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The local Australian Rules Football League commenced Saturday with a surprise win by the Roswell Rebels over the reigning champions the Midtown Bombers. The game was played in excellent conditions considering the day before in Atlanta and both teams were pleased to see Dave Evans make his debut as an umpire after this recent health scare. The same couldn't be said for his umpiring partner in Jim Batten who has retired yet again from playing. There were goals to have on both teams early as neither side able to gain full control. Scores were level at 1/4 time and at the half Roswell led by one point, much to great work by their smaller players like Carl Garafolo and first game rookie Clark Wylie. In the middle where ruck contests were crucial in gaining first possession the Bombers were on top with four ruckmen being rotated. Even the visiting and very fit looking Greg Cave slipped in and won a few taps as the Bombers with Curtis Jones and Ed Robinson playing well came back and took the lead midway through the third quarter with a six goal burst.
Mick Frost then came back into the ruck for the Rebels and things seemed to come back around for the Rebels. The running players were again taking control and Adam Grist was stopping plenty down in the back line. Amazingly the Rebels by the end of the third term came back to lead by 3 goals with 9 goals for the quarter, with the Bombers losing Brian Lucy with a dislocated finger. The last term looked like being a thriller, but it looked like fatigue was to play a factor as the Bombers stopped to a walk and the Roswell Rebels kept going. The Rebels piling on another 7 goals to 3 in the last term to take out the game convincingly by 47 points. The Georgia Down Under , Best on Ground award went to Carl Garafalo with ten goals from his midfield role. A great effort. Game 1: Saturday October 25th 2008 Midtown Bombers 5.2 9.4 15.8 18.11 (119) Roswell Rebels 5.2 9.5 18.8 25.16 (166) Best Players: Midtown: Curtis Jones, Ed Robinson, Eric Baker Roswell:Carl Garafalo, Clark Wylie, Nick Micklovski Goalkickers: Midtown: Eric Baker 7, Curtis Jones 5, Ed Robinson 4, Brian Lucy 1, Shawn Murray 1. Roswell: Carl Garafalo 10, Nick Micklovski 4, Wayne Kraska 4, Charlie Queen 2, Mick Frost 2, Adam Grist 2, Clark Wylie 1 |