Carnage is probably the only word to describe what happened on the weekend. Captains withdrawing before the match and then guns going down mid-match quicker than a two-dollar hooker. You must feel for a coach when this happens to them, but I’m sure Bucks and the boys will bounce back against the Giants this week. Of course, Supercoaches across the country were also impacted and the medical room played a big part in at least one result on the weekend.

Congrats to those who made it through to preliminary final week, and whilst the second placed Ax were blunted in straight sets, no one can question the credentials of the four sides remaining. The Blue Baggers and Mudcrabs were the top 2 highest scoring sides of the regular season, whilst Wolfpak has won eleven of the last twelve and FOF nine of their last 10 matches. Its is shaping up to be a great weekend of football which is often the case with Preliminary weekend.

The incentive for all remaining sides is obvious. The chance to play off in a grand final is a rare one, and the fact that there has never been a multiple winner confirms just how difficult it is to win one. Make the most of your opportunities lads, because you never know when the next one might come around. Just ask last year’s minor premiers the Hangovers, who are currently duking it out with the other gumbys after being one game sort of the big one just 12 months ago.

Break a leg (or a hand, or tear a hammy……)

D���

Dr Dunwich Demitriou CEO, Stradbroke Shield

Results

Ax have joined a long line of ‘straight setters’ after their luck well and truly ran out against FOF. Mudcrabs bounced back in style against the Tomsies and the D-Man’s dream is still alive.

SHIELD

Moorooduc Mudcrabs 2343 def Tomsies 2061

Funny Old Fellow 2179 def Ax 2143

GUMBY FINALS

Polly's Saints 1837 def tricolours 1449

D-Man Destroyers 2033 def Dazzlers 2012

Round 19 Highest Scoring Players

1. Matthew Lobbe (Port) - 178

2. Lance Franklin (Syd) - 168

3. Dayne Zorko (Bris) - 162

4. Pearce Hanley (Bris) - 149

5. Robbie Gray (Port) - 148

Season Highest Scoring Players

1. Joel Selwood (Geel) - 2,394

2. Scott Pendlebury (Coll)- 2,377

3. Sam Jacobs (Adel) - 2,321

4. Matt Priddis (WCE) - 2,304

5. Josh Kennedy (Swans) - 2,278

1ST PRELIMINARY FINAL

Blue Baggers –v– Funny Old Fellow

FOF continues to ride their finals luck and is making another charge towards the Grand Finals from outside the top 4. The Baggers were able to sit back and watch the mayhem of last weekend, however even a cursory glance at their side, shows that they will be paying much attention to the club doctors this week. This match has the potential to be played in u/10 conditions with 15 on 15, but whatever way it pans out, its sure to be wor-thy of a grand final qualifier.

Dunwich says BAGGERS by 115.

Last time they met: Baggers 2328 def FOF 2120 (Rd 9) Form Guide: BAGGERS 5-0 FOF 4-1

2ND PRELIMINARY FINAL

Wolfpak –v– Moorooduc Mudcrabs

Put simply, the Mudcrabs must win this or forever be linked to the Port Power sides of the early 2000. Three consecutive top 4 finishes must result in a GF appearance at the very least and Coach Stuart will be well aware of this. Wolfpak are not immune to the pressure themselves as they are attempting to enter their fifth decider in the Shield’s 7 year history. Whilst that is an impressive stat, they only have one flag for all that effort. Another barren year may start to put a question mark over their claim to be the Shield’s best side ever. History in the making for one of these sides.

Dunwich says Mudcrabs by 6.

Last time they met: Mudcrabs 2145 def Wolfpak 2047 (rd 11) Form Guide: WOLFPAK 5-0 MUDCRABS 3-2

     

     

1ST PRELIMINARY FINAL

Vossys Mate v D-Man Destroyers Dunwich says Vossy by 45

2ND PRELIMINARY FINAL

Hangovers v Saints Dunwich says HANGOVERS by 290

BAGGERS

MUDCRABS

VOSSY

SAINTS

BAGGERS

WOLFPAK

VOSSY

HANGOVERS

FOF

MUDCRABS

VOSSY

HANGOVERS

BAGGERS

MUDCRABS

D-MAN

SAINTS

BAGGERS

WOLFPAK

D-MAN

HANGOVERS

FOF

MUDCRABS

D-MAN

SAINTS STONE COLD

STEVE AUSTIN

JOE HOCKEY

FATSO PADDLEPOP

LION

PARRAMATTA BALL BOY

GATORADE ICE BUCKET