Atlanta vs FTL/BTR 6/25/2011

Atlanta Kookaburras kick record score against combined Ft Lauderdale / Baton Rouge team.

The Atlanta Kookaburras finished off their home schedule of matches with a comprehensive and record scoring victory over a combined Ft Lauderdale / Baton Rouge team at Creel Park on Saturday.

With the inherent difficulties of getting enough guys to travel to away games, the Squids of Ft Lauderdale and the Tigers of Baton Rouge were forced to combine forces to take on the home Atlanta Kookaburras and it turned into a rout for the Kookaburras. With their new running / handpassing game getting closer to top gear, the Kookas motored through the first half of the game, kicking 14 goals to 1. Led by the silky smooth skills of Simon Davis, running all over the ground, kicking goals and setting up other players with some fine hand passes, the Kookas were all over their opponents and never gave them a chance to settle. The Squids/Tigers had several first game players and they battled hard against a team that has been improving with every game they’ve played.

The Kookas dominated in every position and even the old guy got into the action with a couple of goals, one a particularly nice running goal in the first quarter. There seems to be life in those old legs yet. Maybe it’s time for him to retire before the life goes out of said legs.

At half time, some team adjustments were made and while the score didn’t reflect the changes, the game became a lot more competitive. Coach Kraska gave some of his less experienced players a run on the ball and up forward, but still the team effort prevailed and the Kookas continue to pile on the goals. Another 10 goals to 3 in the second half allowed the Kookas to kick a record club score.

At the end of their fifth straight victory, it was Atlanta 24.23 (167) to Ft Lauderdale/Baton Rouge 4.1 (25).

Goal Scorers:

Davis 7, Searle 4, Ellison 3, Olsheski 2, Batten 2, Costyn 1, Crist 1, Rosenfield 1, Schierholz 1, Sidabras 1, Noonan 1.

Best Players:

Davis, Baker, Ellison, Searle, Trombley

At the end of their home schedule of matches, here’s the report card for the Kookas players(*):

Eric Baker: Switched from defense to a ruck roving role, has stood out as a mobile player for his size and as acting captain, had led the team well. Accurate kick for goal.

Russ Barner: Continues to show great form in the ruck and uses his speed to get up and down the field in support.

Jeremiah Cain: A great addition to the club, coming from Las Vegas. His experience in defense has been most evident.

Jim Batten: Assistant coach and one of the two too-old players on the team. Needs to hang them up and keep what is left of his knees intact, but just quite can’t say ‘no more’. Still shows glimpses of what was.

Joey Costyn: Ask him to perform a role and he does. Strong defender and onballer, is always putting in 100% effort.

Ben Crist: After a year away to rekindle the fire, has come back strong and can be used anywhere on the field. Most effective coming off the half back flank in support of the midfielders.

Simon Davis: Silky smooth, as we have said. Shows great judgment in knowing where the ball is going and gets in position to make most effective use of his powerful left foot.

Kevin Destefano: Will only be with the club for a short time before a move to Texas, has been effective coming off the bench to mark key opposition players.

Adam Ellison: Coming from St Louis, he has brought with him goal kicking, always calm when in front of goals.

Dave Evans: Sweet D has dominated the rucks and around the ground contests, fierce tackler.

Greg Frost: Good to see the big unit back on the field after 8(?) years away. Runs hard for every ball and just needs to be available for mor egames and stop working so hard.

Mick Frost: Experienced and can play anywhere, marks well considering that one of his fingers is in a permanently hooked position, needs to get that tendon fixed.

Carl Garofalo: Enjoying the roving / forward position and has speed to burn. Goes hard for 4 quarters.

Adam Grist: The team is missing his experience on the field. Is the new baby old enough yet?

Mike Gross: One of the brigade of first year players who is making the Coach smile all the way to Nationals. Is always running past for the hand pass and driving the ball forward, shows great enthusiasm.

Curtis Jones: Club captain and leader, is chaffing at the bit to get back on the field, but his broken nose and his fiancé are preventing this. The team is missing his drive, strength and experience. Back for Nationals?

Brent Kewley: Either burrowing into packs to get the ball or tackling like a demon, sometimes get confused with Robbie Schierholz (or is it the other way around?). If you need the ball, he will get it for you. Currently resting with 15 stitches in his head from said burrowing.

Wayne Kraska: Head coach and inspiration. Has changed the style of the team play in a short time and it has proven very effective with 5 straight wins to start the season. Leads by example, as a coach should.

Braden Medders: Second year player and gives 100% effort every week. For his size, shows impressive speed and has good ball handling skills. Will play anywhere and does.

Wayne Mitchell: Now that he’s at his correct playing weight, provides good skills off the half back flank or up forward, needs to be available more often (damn job getting in the way).

Chris Moerman: Outstanding full-forward, great mark and accurate kick. Provides a focal point for the team. Has slotted perfectly into the coaches game plan. Could be the final piece to the puzzle.

Dean Morfitt: First year at the club, has beautiful kicking style, perfect for the full back position, needs to get over the stress fractures and start playing again. Will be missed for the next month or two.

James Noonan: Uses his Gaelic football skills to great effect, can mark and kick and run and tackle and …

Carson Olsheski: Has become the perfect defender – tall, strong, fast and has shut down much more experienced players. Even gets forward to kick the occasional goal.

Mike Powers: Club stalwart and founder, needs to get back from Oz to reclaim his place on the team.

Jonathon Rosenfield: Fastest guy on the team in a straight line or running rings around opponents. Nice gloves too.

Robbie Schierholz: Either burrowing into packs to get the ball or tackling like a demon, sometimes get confused with Brent Kewley (or is it the other way around?). If you need the ball, he will get it for you.

Daniel Searle: Another of the silky-smooth-left-footed-skills roving brigade, whether running on the ball or delivering accurate kicks to the full forwards, is always where the ball is.

Jeff Sidabras: Another of the first year players, uses his strength and (obvious) muscle to break through tackles. Kicking is improving with every game.

John Thrash: Yet another of the first year players, will attack the ball and is learning to kick long. Has the strength to bust tackles and is always moving.

Josh Trombley: One of the two best-first-year players I’ve seen (Cujo anyone). Good skills and speed, can take an overhead mark in a pack, can play anywhere on the field. Will make the proto-typical ruck rover with a little more experience.

(*) One man’s opinion and doesn’t reflect the opinion of the club or it’s management.