In the Marquee matchup on super Saturday in Austin, the final match saw the Magpies take on in form Dallas. It was the clear from the opening bounce that Dallas was going to provide New York with some tough competition. Brennan won his first coin toss as captain and choose to kick with the breeze. However NY again got off to a slow start as Dallas controlled the opening 10 minutes of the game. They were able to capitalize on this with a crucial goal against the wind that had the Magpies reeling. Again the Pies fought back and Hawkins was on the end of some solid work up the field to kick truly. Mitchell and Oui dominated the dangerous Dallas forwards and that enabled the Magpies to mount multiple scoring attacks. However, the Pies couldn’t capitalize and were only up by 2 points at the half.Injuries: Flavel (Broken nose), Puvi (Finger)
In the first game of the tournament the Magpies faced the hosts, the Austin Crows. Skipper Andy Brennan lost his fifth consecutive coin toss for the year and the Crows elected to kick with the aid of the strong 3-4 goal wind. The Crows came out hard and had the better of the Pies in the first 10 minutes. They were first to the ball and tackled and hunted in packs. Even though the Magpies were given first use of the ball by Buckingham in the ruck, the Pies struggled to win the clearances. In his first game back from injury Ormsby looked out of touch. If not for the strong defense of Norman, Davis and Mantzaris and the wasteful kicking of the Crows, the Magpies would have been down by a lot.
However, after a few changes were made the Pies got back into the contest. McMaster and Squires were pushed back; JD and Iza moved up onto the ball, and Gluck, Sani and Desai all started to have an Influence on the game.
Brennan took a strong mark and kicked a crucial goal against the wind to leave the Pies less than 2 kicks down at the break.
At halftime the coach’s message was to run the game out and use the wind. This seemed to work as the Magpies came out strongly and used the ball better. Dawkins and McMaster were on the end of some good work with both kicking truly. Walt Lin was playing a commanding game, but when a desperate act caused him to go down injured Mitchell capitalized with some “Mitchell Magic” and the Pies were out to a strong lead.
However, the Crows were not to be easily brushed aside and came back hard. Smiley toiled manfully in the ruck, and some big bumps by Wittmer and controlled aggression from Squires kept the Pies coming.
Hawkins put the icing on the cake with his first goal after Pauly G, Myles and Pistol all contributed strongly. Oui, Walker and Flavel ensured the Crows were kept goalless in the second half.
Scores:
Half Time Full Time
Austin 2 . 5. 17 2. 6. 18
New York 1 . 2. 8 5. 5. 35
Goals: Brennan, McMaster, Dawkins, Mitchell, McLoughlin, Hawkins
Best: Brennan, Dawkins, Gluck, Wittmer, Davis, Hawkins, Lin
Injuries: Lin (Ankle)
The Magpies have started the season well and with a few key outs this past weekend Coach Ormsby asked for a strong effort from the team. With ESPN filming the game the Magpies jumped out of the blocks well and kicked out to a strong early lead. Dawkins and McMaster were proving a handful up forward and Sani was again showing his athleticism. Mason, playing his first game of the year, was at his intimidating best in the ruck and got a hand on everything. The backline was again the foundation for the Magpies in the first half as Lewis and Polulach showed their composure, Davis was at his ferocious best and Norman was welcomed back to full back, where he controlled the last line of defense.
The second quarter was much of the same as New York controlled the play. Brennan was doing as he pleased across half forward. With Wittmer, Desai and Smith on top in the middle, the Magpies’ forward line had plenty of supply. Buckets and Toby again provided a physical presence, while Guarino’s and Lawrence’s injection of pace was crucial and telling. Boylan, in his first game of the year, played strongly and combined well with Oui across half back. The highlights of the first half were Jimmy McLoughlin’s one handed screamer in front of goal and Monica Robbins’ first appearance in the men’s team for the year.
However, the third quarter proved to be a different story. Philly started to win more of the contested ball around the ground and peppered the goals. Flavel and McCormick where thrown back to steady up the defense (a masterstroke by assistant coach Shane Batty). If not for the solid work of those guys, plus Flavel, Builder, Robbins and Gluck, the Hawks would have been much closer at 3rd quarter time.
The Magpies responded in the last quarter with Roberts and Sinclair dominating around the ball, the sure hands of Bulone and crumbing of Walkington and Demaio proving to be a strength. McConnell and big Will, in their first game of AFL football, had immediate impact while fellow debutant Dickins’ attack on the ball was outstanding. This helped New York to kick away to a comfortable win. After the game coach Ormsby praised his players for their efforts in the heat and was encouraged by what he saw in the first gamers.
New York 11. 13. 79
Philly 4. 3. 27
Injuries: McCormick (finger), Roberts (shoulder), Mason (concussion)
Goals: Brennan 4, Toby 2, Dawkins, McLoughlin, Flavel, Sani, Georgiou
Best: Brennan, Mason, McMaster, Wittmer, Roberts
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In the second game played on May 1st, New York faced a huge test against a new looking Boston Demons outfit. The Demons have recruited strongly over the off season and New York knew they would have to play at their best to win.
NY started with Mantzaris in the ruck and onballers JD and Heffernan roving his taps well. Keating presented strongly up forward along with Nick Walker, who provided the tall targets for the Magpies. However, it was Sani who snagged the first goal of the game to get the Magpies off to a great start. Wittmer and Smith worked tirelessly on the Boston captain, ensuring he did not have a huge impact on the game, whilst getting plenty of the ball themselves.
The backline was a fortress in the first half keeping Boston goalless. Ouu showed his poise and class repelling many Boston attacks while Polulach (back from suspension) and Lewis provided cool heads. Mitchell and Hawkins proved lively across half forward, which allowed the Magpies to take a 3 goal lead into the half time break.
The second half saw a re-energized Boston unit come out hard. The Magpies lost Buxton and Walker to serious ankle injuries and when Guarino’s ribs took a huge hit the Magpies were starting to look vulnerable as Boston was coming. Boston peppered the goals but the backline, thanks to Lin and Desai. With Farrell moving to the backline to stem the bleeding and Davis’ ferocious attack on the ball, the Magpies backline continued to stand strong.
Smiley was moved into the ruck after Mantzaris had run himself into the ground. Without Walker at centre half forward the Magpies were struggling to find avenues to goal. McMaster was then brought onto the ground and McCormick pushed forward providing the spark required. Brennan lifted after the coach had asked for special effort from his captain, while Toby continued his ferious tackling.
Boston will rue their wasted opportunities in front of goal. Keating and Brennan both goaled for the Pies and their lead was enough to hold on. In the end it was the Magpies who proved too strong on the day running out winners by 15 points in a very physical and closely fought game.
New York 5. 6. 36
Boston 2. 9. 21
NY:
Goals: Keating 2, Brennan 2, Sani
Best: Ouu, Brennan, Wittmer, Sani, Farrell.
Check out all the photos from the day.
