History

2003

Although not named the Fruitbats we kicked off in 2003. A team of recently retired Hervey Bay Bombers and not so recently retired locals played three games against Brisbane teams, two at Maroochydore and one at home. Organised by the legendary Bruce Steenson, this motley crew won all three games. In the photo below are 'The Originals', Nick Baker, Scott Staunton, Grant Staunton, Shaun Rudd, Steve Van Kalken, Neil Lesmond, Brett Turner, Ken Hamilton, Rob, John Way, Danny Niciauskas, Trevor Watts, Otto Van Theurel, Mick Gay, Dano, Gerard Devereaux and Col O'Brien. Dano was the original Batboy who used to collect $2 off everyone and return with a beer. Good lad! Other 'Originals' were Anthony Stothard, Brian Bartels, Darren Oxley, Dennis Phelps and Fred Scown.

Emboldened by such success we entered a team in the Over 35s Brisbane Masters Competition.

2004
After much discussion, and despite Doc's misgivings about using the term 'fruit', the Hervey Bay Fruitbats were born. We got ourselves a club shirt and designed our own jumper, (with more than a little help from our team graphic designer, Russell Watts). Red and black came from the Hervey Bay Bombers, where most of us had played, and the green from the Seahawks. Seahawks were the original Hervey Bay team with Grant and Scott Staunton and Col O'Brien being playing members.

Results: Won 4 Lost 6
Lost to Sunny Coast 13.9.87 to 4.6.30
Lost to Easts 17.18 to 7.3.45
Lost to Centrals 11.9.75 to 9.5.59 Our first home game
Winners v Souths 8.13.61 to 4.7.31 Phelpsy finally kicked straight!Def. Redlands at home 11.16.82 to 10.7.67
Def Gold Coast at home 6.10.46 to 6.7.43
Def Sunny Coast at home 13.5.83 to 8.5.53
Lost to Centrals 15.5.95 to 7.7.49
Lost to Sunny Coast 12.18.90 to 5.5.35 They came prepared this time
Lost to Coolangatta 13.5.83 to 7.9.51

Wins also came off the field. Fred Scown was awarded the League's Best & Fairest. game. Our 'Brownlow Bat' was born! Grant Staunton won our Club B&F, which was based on Coaches votes submitted to the League. A special award was created -the 'Grumpy Old Man'. Cold Sard and Gerard Devereaux were worthy winners.

2005

A very successful year for the Bats on and off the field. The MAFQ recognised our fine organisational abilities, with Trevor Watts being awarded the MAFQ Superman Award. This annual award is presented to a MAFQ member who has made a significant contribution to Masters football in QLD. Obviously a team effort, and this was acknowledged with the Fruitbats being awarded 'Team of the Year'. This is an award given to clubs based on their hospitality and 'Footy for Fun' spirit. Our chook raffles no doubt put us over the line! Grant Staunton made it two from two for the Bats winning the League Best & Fairest, and managed to be sent off for dissent. Stauno was only trying to help.

RESULTS:
Lost to Sunny Coast 12.16.88 to 4.5.29 at Sunny Coast
Lost to Northern Stars 17.8.110 to 10.5.65 at home
Won over Centrals 8.7.55 to 8.5.53 at home
Lost to Easts 11.9.75 to 8.5.53 at Caboolture
Lost to Gold Coast 10.10.70 to 3.9.27 at Labrador Caffeine did not work
Won over Souths 13.11.89 to 3.5.23 at home
Won over Northern Stars 12.8.80 to 7.7.49 at home
Lost to Pomona 15.7.97 to 9.7.70 at Maroochydore
Lost to Souths 15.7.97 to 9.7.70 at Aspley
Lost to Bayside Bombers 15.8.98 to 5.4.34 at Aspley
Lost to Sunny Coast 7.749 to 5.6.36 at home Getting closer
All at Yeronga - Team of the Year

2006

A record thirty-three players on the roster - and that is not counting Buckets, Victor and Co. who helped us out when short of numbers on away games. Six wins and seven nearly-wins was our best season so far result wise.

Results: 6 wins & 7 nearly wins.
Def Moorooka @ SC 20.16 to 3.2.20 Noosa Surf Club 3 votes
Def Morningside @ Pomona 10.16.76 to 5.8.38 Chip goals on the run
Lost to Centrals @ home 13.11.89 to 3.7.25 Wolf stars on & off the field
Lost to Gold Coast @ Redcliffe 15.14.104 to 5.5.35 Cutter Batboy
Def Bombers @ home 16.5.101 to 7.17.59 Bernie speccies over Danny
Lost to Easts @ Palmwood 5.3.33 to 12.9.81 Hilly discovers Boz Scaggs
Def Wilston-Grange @ Palmwood 14.12.96 to 1.5.11 Bundy home late
Def Pomona @ Pom 13.13.95 to 10.12.72 Rosco sets new arrival record
Def Pomona @ home 13.6.84 to 8.4.52 Popey excels in the wet
Lost to G.Coast @ Pomona 3.2.20 to 15.8.98 Rosco pulls on the boots
Lost to S.Coast @ SC 8.3.51 to 18.12.120 Macca excels, Hilly off-target
Lost to Jindalee @ Aspley 6.10.46 to 13.4.82 Brownlow in top form
Lost to Centrals @ Pomona 2.6.18 to 8.18.66 Doc top scores

2007
A big year for the Bats. Our first winning season - 8 wins and 3 nearly wins. Thirty-five players donned the red, green and black, with record numbers at home games. A win over the super-serious Gold Coast at Yeronga was a highlight, along with Cutter playing three games in a row. A weekend at Coolangatta was a great success. We lost the game, but won everything after. Two weddings kept our social calendar busy.
Congratulation to Mick & Lou, and Benda & Tracey. Wayne's bus driving was a highlight. Say no more.

RESULTS: 8 & 3
Winners v Centrals 12.4.76 to 8.11.59.
Winners v Jindalee 11.13.79 to 7.4.46.
Winners v Gold Coast 10.7.67 to 7.9.51. One of the best
Winners v Bayside 14.5.89 to 9.8.62.
Lost to Morningside 6.6.42 to 7.8.50.
Winners v Wilston-Grange 14.11.95 to 11.7.73.
Winners v Springwood 13.6.84 to 11.12.78.
Lost to Sunny Coast 10.11.71 to 5.4.34
Winners v Pomona 23.9.147 to 9.3.57.
Lost to Coolangatta 4.8.32 to 5.15.45. Big weekend
Winners v Centrals 18.11.115 to 6.8.44.

Danny and Fred played in the Sydney Masters Carnival. Libba pinched Danny's cooler, whilst Champs scored Fred's singlet. Once again the Fruitbats mentioned at the Gala Dinner. Legends

2008 The Year of the Milestones
The Pontiff visited Australia, but we had our own blessing us when required and forgiving all our sins. A more significant milestone in spirituality was the elevation to 50 game status. Honest John Way, followed by Fred 'Brownlow' Scown, then Danny Puskas Niciauskas and Gerard 'Wiggles' Devereaux. Leech flew the flag at the Nationals in Darwin. A big bus trip to Gladstone. Daffyd is the only gay in the village.

RESULTS: Won 6 Lost 4
Won over Pomona 9.5.59 to 7.8.50
Lost @ Bayside 8.7.55 to 10.8.68
Won over Centrals 13.7.85 to 2.2.14
Lost @ Coolangatta 5.4.34 to 22.9.141 5 hour car trip with picnic. Won @ Gladstone by a few in their first game
Won over Pomona 11.7.77 to 5.7.37
Win over Bayside 14.5.89 to 9.8.62
Lost @ Centrals 4.11.35 to 10.4.64
Win over Coolangatta 19.9.123 to 9.9.63 Travel must make a difference
Lost @ Morningside 8.2.50 to 8.15.63

Rookies Ben Lesmond, Derek Rugg, Dave Crowder and Ray 'Maggot' Cole made their debut. Gladstone had their first game and a memorable bus trip to boot. Daffyd is the only gay in the village - we think. Plenty of Bats helped out Fred and Hunter with the Bombers and Danny flew the flag in Darwin. Fred continued to excel in new and exciting bus driving techniques.

2009 The Year of the Bus

Fred Marshall, Michael Brown, Chedz, Dave Jackson, Kym Block join the squad and Firebat came out of retirement, (again). Fleur reappeared. 50 game milestone reached by Col O'Brien,Scott Staunton, Trevor Watts, Grant Staunton and Bernie Smead.
Danny, Browny and Fred ventured north to Cairns, excelling on and off the field.
The highlight of the year was of course, Fred 'Brownlow' Scown's bus driving abilities. Two hours jammed on the side of the road near Tiaro due to a failed U-turn maneouvre. Honest and Doc slept through the whole thing, sort of.

Results: Won 5 Robbed 7
Def Moorooka @ Moorooka 20.5.125 to 9.5.59
Def Wilston-Grange @ Pomona 17.7.109 to 3.6.24
Def Gladstone @ home We scored more
Lost to Northern Stars @ Cab. 118.74 to 5.6.36
Lost to Souths @ Pomona 10.5.65 to 8.9.57
Lost to S Coast @ home 11.4.70 to 4.5.29
Lost to Sandgate @ home 9.8.62 to 7.10.52
Def Kedron @ Kedron 14.10.94 to 7.6.48
Lost to Northern Stars @ home 8.10.58 to 6.4.40
Lost to Gold Coast @ home 10.11.71 to 3.2.20

2010
Danny took over the coaching reins and ended up 3 from 3. Sacked immediately. Doc had a laminectomy, (that's what he calls it, but a second opinion is recommended). Browny flew the flag at the Nationals, and came home an All-Australian, joining Wiggles and Leech as our All-Oz's. Blocky introduced some class to bus trips - apparently the 'goon' is quite tasty.
Hilly was the only players to participate in every game - a testament to hard training and clean living.

Results: Won 7 Somehow lost 2
Def Pomona @ Pomona 9.6.60 to 7.14.56
Def Rayners @ home 11.8.74 to 7.12.54
Def Parrots @ home 14.10.94 to 3.2.20
Lost to Sandgate @ Cab. 5.4.34 to 8.5.53
Def Kedron @ Kedron 13.10.88 to 7.5.47
Lost to Northern Stars @ Cab. 8.3.51 to 8.2.50
Def Pomona @ Gympie 18.10.118 to 6.4.40
Def Capricornia @ BITS 9.10.64 to 3.10.28
Def Sandgate @ home by many

2013
Ten Years on.......104 games, 51 wins, 52 losses, one draw.
We celebrated by purchasing individual green jumpers, (caused a problem for new players, but what the heck!)

One Soft-tissue injuries plagued us again. The High Performance Unit yet and determined it was Graham 'the Weapon' Pope's fault. Pre-Season training at low-altitude on Fraser Island will be less physically intense and more emotionally nourishing from now on.
Hilly got to 50 games and 50 metres - well done.
Leechy departed to northern climes and Punter Phillips retired due to betting irregularities. Bomber became President, then Patron. Danny became President, then retired. Fred became V-President and things returned to 'normal'.
Browny went to the Nationals, Cutter went to the USA, but returned.
Grumpy Old Men welcomed Fred Marshall, despite protestations from Fred, to their ranks.
We prepare for ten years in 2013.

Results: Won 4 Scoreboard Error 7
Def Pomona @ home 10.13.73 to 6.8.44
Lost to Rayners @ Sunny Coast 6.4.40 to 9.19.73
Lost to Wilston-Grange @ WG 7.6.48 to 16.12.108
Def Bribie Island @ home 19.7.121 to 7.5.47
Def Redcliffe @ home 13.4.82 to 6.4.40
Lost to Northern Stars @ Cab. 16.12.108 to 4.0.24
Lost to Sandgate @ home 10.11.71 to 10.13.73
Lost to Redcliffe @ Redcliffe 12.17.89 to 9.6.60
Lost to Aspley @ Brendale 14.14.99 to 7.8.50
Def Bayside @ home 15.9.89 to 8.11.59
Lost to Northern Stars @ home 10.19.79 to 5.3.33

2014

Results: 5 wins 4 scoreboard errors

Def Pomona @ home 16.5.101 to 9.5.59
Def Redcliffe @ home 16.6.102 to 6.4.40
Lost to Rayners @ S Coast by several
Lost to Kedron @ home 19.8.122 to 5.2.32
Lost to Coolangatta @ S Coast 12.9.81 to 6.2.38
Def Bribie Island @ home 10.9.69 to 5.8.38
Lost to Kedron @ Kedron 12.12.84 to 5.5.35
Def Glasshouse @ Glasshouse by a few
Def Pomona @ home 13.6.84 to 9.6.62

Fred's Report
Wattsy sacked because we can. Fred Marshall took the reins and instigated revolutionary changes. The results were the same, but it is the thought that counts. John Way became Training Co-ordinator, Graham Pope took over the financial accounts and suddenly, we made money. Scott Staunton became Non-Events co-ordinator and Mark Collins took on Ball Boy, Light Manager and Key-keeper.

Fred's game plan was off to a cracker, with a seven-goal win over Pomona. Soon, things were back to normal and the season finished 6-4 in our favour. Andrew Harvey excelled as Bat-boy, enjoying the role far more than he should have. Michael Sunderland, Alan McCarraghie, Trevor Schlein and Fred Taylor (ex- Bomber back in town) joined the honour Roll as well.

Scott Staunton joined the 100 Club. Well done Bundy. A testament to the power of VB. Browny and Nudge graced the turf in Adelaide at the National Carnival.

Our very own Brownlow, Fred Scown became a free agent and has left to travel our wide brown land as a Bat for Hire. Enjoy.

On a sad note we farewelled Kenny Harvey. Whilst not playing a game, Kenny revelled in the Monday night banter, kept immaculate time and was loved by all. RIP Kenny.

2015 Wiggles joins the 100 club and bags a lazy seven. Fed all day!

Results: 4 wins and 3 losses
Def Pomona @ home 14.11.95 to 9.1.55

Lost to Glasshouse @ Glasshouse 13.11.89 to 10.9.69
Lost to Northern Stars @ NS 6.7.43 to 4.4.28
Def Pomona @ Pomona 14.1.85 to 11.6.72
Def Parrots @ home 7.6.48 to 4.15.39
Lost to Sandgate @ Sandgate 13.8.86 to 7.3.45
Def Northern Stars @ home 21.14.140 to 4.2.26

Known as the Year of the Milestone. Nudge and Bobby reached 50, Doc and Wiggles cracked the ton. Danny was inducted into the Grumpy Old Man Hall of Fame after much consternation. Annoying Bernie is a given, but Danny excelled this year, annoying everyone, producing great jelly shots, always there to make everyone happy and complaining when required. Congratulations.

Graham Pope, Shaun King, Scott Staunton and Shaun Rudd travelled south to Tasmania for the National Carnival and did the Bats proud.

2016
Results: 3 wins 5 mistakes and a draw

Lost to Northern Stars 7.4.46 to 6.11.47
Lost to Aspley Parrots 6.6.40 to 12.12.84
Lost to Sunny Coast 5.3.34 to 9.9.63
Def Moorooka 13.8.86 to 8.7.63
Lost to Glasshouse/Bribie 4.2.26 to 21.13.139
Def Glasshouse/Bribie 11.1.67 to 9.8.62
Lost to Rayners 8.8.56 to 12.8.80
Def Sandgate 16.8.104 to 5.8.38
Drew with Northern Stars 5.6.36 each

Forty-seven players pulled on the Bat jumper this year - everyone from Bombers, friends and relatives helping out or just taking the opportunity to wear a Bat jumper and try and get a kick.

Benda made it to 100n games and Browny reached 50. Nudge, Browny, Doc and Sandy played in the Gold Coast National Carnival. Sundy was awarded and All-Australian, joining Leech, Wiggles and Browy in this illustrious group.

Danny became Lymphbat, glowing in the dark just like the Green Lantern. Ten -minute cameos will turn into full games before we know it.

Congratulations to Mick Gay on becoming a Grumpy Old Man.

2017
Results: Won 2 Lost 6
Lost to Moorooka@ Moorooka by a lot
Lost to Glasshouse @ home 14.11.95 to 6.3.39
Lost to Redcliffe @ Redcliffe 14.8.92 to 8.7.55
Lost to Rayners @ SC 10.6.76 to 2.4.16
Def Sandgate @ home 9.8.62 to 4.12.36
Lost to Gold Coast @ GC 11.9.75 to 8.11.59
Lost to Moreton Bay @ MB 25.11.161 to 7.4.52
Def Wilston-Grange @ home 10.7.67 to 9.4.58

The year was saddened with the sudden departure of our beloved Rocco. Ross Baker played forty games, umpired many, drove the bus immaculately and was quite partial to firecrackers. He joins Kenny on the balcony, having a laugh at our expense.

Danny returned from his superpower nuclear supplements and managed to get a couple of games in. Great effort. Meanwhile, Ding went down with a knackered prostate, (Doc's bat night procedure failing to work), Pontiff went energiser bunny and joined 'Jumpstart' Wiggles on lap duty. With a cartilage free Bundy, wobbly-knees Cobby and and one-pump Firebat also joining in the rehab group was in danger of overtaking the playing group in numbers.

Grammy and Cutter managed to play every game - don't ask how. Trippy, Sundy, Saturday, Cutter and Doc travelled to Geelong for the Carnival. After much haggling over the transfer fee, Doc has moved to the Rayners. No doubt we will see him in the bat jumper again.

Mick Gay was welcomed to the 100 Club, joining an elite group of six superstars. Steve Van Kalken finally became grumpy enough the join the Club. Congratulations.

2018 Five wins and five losses.
68 wins 71 losses 2 draws

Results
Def Moorooka @ Moorooka 9.9.63 to 9.7.61
Lost to Rayners @ SC 18.8.116 to 15.1.91
Lost to Moorooka @ home 7.14.6 to 6.10.46
Lost to Parrots @ Aspley 4.5.29 to 7.7.47
Def Redcliffe @home 9.8.62 to 9.5.59
Def Souths @home 18.12.120 to 7.3.45
Lost to Parrots again 14.12.96 to 8.9.57
Def Rayners @ home 12.10.82 to 7.7.49
Def Bendigo B52s @ home 13.3.81 to 8.4.52

Our year started sadly withe passing of Geoffrey 'Fred' Scown. Fred was an original 2004 Fruitbat and made his mark on the competition winning the League Best & Fairest. He subsequently gave himself the nickname 'Brownlow' which he kept to that standard over 115 games. Fred attended many national carnivals and proudly flew the Fruitbats flag wherever he could. Noted for his runs out of the backline, he often confused his teammates as we were not used to anyone being fit or skilled enough to run and bounce. A bus driver of considerable note, Fred famously grounded the bus out the back of Tiaro, leading too much mirth, and just a little apprehension as we wondered how we would get home. Fred joins Kenny and Rosco in the balcony.

Trevor 'Dingbat' Watts made it to 100 games as did Danny 'Puskas' Niciauskas. Thanks to those retired 100 gamers for keeping up the tradition of coming out of retirement for someone's 100. Paul 'Phantom' Moloney reached 50, whilst attending training roughly once a year. Well done.

Matthew Smith, Grant Guard, Brent Dean, Scott Stewart, Shaun Mohan and Michael 'Bones' Ropret joined the Bats and showed promise on and off the field.

Once again the Bats were well represented at the National Carnival in Coffs Harbour. Karen Stillman was a member of the winning Qld team, whilst Michael Sunderland, Mark Collins, Michael Brown and Chris Cain all lasted the week. Well done to Browny on winning the Over 55s Best & Fairest.

Browny topped this off winning the Grumpy Old Man award for 2018.

2019 Results: Won 2 Lost 6
Carnival with Redcliffe & Sandgate. Footy wins. No scores kept.
Def Moorooka 14.8.92 to 6.6.42
Lost to Wilston Grange@ W-G 11.14.80 to 4.4.28
Def Glasshouse @ home 9.4.58 to 6.9.45
Lost to Aspley @ Aspley 12.8.80 to 3.5.23
Lost to Rayners @ SC 21.8.34 to 5.2.32
Lost to Glasshouse 12.12.84 to 5.4.34
Lost to Moorooka 13.5.83 to 11.4.70
Lost to Sunny Coast @ home 9.7.61 to 7.4.46

The season began with a visit from Redcliffe and Sandgate - a great day with chooks being won everywhere. Chris Cain and Mark Collins reached the 50 game milestone. Cutter had a few years head start on Mary but got there in the end. Browny went to Europe as part of the Australian Masters team. Great effort. Blocky went to the Ashes and pretended to play cricket.

Newbies Chris Gislingham and Peter Heinz ended the season early in the medical room after a promising start. Kane was Abel to get out of the fire station and make us look good on a few occasions. He also flew the bat singlet at the Bali Nines.

Chris Cain, Michael & Karen Sunderland, and Michael Brown ventured north to Townsville for the Carnival. Ably supported by Vanessa and Nat the boys and girls did well.

Congratulations to Phantom on becoming our new Grumpy Old Man.

2021

Results Won 3 Lost 3
Def Redcliffe @ home 8.6.54 to 4.6.30
Lost to Glasshouse 9.5.59 to 6.5.41
Def Wynnum @ Gympie 10.4.64 to 5.5.35
Lost to Wilston-Grange @ W-G 16.8.104 to 4.5.29
Def Glasshouse @ home 8.8.54 to 6.3.39

Another Fuck-covid interrupted season. Not as bad as last year, but it did cost us a game or two. Six games for the season not a bad result considering all that went on.

We had many new debutants this year. David ‘Stubbsy’ Hillis, Grant Cooper, young Joe Mudge, Nick Frawley, Mitch Prouatt and Jason McConnell made their debuts, as well as Harry Jeal and Jack Sunderland joining the Father-Son Club. Darren Hodgetts finally got on the field in between swanning around Egypt. Scott Bird and his merry band of Ferny Grove Fruitbats helped out in a couple of games, giving us record numbers on the field, if not on the official team sheet. Doc snuck in a game and Puskas managed to add two to his tally. Steve Van even found himself available for two games as he roars up the Honour Roll.

Training numbers hit record highs with many aspiring BabyBats keen to learn off their learned elders. Darryn Nimock broke all raffle-winning records, taking home around six bottles of plonk. Not even Smithy taking his ticket could stop him winning.

One bus trip for the year – James was so thrilled he offered to be Batboy on the next one. Therapy is booked.

No-one close to 100 games but with a bit of luck Sundy should reach 50 in 2022.

Welcome Freddy T to the Grumpy Old Man Hall of Fame.

Many thanks to Brian and Matt Duffy for keeping the ground in great nick and lights on throughout the year. Matty umpired as well as played. The boy has a future.

2022
Dingbats' Report in full can now be read in the 2022 Batbook on the right.
It is best viewed on desktop/laptop.

Results Won 3 Lost 5
Def Redcliffe @ home12.8.80 to 7.6.48
Def Glasshouse @ home 10.7.67 to 7.7.49
Lost to Souths @ home 10.6.68 to 2.1.13
Lost to Wilston-Grange @ home 22.10.142 to 7.3.45
@ Sandgate with Glasshouse - no score game
Lost to Redcliffe 17.10.112 to 1.1.7
Def Ferny Grove @ home 8.6.54 to 6.4.40
Lost to Rayners @ SC Heaps to nil. The pricks would not let us score!
Lost to Rayners @ home 12.9.81 to 8.8.56. Better scoreline.

In short, it was three wins and six near wins.

Debutants this year were Robert Issell, Jason Jarro, Michael Riddiford (Brissybat) and Dane Ponting. All survived. Peter Bugeja made a comeback to show youngster Kyle the ropes. Some Bombers and Bears helped out as well and is most appreciated.

Only one bus trip for the year and it was a quiet one. Hopefully this trend does not continue. Harry Jeal made a good Batboy, perhaps too good and will be put into early retirement.

Browny and Danny joined Doc and made the trip to Adelaide for the National Carnival. Browny won a medal playing for Vic Metro, Danny became a promotional superstar and Doc actually played a game or two.

Peter Grumley broke financial records for game day raffles and we look forward to this continuing in 2023.

Congratulations to our joint Grumpy Old Man winners – Browny, (again) and Chopper. Say no more.

2023
Twenty seasons done! The scoreboard for 2023 doesn't look too good but we made it. Plenty of injuries and plenty of laughs

Dingbats' Report is as follows:

The Originals played three games in 2003. We entered the AFL Masters as the Fruitbats in 2004. 20 seasons later we finish 2023 nearly in one piece. Of the 2003 originals, Trevor Watts, Steve Van Kalken, John Way, Danny Niciauskas and Shaun Rudd, (albeit sometimes in a Rayners jumper), still managed to take the field.

From the Class of the inaugural 2004 team, add Anthony Stothard to that list of still playing. The Honour Roll shows 217 players have worn the Fruitbat jumper in those twenty years. Unfortunately, we lost one of those legends in Graeme ‘Abdul’ Mehmet, who was a member of our inaugural 2004 team. Abdul was a Bombers club stalwart over many years and is sorely missed. No doubt he is joining Kenny, Rosco and Fred in having a laugh at our antics.

Speaking of antics, we did not manage to win a game this year. That said, we still turned up and played the game in Fruitbat spirit – perhaps 2024 will be kinder on the scoreboard.

Debutants this year were Matt Niven, Dennis France, Jamie Riordan, Jadon Fredericks, Jay Purser, Dan Meade, Matthew Marshall, Mark Fraser, Ryan Blackmore and Dean Hamilton. Craig Taylor returned to the list, keeping Dennis in line as well as adding zip to our forward line. Jay, Ryan, Jadon and Dean were the only debutants to make it past the one game mark. Jarrod Stothard joined the elite father-son group and will make a good Bat one day when he slows down a bit. Sorry if I missed anyone – blame it on the dementia.

The National Carnival on the Sunny Coast saw a healthy Bat contingent travel down. Browny, (All-Australian for the second time), Steve Allen, Dane Ponting, Danny Niciauskas, Glenn Tripp, Nick Frawley and we will count Doc as well. Andrew Harvey and family provided the umpiring backup – well done.

Our injury list continues to grow and Mudgey is making a good effort by adding to this list due to off-field incidents, rather than on-field. Hopefully the celery juice can resurrect a few.

Congratulations to Mark Collins on being awarded Grumpy Old Man 2023.
Ding

Pre: Lost to Redcliffe 7.16.58 to 1.7.13
R1 April 1 Lost to 8.8.56 to 5.7.37 @ home
R2 April 16 Lost to Brewers 8.7.55 to 4.7.31
R3 Sunday April 30 Lost to Souths Souths 11.15
R4 Bye Mothers Day
R5 May 28 Lost to Morningside 15.10.100 to 8.4.52
R6 June 10 Drew with Ferny Grove 4.10.34 apiece
R7 Sunday June 25 Lost to Sandgate 12.8.80 ti 2.2.14
R8 Sunday July 9 Lost to Redcliffe 14.6.90 to 7.3.45
R9 Sunday July 23 Lost to Aspley 13.12.90 to 1.2.8
R10 Saturday Aug 5 Lost to Moorooka 11.9.75 to 5.3.33
R11 Saturday 19 Lost to Brewers @ 8.6.54 to 2.2.14