I read the same Reptile Australia Mag, and the writer basically said Eric Worrel did not actually substantiate the 8.5 m specimen. He got this info second hand and because he was such a respected pioneer of the whole Herp thing in Oz no person doubted him. The Author went on to state he believed the actual average size of a large scrub python is more likely to be 4.5 - 6 m (approx, from memory). Based upon some hundred odd specimens he had collected over the years.
It.s a bit like politics and religion, we could argue for hours but the bottom line is what is the biggest scrubbie every to be accurately and reliable documented?
Davo
P.S I kinda liked the 8.5 m statistic, thats a heavy duty length either way you look at it lol