to have you back BB, it's like you've been pre occupied over the xmas break

Interesting weekend with the first time that games have been affected by the how weather policy.
This will definitely make the battle for 2nd a heap more interesting. Especially given the Taints form of late, they were ultra impressive against a good Na Fi line up (only missing a couple). It seems the Taints are all up & firing lead by Sticks Edwards taking a heap of grabs in the midfield.
As for the referee points situation, i believe WI loose only 1 point as the season is now set up as 1 season.

[wristwatcher]

Yes BB nice to have you back. Allow me to respond Sir.
I have never heard anyone else say this but personally the best way to watch a great game of Gaelic is from the Refs prospective.
You are in perfect poosition to see all the action (well you should be), you can enjoy the game from an unbiased point of view, you can ensure the game is played in the right spirit and you have the ability to ensure the game is decided by skill and ability and on its own merits.
Teams will occasionally hear me say "great half of Football" at half time. This means that i have truly enjoyed watching the game. It also means it was actually a good half of Football as im in position to see that better than anyone.

There is no doubt that you hear some horrible things as a ref. In over 300 games as a ref i have heard some of my closest friends and fiercest advesarys among others say or call me...disgrace, one sided, unfair, inconsistent, shocking, having no idea, lost the plot, favouring, being a socialist, protecting players, having a shocker, playing 2 sets of rules, seeking revenge, sexist, fagg*ot, shit bloke, monkey lover , fat f*ck, f*cken skip, useless, useless c*nt, dumb wog, pony tailed poofter, sh*t decision maker, blowhard, loser, plenty of other things as well the worst one of all that i have only ever been called once..."Cheat!" - See 2009 Australasian Championships when i was forced to ref my own team out of the National Finals proved to myself that i would never cheat under any circumstances (please note that games featuring Rosewater Dingos i merely assist this new teams entry into the league and dont actually cheat)

So why ref? Its because the game is bigger than the individual. It should always slide off your back as a Ref. If you have reffed a game and done your best and not changed the result of the match through your officiating then you should be proud of your efforts even if you do make some mistakes. if you love the game you will be an Ok ref and you see the game better than anyone else in the park. Personally i think that the treatment of Refs in Gaelic State League and 7 a side has improved a great deal. Well i certainly dont feel disrespected when im out with the whistle. If any ref disagrees with me, then id suggest you do what i very rarely do and show those who dont respect officials a little bit of red or yellow action. It soon shuts them up.

[wristwatcher]

This weeks tips...Catch up Round

Match of the Round

West Ireland by 6-10 over Flinders. The Reds managed to put 6 in the back of the net in their last encounter and would be a huge chance in this one if only they would leave a couple back on the last line and not get caught over the back on the counter attack. 6.6 (24) should never ever ever ever ever be a losing score but alas it was. Throw caution to the wind and play with attacking flair but dont have 14 guys running forward. I want to tip an upset as Flinders have now only 2 games in the next 10 months and should be super pissed that their talented squad is going to miss out on the oppurtunity of breaking a 20 year Hannigan Cup drought. But Gotta stick with the Goats just as they battle for the double chance.

[the milky bar kid]

The ladder makes for interesting reading although the top 4 is already confirmed. The battle for second is well & truely up for grabs.

WI are probably in the box seat with an extra game in hand. They play
Flinders, Na Fianna, Saints

St Brendans are still a big chance with a good for & against. They play
Flinders & Western Ireland

Na Fianna would need results to go our way, we play
Western Ireland & Onka's

Flinders will have a big say on how the finals shape out.

[Cheese Twisties]

Great to have you back BB, it's like you've been pre occupied over the xmas break

Interesting weekend with the first time that games have been affected by the how weather policy.
This will definitely make the battle for 2nd a heap more interesting. Especially given the Taints form of late, they were ultra impressive against a good Na Fi line up (only missing a couple). It seems the Taints are all up & firing lead by Sticks Edwards taking a heap of grabs in the midfield.
As for the referee points situation, i believe WI loose only 1 point as the season is now set up as 1 season.

I believe his recent improvement in form cooincides with a lovely new lady in his life...!! IMHO its on a matter of time before he is Facebook official (Matt Whippedford style)...

[wristwatcher]

Should be an interesting night of 7,s tonight to be played in perfect conditions....

The Flinders v Onkas game will tell a big story on who will participate in the GF which is still 5 weeks away. Flinders may just step up their 7 a side run at the finals now their State League season will end at the completion of the minor Round. Throw in the Taints who are looking for a double in the trophy cabinet in 2010/11 and you have got your 3 red hot favourites to hold up the the the the Um.......Cup. (Despite having played in 6 different 7/9 a side teams in the comps over the years and despits having raised the trophy on 4 or 5 occasions i have absolutely no idea what the Cup is called )

The battle for 4th and 5th might be an interesting one as well. Its looking like the Round 10 clash of Angry Leps v Steve Irwins Allstars will more or less be an elimiation final. Angrys Captain Chris Carey and Irwins big man Ryan "Yes" Darling have been 2 of the individual standouts and both have looked unstoppable at times.

At this stage Gaelic Sportsbet have closed and bets will no longer be accepted on The Rosewater Dingos to win the wooden spoon . One thing you can be sure of though is the boys in the very very very very very bright orange fluro will be battling it out til the final whistle each week. I know the crowd will be salivating at the though of another old Man Andy purple patch, a Kang karate kick into the back of the net, a mini Andy anti hip and shoulder on someone 2 foot taller than him or even just a little more "Froggy style". Perhaps the one unique phenomenon that cant be explained is...Why do the Dingos have a dog as a mascot that is literally not much bigger than a mouse and clearly not a Dingo AND will Harry nearly kill it with one of his kickouts again???

[schimma]

Goats to beat Flinders by 6-10 points

[Cheese Twisties]

So with Gabe Phillips missing the entire season - who are the favourites to win the Gabe Phillips award for best player of the 2010/2011 season? My baseless and fairly unfounded tips are:

Jordan Pegoraro (St Brendans) - continued his good form from the Australaisan Championships to become one of the premier midfieders in the comp. Could struggle for votes if/when the umps confuse him for his twin bro Johnny...

Josh Willoughby (Western Ireland) - never seen him play myself, however he got rave reviews in the early season games, and Wstern Ireland are motoring along nicely.

Danny Boy (Onkas) - Irish Danny is probably the best player in the comp, and has played most of the season but missed a few. What a difference he would have made on last years State Trip...

Matt Doekce (Irish) - a god amongst men, so surely must be a chance.

Gabe Phillips (Onkas) - has been sneakily qualified, so who knows he could still manage to poll votes...!!

Any other chances? McSorely from Flinders? Gav O'Reilly from Na Fianna? Mason from Mitcham?

[the milky bar kid]

Good post CT.

I think from Na Fianna Kenneth Fay would probably be the most likely to poll well. He's played all but one game.
Maybe Chris Carey is in with a shot
From what i hear Danny has missed a few games & i think Willoughby's in the same boat.
Jordy is a big possibility.

Lets face it we'd all love Matt Doecke to win!!! If he does, i'll put $2 on KH crying tears of joy

[BFG]

rekon your spot on CT with your predictions.

one i'd also mention tho and yes i may be slightly biased as i play with him every week is the people's favourite ranga joe pedler, danny may have taken votes away from him early but id say hes been as important. has missed a couple of late tho.

[wristwatcher]

Medal winners will be very interesting...

GAELIC 7,S
Due to the fact that i have reffed all but one game in the season i wont give any specific tips. What i can say is that there is no runaway leader as all of the stars of each team have missed more than one game. With 4 rounds to go almost any player in the 7,s league would still be in with an oppurtunity at this stage. Dan Bryant did not poll a vote in his one cameo appearance . The winner of this medal could well and truly come from left field and with Mike "The Polish Enigma" Zaluski playing in all 3 games last night and managing the comp we may see a rule change that would allow him to poll votes in all games he plays in .

STATE LEAGUE
My tip is Danny O Grady. Has missed games but the games he plays in he always plays well. He also treats the ref, opposition and teammates (Buddha O,Leary excluded ) with respect which will only help his cause. The final factor in his favour is that Onkas may end up 13 and 1 or there abouts and that suggests that the Onkas boys will have the most votes to share amongst each other.

Some of the other tips where interesting and im sure they will all poll well. My views on the rest are.......

Kenny Faj from Na Fianna WILL NOT WIN. Has had a solid season with glimpses of brilliance but perhaps his often colourfull interactions with the whistle blowers may not endear him and could cost him a couple of votes. The Na Fianna vote spread will be very even and i would think Andy Read would poll well early but eventually Dills Turner will poll the most for our team. Gav will be around the mark as would Matty Hill but like KF ex umpires often alienate themselves to the men in charge. As you can see, so many good players = not so many votes per person .
Port Districts Stevey Ray Clay will poll OK (that rhymes- ) and wont have too many players to worry about taking votes from him in his team.
Matt Norris-Doecke is in the same boat and a real chance. Will finish in the top 5 i would think. some say he is so good that he will poll in games he did not even play in .
J Peg has been awesome but may be effected by twin confusion. Top 5 for sure though, maybe runner up.
Todd "LoveChild" McSorely has missed too many games and wont make the top 10 IMO.
Chris Carey is in the same boat for Mitcham whilst Mase and TommyG will poll several times but only 1 and 2,s due to their clubs lack of wins.
Willow would most deff be in the mix. He is another player i would think that will be top 5.
My smokey is "Jumpin" Joey Peddlar. Hes hard to miss. Controls the air, good skills, plays team orientated football and his aerobic capacity sees him get to a ton of contests.

[Swooper16]

Think we have pretty much covered the field. The only other one from St Brendans who I think might be a chance is Baccy. Played every match and altho a tad inconsistent has played a number of blinders and his leggy style would be hard to ignore when giving out the 3-2-1's I would think.

Most perplexing umpiring decision of the year could very well go to Wristy after last night. Still thumbing the rulebook trying to find where it stipulates "no lying".

If they have an award for most prepared then surely the player from Rosewater last night is a chance. Was there before the kick off of the 645 game and wasnt scheduled to play until the last game at 845.