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 1^st 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 4^th of July long weekend the NYCAFL will take a temporary hiatus before resuming at Steven’s Institute on Friday July 15^th 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 30^th 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.

 

In the traditional annual State of Origin match the Victorians fielded a powerful team and were heavy favorites with the bookmakers. However, the Allies were determined not to let the Vics win 3 in a row.  Both midfields traded in hard to start the game and neither team could gain a mental each. The Vic’s was backline was on top and they went into the first break with a handy 3 goal lead.

After some positional moves at quarter time, the Allies got their running game going and piled on a few quick goals. With the Aliies backline in control, they piled on a few more goals and were looking like taking a lead into the main change. However, the Vics kicked a couple of late goals against the run of play to go into the halftime break with a 3 point lead.

Both teams took advantage of the break and came out full of running. It was an arm wrestle for the first 10 minutes as the the game hit a frenetic pace. However it was the Vics who broke the deadlock and in a 10 minute span kicked 5 goals. The Vics big names were living up to their reputation, however the Allies fought on and got a couple of late ones to keep the contest alive at three quarter time.

In the last quarter the Allies threw everything at the Vics but they couldn’t penetrate into the forward line and the Vics kicked away to a comfortable lead and controlled the rest of the match. In the end the Vic’s just had a little too much class to make it 3 in a row but they Allies certainly proved they will be a force in the coming years. There were a lot of new faces in the game and this only bodes well for the club overall.

Thanks to Arne Pulle for a terrific solo umpiring effort, showing he has really developed his skills. The Rob Oliver medal, awarded to the best on ground as judged by the umpire, went to Jack Taylor (Victoria)

The Magpies first game of the day was against Philadelphia. The Magpies were keen to start strongly, and did so through Farrell in the ruck and his onballers of McIntrye, Taylor and Kerr. Injuries in the opening minutes to boom recruit Spiteri and Spielman caused issues with the Magpies rotations, however young guns Lehane and Curran gathered plenty of the ball, showing maturity beyond their years.

Schieb and S Smith provided strong targets up forward and Murphy, Keefe, and Donner all were able to make an impact in the first half. First gamer Hine was a surprise packet with a few first half goals and additional 1st half goals to McIntyre, Sani and Blandford saw the Magpies go into the major break with a handy lead.

The second half was more attacking football from New York with the run and athleticsm of Didan, Sani and Miller proving telling. Steiner and Mcmahon were rock solid in their first outing for the year and Gluck 1 and Gluck 2 managed to win their fair share the ball. In the end the Magpies appeared to have too many options and sailed to a comfortable win.

Assistant coach Brett Smiley was happy with the overall team effort, saying “It was hard to single out any matchwinners today, it really was a full team effort where everyone played their part and that was great.”