News — USAFL

Chicago Bounces Kangaroo's 0

It was a picture perfect day on the lakefront in Chicago as these two old foes once again locked horns in battle for the MAAFL crown. Nashville were looking to keep their slim hopes of premiership glory alive and Chicago were hoping to continue their unbeaten run this season. Playing 14 a side and in front of the huge Chicago crowd, this was sure to be a classic.

The game started with the melodic stylings of Nick on the bagpipes and Australia’s Consular General in Chicago, Mr Bob Charles flipping the coin. As the snags sizzled and refreshments were taken, the big men began to fly.

A problem with the United team has been the leads they often gift opposition teams with slow starts but today wasn’t the day for this to happen. Chicago came out of the blocks fired up and caught the Roo boys unaware. Big Drew Ehlers was on fire as he marked strongly and kicked truly for Chicago’s first. He added another minutes later and the run was all Chicago as Nashville struggled to break the strong Chicago backline led by best on ground Funky Miller and complimented by Frank Bradley, Jacko and DK.

The irrepressible Brian Hoyt was also proving dangerous up front as he managed his first, setting the crowd alight with chants of “we love you Brian”, chants that were echoed by his coach as the Chicago forwards took control but inaccurate kicking proved costly as the boys from Chi town went into the first break 3.4: 22 leaders to Nashville’s 0.2: 2.

The second quarter saw the Roos kicking with the 1 or 2 goal breeze that trickled in off the beautiful azure waters of Lake Michigan. Nashville tightened defensively but an unmarked Drake slipped forward to kick a coaches goal to get things going for United. He and Mustard De Jong were working in tandem through the middle and minutes later Mustard added to the tally with a lovely goal 40 meters out. Bad kicking again plagued Chicago but the use of the ball, their run through the middle and staunch defense could not be faulted and when Gordo snagged his first, the game threatened to get away from the boys of the south but just like that, momentum changed and Nashville started to play like the Nashville of old. Without big Drew Cox, the forward line wasn’t at it’s best but with Dee and Luke starting to get more and more of the ball, Nashville started to out run and out hustle a cocky Chicago. On a fantastic lead, Nashville’s second gamer ‘plugger’ pulled in a classic grab and duly went back and went ‘bang’ to bring up the two hand salute from the umpire and get the scoreboard clicking for the roos. But Nashville also suffered the yips and some bad kicking in front of goal led them to the main break 6 goals down. Chicago 6.10: 46 to Nashville 1.4: 10

Nashville started the second half where they left off the first and were able to dominate the first half of the quarter as they slammed on two big ones to worry the impressive Chicago crowd and bring the difference back to 4 straight kicks but the experienced Chicago team playing on their own heap were not going to be outdone and momentum soon swung back to the boys from Americas greatest city as Brian Hoyt claimed his second, followed soon by another pair from the two damaging, if inaccurate forwards Roofy and Toddy McClamroch to send Chicago into the orange break 9.14: 68 to 3.4: 22 up.

Nashville would not throw in the towel and battled out the game in the last quarter throwing, literally, everything at Chicago with some interesting tactics that may be looked at closely by the MAAFL board. Despite this, Nashville added one more and Pat Hoyt finally kicked one straight to seal the game and set up a classic, winner takes all match against Milwaukee in September.

Results

Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
United	3.4.22	3.6.24	3.4.22	1.5.11	10.19.79
Nashville	0.2.2	1.2.8	2.0.12	1.1.7	4.5.29
Goals	United: Hoyt B (2), Ehlers (2), Ward, Hoyt P, Drake, Ambrosino, De Jong, McClamroch Nashville: None
Best	United: Hoyt B, Ehlers, McClamroch, Morgan J, Miller Nashville: None

No Blues for United 0

Chicago United took a giant leap towards recapturing the MAAFL crown and returning it to its rightful place atop Burgmann Towers. Lead by a dominating backline and ruthless midfield, Chicago were able to turn the screws on an undermanned Blues outfit that battled hard all day against huge odds.

In 95 degree heat and 100% humidity, the two teams, playing 14 a side, locked horns once more in battle. St Louis were looking to continue their good form after beating Nashville and wanted a little revenge for the licking they received from Chicago in the windy city last year. Chicago, after a good recruiting off season came down with 18 players fit and ready but without their spiritual leaders in big Wazza Burgmann and the Outback Kid himself, both MIA.

St Louis were able to draw first blood when a Chicago turnover found an unmanned Blue forward in between 3 United players who duly slotted one through to get the game rolling. This was the spark the United boys needed and they dominated much of the first quarter but were unable to capitalise where it mattered most. A top heavy forward line wasn’t getting the delivery they craved and repeated forays forward were turned back by a stubborn Blue defence which was being helped by a classic midwestern downpour that made the ball harder to handle than a heated coat hanger bent into a gamma sign and brutally applied to the upper arm. Pat Hoyt was taken from the backline and asked to give the forward line some spark and within seconds he had slotted through a classic crumbers goal to get the scoreboard clicking.

Chicago was getting some great run from the backline with Jacko, Funky Miller and in particular Betty Palmer all having a case of minor leather poisoning. Pat’s brother Brian was popping up in unusual spots and was getting his share of the footy and he was able to make the most of his chances to kick his sides second. On the other flank, Ehlers and his opponent were having a great dual. The big fella was able to get a step on his opponent and before the siren bring up Chicago’s 3rd sending the United boys into the huddle a couple up on the Blues, 3.4: 22 v 1.2: 8.

The rain continued and turned the game into a tough slog. Betty Palmer was revelling in the conditions and between him and Funky Miller, were tormenting the Blue forwards. Big Roofy started to fire for the United forwards as Jagger and the St Louis boys continued to do a wonderful job of harassing Big Al who was unable to break the shackles at full forward. In a quarter of football that will be remembered by very few people, big Roofy was able to snag his first of the game and St. Louis added another to bring the score at half time to 4.8: 32 to 2.4: 16.

Chicago decided to go smaller at half time by sitting Big Aaron and taking a dominant Mustard out of the backline and putting him in the ruck. The move was initially a stinker as St Louis came out all guns blazing and enjoyed several center clearances that put the United backline under constant and sustained pressure. Betty Palmer, now joined by Deri Morgan repelled many but a mark and goal bought the game closer. After a poor goal line clearance from United, StLouis marked and banged on their second in as many minutes and all of a sudden the game took on a whole new demeanour as Chicago clung to a 4 point lead.

Mustard, Wolfe, Oscar and a fresh legged Billy started to lift in the middle and eventually Chicago was able to rest control of the game away from the Blues and back into their own Oscar Meyer, although not having one of his best games, at least by his lofty standards, managed to find himself with the ball in the forward pocket from where he went back and slotted through goal of the day to lift Chicago spirits. Ensuing goals to Roofy and ‘el presidente’ broke the St Louis shackles and in the presidents case, lost the game ball also as she was drilled into the jungle behind the goals. With the game still on the line, Chicago went into the orange break 22 points up, 7.10: 52 to a tiring StLouis 4.6: 30.

In an effort to spark the forward line, Coach Drake moved himself to full forward and dropped Drewbie back to full back. Tiny came into a pocket as the weather improved to do a bit of physical damage and Big Al went to center half forward for a run. The move proved effective as the coach bagged one of his rare goals and sent Chicago further in front. Chicago started to dominate as the heavy track took a toll on the StLouis boys who didn’t have the luxury of a fresh bench with fresh legs. They did manage to kick their fifth of the game to get Chicago fans looking at their watches but when Roofy goaled, the game was Chicagos and they eventually ran out 30 point victors over a very valiant StLouis outfit.

For Chicago, it was a win they deserved although they felt it could have been by more, particularly before the rain came. The most pleasing thing for the United coaching staff was that it was the American boys that led from the front in this one with Palmer, Miller, the brothers Hoyt, Wolfe, Ehlers and many others having wonderful games. The fact that Gordo got through the game was received with a huge sigh of relief from Burgmann Towers as they look confidently to the next all important game against their old foes in Nashville. With a few issues simmering from the last game these two teams played, look for a bruising affair on the shores of Lake Michigan in early August. For St Louis, they take away a great deal of heart from this game. With Jagger back in the line up their backline was a lot stronger but with no interchange and up against a much more experienced team, it was always going to be a struggle for the boys from Bud town. They played a hard, physical game and will walk away from this with heads up.

Next Round: V’s Nashville in Chicago. Playing host to the Great Aussie BBQ and a huge crowd expected.

Best On Ground: Betty Palmer
Best Off Ground: Betty Palmer
Beast On Ground: Brian Hoyt
Beast On Grog: Betty Palmer/ Biggsy/ Roofy
Presidents highlight: Jezza getting a free room but paying $80 to get to the pub in a cab.

Chicago's Big Win a Sign of Things to Come 0

The Cincinnati Dockers once again hosted the team from Chicago in what was near perfect conditions for footy. Chicago unveiled their new jumpers for the first time, a combination of the Sydney Swans and Southport Sharks designs. Looking like a team, the Chicago boys ended up easy winners against a persistent Cinci squad.

United kicked the first goal with Matt Palmer slotting one through early on. The Dockers quickly replied with their first major of the day but it would almost be another 3 quarters before they would score another.

The visiting team was doing well in the middle with ample supply to the forward line. United missed a few opportunities but were still able to open up a handy lead at quarter time, the forwards giving plenty of trouble to the Dockers defence.
Cinci: 1-0 (6) – Chicago 5-8 (38)

The second quarter was more of the same with Chicago starting to control the midfield and forward 50, poor kicking the only problem for United. The Dockers had a couple of chances but the tight Chicago defence did not give an inch. The highlight of the quarter was a great mark by “Best on Ground” Paul Meyer. The little bloke took a tough grab in the goal square with a great leap between 2 Dockers and then kicking truly. Half time had Chicago well in control on the score board.
Cinci: 1-0 (6) – Chicago 9-14(68)

The third quarter saw the Dockers come out strong and were unlucky not to kick a goal on a couple of occasions. The Chicago backline was under a bit more pressure and the running of the first half was starting to show with United legs beginning to tire. Chicago was still able to extend their lead but with many less scoring attempts than in the previous quarters.
Cinci: 1-2 (8) – Chicago 13-19(97)

Cincinnati came out all fired up for the last quarter with the ball spending the first half in their attacking zone. This persistence paid off with a great goal from the boundary line to the Dockers, Chicago looked a little shell shocked by the efforts of their opponents. United still managed to kick a goal but only had 3 scoring shots for the quarter, a far cry from the attempts earlier in the game.

The final result showed the dominance of the United team but as always the Cinci boys never gave up and showed that they could still play great footy with a fantastic effort to the end. Some great matchups were had with the rucks a tight contest and some great efforts on both wings.

MAAFL MVP
Oscar Meyer – 3, Al MacGlashan – 2, J. Dean (Cinci) – 1

Chicago Trumps Kings 0

In beautiful Rogers Park on a sun drenched day and with numerous United players swapping jumpers to help out the boys from Kentucky, interstate football came back to Chicago.  Chicago won the toss and Captain Kastilahn decided to kick with the aid of the 3 or 4 goal breeze.  Chicago started strong and repeated forays forward towards a lovely, open forward line where the two flankers in Hoyt and McClamroch were finding plenty of space resulted in numerous set shots with no result.  B. Hoyt was showing some rare form on what must be his favourite ground and was taking some big grabs but his kicking let him down as the points kept coming until McClamroch, the boy from Cinci and an old foe of the Kings swept on a losse ball 40 out, dodged one and went BANG from 30 to nail Chicago’s first.  All the Kings men in the center started to get more of the ball and their run was magnificent as they surged forward and brought up their first major of the day to go into the first break a mere 5 points down.

Louisville 1.2: 8 v a disappointed Chicago whose control of the game up to this point was not reflected on the scoreboard due to poor kicking with 1.7: 13

The second term was all Louisville with moments of champagne Brian Hoyt.  The Louisville midfield was in control and with the massive battle of Jacko at centre half back on Captain Coach Matt swinging the big King’s way, goals started raining for Louisville.  Burgmann (Louisville) was on fire in the ruck giving sleepy and sissy first use of the ball and despite their inexperience, the two lads used the ball wonderfully when going forward.  The Kings slammed on 5 of the best against Chicagos 2 against the breeze, both both of those booted by the irrepresible Brain Hoyt who was being a right pain in the rear end of the Louisville side.  With Hoyt finding room all over the middle and McClamroch being busy on the other flank, the two were able to keep Chicago in it at the half as Mustard De Jong and MacGlashan were being very well held with no thanks going to their midfield and half backers for some sloppy delivery.  At the half, the Kings leapt out to a handy lead 6.5: 41 to Chicagos 3.7: 25

Umpire, Coach, Commentator, Scorekeeper and Timer Drake had a few choice words at the half and swung some big moves that had an instant effect.  Mustard went into the ruck to face Burgmann, MacGlashan came out to center half forward and Ehlers went to full forward to see if the 3 big United fellas could impose their will on the game.

The Kings runners were still causing havoc all over the ground but slowly the United midfield started to get on top being ably led by new recruits Whitey and ‘Front’ Meyer.  Ambrosino started to find more of the ball as Mustards ruck work and strong marking around the ground gave the Chicago boys more of the Kangaroo skin.  Ambrosino, as he always does, popped up for his first of the game, a lovely kick from 40 odd out.  Minutes later he was able to find the ‘Front’ man in Meyer who went back and kicked truly and all of a sudden the boys from Americas best city started to get a sniff.  A quick kick out of the center by Gordo set a lively Biggs in motion and he collected the ball 30 out, weaved around one and slipped out a lovely handball (on his left hand if memory serves me?) to a galloping McClamroch who burst through a pack of Kings and went BANG to register goal of the day and bring the incredibly good looking crowd (am I wrong?) to life.

At the orange break, Chicago lead 7. 11: 53 to 6. 7: 43.

The last quarter promised to be a ripper and the boys from just below the Mason Dixon, although tiring threw everything at a United team whose tail was wagging at the moment.  They attacked constantly with the breeze, only to be thwarted time and again by Kastilahn who was amongst Chicagos best, Betty Palmer who is starting to run into form, the hard hitting little Case and a white hot Funky Miller who shrugged off a poor first half to dominate the second.  Louisville banged on one to get closer but there on in it was all Chicago.  Miller was running riot off the half back line with Kastilahn and Betty constantly feeding him.  Hoyt was being given far to much room and was able to expose the tiring Louisville backline.  McClamroch stepped up another gear and added another goal to put his hand up for best on ground.  Drew Ehlers, kept very quiet all day, hit his straps in the last and provided the marking power up forward that Chicago had so sorely missed and managed to bag himself 3 in the process which just quietly could have been 4 for the quarter as he very unselfishly and very surprisingly to all assembled, dished off a handball to the effervescent Biggs who kicked truly to put the game away.

For the Chicago brains trust it was a good win and they can be very happy with the second half, particularly the running and movement of the ball to space.  The form of the Hoyts, McClamroch and emergence of Case were all high points but the skills were worrying with MacGlashan most likely being very sore after being at the bottom of many a pack after healthy leads.  It’s not for this scribe to mention but i will of course, that when Big Al did get one out in front and with the lead out towards his adoring wife and beautiful little girl, daddy decided to show off and take the big grab with the old noggin instead of the two big mitts.  Funny stuff indeed but leave it up to Al to deliberately let a fast moving footy hit him in the honker for the amusement of all.  Always thinking of others is Big Al.

For the Kings, a great game and a welcome back to the big time of MAAFL football.  Matt’s boys equipped themselves extremely well and with a big recruiting campaign in process in the Derby city, we can expect a big showing from the mint julip crowd in future.