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Kangaroos Inaccuracy Costly as Chicago Advances Toward Third Consecutive MAAFL Title
Chicago is known for hot dogs. In addition, there is Chicago-style pizza, Italian beef and the Sears Tower. Chicago has two Major League Baseball teams, plus the Bears, the Bulls, and the Blackhawks. Chicago is also home to Chicago United, arguably the most successful MAAFL Australian Rules Football team, with premierships in 2001, 2007 and 2008.
Chicago United started their 2009 MAAFL season with an overwhelming win over Ohio Valley, scoring 68 points to nothing in the second half. The Nashville Kangaroos trained hard to counter that endurance and determination in Nashville's first 2009 MAAFL Championship encounter.
The weather was perfect, and Rogers Park was grassy and inviting. With each team having only four games to decide their MAAFL season, all was on the line in this critical clash. Chicago even did some extra preparation, suiting up eight players for interchange instead of the customary six! Unfortunately, they weren't so prepared for officiating, leaving brave Grant White to endure alone the usual tirade of insults and complaints.
Winning the coin toss and kicking with the slight breeze, Chicago United was first to get the ball out of the center, resulting in a quick goal by Gordon Ambrosino. Nashville won the following center bounce, and had a couple of opportunities resulting from courageous play by Mischa Nemeth and Jeff "Peeps" Persson. Although usually accurate, Nashville full forward Chris "Bagman" Moerman struggled with to produce, gaining two minor scores. At last Nashville took a slight lead when a great run and handpass by Matt "Langer" Langley gave veteran Dee "Weeman" Vsetecka the opportunity for a goal from forward pocket.
Spectacular efforts by Langley, a diving mark by Persson, and impressive contributions from Captain Luke "Ooga Booga" Nemeth, Damian "What's Serong With That" and Vsetecka resulted in more behinds in the action-packed first quarter. Chicago had greater scoring efficiency, with another goal to take back the lead from some great work by Rohan "Roofy" Ward. With desperation, Dave "Walka" Walker won the ball out of a center pack, while Moerman ventured far out in the half forward flank to create an opportunity for Langley. Langley kicked a goal to regain the lead. This was followed by Justin "Biggie Me" White retrieving his own tap, disposing to a crossing Persson, who hit Moerman witha perfert lead in the pocket and a booming goal to finish the first quarter with Nashville leading 3.4 (22) to Chicago's 2.2 (14).
Chicago's strategy included having a man loose in the back line, giving Persson a very productive game as an untagged winger, until he left with a sprained knee late in the second. However, Nashville was being hurt by this whenever Chicago produced a transition of possession. This was exemplified early in the second quarter. Nashville created the center break, but Chicago held in defense, and a quick transition provided another goal for Ward. Chicago followed that by winning a free kick in the center, and Ambrosino scored a great crumber's goal barely a minute later to again give Chicago the lead.
Chicago again won the ball in the center. Full of running, Chicago had a couple of missed opportunities before Ward grabbed the ball over Travis "Quig" Quigley and scored from the resulting set shot. Chicago's fluid transition from defense caught Nashville out of position, and Ward goaled again after nice work by Ambrosino and Bradis. Chicago had stretched their lead to the widest margin of the game, 19 points.
Nashville regained momentum. Amid another flurry of minor scores, Langley won a free with a great tackle and kicked a goal. Langley earned another free kick minutes later, this time awarded down the ground, allowing Moerman to score after the half time siren. Although the teams had dominated roughly ten minutes each in the second quarter, Nashville's inaccuracy left a three point deficit at half time, 5.9 (39) to Chicago's 6.6 (42).
The Roos immediately won the center break from the opening bounce of the second half. However, Chicago won the ball back with tough defense. Within seconds, the ball was in the Chicago forward line, where Ward again picked up well and kicked a goal. Chicago had the next center break with nice work by Paul Drake. Bradis strongly marked a long pass from Matt Palmer, and the very promising one-named Bradis proved accurate.
Some great work by Jesse "the Body" Wells, Walker and the Nemeth brothers, including a valuable smother by Wells, kept the ball in the Roos' forward line until Vsetecka earned a free kick, resulting in a Nashville goal. However, wasted opportunities were proving costly for Nashville. Chicago's Bradis scored a goal before three quarter time to extend the Chicago lead to exactly two goals, 9.7 (61) to 6.13 (49).
The Nashville players threw themselves into the final quarter, but Chicago defended tenaciously. Nashville won the ball back from the kick-out after a missed shot on the run by Serong. Luke Nemeth gained possession under solid pressure, but efficiently handpassed to young rookie Daniell "Whippet" Liepply. Liepply fired a quick shot at goal and leaped excitedly as the ball flew between the big sticks for his first career goal, also netting him "Best Goal Celebraion" for the day.
Unfortunately, Whippet's second shot at goal two minutes later was not as accurate. Nashville continued to attack, but Chicago was again able to reverse the flow of play. Chicago's Ward kicked another goal to stretch the lead back beyond a single major score.
Play was interrupted when former Revo Chris "Bluey" Carroll injured his ankle in a collision with "Big" Al MacGlashen as both flew for the ball over Nashville's Gilberto "Chimi" Ortiz. Ortiz held the mark so play restarted eventually with him in possession of the ball in defense. The Kangaroos needed two goals in the remaining four minutes.
The Roos played with desperation as United played with inspiration. Possessions were traded, and impressive Chicago rookie Nolan McKeegan came away with a goal amid some scrappy play. At the final whistle, Chicago had won an exciting game, 11.7 (73) to Nashville's 7.17 (59).
The Kangaroos (1-2, 0-1) next face MAAFL regional rivals St. Louis Blues at Elmington Park on June 6th, before again traveling for a MAAFL Championship match on June 20th. Be sure to catch this game as the Roos look to regain their winning ways. Game time is 2 pm.
Quarter-by-quarter scores
Nashville 3.4 (22) Chicago 2.2 (14)
Nashville 5.9 (39) Chicago 6.6 (42)
Nashville 6.13 (49) Chicago 9.7 (61)
Nashville 7.17 (59) Chicago 11.7 (73)
Goals
Nashville: Chris Moerman (2), Dee Vsetecka (2), Matthew Langley (2),
Daniell Liepply
Chicago: Rohan Ward (6), Gordon Ambrosino (2), Bradice (2), Nolan McKeegan
Best and Fairest
Nashville: Matt Langley, Damian Serong, Luke Nemeth, Dee Vsetecka, Justin
White, Danniell Leipply. Encouragement Award: Daniell Liepply
Chicago: To be revealed later
MAAFL Votes: To be revealed later
Umpire
Field: Grant White
Attendance: 50
Injuries: Chris Carroll (CHI) ankle, Jeff Persson (NAS) knee
