Mens Kookas US Nationals 2011

Atlanta Kookaburras have best showing at US Nationals in some time.

The Atlanta Kookaburras travelled to Austin Texas for the 2011 US Nationals riding a 7 game winning streak, equal to the longest in the club’s history. With comfortable wins against Boston, North Carolina, Ft Lauderdale and Baton Rouge / Houston and a 3-point squeaker against Nashville during the year, the Kookas were expecting nothing less that a Division 3 final as a result for the Nationals weekend.

On a dry and dusty field and with no weaknesses on the team, save a lack of numbers on the bench, the Kookas faced the New York (B) team in the opening game. New York fielded a full compliment of players, which shows the strength of the game up north and it was a close tussle for the first half, with New York scoring 3 straight goals and the Kookas 3 goals 3 behinds. Nerves might have been the reason that Atlanta was not further in front as they fielded 6 first-year players, including Matt Williamson playing in only his second ever game of footy and Mitch Brennan playing his first. Matt and Mitch were late additions to the team, but their previous basketball skills transferred over to the football field with ease.

James Noonan followed up good rucking skills with great mobility around the ground and Eric Baker and Daniel Searle backed him up in driving the ball forward to gun full forward Chris Moerman. Moerman, in his first year with the Kookas showed his status as one of the country’s top forwards, with 49 goals in the local AARFL competition and 30 goals during the year for the Kookas. He scored 2 of the 3 first half goals in this match. Noonan scored the third goal for Atlanta and Club President Simon Davis showed his usual silky smooth skills in being the other players to score for the team.

At the half, it was Atlanta by 3 points - 3.3 (21) to New York 3.0 (18)

In the second half, nerves were banished and the floodgates opened for the Kookas as they piled on 7 goals to none. Moerman was the focal point in attack and, competing against 2 opponents at all times, bagged another 5 goals with some strong marking and accurate kicking in the windy conditions. Matt Williamson kicked his first ever goal, but that came at the cost of a strained back muscle, which would hamper his effectiveness over the remaining games.

First year player Josh Trombley showed his newly acquired football skills with slashing runs into the forward line. Led by Benny Crist, the defense held tight and kept New York from even looking like scoring. Benny and Jeremiah Cain were omnipresent every time the ball crossed into the New York forward line and they repelled attack after attack. Joey Costyn and the Carson (The Big O) Olsheski shut down their opponents and the Kookas ran out comfortable winners.

Final score was Atlanta 10 goals 6 (66) to New York 3 goals 0 (18)

Goal Scorers: Moerman 7, Searle 1, Williamson 1, Noonan 1

In their second game for the day, the Kookas faced off against the Columbus Jackaroos and it proved to be a near carbon copy of the first game, with a closely contested first half, Moerman kicking another bag of goals and the defense keeping the opposition scoreless in the second half.

With Coach Wayne Kraska marshaling forces across the backline and showing his usual “give 100% all the time” attitude, players like Braden Medders and Mike Gross were inspired to give their all in tackles and running the ball forward. Mike likes the wing, where he can use his speed to cover a lot of ground during a game. Braden has been one of the most adaptable players this year, playing both on offence and in defense and in the first two games on this day, he was used in both places. First year player Jeff Sidabras, who almost didn’t make the trip, used this game to show everyone that he will be a force to be reckoned with with strong runs on the wing and long accurate kicks to full forward. And at full forward was Moerman, this time taking on 3 opponents, some of whom weren’t interested in the ball, just trying to stop Moermen. But as the poets say, “how do you stop the wind?” Chris kicked 4 goals straight in the first half and 3 straight in the second.

Mitch Brennan kicked his first goal and, following a center square infraction by Columbus, sent a 70-yard torpedo punt kick into the waiting arms of Moerman in the goal square. His 3 opponents were just standing around when Chris marked the ball.

Simon Davis and James Noonan continued their fine running play and both scored goals in this game. Johnny Thrash showed strength in busting through tackles and is another first year player that will shine with more experience. Rosie was his exuberant self on the wing and used his pace to great advantage, chasing down tackles and kicking to position.

Mike Powers came off the bench to provide good support for the team and to continue his string of attending every US Nationals played. Another stalwart of the team, Mick Frost, showed his experience and willingness to get the ball forward. Mick has been used as a forward and a defender all year by Coach Kraska and has performed well, no matter where he is stationed. Coaches love players like Mick because they can be used to shore up lines when games are on the line.

As I said, this was a near carbon copy of the first game, even down to the scores with Atlanta kicking 10 goals for the game and holding their opponents scoreless in the second half.

Half time scores were Atlanta 4.3 (27) to Columbus 2.1 (13).

Full time scores were Atlanta 10.5 (65) to Columbus 2.1 (13)

Goal Scorers: Moerman 7, Noonan 1, Davis 1, Brennan 1

With an overnight deluge of rain that knocked power out to the team hotel, the Kookas were in a dark mood when they fronted up for their third game of the tournament, this time against the Kansas City Power. Kansas was the second ranked team in the Kookas’ group and had easily handled Columbus the day before, but then tanked miserably against the bottom ranked New York team. This left them with a 1 and 1 record and a big mountain to climb to make the final later in the day. They needed to beat the Kookas by 7 goals to go through to the final.

With injuries to Matt Williamson and Simon Davis, countered by the imminent arrival of Big Dave Evans (who missed Saturday’s games owing to a wedding), this gave Mike Powers a chance to start a game and for the old man of the team Jim Batten to get extended runs on the field. Mike was immediately in the thick of things, drifting back into defense as Kansas threw themselves into the game and at our players, regardless of whether the ball was near or not.

With the ground being wet, but not sloppy, this allowed the Kookas to get out to a small lead via Moerman (with 2 goals) and Jim Batten (with 1 goal) with the aid of the wind. Bodies were flying about as Kansas sought the big win they needed and Atlanta sought to maintain their lead. Dave Evans, arriving at the ground during the first half, went immediately into the ruck, releasing James Noonan to perform as a ruck-rover and it was this combination that led to the half time lead for Atlanta.

At the half, Atlanta held an important 11 point lead – 3.2 (20) to 1.3 (9)

With the aid of the wind in the second half Kansas stormed back into the lead, at one point garnering an 8-point advantage. But it was never going to be enough and, as time ran out, the Kookas battled forward and grabbed a vital, demoralizing goal through the boot of Jeremiah Cain. This brought scores to within 1 point, the final result.

Kansas seemed happy to have one the battle, but they certainly didn’t win the war, as it was the Kookaburras who went through to the Division 3 Grand Final. The Kookas survived while resting two of their leading players for the match and were looking forward to the Grand Final matchup against Arizona.

Final Scores were Atlanta 4.4 (28) to Kansas 4.5 (29)

Goal Scorers: Moerman 2, Batten 1, Cain 1

And so, onto the Grand Final, on the larger Division 1 field. With a stiff breeze blowing straight down the ground, making smooth play almost impossible, both sides came out with intensity. With the Kookas kicking into the breeze, defense was utmost and the back 6 of Medders, Cain, Crist, Kraska, Sidabras and Olsheski weathered wave after wave of Arizona attacks. With the center line and most of the forwards drifting back as well, it was a very scappy game, with neither side wanting to let the other run. Arizona snapped some fluky goals and gained a very important 4-goal advantage by the first break. It was hard to get the ball cleanly to Chris Moerman and even he drifted down the wing to try and get some advantage.

At the half time break, it was Atlanta 0.1 (1) trailing Arizona 4.1 (25)

With the wind showing no signs of letting up, Atlanta pressed forward to try and even the scores. Moerman marked strongly twice and goaled and Daniel Searle, roving all over the ground, scored a third for the team. But the killer was an Arizona goal, against the wind and it meant that the Kookas would not finish on top this day. The boys battled through to the final siren, but finished the game 2 goals shy of their opponents.

Final Scores were Atlanta 3.1 (19) to Kansas 5.2 (32)

Goal Scorers: Moerman 2, Searle 1

So, a great season came to a slightly disappointing end, but the team can hold their heads high. They completed an undefeated regular season, a club record 9 game winning streak, lots of new players who should propel the club to greater things next year and 2 strong wins at the Nationals, which is more than in recent years.

The one player I haven’t really mentioned is Eric Baker. Eric took over the captain’s role after Curtis Jones went down and has led the club with outstanding play all year. In this year’s Nationals he stepped up another gear and was instrumental in the club’s 4 games with driving runs, long kicks, fierce tackles and strong marks. So gassed near the end of the Grand Final, he had to be removed from the field to get a 2 minute rest and some fluids. He had given everything and more to try to get his team to a winning position. To me, he was far and away the best player for the team in Austin and should be a strong candidate to retain the captaincy next year. Jones has been a great captain, but the release from the official leaders role will allow him to further hone his skills without the added pressure. With two players such as Baker and Jones leading the team by example, plus the plethora of new players, the Kookas are really looking forward to next year.

Coach Wayne Kraska also deserves a strong recommendation for the effort he’s put in this year. Travelling 75 miles from his home in the North Georgia Mountains each week, he has changed the way the Kookas play football. With more emphasis on moving the ball quickly, through running and handpassing, the Kookas have come along in leaps and bounds from previous years and have quickly distanced themselves from their nearest rivals. You don’t kick 30 goals in a match without being MUCH better than the team you’re playing. And it’s Wayne’s coaching and determination that has got us to where we are now. The club needs to ensure that they have Wayne’s services next year to continue developing this new style of Kookas football.

To summarize the weekend in Austin:

Division 3 - Pool B

Saturday
Atlanta 10.6 v New York B 3.0
Kansas City 5.7 v Columbus 3.6
Atlanta 10.5 v Columbus 2.1
New York B 6.2 v Kansas City 5.5
 

Sunday
Atlanta 4.4 v Kansas City 4.5
Columbus 2.4 v New York B 7.9

Grand Final
Atlanta 3.1 v Arizona 5.2

Goal Scorers: Moerman 18, Noonan 2, Searle 2, Batten 1, Brennan 1, Cain 1, Davis 1, Williamson 1

Best Players: Baker, Moerman, Noonan, Trombley, Crist, Searle, Batten, Brennan, Cain, Costyn, Davis, Evans, Frost, Gross, Kraska, Medders, Olsheski, Powers, Rosenfield, Sidabras, Thrash, Williamson