2009 Round Six Details

Tuesday, 05 May 2009

Click here for scoring In the midst of a very successful Atlanta Women's Team tournament, the penultimate round of the AARFL was played in ideal conditions. It was do or die for the Downtown Dingoes who knew that had to win to keep their trophy hopes alive. Some extra players, courtesy of the coaching staffs of the visiting womens teams, added to the excitement. With the steady breeze at their backs, the Buckhead Bushrangers peppered their goal from the outset. Only inaccurate kicking prevented them from putting the game away in the first quarter. With Russ Barner (in his first game of the season) dominating the ruck, Curtis Jones and Ross LaRosa combined to drive the ball forward and it was only determined defense from the Dingoes' Alan Mobley and Adam Grist that kept them in the game. After withstanding the initial onslaught, the Dingoes actually had the lead at quarter time. At the first break it was Downtown, with the greater accuracy, slightly ahead - 3.2 (20) to 1.6 (12) Former Kookaburras player BJ Gambaro returning to play his first game in Atlanta for many years, dominated the Dingoes' forwards in the second quarter. This allowed Jones to drift forward and score two of his league leading goals. Wayne Kraska, also vying for the coveted goal kicking award was not to be outdone and posted a major for his team. It was back and forth play, with the ball racing from one of the ground to the other. Dan Sarbacker was prominent all over the ground giving great possession to the Dingoes. Oh how they'd love to have him living in Atlanta and playing every week. Dan is fit and strong and can kick with both feet and is one of the USA's premier players. He and Carl Garofalo pushed the Dingoes forward and, with Mick Frost scoring a goal just before the half time break, it was a very even game.   At the half, it was the Bushrangers that had straightened things out and had a 4 point lead - 6.10 (46) to 6.4 (40). The Bushies came out in the third quarter determined to put the game away. With the aid of the breeze, the drove forward giving first year player George Rafeedie every opportunity to score. He and Eric Baker provided fine targets for Jones and Ross Siegel (another skillful out-of-towner here for the tournament). And ahead they did go, outscoring the Dingoes 4 goals to 1 and sitting comfortably on a 20 point lead at the third intermission. Too comfortably as it would turn out. At three quarter time, the Bushrangers had their 20 point lead - 10.11 (71) to 7.9 (51) - and their eyes on the trophy. While the Bushies had their eyes diverted, the Dingoes had their eyes on the ball and were watching as 8 goals were piled on, almost before the quarter was half over. On came Daniel Searle (who came late to the game) for the Dingoes and Lance van Putten (coming out for his first game since his illness) for the Bushrangers and these two players added important skills for both teams. However, streaming out of the middle came Sarbacker, Robinson and Garofalo, passing the ball to Kraska, who played like a man possessed and, when not handballing to a man running passed, was turning with the ball and kicking 3 goals. It was a steady stream of play all going the Dingoes' way. Three goals in two minutes and six goals in 10 minutes left the Bushrangers gasping for air and they could see the trophy flying away from them. The Dingoes completely dominated the last quarter with new 'old guy' Davin Clarke getting in on the act, kicking 4 goals for the game. Davin read about the game on the website and decided to come down for a look see. Before he knew it, he was drafted onto the Dingoes team and, although the skills and fitness were rusty, Davin quickly picked up the game and marked everything that came his way. It'll be interesting to see how he feels on Monday morning, but at the final siren he was pleased as punch with his and his new team's effort. At the end of the game, it was the Downtown Dingoes storming home with 8 goals to 1 to trounce Buckhead - 15.10 (100) to 11.13 (79). We now have the situation where the winner of the last game will take the trophy. The Bushrangers have a one game lead in the standings, but the Dingoes have the better percentage. I advise everyone to get down to Dekalb memorial Park early this Saturday as I'm sure seating will be hard to find with this final important game to be played. Click here for scoring