The Sandgropers
challenge Trophy
THE SANDGROPERS CHALLENGE TROPHY
​What started in 2010 as a tipping comp between the five little nevilles (with a $20 winner takes all), has today become a bloody ripper trophy that all the kiddies want to win. The kiddies have to pick the most winners in the year on the AFL, the one with the most winners during the year receives the cup. Also pocketing a cool $30 for their bank account, and a nice little $20 for them to spend down the shops...
THE CHAMPIONS
2023
Well this year we have some new inductees with Aaron and his and Sarah's little baby McKenzie joining our mob, also our new resident barman of the Corporate box Bazza joined the family comp. And with only one week to go last years winner Eric and Dad were four wins away from Bazza, but as we waited to see which one took out the trophy Bazza just kept winning long shot wins. Norths only second win all year beat the Suns, Bulldogs beat Geelong, Fremantle beat Richmond and Giants beat Carlton! And with those four extra wins Bazza slipped into equal first place with angry gnome Eric and Dad.
Bazza, Eric, Dad
2022
Eric Niszczot
So after twelve years trying and coming so close twice before the Gnomezombie was not going to lose this time around, and after the first half of the season was over he had a lead of five wins. Then he picked the perfect round and moved even further ahead, so really the season was over before it had even started. All up Eric moved to a massive thirteen wins in front before he finished the season ten wins ahead of Oscar.
2021
This year Mum, Harrison and Oscar were the only ones to pick the perfect round nine wins out of nine, but it was the big Osk who ran away with the trophy. And it really was a run away win as it was Jacko who came in second behind the young fella, a massive 12 wins behind Oscar. This was Oscars very first time he gripped his fingers around the magnificent family trophy, and he was very proud to wear his Gold Coast gear as the No1 kiddie in the family. Scoffing down his Gold Coast Suns winners cake, I heard him say I can't wait to feed on next years one ha,ha... You go big fella.
Oscar
2020
Well yours truly had a deal with the kiddies that I couldn't win the competition until all the little ones had had there name of the trophy, and with mum winning last year that gave me the opportunity to really go for it. And as it just so happen the big names Harry, Sarah and the Osk all had a bad year, which pretty well handed the cup to the old man.
Dad the Sandgroper
2019
Well the old girl finally picked up her first ever Trophy with one of the closest finishes we have had, with wins in the last week that took the trophy off Eric and Dad with a great last round. Going into the last round Eric was two wins in front and Dad one behind, and the golden girl Tania coming in third with one win behind the old man. But in the last week with the gnome thinking he was home and hosed, the poor bugger had two favorites losing giving mum the opportunity to come up even. And then Tania's Eagles winning against Carlton and Norths somehow winning gave Tania a two match lead, and with dad's last round a shocker the comp was all hers...
Tania
2018
Well 2018 was the year we had our very first draw with Jacko not only getting his very first trophy, but also getting our very first draw with Sarah. And Sarah was just unlucky to lose the chance of holding the trophy by herself, as she went into the last week with a two win lead but watched it slowly slide away. Sarah might of won more winning tips with 129, but Jacko picked up two bonus points which brought him back with Sarah. And this was a very special season as Jacko won his first trophy at the same time Sarah took away her third! And with that she now sits on top with Harrison with the most season wins.
Jacko/Sarah
2017
This year Mum, Harrison and Oscar were the only ones to pick the perfect round nine wins out of nine, but it was the big Osk who ran away with the trophy. And it really was a run away win as it was Jacko who came in second behind the young fella, a massive 12 wins behind Oscar. This was Oscars very first time he gripped his fingers around the magnificent family trophy, and he was very proud to wear his Gold Coast gear as the No1 kiddie in the family. Scoffing down his Gold Coast Suns winners cake, I heard him say I can't wait to feed on next years one ha,ha... You go big fella.
Oscar
2016
The season started with both Oscar and Jacko tipping well and making a break on the other nevilles, but it wasn't long (round 9) before Chase over took Oscar and then started making a buffer from himself and the others. And from their nobody could catch the little bugger, before we knew it he had a five win lead then a six and then more. He never picked the perfect round but finished with 139 tips, nine more then Sarah where as Jacko, Sarah and Harrison all picked 9 out of 9 once each during the year... Maybe next year Oscar or Jacko might break through for their maiden trophy.
Chase
2015
Well it was a close shave in this years championship as with 1 week to go Harry had a massive lead of 5 wins, and with only a week to go he thought it was a shoe in. But he didn't even think that the 'little Freo Assassin Sarah' would give him a run for his money, but she won 4 matches in a roll and finaly picked the Mighty Magpies to beat the hopeless Boomers who hadn't won since round 15, and with only 3 minutes left in the last quarter a Boomers goal sent the almighty Trophy towards the happy little fella Harrison with the Boomers winning 92 to 95! And the chant went up 'In your face Sarah'.
Harrison
2014
Another great year with the tipping competition over and this year it didn't go down to the wire like last year, as little fella Chase took it out convincingly with a massive ten wins from second placed Oscar. And wasn't he a happy little vegimite at his victory party as we destroyed fish n' chips, Geelong cat's cake and washed down with blue cordial. With 137 wins be became one of the best winners, giving nobody a chance, and going on to win his maiden trophey and with big things to come.
Chase
2013
On the second last day Carlton took on Port Adelaide, with Harrison picking Port while Sarah took the blues. In the end Carlton won 104 to 103! They were both on the edge of their seats if The power had kicked straight then the two little nevilles would of had a draw, instead the little Princess 'using her 'Girl Power' pulled off a ripper win. Sarah wins the Trophy for the second time and in doing so equals Harrison's record of two wins in a row, she did deserve the trophy after being on top for sixteen weeks of the twenty-two weekend comp.
Sarah
2012
The first sheilah to wrap her fingernails around the groper ornament, Sarah fought a tooth n' nail fight to win the most treasured trophy off mankind. By beating Harrison by 1 point she changed the tide of destiny, and held aloft the cherished trophy for the very first time. Durling the years to come the fights between her and Harrison will become legendary, with both nevilles taking it in turns to win and rip the heart out of the other to take hold of the glorious family trophy.
Sarah
2011
Well the young fella won the trophy again getting his name engraved for a second time on the famous cup, it will take a champion effort by someone to prise the trophy from his firm freo grip indeed. And he did it in style with a nice little buffer from Jacko and Oscar, who trailed behind Harry by 6 wins and Oscar 8. He did it with a nice finish as he was only 2 wins in frount, but with three weeks to go he started to make his buffer zone. Well done little mate
Harrison
2010
It was a ripper tournament for our first ever tipping compitaion, with three nevilles leading the tipping comp during the year. But it was the little fella Harrison who became the first ever winner to 'Raise above the head' the Sandgroper silverware, and in doing so you couldn't wipe the smile of his face. He left everybody in his wake after week 16 as he went on to win by a massive 10 points, and stamped his name in the Paul history books and also on a trophy that he wanted to be his own from the beginning.​
Harrison
