GFL 2002 Season Review

PREMIERS	RUNNERS UP
Keswick Krill	Portside Phantoms

A short selection of the main contributors from each team to highlight the team strengths:
Darlington 69ers: A.Lynch, Loewe, Wanganeen, D.Morrell, Buckley, McRae, N.Holland, Headland, M.Stevens
In most respects the 69ers had a pretty forgettable year, and the fact they finished three games out of the five was probably more indicative than their actual 6th ranking, with their season over a few rounds before the home and away part had even concluded. The team was busy at the pre-season trade table off loading the likes of Cornes who played a good year elsewhere and in return they took on board Cockatoo-Collins who comparatively kicked twice the goals in season 2001, it was to be the other way around this year. In another deal with the same club Mercuri, Br.Holland and Morrell were given the pink and blue highlights while passing off a high draft pick. For one cameo appearance, Holland's trade was a masterstroke when he kicked a career best 8 goals against his former GFL club, while Morrell who was really a "sweetener" in the deal, was delisted and picked up again and showed some promising signs late in the season. An assistant coach, Doug Macrae, was appointed with the Head coach heading off overseas for most of the season. But the team must have been thinking of themselves on a footy trip over the blue yonder judging by a number of their performances throughout the year. Lynch again lead the goalkicking, and at one stage looked likely to take out the Coleman medal.

The Bills: Lloyd, McKernan, Dixon, Hammil, Koutoufides, O'Loughlin, D.Rodan, Lockwood, N.Thompson, Garlick
Summed up by not having Lloyd for many a game throughout the season due to injury, the fortunes of the Bills faltered, and when Lloyd returned and McKernan found some form.... well it was all too late. Like their favoured Carlton counterparts the end of the season for the Bills was to end up as their lowest ebb in their short history. An unlikely loss late in the season was the final straw as the depths of the cellar were home to them in 2002/03 off season. Riccardi had a stellar season for once showing some consistency when it comes to goalkicking, although it was a bitter-sweet moment for the Bills when he kicked the goal that sunk their real life heroes, Carlton after the siren. On the downside O'Loughlin, Thompson and Dixon were inconsistent scorers while Garlick consistently added only one major to the total. Hammil again was disappointing, reliving a potential tag that he cannot seem to shake. In the final analysis the Bills will be thankful that there is only one direction to travel on the ladder, for both their beloved teams!

Western Dolphins: Farmer, Tarrant, Power, Tredrea, Ottens, B.Johnson, Goodes, Mensch, S.Rocca, M.Lappin
Still easily boasting one of the most dynamic talent as far as depth is concerned in the league, the Dolphins were plagued by frustrating inconsistency and the coaches curse (seemingly unable to ever get a team selection right on the day) as supported by one of the lowest Coaching Percentages ever in a GFL competition. The team was brimming with talent but their season could be summed up in three weeks that saw respectively a loss when Tredrea kicked 0.4; a win when Tredrea kicked 6.0; and a loss when they left Harding 6.2 out of the side. It was terribly frustrating for a team which was most feared by all other opponents. But they did finish second at the end of the home and away series and were beaten less times than the team which finished second on the same wins, but fell short of a grand final berth when their players decided that they had had enough for season 2001. The Dolphins were marred by a season that would see them kicking 22 goals one week and with the same players 9 goals the next to become what is probably one of the most infuriating lists in the competition. The Dolphins will still remain as premiership favourites on many a punter list come season 2003.

GTO LIONS: Bradshaw, Kingsley, Welsh, Cornes, Robertson, Beinke, J.Longmuir, Pickett, L.Davis, Everritt, Fevola,
In the final analysis the Lions will be anything but happy with their fifth ranking, after leading the competition just a few rounds prior to the finals commencing. Their strategy on the younger brigade and depth finally came to fruition with Bradshaw bagging 32 goals in half those games, Kingsley kicking at least four goals every week, Welsh averaging nearly three goals a game, and the dangerous Pickett and Leon Davis lurking around the goal mouth to add their own danger to any complacent opponent. A string of wins and games where they averaged 90+ points ensured that the Lions were being hailed as premiership material midway through the season. But the coach was not convinced, fearing his players had peaked too early and the run could not last, and unfortunately he was spot on. The most frustrating point for the Lions must have been Fevola who was unable to take the next step so many predicted he would make this year, and apart from a couple of very promising appearances, played mini league late in the season and was in danger of losing his spot in the real life Carlton. Kingsley made the silly statement of declaring his intention to win the Coleman medal just after the halfway point of the season, from there on he managed just 14 more goals, 8 of which nabbed in two games later in the season. After a promising start Bradshaw fell by the wayside to again be more a hinderance to the side than a potential 70 goal full forward, in one round he failed to score, costing the team a match (he was initially dropped and then a last minute inclusion) and could manage just six more goals from the next six games. Welsh fell victim to that pubis thingamejig and the Lions were unable to fill the contribution he had made to the team. The wheels fell off at the end and the Lions were lucky to remain in the five, and with a team list that boasts a lot of utility type players, who ventured to different clubs, season 2003 is not looking much brighter.

Krusty's Klowns: Lockett, Hird, R.Smith, Vardy, McLeod, S.Grant, N.Brown, Molloy
There was very little for the Klowns to gloat about again this year in what would be chalked up as another very forgettable season for them. They lost Modra to retirement but another Tony (Lockett) was available for them to snap up quickly, ironically wearing number 46 - a combination of the 4 and 6 numbers the two forwards wore respectively, although in the wash up he was far from a regular potential goal contributor for the team and fell out of favour with the supporters before he himself retired two thirds during the season. Although he was everyone's first draft pick it was probably the main reason why the Klowns could not take an extra step in 2002, as the quick fix solution to a team which needed a heavy duty band-aid was never going to happen. Some even suggest that if it were not for such a shocking season by the Bills, the Klowns would have had no company in the depths of the cellar sharing cheese with the rats, but through good fortune were able to avoid the embarrassment of another title in this regard. Their focus was on small running players who ran rampant through the midfield and were able to notch up tallies of three and four goals when they were in their prime. Unfortunately it was hard to pick which players would be running rampant.... and when. One big shining light for the Klowns was the goalkicking form of Nathan Brown who finished the season with a career high 57, of which nearly forty came late in the season at an average of four goals per game. Season 2003 can't come quick enough for the Klowns wishing to erase the memory of the last two campaigns.

Keswick Krill: Croad, Wilson, Whitnall, Burns, Fraser, B.Green, Medhurst, Burton
It has been a long 8 years for the Krill who finally took out the honours they so much prepared and planned for when they first entered the competition in 1995. The season 2002 premiers became the sentimental favourites amongst those who were unable themselves to partake in the contest for the same accolade. And yet most of it was done on the back of consistent scores rather than consistent individuals. Whitnall had many stints up back, Fraser and Green had little impact on the scoring at times, Burns had the most forgettable season of his career and Wilson missed a lot of games through injury. But when they entered the finals with a double chance to their credit the players were coming back from injury and the side was about to click. Throughout the season they were always there, perched in the five, niggling away at the wins and keeping their chances well and truly up there with every game that passed. But when they upset an in-form Phantoms outfit in the last minor round game of the year, which ironically became the preview to the grand final, there was truly an air of excitement in the Krill camp that finally something special was going to happen. The great news is also that their outlook for Season 2003 is more of the same and for different reasons than the Klowns above, the 2002 premiers are thinking that Season 2003 just can't come around quick enough.

Portside Phantoms: M.Richardson, B.Hall, Carey, C.Grant, M.White, Alessio, Ball, Dew, Fitzgerald, Burgoyne
Bridesmaids for the second year in a row the Phantoms will be looking for a big season 2003 to erase the heartache of the past two years finishing runner up to more quality opponents, in spite of their continual competitiveness. The Phantoms always look so commanding on paper with the likes of Richo, Hall, Carey, Ball and Grant capable of playing full forward and bringing in big hauls. Big bad bustling Barry's move to Sydney was one which was going to make or break his career and thankfully for the Phantoms it was the former. However, there was still a break for him when he clapped an opponent a little too hard under the ears and copped a massive holiday for his efforts. In most people's mind there is probably little doubt that had've he kept his fists to himself and played the full complement of games for the season he would not only have won the Coleman medal, but there would have been daylight before second place. But of course the big news was that of Carey, managing to coerce a team mate's missus into sitting on his lap and talking about the first thing that popped up that saw him disgraced from football and on the sidelines for the whole season in shame. There is a case of there also being little doubt the fortunes of the Phantoms may have been different had've he been fit and firing up forward as a goal kicking option, although in the wash up he would have had to kick 6 majors in the grand final to help put their collective hands on the silverware. Richo was an enigma, branded as an idiot in one match when he gave up trying to mark the ball and threw his hands up in the air as it landed at his feet which became the turning point of the real life match and pretty much spelt out the fate of his own GFL side with his antics. But after injuring himself and having a bit of a think about things he returned late in the season to fire up his team mates and play some of the most consistent and spectacular games of his career and catapulted his beloved Phantoms up the ranks of the ladder. Grant was also a bit of an enigma but this was more with his appearances at the goal mouth than actual form, for much of the year he was seen at half back and had little impact on the Phantoms. One gets the feeling that if the blatant paper tiger the Phantoms appear to be live up to some expectations, then a big season is about to happen for them.

Standley Raiders: Cummings, Ph.Matera, Neitz, Judd, Mooney, Lucas, A.Rocca, Kelly, Milne
Whilst the Raiders snared the player who would end up becoming the season's coleman medalist, the old cliches regarding form and injury really did plague their season and their eventual second to bottom finish would be one the coach would want to move on from as soon as he can. The deadly duo of Cummings and Matera was separated when the former moved to black and white territory and could only amass a paltry contribution for the year. Mooney, Lucas and Rocca had their moments, but inconsistency ensured the team could not benefit from any potential contributions they could make on a regular occasion. Milne was in his second year, but there were no second year blues for him as his goal hungry and irritable little nature was of immense value to a Raiders team struggling for consistent contributions for much of the year. In fact, on one occasion he was on target to kick the most amount of goals without a miss when he had chalked up some 21 goals straight over a period of games. Judd was a shining light as a rookie and contested what surely were two of the goals of the year that would be right up there with the eventual winner. The team was hard hit by retirements when Kelly, Cummings and Schwarz all hung up the boots essentially before the season concluded, which obviously disrupted the thoughts of the other players, and Waterhouse was out for the whole year thanks to a recurring knee injury that happened in a practice match pretty much the week before the season started. Apart from a couple of lofty high scores about the only highlight of the season for the Raiders was when they played the Phantoms, and by naming a combination of players in the side as well as the fact Carey was on the opponent's list (although obviously not playing), the selection order listed [Carey] Lade Kelly Stevens Krakouer! And on that note.... bring on Season 2003 also.

ROUND 1 - March 28
Western DOLPHINS 9.7.61 v Portside PHANTOMS 18.10.118 - The Aquarium
The BILLS 14.8.92 v Keswick KRILL 21.10.136 - Sunhill Lock Up
GTO LIONS 10.3.63 v Standley RAIDERS 18.8.116 - Serengheti Reserve
Darlington 69ERS 7.6.48 v Krusty's KLOWNS 10.3.63 - Batchelor Pad

ROUND 2 - April 5
Portside PHANTOMS 10.9.69 v The BILLS 7.5.47 - Skull Cave
Keswick KRILL 13.10.88 v Western DOLPHINS 8.12.60 - Sea World
Darlington 69ERS 23.8.146 v GTO LIONS 18.9.117 - Batchelor Pad
Krusty's KLOWNS 10.10.70 v Standley RAIDERS 13.7.85 - The Big Top

ROUND 3 - April 12
GTO LIONS 14.4.88 v Western DOLPHINS 8.14.62 - Serengheti Reserve
Standley RAIDERS 14.5.89 v Portside PHANTOMS 16.9.105 - Pain Park
Keswick KRILL 16.13.109 v Darlington 69ERS 5.11.41 - Sea World
The BILLS 12.7.79 v Krusty's KLOWNS 8.4.52 - Sunhill Lock Up

ROUND 4 - April 19
Darlington 69ERS 5.7.37 v Standley RAIDERS 12.3.75 - Batchelor Pad
Krusty's KLOWNS 9.6.60 v GTO LIONS 11.7.73 - The Big Top
The BILLS 11.5.71 v Western DOLPHINS 17.9.111 - Sunhill Lock Up
Keswick KRILL 11.6.72 v Portside PHANTOMS 12.11.83 - Sea World

ROUND 5 - April 25
Standley RAIDERS 7.3.45 v Keswick KRILL 10.6.66 - Pain Park
TIE: Western DOLPHINS 9.8.62 v Krusty's KLOWNS 9.8.62 - The Aquarium
GTO LIONS 14.9.93 v The BILLS 4.7.31 - Serengheti Reserve
Darlington 69ERS 10.8.68 v Portside PHANTOMS 13.7.85 - Batchelor Pad

ROUND 6 - May 3
Portside PHANTOMS 20.11.131 v GTO LIONS 8.6.54 - Skull Cave
Western DOLPHINS 23.5.143 v Standley RAIDERS 7.6.48 - The Aquarium
The BILLS 6.8.44 v Darlington 69ERS 13.5.83 - Sunhill Lock Up
Krusty's KLOWNS 9.8.62 v Keswick KRILL 8.8.56 - The Big Top

ROUND 7 - May 10
The BILLS 6.5.41 v Standley RAIDERS 13.5.83 - Sunhill Lock Up
Portside PHANTOMS 6.9.45 v Krusty's KLOWNS 11.7.73 - Skull Cave
Western DOLPHINS 9.5.59 v Darlington 69ERS 8.5.53 - The Aquarium
GTO LIONS 18.10.118 v Keswick KRILL 4.9.33 - Serengheti Reserve

ROUND 8 - May 17
Krusty's KLOWNS 12.10.82 v Darlington 69ERS 12.5.77 - The Big Top
Portside PHANTOMS 9.8.62 v Western DOLPHINS 14.10.94 - Skull Cave
Standley RAIDERS 12.4.76 v GTO LIONS 16.5.101 - Pain Park
Keswick KRILL 19.11.125 v The BILLS 10.5.65 - Sea World

ROUND 9 - May 24
GTO LIONS 14.6.90 v Darlington 69ERS 6.4.40 - Serengheti Reserve
Standley RAIDERS 11.9.75 v Krusty's KLOWNS 10.1.61 - Pain Park
The BILLS 14.5.89 v Portside PHANTOMS 12.4.76 - Sunhill Lock Up
Western DOLPHINS 9.3.57 v Keswick KRILL 15.9.99 - The Aquarium

ROUND 10 - May 31
Portside PHANTOMS 7.8.50 v Standley RAIDERS 12.6.78 - Skull Cave
Darlington 69ERS 13.7.85 v Keswick KRILL 9.9.69 - Batchelor Pad
Krusty's KLOWNS 5.3.33 v The BILLS 10.3.63 - The Big Top
Western DOLPHINS 17.8.110 v GTO LIONS 15.8.98 - The Aquarium

ROUND 11 - June 7
Western DOLPHINS 13.8.86 v The BILLS 4.7.31 - The Aquarium
Standley RAIDERS 8.6.54 v Darlington 69ERS 9.6.60 - Pain Park
GTO LIONS 17.13.115 v Krusty's KLOWNS 5.10.40 - Serengheti Reserve
Portside PHANTOMS 16.7.103 v Keswick KRILL 13.10.88 - Skull Cave

ROUND 12 - June 14
Portside PHANTOMS 17.11.113 v Darlington 69ERS 9.7.61 - Skull Cave
The BILLS 13.4.82 v GTO LIONS 20.13.133 - Sunhill Lock Up
Krusty's KLOWNS 4.4.28 v Western DOLPHINS 17.8.100 - The Big Top
Keswick KRILL 13.7.85 v Standley RAIDERS 12.5.77 - Sea World
[SPLIT ROUND over 2 weeks]

ROUND 13 - June 28
Darlington 69ERS 7.1.43 v The BILLS 13.8.86 - Batchelor Pad
Standley RAIDERS 16.6.102 v Western DOLPHINS 12.11.83 - Pain Park
Keswick KRILL 15.9.99 v Krusty's KLOWNS 7.7.49 - Sea World
GTO LIONS 11.12.78 v Portside PHANTOMS 25.11.161 - Serengheti Reserve

ROUND 14 - July 5
Krusty's KLOWNS 11.8.74 v Portside PHANTOMS 15.4.94 - The Big Top
Standley RAIDERS 15.7.97 v The BILLS 15.9.99 - Pain Park
Darlington 69ERS 11.7.73 v Western DOLPHINS 15.5.95 - Batchelor Pad
Keswick KRILL 12.7.79 v GTO LIONS 8.5.53 - Sea World

ROUND 15 - July 12
GTO LIONS 15.9.99 v Standley RAIDERS 15.7.97 - Serengheti Reserve
Western DOLPHINS 11.14.80 v Portside PHANTOMS 7.5.47 - The Aquarium
Darlington 69ERS 16.10.106 v Krusty's KLOWNS 13.4.82 - Batchelor Pad
The BILLS 9.9.63 v Keswick KRILL 12.9.81 - Sunhill Lock Up

ROUND 16 - July 19
Darlington 69ERS 24.10.154 v GTO LIONS 13.4.82 - Batchelor Pad
Portside PHANTOMS 8.3.51 v The BILLS 12.7.79 - Skull Cave
TIE: Krusty's KLOWNS 10.7.67 v Standley RAIDERS 10.7.67 - The Big Top
Keswick KRILL 16.10.106 v Western DOLPHINS 8.9.57 - Sea World

ROUND 17 - July 26
Keswick KRILL 6.8.44 v Darlington 69ERS 11.5.71 - Sea World
GTO LIONS 10.8.68 v Western DOLPHINS 11.12.78 - Serengheti Reserve
Standley RAIDERS 15.4.94 v Portside PHANTOMS 9.4.58 - Pain Park
The BILLS 13.10.88 v Krusty's KLOWNS 14.8.92 - Sunhill Lock Up

ROUND 18 - August 2
Krusty's KLOWNS 11.2.68 v GTO LIONS 14.6.90 - The Big Top
The BILLS 6.6.42 v Western DOLPHINS 16.13.109 - Sunhill Lock Up
Darlington 69ERS 12.7.79 v Standley RAIDERS 16.7.103 - Batchelor Pad
Keswick KRILL 18.5.113 v Portside PHANTOMS 13.7.85 - Sea World

ROUND 19 - August 9
ELIMINATION FINAL
GTO LIONS 8.12.60 v Standley RAIDERS 14.8.92 - ATO GFL Stadium
QUALIFYING FINAL
Western DOLPHINS 14.4.88 v Portside PHANTOMS 13.8.86 - ATO GFL Stadium

ROUND 20 - August 16
1ST SEMI FINAL
Keswick KRILL 13.12.90 v Western DOLPHINS 11.7.73 - ATO GFL Stadium
2ND SEMI FINAL
Standley RAIDERS 15.6.96 v Portside PHANTOMS 16.3.99 - ATO GFL Stadium

ROUND 21 - August 23
PRELIMINARY FINAL
Portside PHANTOMS 18.16.124 v Western DOLPHINS 8.6.54 - ATO GFL Stadium

ROUND 22 - AUGUST 30
G R A N D F I N A L
Keswick KRILL 21.10.136 v Portside PHANTOMS 15.12.102 - ATO GFL Stadium


Darlington 69ers	The Bills	Western Dolphins	Krusty's Klowns
Marc Verstappen	Darren Lynch	David Penney	Andrew Cropley
Darlington, SA	Parkside, SA	Holden Hill, SA	Oaklands Park, SA

Keswick Krill	GTO Lions	Portside Phantoms	Standley Raiders
John Groom	Mark Braithwaite	Wayne Warnest	Terry Standley
Keswick, SA	Aberfoyle Park, SA	West Lakes, SA	Gilles Plains, SA

#	Team	W	L	D	R/T	C/P	For	Agst	%	PTS
1	Keswick Krill	14	6	0	2222	84.08%	1768	1441	122.69%	56
2	Portside Phantoms	12	10	0	2250	87.97%	1947	1766	110.25%	48
3	Western Dolphins	12	8	1	2583	66.71%	1732	1584	109.34%	50
4	Standley Raiders	10	9	1	2113	83.82%	1649	1526	108.06%	42
5	GTO Lions	10	9	0	2483	76.08%	1673	1656	101.03%	40
6	Darlington 69ers	7	11	0	2159	74.23%	1325	1446	91.63%	28
7	Krusty's Klowns	5	11	2	1868	73.55%	1118	1432	78.07%	24
8	The Bills	6	12	0	1870	79.73%	1192	1553	76.75%	24