The Village Bohemians have capped a stunning 2011 NYCAFL season by taking out the premiership in a closely fought contest with the Suburban Tollmen (Trash) at Pier 40 in Manhattan. Also on the night the Times Square Tourists won the battle for third place and the first pick in the 2012 NYCAFL draft by defeating the Hudson River Rats and the Blue team beat the Red team in the final Recfooty game for 2011.
It was a hot and sunny start to the evening as the Times Square Tourists and the Hudson River Rats stepped out on the field for the third place playoff. The River Rats had the benefit of most of their squad being available while the Tourists needed to recruit a few ring-ins to fill out their team. Despite the heat the intensity of the game was high with the River Rats jumping out of the blocks early thanks to the strong work of midfielders Buxton, Rush, Loader and Ormsby. The River Rats were continually pressing forward to their target Bowen with only the strong defensive work of Tourist Ryan preventing a barrage of goals. Both teams worked hard throughout the half but the River Rats had the ascendancy at half time leading 4.1 25 to 2.0 12.
After the break the Tourists came out the stronger with Lin finding space and capping off his own good work with a couple of goals. Mitchell and Miller got busy and worked off the effective tap work of Smiley to put through goal after goal. The River Rats managed to pull back a couple of goals but the damage had already been done with the Tourists running out 17 point winners, 10.0 60 to 7.1 43. The win was the Tourists first for the season and secured them the first pick in the 2012 NYCAFL draft as well as some revenge for their close loss to the River Rats in the 2010 NYCAFL final.
The fourth Recfooty game saw a great turn-out from the Lady Pies resulting in a reduction in the number of male participants compared to the previous games. The first half was a relatively even contest with the Blue team jumping out to an early lead via a goal from Cartier before Staropoli pulled one back for the Red team. Another goal saw the Blue team take a 9 point lead into the break. The start of the second half was a back and forward contest with neither team able to score for the first five minutes as midfielders Licata, Barlaz, Donner and Gallogly and both teams defense saw plenty of the ball. Ultimately the Blue team scored first via McHale to take a 2 goal lead and although the teams traded goals from that point on the established lead was too much for the Red team to pull back. The final game was played in the same excellent spirit of the rest of the series and continued to introduce new Lady Pies to the great game of Australian Rules football.
The main game of the evening pitted the undefeated Boho’s against the Trash for the 2011 NYCAFL premiership. The game represented quite a turnaround for both teams who played each other in the third place playoff in 2010. With healthy squads to choose from both teams opted to tag key players from the outset with the Boho’s Kerr going to Smith and the Trash’s Walsh manning up on McIntyre. The first five minutes of the game was contested at a frenetic pace with both teams giving their one out forwards a few opportunities. The Trash broke the deadlock first via Spielman before the Boho’s hit back via Schultz. The remainder of the half saw the Boho’s with the greater number of opportunities but inaccurate kicking meant that the difference at halftime was only a couple of goals.
Both teams came out fired up in the second half with man on man footy the name of the game and several heavy contests drawing Ooh’s and Aah’s from the tens of spectators at Pier 40. Wayward kicking continued to impact the Boho’s while the Trash were generally making the most of their foray’s forward. Goals were at a premium and the Trash trailed by a straight kick and change going into the final 5 minutes of the game. A goal to Boho ruckman Buckingham gave his team some breathing space before Smith soccered one through for the Trash and maintained the goal margin. Ultimately the Boho’s managed to lock the ball up in the centre and the whistle blew to signal the end of the contest and the Boho victory, 6.1 37 to 5.0 30.
The win to the Boho’s sealed their undefeated season and rise from cellar dwellers to premiers. Illustrating the integrity of the draft, the 2011 ladder was a complete opposite of the 2010 season despite a highly competitive series of games. The Boho’s toasted their victory at Magpies club sponsor the Australian Bar & Restaurant with a significant portion of the crowd kicking on to enjoy the mighty Collingwood Magpies come from behind victory over their arch nemesis the Essendon Bombers. Thanks to all involved in the 2011 NYCAFL season especially umpires Arne Pulle, Michael Payne and Rhys Ryan and the captains of the 4 teams. The NYCAFL will return bigger and better as part of the New York Magpies 2012 season!
The Village Bohemians and the Suburban Tollmen will face off in the 2011 NYCAFL grand final following wins over the Hudson River Rats and Times Square Tourists respectively in Round 3. The final represents a complete turnaround from 2010 when the 2 teams faced off in the 3rd place playoff. In the nights Recfooty game the red team proved too strong, kicking away with a barrage of goals.
The Boho’s had basically a full team to select from in the match against the River Rats who were missing several stalwart players including captain Ben Squires and inspirational midfielder Glenn Ormsby. However the Rats conducted some last minute recruiting and were boosted by the inclusion of first game players Matt Astill and Adam Simson. The start of the game was frenetic with neither team really being able to develop much momentum until the Boho’s applied immense pressure and managed to convert via the debuting Richard Franulovich. That goal opened the flood gates and both teams scored regularly for the remainder of the quarter before the Boho’s took a 3 goal lead into half time, 7.1 43 to 4.0 24.
The River Rats made a couple of strategic changes at the start of the second half with Andy Bowen moving into the midfield, immediately showing his class with the first two goals of the term to bring the margin back to a solitary major. The rest of the half was a see-sawing affair with the two teams trading goals until Jordan McIntyre put through two in a row to give the Boho’s some breathing room. The Boho’s then showed why they have travelled through the regular NYCAFL season undefeated to hold of the River Rats and record victory number 3, 12.1 73 to 9.0 54.
The Recfooty game for the week saw a couple of new players joining the experience and marking themselves as future Lady Pie guns. The game was high scoring with noticeable improvement in skills since the first game was played in the middle of June. Ultimately the Red team had too much firepower up front with Monica Robbins, Lina Staropoli and the debuting Sarah McMahon each piling on multiple majors.
The final regular season game of the NYCAFL for 2011 saw the Trash needing to win in order to guarantee a berth in the grand final and the Tourists still a technical chance of making the decider if they could rack up a big win. The Tourists came out with the intention of overcoming the odds scoring the first goal only seconds into the game via the strong tap work of Brett Smiley and the finishing ability of captain Andy Brennan. Stunned by the early advantage the Trash worked into the game with David ‘Digger’ Kyle and Todd Smith combining for several goals to give the Trash the lead. With Brennan being well held by Brian Caine, temporary Tourist recruit Scott McMaster set up as main rover and got the ball down to stay at home full forward Sam Mitchell on multiple occasions who, (aided by some excellent reads of the bounce) kept the Tourists in the contest. At half time the Trash led by 11, 8.0 48 to 6.1 37.
At the start of the second half the Tourists moved Mitchell into the middle where he was quickly picked up by Trash captain Juice Desai while Smith and Brennan established a head to head battle. Relieved of his tagging role, Caine popped up everywhere, delivering the ball with precision to full forward Kyle and kicking an over the head goal of his own to put the Trash in control of the game. Not to be outdone the Tourist scored late goals through McMaster and Cam Sinclair (in similar style to Caine’s earlier goal) to maintain a respectable scoreline. Ultimately the Trash came away with the chocolates, 18.2 110 to 9.2 56.
With the regular season over Saturday July 30th will see the Trash and the Boho’s fight it out for the 2011 NYCAFL premiership under lights at Pier 40 in Manhattan (west end of Houston St). In the teams earlier meeting for the year the margin was just 2 points so the game promises to be intriguing. Also that night the River Rats and the Tourists will clash for pride and the number 1 draft pick in the 2012 NYCAFL draft and the final Recfooty game for the season will be held. Games kick off at 7pm with supporters, family and friends encouraged to come down to the NY Magpies only games in Manhattan for 2011. Players and supporters are welcome to bring food and drinks (no alcohol is permitted) to what promises to be a fun evening. The after match function will be held at club sponsor, the Australian Bar and Restaurant in Midtown and will include the presentation of the NYCAFL trophy to the winning team and the playing of the Collingwood v Essendon blockbuster on the big screens.
With weather conditions keeping some players away and forcing a schedule change, the Boho’s retained their perfect record in the 2011 NYCAFL with a win over the Tourists while the Trash got their first points for the year with a big win over reigning premiers the River Rats. And after a close first half the Blue team, featuring special guests former Sydney Swans premiership captain Brett Kirk and his son Indhi, ran away from the Red team in the nights Recfooty game.
Overcoming a change in opponent from the Tourists to the River Rats and a significant height disadvantage the Trash had too much depth over the field for the River Rats who were missing a number of key players. After a tight first 10 minutes of traded goals the Trash opened up a lead via the strong midfield work of undersized ruckman Ash Flavel and midfielders Todd Smith, Ojas ‘Juice’ Desai and Mike ‘Dicko’ Dixon before the River Rat’s via strong efforts from Andrew ‘Bubba’ Bridges and Glenn Ormsby wrested back the lead by half time. At half time the River Rats led 4.0 24 to 3.1 19.
The Trash came out the more committed team in the second half as the midfield ran all over their opponents to give full forward Tristan Keefe the opportunity to kick 4 second half goals. Up the other end of the ground Scott McMaster was having a good battle with his Trash opponent Lukas Didon with the honors largely even despite McMaster kicking a couple of goals. Unfortunately his efforts weren’t enough with the Trash recording 11 goals to 1 in the second half to run out comfortable winners, 14.1 85 to 5.0 30.
The second Recfooty game saw an increase in the number of women participating and the involvement of Brett Kirk and his son Indhi as special guests. The contest was tight for the first half with Red team forward Rebecca Gallogly getting good service from her midfield of Andrea Casillas and Todd Smith and Lady Pies coach Lina Staropoli keeping the Blue team in contact, converting a needed goal following a courageous mark. At half time the Red team led by a goal from Gabriel Casillas.
After the break the Blue team came out fired up and the Kirk’s combined to shut down the Red team’s forwards. Brett developed a potent combination with Blue team midfielders Matt Barlaz and Siobhan McHale and forward Monica Robbins capitalized to lift the Blue team to a runaway victory, 8.0.0.0 72 to 3.2.1.0 37.5.
The second NYCAFL game pitted the improving Boho’s against the Tourists with both teams missing several players. Despite the absence of their captain Nick Walker and key players Jordan McIntyre, Chris Norman and Toby Tornay, the Boho’s jumped out to an early lead thanks to the strong play of Jimmy ‘Pistol’ McLoughlin and debuting 2011 first round draft pick Jack Taylor. The Tourists can never be counted out however and team leaders Andy Brennan and Walt Lin asserted themselves on the contest kicking late goals to put their team only 2 goals behind at halftime, 5.0 30 to 3.0 18.
After the loss of their 2011 first round pick Adam Overall to a knee injury at the end of the first half, the Tourists were exposed by the Boho’s whose whole team ran-out the second half strongly. Despite the odds the Tourists were well served by Pat Miller and Jamie Baskett but could not stop the Boho’s from scoring 8 second half goals and running out winners, 13.1 79 to 6.0 36.
The Boho’s win saw them retain 1st position on the ladder with a significant percentage boost. The Trash jumped up from last to second courtesy of their big win with the River Rat’s equal on points and the Tourist yet to open their account in 2011. After the game the players from all teams were joined by the Kirk’s and cameraman Dominic Azoto for a couple of beers and analysis of the games.
With New York Magpie games scheduled against Philadelphia and North Carolina and the 4th of July long weekend the NYCAFL will take a temporary hiatus before resuming at Steven’s Institute on Friday July 15th for the final round robin fixtures. That night will see the Boho’s clash with the River Rat’s and the Trash take on the Tourists to determine the teams that will go through to the 2011 NYCAFL grand final which will be held on Saturday July 30th at Pier 40 in Manhattan.
Round 1 of the 2011 NYCAFL saw hard fought wins to the Village Bohemian’s and the Hudson River Rats over the Suburban Tollmen and the Time Square Tourists respectively. Attendance at round 1 was excellent with each team having 12 or more players to select from and team captains having to make some hard decisions with their starting line-ups. The night also saw the inagural Recfooty game played by a bunch of enthusiastic Magpies and Lady Pies.
The Village Bohemian’s and the Suburban Tollmen kicked off the NYCAFL for 2011 with the Boho’s looking for their first win in a couple of years. Signs looked positive for last years wooden spooners with returing Boho Jordan McIntyre, reigning NYCAFL MVP Jimmy ‘Pistol’ McLaughlin and 2011 draft selection David Schultz driving the Boho’s forward for the first couple of goals. To their credit the Trash battled on with number 1 draft pick Todd Smith and Trash legends Doug Lewis and Juice Desai racking up the touches. Despite their efforts the Boho’s led convincingly at half time, 6.1 37 to 3.0 18.
The Trash came out with renewed vigor in the second half and the insertion of late arrivals Matt Hine and Tristan Keefe had an immediate impact. A couple of quick goals had the Trash right back in the contest and the game was tight for the remainder. The Boho’s were able to cover the loss of Nick Kerr to a head collision with a strong team effort and ran out the winners, 10.2 62 to 9.0 54. Boho captain Nick Walker, who was ecstatic after his first win as captain, said ‘it was a strong team effort that got us the win tonight and with 2011 first round draft pick Jack Taylor and ruckman Eddy Buckingham yet to play, we are feeling confident about the rest of the season’.
Prior to the second NYCAFL game, the New York Magpies played their first Recfooty game with thoughts after the game ranging from ‘right on, Recfooty rocks’ to ‘why the hell am I wearing these streamers and being penalised for making contact with Toby?’ Recfooty is something that the Lady Pies are using to enhance skills, bridge the divide for new players into AFL and further improve the social nature of the club. The games will continue to be trialed during the NYCAFL season and next week special guest Brett Kirk will hopefully be involved.
The second game of the night saw a rematch of the 2010 NYCAFL grand final between the reigning premiers the Hudson River Rats and the Time Square Tourists. With the River Rats fielding an almost full strength team and the Tourists missing inspirational captain Andy Brennan, stand-in Tourist skipper Chris Georgiou called on a couple of one-off recruits to bolster his ranks. The game got off to a cracking start with River Rats midfielders Glenn Ormsby, Jeremy Spiteri and Nathan Watts giving their forward line first use of the ball. Full forward Andy Bowen capitalised on their strong work to boot a couple of goals and the River Rats lead comfortably at half time, 8.1 49 to 3.0 18.
The Tourists made a couple of adjustments early in the second half with Walt Lin and Adam Overall moving into the midfield and managing to get the bulk of the clearance possessions. Quick use of the ball on the short ground proved a boon for the Tourist forwards with Sam Mitchell and Joe Repice kicking 5 goals in 5 minutes between them to put the Tourist’s back on level pegging. A tough shot that just missed by Repice would have given the Tourists the lead however the River Rats steadied from that point on with experienced players Nick Stone and Tim Buxton wresting back control in the midfield. Both teams had their chances to win at the end of the game but the River Rats managed to hold on winning 11.2 68 to 11.0 66.
With both games tight, little separates the teams after round 1. The biggest story is the Boho’s early rise up the ladder, holding first position by percentage. Round 2 will see the top 2 teams clash with the River Rat’s taking on the Boho’s while the Trash and the Tourists have the chance to record their first win for the season. A special guest at round 2 will be former Sydney Swans premiership captain Brett Kirk so get along for the chance to meet Brett and see some high quality football.
