Round 14

The Headline

In a massive shakeup to equalise competitions, the AFLNEB (the governing body for the O&M, TDFL and O&K) will introduce a new sliding Total Team Points (TTP) system, which will be based on each club's final position, including finals, from 2024.

The O&M premiers will have 36 points for 2025, the runner-up 37, the losing preliminary finalist 38, fourth 39, fifth 40, sixth 42, seventh 43, eighth 44, ninth 45 and 10th 46, while clubs can still apply for extra points.

"You hate to say that you don't like losing games, and I felt like today we did. It's probably not one where we thought we were beaten...we lost that one"

Wang coach Ben Reid on letting one slip

The Headlines

Wodonga's injury list is up there with Collingwood's at the moment, bordering on the Doggies having to call up the ressies for the 2 PM game.

From the weekend's clash, Noah Bradshaw (right ankle), Matt Wilson (ankle), co-captain Charlie Morrison (leg) & co-coach Jack O'Sullivan (shoulder) all looked in the wars, adding to the already missing Kyle Winter-Irving (hamstring), Noah Spiteri (knee - season), Oscar Willding (concussion - season), big Jack O'Sullivan (syndesmosis) & Ethan Redcliffe (back).

Looks like their top 5 hopes could be on shaky ground.

In other news, the Tigers have appointed former Collingwood & Hawthorn ruckman Max Lynch as non-playing coach for 3 years from next season when Anthony Miles & Shaun Daly step down.

Around the Grounds

Take 2 of R10 saw Lavi open up a big lead in the 3rd term & continue on to run out strong winners over Raiders.

The Doggies looked like they were going to be blown away by the Pigeons, down by 51 points at the half before a gallant fightback to narrow the margin to 36 at the final siren.

Then, the Darby well & truly lived up to the hype with the Rovers & Maggies going blow for blow until the final bell, Tom Boyd slipping forward to steal a memorable win for the brown & gold.

Goalkickers

🏉 Lavi's Shaun Driscoll led the goalkickers for part 2 of R10 with 6 majors, all in the second half if you don't mind.

🏉 Hoppers Nathan Dennis & Josh Minogue, and Panther Tim Oosterhoff all bagged 5 - the Roosterhoff with 13 shots for 5.6, one on the full and another falling short.

🏉 Cal Moore still leads all comers on 45 despite being held to 2 majors.

The Good - Jace McQuade's blanketing of the comps most dangerous forward in Moore, keeping him goalless until midway through the last.

The Bad - Wang conceding 15 to 6 inside 50’s in the last term with the game teetering in the balance.

The Ugly - The Saints missing their leading goalkicker in Lachy Murphy-Dale for a month after accepting the tribunals sanction for his hit on Hopper Julian Hayes.

Match of the Round

Wang v North

A big game for both clubs finals aspirations, with Wang needing the win on 2 fronts - firstly to stay in the 5, and secondly to chase down North.

If the Hoppers can get the job done, it could well see them 2 games clear in third with Wodonga's concerning injury list.

Form: Wang (4-1) - North (3-2)

Both have losses to Rovers of recent, the Maggies with a much more impressive display last week than that of North in R6, while the Hoppers only other loss in the past 5 weeks has come at the hands of the reigning premiers.

Last Time: R2 - Hoppers by 10 points.

Tip: Pies by 12 points.

"It is always concerning to see a player knocked out cold and not wake up for at least a few minutes"

Power Footy Ops Manager Paul Rippingale on Andrew Phibbs entering concussion protocols

The Headline

Daryn Cresswell was spotted on the scout at Coreen, maybe sizing up some youngsters with O&M experience should the rumors hold true of a return to the border?

Pat Lavis, Darcy Melksham, Cody Kuschert, Matt Bush, Ryan Beveridge, Ethan Hanrahan and Jimmy Hanrahan likely on the radar.

The Power surely antsy at the prospect of their prized recruits & the core of an emerging list being lured away.

Around the Grounds

The Spiders finally got an impressive win on the board, never looking troubled in their dismantling Murray to the tune of 110 points.

CDHBU stole the chockies over old Coreen League rivals Billabong in a game with plenty of feeling, set up by a 5 goal to zip opening term.

Meanwhile, Holbrook solidified their top 2 chances, making things a lot tougher for the Giants in the process.

Goalkickers

🏉 Jordy Harrington stole the show Lockhart's big win over the Saints with 9 sausage rolls.

🏉 Doggie Will Straus, the Power's Ryan Beveridge & Spider Sasha Newnham all bagged 4 in their respective wins.

🏉 Tigers Hugh Schmetzer, Charlie Douglas, Ed O'Connell & Dec Galvin covered the missing George Alexander, sharing the love with 3 apiece against Henty.

The Good - Howlong finally showing the explosiveness we know they're capable of.

The Bad - Jindera failing to capitalise on percentage with 10.19 against Culcairn.

The Ugly - The melee between old rivals CDHBU & Billabong after a sling tackle saw Power co-captain Andrew Phibbs out cold & Crow Joey Kenna yellowed & reported.

Match of the Round

Lockhart v Jindera

The Dees will be hopeful a win could springboard them up to 4th, while Jindera will be looking to stay the pace with Osborne and Holbrook.

Form: Lockhart (3-2) - Jindera (4-1)

Lockhart have shown exactly why they're tipped as the League wildcards in the last 5 weeks, pushing the Brookers for 3 quarters before falling away late, and taking solid scalps in the Power & Spiders.

On the other hand, Jindera have been trucking along nicely despite being below full strength, their only blemish in that time to the Giants.

Last Time: R8 '23 - Dees by 47 points.

Tip: Dogs by 7 points.

"Everyone you speak to rates the Swans as the team to beat and internally we feel the same way"

Beechworth's Cam Fendyk playing mindgames with Chiltern before their massive bout?

The Headline

A massive fortnight of footy awaits with the top 4 playing off against each other in an early preview of the finals.

Ladder positions may well be decided over these 4 games, so expect the best of the TDFL on display.

Around the Grounds

The Bushies, Swans, Roos & Hawks all had good tune ups with convincing wins ahead of their upcoming blockbusters.

Rutherglen were forced to go it the hard way at Eskdale, turning a 15 point deficit at the first break into a 5 point lead at the half with a 5.4 to 2.2 second quarter and never looking back, despite some inaccurate kicking.

Meanwhile, Thurgoona staked their claim on a finals berth in a cracker against Barny. With scores tied at the final break, the Dogs just wanted it more with a 4 goal to 2 seeing them run out 12 point winners.

Goalkickers

🏉 Swans Brad Hibberson (7) & Dion Gleeson (6) made light work of a battling Bombers defence.

🏉 Bushrangers Lachy Armstrong (7) & Connor Stone (5) had little trouble hitting the scoreboard against Wahgunyah, nor did Hawks Mitch Paton (7) & Dylan Blaszczyk (5) against Wodonga.

🏉 Still no one can catch suspended Hopper James Breen at the top of the table, despite only 1 game remaining in his 1 month lay-off, Barny's Jack Chesser remaining 4 behind with the sole major last weekend.

The Good - Barny signing former KSC premiership coach Adam Mudra who had an 80% win-loss with the Hawks.

The Bad - If the messaging at the Tiges 3 quarter time huddle was anything as feeble as Ritchie Blunden's words before the match - needing the win to play finals not being the focus - then the result was forgone.
Would've loved to hear some passion like his counterpart D-Mac a few weeks earlier, sending his boys to war.

The Ugly - Tallangatta's average losing margin over the past 5 weeks - 70 points.

Match of the Round

Chiltern v Beechworth

Any other week, it've been the Hawks & Roos, but you can't go past the top of the table clash. Winner takes top, looser risks their top 3 aspirations.

Form: Chiltern (5-0) - Beechy (5-0)

The closest anyone's gotten to these 2 in the past 5 weeks was Rutherglen's 18 point loss to the Swans. Thurgoona got within 4 goals of the Bushies in that time, but both teams are up top for a reason, performing demolition jobs on the other 4 teams they've faced.

Last Time: R1 - Swans by 49 points.

Tip: Bushies by 3 points.

“We earmarked this month as being a really tough exercise of getting in and just getting the job done"

Chris Dube after passing the first hurdle of a tougher 3 weeks

The Headline

Bonnie Doon have lost none of their hunger, slugging out the W against Bright to remain undefeated in their title defence.

They now look likely to go through the remainder of the home & away unbeaten, barring any major upsets against Milawa & Goorambat - or outright disasters to anyone else.

Around the Grounds

Results fell as expected this weekend, Greta simply too strong for Milawa, same to be said for North over Benalla, while Goorambat put Tarra to the sword.

Goalkickers

🏉 Hopper Darby West bobbed up with 6 snags in his equal open age PB.

🏉 Bats Brayden Stepien (6) & Duane Haebich (5) did the damage against Tarra, Haebich just a goal off leader - Greta’s Frazer Judd - on 60.

🏉 Hawks Tyler Nanson & Jhye Devine both delivered with 5 apiece in their thumping of Benalla.

The Good - The Blues getting the job done comfortably against finals hopefuls without their spearhead & League leading goalkicker in Judd.

The Bad - Goorambat's odds against Greta this week, going in without Haebich (shoulder).

The Ugly - Bright in front of goal. Missed too many opportunities to make life very difficult for the Bombers & cost them dearly come the final siren.

Match of the Round

Milawa v King Valley

Not a lot to get excited about this week, but we've got to pick one. The Roos simply must show up if they're to keep a heartbeat this season.

Form: Milawa (4-1) - King Valley (2-3)

History suggests tight ones at Whitfield around the start of the season, but the Dees tend to get a hold of the return fixture on a bigger deck at home with 10 goal+ wins.

Last Time: R1 - Dees by 7 points.

Tip: Dees by 55 points.

"It was a surreal feeling when the final siren sounded with the players jumping up and down like we had just won the grand final"

Tumbarumba co-coach Jim Waters on the Roos massive upset

The Headline

Hawthorn premiership star Matt Suckling donned the blue & white against Bullioh last weekend, silencing the chirpy Dogs (Too old, too slow type sledging) with a 50m bullet through the big sticks (Too good, his reply).

The result is a 99 point turn around from last they met a month prior, & hands down the biggest upset this season.

Goalkickers

🏉 Blues Nick Brockley & Guy Telford combined for 16 goals in Cudgewa’s touch up of Corryong - Telford now 15 clear of Bullioh’s Ash Murray.

🏉 Murray couldn’t drag the Dogs over the line with his 6 snags, partially offset by Roo Reece Hulm’s 4.

Match of the Round

Bullioh v Cudgewa

The best teams in the league for the past 2 seasons slug it out for the third time this year. Whilst it wasn’t happy hunting for the Dogs in ‘23, they’re edging ever closer to victory against the dominant Blues.

Form: Bullioh (3-2) - Cudgewa (5-0)

The Dogs were simply unlucky in both of their losses in the last 5 weeks, narrowly dropping to the Blues by under a goal for the second time, & last weekend where a big fish dominated in a small pond.

The Blues, well, they’re just going about business as usual. But they’ll know this week won’t be a walk in the park.

Last Time: R6 - Blues by 2 points

Tip: Blues by 3 points.