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Down South Rumble Winner Atlanta Downs Roos in a Downpour
After an impressive win in Louisville, the Kangaroos faced the Atlanta Kookaburras in the Roos' first home game since March. The Kangaroos owned a 10-1 record at home and an overall record of 14-4 against the Kookaburras, who came to Nashville after steamrolling the Baton Rouge Tigers.
The Kangaroos went into the duel without an entire six-shooter of starters, including veteran Jeff "Peeps" Persson, quick Daniell "Whippet" Leipply, leading goalkicker Chris "Bagman" Moerman, tough guys Mischa Nemeth and Todd "Tonka" Haralson, and tricky Gilberto "Chimi" Ortiz. However, head coach Marty "Thommo" Thompson was confident with his young up-and-comers filling their usual on-field roles.
With rain and a wet field, ball possession was critical and it was a huge advantage to win the footy in the center. That described Atlanta in the first quarter. First gamer Cliff "Leipply look-alike" Cosnahan joined Luke "Ooga Booga" Nemeth, Dee "Weeman" Vsetecka and Justin "JD" Davis to keep Nashville in the game by repelling almost all of Atlanta's scoring opportunities until Atlanta's Jonathon Rosenfield scored the first goal of the match with an impressive running kick that sailed over their heads.
Nashville struggled to advance the ball beyond half forward. Dave "Walka" Walker maximized the Nashville's sole scoring opportunity with a thrilling long goal on a breakaway. Most first quarter statistics were decidedly in favor of the Kookaburras, but the only stat that counts had Atlanta leading by a single point, 1.1(7) to 1.0(6).
The second quarter started much better for the Kangaroos, as Damian "What's" Serong "With That" fired a screaming goal from deep in the forward pocket. The second goal of the quarter came soccer-style from Travis "Quig" Quigley about 3 minutes later as he took advantage of being first to the ball, giving the Kangaroos a 3.1 (19) to 1.1 (7) lead.
But that lead was short-lived. The Kookaburras came storming back to score three goals before halftime. Rosenfield scored his second of the match as he was able to find open space in the forward lines. That was followed by Davin Clark who made up or a poor first quarter kick, putting the Kookas ahead. Serong and Walker both had chances to take the lead back but could not find the goals, drawing the teams into a draw. Then, with seconds to go, poor discapline cost the Roos: a free kick and a 25-yard penalty put Simon Davis in the goal square for an easy goal and the horn sounded before play cold resume. The Kookas were in the lead, 4.3(27) to 3.3(21).
The third quarter is traditionally known as the premiership quarter, and this match was no exception, with the Kookas dominating play. Dave Evans was the hero as he scored early and late, putting the Kookas comfortably ahead. He was only the beneficiary of great team play, though, as the Atlanta veteratans put on a wet weather clinic, using short, accurate kick passes to open men. Time and again they worked the ball out of danger and down field to create scoring chances. Meanwhile, the Roos attack kept sputtering, marked by errant hand passes when a kick was probably a better option. Only a behind by Vsetecka in the final few seconds kept the Kangaroos from being shut out for the quarter. At the final break, Atlanta lead 6.5(41) to 3.4(22). With the wet ball making scoring difficult, this was a dominating position.
In the final quarter, the Kookaburras continued their aggressive play, scoring three goals in the first ten minutes, first from the man who seemed to be free all day, Rosenfield picked up his third, then Brent Kewley getting on the score sheet, followed by Clark notching his second of the match. In the final minute, the Roos put together some fine football with a finishin touch from Nick "Chopper" Parker, but it was too little too late: Atlata 9.7(61) to the Roos 4.5(29).
For the first time in more than two years, the Kangaroos lost at Elmington Park, snapping an eight game winning streak and handing coach Thompson his first loss at home. The Roos have a chance to even the season series in Atlanta on September 12. The next game for the Kangaroos is the first ever home clash with the Minnesota Freeze. This is a must-win game for the Roos to keep alive their chance to win the 2009 MAAFL Championship. Game time is 2 pm on Saturday, July 25th at Elmington Park.
Scores By Quarter
Atlanta 1.1 (7) Nashville 1.0 (6)
Atlanta 4.3 (27) Nashville 3.3 (21)
Atlanta 6.5 (41) Nashville 3.4 (22)
Atlanta 9.8 (62) Nashville 4.5 (29)
Goal kickers:
Atlanta: Jonathon Rosenfield 3, Davin Clark, Dave Evans 2, Simon Davis,
Brent Kewley
Nashville: Nick Parker, Travis Quigley, Damian Serong, Dave Walker
Best on Ground:
Atlanta: Withheld until end of season
Nashville: Luke Nemeth, Dee Vsetecka, Justin Davis, Chris Hamp-Lyons and
Dave Walker (tie), Damian Serong. Encouragement Award - Kevin Smyth
Umpires:
Field: Craig Warner, Grant White
Goal: Alex Benjamin, Toby Persson
Attendance: 125
Injuries: Wheatley (back)
Photo: Ross Flemming
