Bindi Bowl
The Bindi Bowl is the top level of NRL Fantasy Draft[1]. It was formed at the end of the 2012 Season for commencement in 2013 as a way of allowing a small group of founding members an opportunity to compete head to head each week with a Drafted team from a pool of NRL Players[2]. The Bindi Bowl was born out of a necessity in order to allow individuals to show dominance over their friends. Since its inception there have been 15 participants, 6 different premiers and countless acts of collusion, controversy and Bindi Blasts. The origins of the naming of the Bindi Bowl are an internal secret that if typed would likely upset Joshua Moon and so are therefor going to be left off any official publication at this point in time.
Many aspects of the Bindi Bowl have been taken from the TV show The League[3], including the naming method of the Bindi Bowl.
| Current season, competition or edition: Current sports event 2021 Bindi Bowl season | |
| File:Bindi Bowl Logo.jpg | |
| Sport | Rugby League Fantasy |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2012[4] |
| Inaugural season | 2013 |
| Commissioner | Nathan Fisher |
| No. of teams | 10 |
| Country |  Australia |
| Most recent champion(s) | Reece Webb (1st title) |
| Most titles | Nathan Fisher & Joshua Carroll-Fajarda (2 titles) |
| TV partner(s) | Nine Network Fox League |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
History
Origin and Establishment
The history of the Bindi Bowl Draft League, the top competition of fantasy rugby league football clubs in Australasia (and briefly Canada), goes back to January 2013, when it was formed in the aftermath of the NRL Dream Team Classic[5] seasons of the early-2010s.
The Bindi Bowl has, in its relatively brief history, enjoyed growth, decline, regrowth and record breaking engagement figures. During this short time, it has been punctuated by the loftiest highs, the deepest lows and the most provocative of controversies.
Born in now defunct group chat (LBSC 1.0), the simple code to join a Dream Team Classic League[6] echoed through the night, without any note of what it would eventually become. Following a relatively excitement free year, interspersed only by occasional flaunting of the Aubo Rule, the founding members decided to break free of the confines of Points of Difference and the Salary Cap after being taken with the darkest art, the Draft.
The first 3 seasons of the Bindi Bowl were kept alive more through turmoil than talent, with multiple rifts and poor quality of play threatening to unceremoniously break the league apart. This all changed one late February day in 2016, when one cosy meeting room at the Mercure Canberra[7] opened up a whole new world.
Expansion and the birth of Draft Weekend
Though the Bindi Bowl had its fair share of temporary members (ranging from a Sasquatch of Fairy Meadow McDonalds[8] to a hard-nosed, highlands alcoholic with a heart of gold and brain of rocks) throughout its formative years, the core of the league solidified with the adoption of start-of-season trip in which competitors conducted last minute research, sank a few stubbies and selected a fantasy rugby league team if time permitted.
This time away to reconnect with the game, meet and greet new/returning members, admire Ducky’s spreadsheet and ogle the Sticker Bitch (Matthew Rolles) became a yearly a staple of the Bindi Bowl, without which the world would be devoid of such rituals as Jon’s prayers, Dave’s baths or Jeano and Cliffy’s 4am walk home with interlinked arms and pockets devoid of pineapples.
Teams
Foundation
There are 6 founding members of the Bindi Bowl who are still active in the League including Joshua Moon, David Canterbury, Jean Seay, Jon Borton, Matthew Rolles and Reece Webb. Many of the founding members participated in the inferior NRL Fantasy “Classic” from 2011 but choose to move over to the Draft format to increase their popularity with the ladies, It did not work. While many commentators liken foundation members to the NHL “Original Six”[9] it is really nothing like it and those commentators are clutching at straws to write a good article.
Current Teams
| Team Coach | City | Founded | Joined | Seasons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joshua Moon | Belconnen, ACT | 2011 | 2013 | 9 |
| David Canterbury | Wollongong, NSW | 2011 | 2013 | 9 |
| Jean Seay | Kembla Grange, NSW | 2011 | 2013 | 9 |
| Jon Borton | Belconnen, ACT | 2011 | 2013 | 9 |
| Matthew Rolles | Robertson, NSW | 2011 | 2013, 2021 | 8 |
| Reece Webb | Moss Vale, NSW | 2011 | 2013, 2021 | 4 |
| Michael Duck | Spence, ACT | 2014 | 2015 | 7 |
| Joshua Lyons | Weston, NSW | 2012 | 2015 | 7 |
| Nathan Fisher | Forest Hill, NSW | 2016 | 2016 | 6 |
| Bruce Wear | Dundas, NSW | 2017 | 2017 | 5 |
Defunct Teams
| Team Coach | City | Founded | Joined | Dissolved | Seasons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Barros | Eden, NSW | 2011 | – | 2012 | – |
| Sam McCullum | Marulan, NSW | 2012 | – | 2012 | – |
| Aaron Ditton | Robertson, NSW | 2012 | – | 2012 | – |
| Aaron Durach | Lake Illawarra, NSW | 2013 | 2013 | 2016 | 3 |
| Scott Shepard | Moss Vale, NSW | 2011 | 2013 | 2015 | 2 |
| Joshua Carroll-Fajarda | Canberra, ACT | 2015 | 2015 | 2019 | 4 |
| Elliott Birkett | Dapto, NSW | 2016 | 2016 | 2019 | 3 |
| Damien McMillan | Moss Vale, NSW | 2017 | 2017 | 2020 | 3 |
Timeline
$wgTimelinePloticusCommand is set correctly.Rivalries
Moon Vs Jon
The Bickering Bandits as they have come to be known. These two individuals have a long and storied historic rivalry dating back to pre Bindi Bowl times. The two have been room mates for many years during University days and who would of thought it but they are now room mates once again. The two do battle on and off the Fantasy Arena and each time it leaves most people laughing.
Rollsey Vs Centers
Matthew Rolles essentially hates all centres with a burning passion. If it where up to him he would eliminate the position entirely, although this would leave quite a large gap between wings and the rest of the team (Perhaps this is what he wants). Some commentators believe his hatred stems from jealousy as he would like to play the position but lacks the skill, speed and looks to pull it off.
Moon Vs Trump
Just ask Moon about it, he really hates Donald Trump and everything that he stands for. This doesn’t really have anything to do with the Bindi Bowl but it is worth mentioning.
Season Structure
Preseason
Every Preseason starts with the same debate. Whether the league should switch to SuperCoach Draft[10] or stay with the NRL Fantasy Draft[11]. At the end of the day most people are too lazy to do anything about it and the League remains faithful to the NRL Fantasy Draft[12] which has been tried and tested.
The League then turns its attention to the members of the League, All members of the previous season are granted a Licence to return to the League. Members can then nominate new players. It is the intention of the League to have an even number of competitors to avoid “Bye” weeks. Each nomination is considered and voted on by all members.
The Preseason differs for each League Member but a general rule is. Jean does a ridiculous amount of research, Joshua Lyons research’s as many roughies as possible in order to Draft players 5 rounds to early and Dave Canterbury does no research as all he really wants is Gerard Beale in his team.
Draft
Draft Location
The Draft is the highlight of the season. In early years the Draft was completed online but due to inspiration by the American sitcom The League[13] the Draft has been replaced by a Live Draft in which all League members coverage onto a city and participate in the Draft.
| Season | Draft Type | Draft City | Draft Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Online | - | - |
| II | Online | - | - |
| III | Online | - | - |
| IV | Live | Canberra, ACT | Mercure Hotel |
| V | Live | Canberra, ACT | GIO Stadium |
| VI | Live | Gerringong, NSW | Gerringong Bowling & Recreation Club |
| VII | Live | Callala Bay, NSW | In House |
| VIII | Live | Wollongong, NSW | Novotel Northbeach |
| IX | Live | Batemans Bay, NSW | Club Catalina |
| X | Live | TBD | TBD |
-
Canberra, ACT – 2016 Draft -
Canberra, ACT – 2017 Draft -
Gerringong, NSW – 2018 Draft -
Callala Bay, NSW – 2019 Draft -
Wollongong, NSW – 2020 Draft -
Batemans Bay, NSW – 2021 Draft
Draft Order
The Draft order is determined utilising a different system each season. Dave wants the system and draft proper to engage in a more whimsical system, however some other members would like a more rigid system. The selection of the Draft order is normally random in nature however the system to determine the order varies each year and there have been accusations of an unfair or non-random order selection in some seasons creating controversy.
Draft Process
The Bindi Bowl utilises a Snake Draft Order[14] which means that in each round of picks the user order is reversed, such that the player who has the 1st pick in the odd Rounds (1,3,5 etc..) of the draft will have the last pick in the even rounds (2,4,6 etc...).
When it is a member’s turn to select their pick they are put “On the Clock”. Once an individual in on the clock they have 60 seconds to make their selection otherwise the next person in order can jump and make their selection. This time is often exceeded by many members each round.
Squad
The squad size is determined each year by League members under consultation.
Regular Season
The Bindi Bowl’s regular season centres around Head to Head matches. The default for the start of League competitions fixtures is the commencement of Round 1, however, this has been adjusted in the past due to incomptencies in the Commissioner setting up the League (I am looking at you Joshua Moon). The teams compete against each other each week until the end of the season to determine a Top 8 to take on the finals.
Finals
The Bindi Bowl Currently follows the NRL finals system[15]. The highest-ranked eight teams at the end of the regular season participate in a four-week tournament, with two teams eliminated in each of the first three weeks. The seventh team is eliminated (and the premiership awarded) in the grand final.
The system is designed to give the top four teams an easier road to the grand final than the second four teams. The top four needs to win only two finals to reach the grand final, while the second four needs to win three; and, two of the top four teams receive a bye in the second week of the playoff and then play at home in the third week, while the other two play at home in the second week.
| Qualifying / Elimination finals | Semi-finals | Preliminary finals | Grand final | ||||||||||||||
| QF1: 1st qualifying final | |||||||||||||||||
| 1 | 1st | Home | |||||||||||||||
| 4 | 4th | Away | SF1: 1st semi-final | ||||||||||||||
| Loser of QF1 | Home | ||||||||||||||||
| EF1: 1st elimination final | Winner of EF1 | Away | PF1: 1st preliminary final | ||||||||||||||
| 5 | 5th | Home | Winner of QF1 | ||||||||||||||
| 8 | 8th | Away | Winner of SF2 | GF: Bindi Bowl Grand Final | |||||||||||||
| Winner of PF1 | |||||||||||||||||
| EF2: 2nd elimination final | PF2: 2nd preliminary final | Winner of PF2 | |||||||||||||||
| 6 | 6th | Home | Winner of SF1 | ||||||||||||||
| 7 | 7th | Away | SF2: 2nd semi-final | Winner of QF2 | |||||||||||||
| Winner of EF2 | Away | ||||||||||||||||
| QF2: 2nd qualifying final | Loser of QF2 | Home | |||||||||||||||
| 2 | 2nd | Home | |||||||||||||||
| 3 | 3rd | Away | |||||||||||||||
Premiership Winners
| Season | Grand Finals | Minor Premier | Pinto | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier | Score | Runners-up | |||
| I | Joshua Moon[16] | – | – | Joshua Moon | – |
| II | Jean Seay* | – | Jon Borton | Jean Seay | Aaron Durach |
| III | Joshua Carroll-Fajarda | – | Joshua Moon | Joshua Moon | ? |
| IV | Joshua Lyons | – | David Canterbury | Jean Seay | Joshua Moon |
| V | Damien McMillan | – | Jean Seay | Jean Seay | Michael Duck |
| VI | Joshua Carroll- Fajarda | – | Nathan Fisher | Joshua Carroll- Fajarda | Elliott Birkett |
| VII | Nathan Fisher | – | Michael Duck | Michael Duck | Matthew Rolles |
| VIII | Nathan Fisher | – | Joshua Moon | Joshua Moon | ? |
| IX | Reece Webb | 717 – 664 | Jon Borton | Joshua Moon | Matthew Rolles |
Results
| Rank | Team | Seasons | Premiership | Runner-up | Minor Premiers | Pinto |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nathan Fisher | 6 | 2 (2019, 2020) | 1 (2018) | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Joshua Carroll-Fajarda | 4 | 2 (2015, 2018) | 0 | 1 (2018) | 0 |
| 3 | Joshua Moon | 9 | 1 (2013) | 2 (2015, 2020) | 4 (2013, 2015, 2020, 2021) | 1 (2016) |
| 4 | Jean Seay | 9 | 1 (2014*) | 1 (2017) | 3 (2014, 2016, 2017) | 0 |
| 5 | Reece Webb | 4 | 1 (2021) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Joshua Lyons | 7 | 1 (2016) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Damien McMillan | 3 | 1 (2017) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Jon Borton | 9 | 0 | 2 (2014, 2021) | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Michael Duck | 7 | 0 | 1 (2019) | 1 (2019) | 1 (2017) |
| 10 | David Canterbury | 9 | 0 | 1 (2016) | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | Bruce Wear | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | Scott Shepard | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Elliott Birkett | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 (2018) |
| 14 | Aaron Durach | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 (2014) |
| 15 | Matthew Rolles | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 (2019, 2021) |
| 16 | David Barros | 0 | – | – | – | – |
Awards
Bindi Bowl
The Bindi Bowl is the awe inspiring trophy awarded to the Major Premier each year.
-
The Bindi Bowl as of the end of the 2020 Season
Pinto
The Pinto award is given to the last place participant at the end of the regular season. It is mainly symbolic however Dave would like it to become a reality and be awarded each year.
The Pinto is a homage to “The Sacko” from The League[17]
Controversies
Collusion & The Asterisk*
There have always been accusations of collusion, most of which go unpunished due to a lack of evidence however in the second season of the Bindi Bowl one Jon Borton was accused and caught of collusion with Reece Webb. Leading into the Grand Final Reece was eliminated out of the league, Jon in cahoots with Reece was gifted Reece’s best players in Trades for players of lower value stacking his team. It was determined in the Judiciary that Jon was not acting in the spirit of the game and was stripped of his premiership which was gifted to Jean as the runner-up that year.
The time Moon swore in the Coach’s Box
They say when you’re a threat you’re also a target, this was proven when the statement below: “Don’t f*ck with Dave, he played prop for the Rams.” Was met with a swift return from the authorities:
this Box have been excessively offensive or inappropriate, and have
now been removed. In a public competition such as this one, entrants
have certain responsibilities outlined in the Terms of Use and Rules,
as agreed to when registering. This is an official warning, please note
that any further breaches will result in the automatic deletion of teams
and registrations from this competition, without further explanation.
Emergency Loophole
It has long been known that there is an emergency loophole in the NRL Fantasy system that many including Nathan Hindmarsh are known to use in order to get a leg up. The Bindi Bowl members have long been at odds surrounding if this loophole should be utilised or not.
This all came to a head in 2020 when Jean Seay was caught using this loophole. While Jean did not break any rules from either the NRL Fantasy or Bindi Bowl Charter a debate was engaged. This debate resulted in Dave Canterbury throwing his toys out the cot. The commissioner at the time Nathan Fisher pulled both parties aside and gave them a good clip under the ears.
The Bindi Bowl Members voted and decided that utilising the Loophole was not in the spirit of the game and from that point on would not be allowed.
The Quince Paste Incident of 2018
Perhaps the most controversial moment in Bindi Bowl History. Jon Borton and Joshua Moon where sent to collect delicious snacks for League members in 2018. The two departed Gerringong and Arrived at the Gerringong IGA to begin purchasing treats. Jon selected an array of cheeses much to Moons disgust, the two started to bicker and argue as they are prone to do, however this exploded when Jon selected Quince Paste. Joshua was heard by many witnesses as saying “No one likes Quince Paste!”
Upon returning to the Household all members of the league were heard praising Jon for his selections of cheeses and most notably the delicious Quince Paste.
As such Joshua was heard planning Jon’s murder later that evening.
Shepherd leaves the league
One day, one too many people, said one too many things, about one of the most popular NRL teams amongst Bindi Bowlers. This led to a man who was more than happy to tell anyone who wasn’t listening, about how much of shit he didn’t give, cracked the shits and left the league. Despite his obvious passion for competition, for rugby league and for drowning brain cells, nobody fought too hard to get him back.
Cheatcodes
In 2021 the emergence of the Cheat Code[18] was seen. Joshua Moon used Cheat Codes, normally Nathan Cleary most weeks to give himself wins and no one really liked it.
Joshua Lyons also had cheatcodes of James Tedesco & Tom Trbojevic but people seemed more ok with that. He is just a better guy.
Moon vs The League (but mostly Dave)
Mid-season 2013, a bad decision, from a worse person, came close to killing the Bindi Bowl before it had truly found its place in Australia’s sporting landscape.
David Canterbury, infuriated by the smugness and success of the gregarious and popular league lynchpin Joshua Moon, devised a plan that was duplicitous as it was blatant. When faced with Moons impending victory in the inaugural Bindi Bowl season, David used his Machiavellian wiles to convince the more easily manipulated members of the group to conduct the ultimate subterfuge, intending for the process to end in regicide.
Firstly Dave, being outright second on the ladder to the near-unassailable CS9-captaining leader, created a plan for other Bindi Bowlers to shift a cohort of key, high-averaging players amongst each other, depositing the transacted group into whoever’s line-up was playing the league leader that round. Secondly, he instructed his co-conspirators to gut their teams for their matchups against him.
Inspired by Truth and Justice, and taking the mantle of rugby leagues strongest conscious from Beaver Menzies (who would retire later that year after a 14-4 loss to Hull F.C. in the Super League Elimination Final) in the process, Reece Webb stepped up to the plate to inform Moon of the chicanery.
Reece agreed to double-cross his former master and refused the fraudulent trades for his week, leading to the mathematical elimination of Dishonest Dave and the crowning of the Bindi Bowl’s first Champion.
Records
Overall Team Scores
- Highest Regular Season Total – 13220 Points, Joshua Lyons, 2021 Season
- Lowest Regular Season Total – 11282 Points, Michael Duck, 2021 Season
- Most Regular Season Wins – 14 Wins, Joshua Moon, 2021 Season
Team Scores Regular Season
- Highest Round Score – 862 Points, Nathan Fisher, Round 5 2021
- Highest Losing Score – 764 Points, Nathan Fisher vs Joshua Lyons, Round 15 2021, 791 – 764
- Largest Winning Margin – 328 Points, Nathan Fisher Vs Matthew Rolles, Round 14 2021, 762 – 434
- Lowest Winning Score – 289 Points, Nathan Fisher vs Joshua Moon, Round 17 2021, 289 – 120
Team Scores Finals Series
- Highest Round Score – 766 Points, Jon Borton, Preliminary Final 2021
- Highest Losing Score – 763 Points, Joshua Moon Vs Jon Borton, Preliminary Final 2021, 766 – 763
- Largest Winning Margin – 92 Points, Joshua Lyons Vs Jean Seay, Qualifying Final 2021, 768 – 696
- Lowest Winning Score – 590 Points, Jon Borton vs Bruce Wear, Elimination Final 2021, 590 – 579
Captain Scores
- Highest Captain Score – 288 points (Nathan Cleary), Joshua Moon, Round 10 2021
- Lowest Captain Score – 12 Points (James Tedesco), Joshua Lyons, Round 7 2021
- Highest Non-Captain Score – 119 Points (Daly Cherry-Evans), Jean Seay, Round 19 2021
Team Transactions
- Most Trades in a Season – 3, Joshua Lyons & David Canterbury, 2021 Season
- Most Free Agent Selections in a Season – 50, Jean Seay & Reece Webb, 2021 Season
- Most Transactions in a Season – 50, Jean Seay, Reece Webb & David Canterbury, 2021 Season
- Most Intact Drafted Team in a Season – 88% (15 of 17), Damien McMillan, 2017 Season
Sponsorship
The Bindi Bowl has many sponsors that have supported the enhancement of the competition.
Tip Top Turf
Tip-Top Turf & Gardens is a local company, providing the Illawarra with lawn care and gardening services. Although now defunct due to the Owner moving on to bigger and better things, the Company still donates generously to the Bindi Bowl through insightful topics and whimsy.
DFMK
McDoons Vineyards & Winery
References
- ↑ Scout, Lone. "NRL Fantasy Draft: What it is, and why you should play". Retrieved 4 February 2020.
- ↑ "PLAYERS". Retrieved 25 August 2021.
- ↑ "The League".
- ↑ Official Bindi Bowl statistics encompass all seasons of NRL Fantasy Draft and exclude any percussing NRL Fantasy Classic Seasons.
- ↑ https://sportsdeck.com/au/nrl/dreamteam/#/. Retrieved 25 August 2021. Missing or empty
|title=(help) - ↑ https://sportsdeck.com/au/nrl/dreamteam/#/. Missing or empty
|title=(help) - ↑ https://www.mercurecanberra.com.au/. Retrieved 25 August 2021. Missing or empty
|title=(help) - ↑ https://mcdonalds.com.au/store/fairymeadow-ii-nsw. Missing or empty
|title=(help) - ↑ "The Original Six Teams of the NHL". Prostockhockey.com. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
- ↑ https://supercoach.com.au/. Retrieved 25 August 2021. Missing or empty
|title=(help) - ↑ Scout, Lone. "NRL Fantasy Draft: What it is, and why you should play". Retrieved 4 February 2020.
- ↑ Scout, Lone. "NRL Fantasy Draft: What it is, and why you should play". Retrieved 4 February 2020.
- ↑ "The League".
- ↑ "2021 DRAFT FANTASY GUIDELINES". Retrieved 25 August 2021.
- ↑ "NRL finals format explained: How do the NRL finals work?". Retrieved 25 August 2021.
- ↑ No Finals where held and as such the Minor Premier was also awarded the Major Premiership.
- ↑ "The League".
- ↑ "NRL Cheat Code".
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