Nationals – Division 1
Game 1 – New York Loses Game 1 in Dying Moments
Everyone knew that Calgary was going to be a tough contest coming into the tournament and Game 1 proved to be almost the match of the season. New York kicked against a strong wind in the first half, however the backline and midfield worked tirelessly to ensure the ball didn’t penetrate Calgary’s forward 50 too often. The forward line also exerted plenty of pressure and although New York had more of the ball in the first half, wayward kicking meant the Magpies lead was only 2 points at the major change.
The second half was again another enthralling contest, two of the top teams in North America playing hard, contested and unrelenting football with neither team giving an inch. The Magpies had a few chances to ice the game but Calgary’s run and carry from defense troubled the Magpies. The scores were tied with just a few minutes remaining, however, Calgary took their chances and ran over the top of the Magpies in the last few minutes, kicking what ended up being the match winning goal.
New York 2.5.17 def by Calgary 4.4.28
NY Best: Brennan, Taylor, Stone, Keating, Dixon
NY Goals: Brennan, Dixon
Game 2 – New York bounce back to OC
The OC Bombers have always been a tough match up and NY knew this would be no exception. However with NY needing a win to stay in the championship the coaching staff didn’t need to say much to players.The game was an arm wrestle from the first bounce, but New York worked their way into the game and the last 10 minutes of the first half was all New York allowing the Magpies to take a 2 goal lead into the major change.
The second half was much of the same and New York’s class rose to the top allowing them to run out comfortable winners and bounce back solidly with a win. After the game New York’s James McLoughlin said, “It was good to bounce back with a win, especially after the first game was a toss of the coin, so the boys showed what character there is in this group.”
New York 5.7.37 def Orange County 2.2.14
NY Best: McMaster, McLoughlin, Smith, Davis, Brennan
NY Goals: McLoughlin 2, Lin, Brennan, Keating
Game 3 – New York beat Golden Gate to Keep Hopes of Championship Alive
Needing to rely on other results to make it into the championship game, New York came out hard and dominated the first half. Unfortunately they couldn’t turn that game dominance into scoreboard pressure and with the windy conditions only went into the major change 1 goal up. The second half saw Golden Gate launch a number of counter attacks, however New York’s defense stood tall and only allowed 1 goal for the game which enabled NY to run out winners and finish with a 2-1 record, and waiting for the other results to see if they made the championship game.
New York 3.3.21 def Golden Gate 1.6.12
NY Best: Stone, Keating, Taylor, Spielman, Smith
NY Goals: McLoughlin, Taylor, Spielman
In the end the results didn’t fall in the Magpies favor and they were unable to defend their National Title. This loss has left the Magpies determined to get back to the top in 2012.
Nationals – Division 3
Game 1 – Undermanned New York gets run over by Atlanta
The New York Magpies second team (playing in Division 3 after winning Division 4 last year) were undermanned in their first game against Atlanta. They put in a brave effort and were down by only 3 points at half time. The Magpies were defiant, however, in the second half Atlanta had to much run and won by 5 goals.
Game 2 – New York Bounces back in a thriller over Kansas City
In their second game the Magpies received a boost with a few key players coming back into the team. In a tight game that saw the lead change 6 times in the second half, the Magpies stood tall and showed plenty of character to beat a strong Kansas City outfit.
Game 3 – New York powers past Columbus hoping to make the Grand Final
With their division title hopes still alive NY came out hard in their last round robin match. The Magpies dominated from the opening bounce but were wasteful in front of goal. Despite poor kicking, the Magpies easily accounted for Jackaroos winning by 7 goals.
Even though both teams didn’t make the Grand Finals, the club can still be very proud of the effort and results at Nationals. Finishing top 3 in the country and fielding 2 teams, along with winning the Eastern Conference made 2011 another successful year.
2012 SEASON
Not winning the 2011 National Championship has left the Magpies hungry for more success. Whilst 2011 saw some club legends retire from the club, the core group has been maintained and the players and club as a whole are looking forward to preseason training and getting back on the ground in a bid to climb back to the top of mountain.
Boston came out firing to honor the passing of one of their clubmen and got the jump on the Magpies who looked sluggish in their first game after the mid season break. The Magpies back six of Kyle, Caine, McMaster, Davis, Caldwell and Smith held firm under immense pressure and managed to repel most of Boston’s attacks.
In the second quarter the forwards started to find the ball with Bowen, Collins and Guarino all getting their hands on the Ball. Mitchell and Blandford also lifted providing plenty of crumbing power. The Magpies went into the half time break trailing by 3 goals.
The Magpies came out of the half time break trying to get back into the game but Boston had their tails up and continued to pressure the Magpies into mistakes. As a result the Magpies couldn’t get their running game going and the game continued to be played on Boston’s terms. McIntyre and Lin went down with shoulder injuries leaving the Magpies midfield depleted. Spiteri and Buxton moved into the middle and provided some run however the Magpies were still second to the ball and couldn’t close the gap on the scoreboard.
After a ferocious spray from the coaching staff at 3 quarter time the Magpies had 20 minutes to make amends for their first 3 quarters. Taylor, Murphy, Dixon and Smiley all responded by lifting their work rate and getting first hands on the ball. The move of McMaster to CHF resulted in him kicking what would have to be close to goal of the year. Lyndon and Thompson also continued to get their good run from defense and the Magpies booted 4 goals in an impressive quarter of hard running football to run out winners.
New York 11.8.74 defeated Boston 9.6.60
NY Goals: Bowen 5, McIntyre, McMaster, Blandford, Mitchell, Taylor
NY Best: Taylor, Bowen, Mitchell, Smith, Kyle
In the second game of the day the Magpies reserves team continued the theme, running over the top of the Boston reserves team. Flavel dominated in the ruck all game and Ormsby, Simson and Lyndon got plenty of the ball across the middle.
Walsh, Pezanko and Melo worked hard in defense and in the second half the forward line led by McMahon, Keeffe, Collins and Donner all got on top allowing NY to kick away to a solid win.
After the game acting captain Conor Walsh said “It was a great win by the boys today, Boston were on top early and I didn’t know if we could respond but the whole team lifted in the second half and it shows the great depth of the club.”
New York 5.2.32 defeated Boston 3.2.20
NY Goals: McMahon 2, Ormsby, Donner, Keeffe
NY Best: Flavel, Ormsby, Walsh, Pezanko, Keeffe
The New York Magpies travelled to North Carolina looking to continue their winning form, however the team’s travel plans were thrown into disarray by a lightening storm leaving NYC. With half the team arriving in North Carolina only hours before the game, a few key players unable to make the trip and the blistering heat of the south, the Magpies experienced a less than ideal preparation.
However, all that was forgotten as the umpire bounced the ball and it was game on. New York pulled a few surprises early starting Mitchell at Full Forward. It paid immediate dividends though as he kicked the opening 2 goals of the match. New York kicked another through Blandford and opened up a handy lead. However, North Carolina stormed back into the game winning the centre clearances and kicking the next 3 goals. Keating then marked strongly and goaled from long range to see NY lead by that goal at quarter time.
The second quarter was a tough contest. Both teams fought hard to gain ascendancy in the clearances. Mantzaris started to work his way into the game allowing Buxton, Taylor and Lin to all accumulate plenty of the ball. Mitchell was lost to injury, however Brennan lifted his work rate and the NY forwards got on top. McMaster and Norman controlled the backline, allowing first gamer Pezanko and Kyle to gather plenty of the ball and goals to Brennan, Blandford, Keating and Buxton saw NY take a 6 goal lead into half time, whilst not conceding a goal in the quarter.
After the halftime break McCormick was moved to a wing, Vanasek was pushed forward and with Buckingham, Loader and Kerr all making an impact on the contest the ball was kept in the Magpies attacking half of the ground. Donner continued to be a presence in the goal square and Walkington added a touch of class to the forward line with his quick hands and football nous. When the North Carolina crowd favorite, Ben Squires, marked and kicked truly the Magpies opened up a comfortable 8 goal lead at the last change.
The fourth quarter saw the Magpies continue to play well as a team, however Spataro, having one of his best games for the club, unfortunately went down with a serious knee injury. The Magpies rallied and were able to cover his loss through Norman and Baskett, while Nick Walker relished his time across the half forward line, kicking a tremendous solo goal and perhaps a contender for the goal of the year.
In the end the Magpies had too much class and won by 56 points taking their season standings to 6 wins and 1 loss.
After the match Assistant Coach Adam Overell said “North Carolina are a tough opponent and we knew coming down here we’d have to play at or near our best to get the result. I was pleased with the way the boys stuck to the game plan and played team football. We didn’t have any standouts today, which was illustrated with our even spread of goal kickers, just a good, solid team effort. I was also wrapped with the performances of Pezanko, who played his first game of AFL ever, and Vanasek, who was coming off 2 years out with a knee reconstruction.
NY Magpies 14.5.89 def North Carolina Tigers 5.3.33
NY Best: Kyle, Keating, Brennan, Buxton, Lin
NY Goals: Blandford 3, Brennan 3, Keating 2, Mitchell 2, Walker, Buxton, Lin, Squires
