Atlanta Kookaburras

The Kookaburras kicked off the 2005 Nashville Australian Festival Cup games with a game against Kansas City Power a team they had never played before. Under very warm conditions the Kookas took control early with a goal to rookie Jimmy Glenn and then Captain Brent Bacon. In the center another rookie was making his presence felt in Curtis Jones who continues to improve every time he runs out there. Both onballers Jones and Barry Collins pushed down into the forward line to score goals from some great team play. Kraska also helping himself to one before the term ended. At half time it was Atlanta 5.4.34 to KC 0.4.4.

Kansas City team rallied hard after the break and kicked a few goals themselves through Vacanti, Carter and Phillips but Atlanta were just about to get the show on the road. Solid marks to Kraska and Cave gave them each a goal then Kraska got two more both on the run. The Kookas were dominating all over the field with first game Tom Cieslak marking well and Eckman and Heffernan controlling the center. Bacon added to his tally with two more goals and Collins again pushing into the forward line added another. Final scores Atlanta 12.5.77 to KC 3.7.25 an impressive start to the weekend for the Kookas.

Atlanta            5.4     12.5.77

Kansas City    0.4         3.7.25

Goals: Kraska 4 , Bacon 3, Collins 2, Jones, Cave Glenn 1 each.

Best Players: Kraska, Jones, Eckman, Heffernan, Barnes, Cieslak

Atlanta v Nashville

The second game of the Festival Cup was between long time rivals. No love lost here over the years and a tough and close encounter it was from the start. Nashville jumped out of the blocks with goals both to Link but the Kookas steadied and started to make inroads. Tonza Ellis was shoring up defenses and Jones, Chad Huie and Jimmy Glenn the Kookas started to look a threat. Collins posted the first goal and after a couple of misses Eckman slipped in to level the scores followed by a great snap by Biggs. Kraska was going about his work again with ageless appearance and the main break the Kookas lead well by 9 points. Atlanta 4.3.27 to Nashville 2.6.18.

The Kookas were looking like causing an upset with early goals in the second half to Kraska and Bacon. Nashville were answering the challenge with Cox being the main instigator for the Roos. Kraska snaps a great goal on the run from the boundary and the Kookas move back to a handy 9 point lead with minutes remaining. In an action packed last few minutes with the Kookas frustrated by umpiring decisions the Nashville hosts went on a goal blitz with 3 goals in 5 minutes to steal the game back from the Kookas. A very disappointing end to the game for the Kookas but it shows you cannot let your guard down for a minute. Atlanta 7.4.46 defeated by Nashville 8.7. 55.

Atlanta             4.3         7.4.46

Nashville           2.6        8.7.55

Goals: Kraska 3, Bacon, Collins, Biggs,  Eckman  1 each.

Best Players: Kraska, Jones, Huie, Glenn, Cieslak

Atlanta v Louisville

Sunday morning brought more warm weather and the last of the pool games. The Louisville Cats had been in a slight recess until midway through this year and it was great to see the Cats back out playing again. And the Cats jumped the Kookas from the start with three quick goals. The Kookas looking like they were still asleep slowly got themselves into gear courtesy of Jones and the tireless Jason Barnes, Kraska and now three game veteran Cieslak. With Cave now at full back after Ellis had to leave back for Atlanta it meant a slightly different line up. The "Silver Fox" Mike Powers club game record holder lining up against his old team was great to see and then running onto a loose ball in the goal square and kicking his 16th career goal for the Kookas was just huge. The Kookas were very inaccurate up forward for most of the first half but with a goal to Eckman and Kraska each late in the term they stayed in touch. At half time Atlanta 3.5.23 trailed Louisville 4.0.24.

The four goals was all the Cats were to get with Barnes, Glenn and Jones especially on fire around the ground. After 6 consecutive behinds the Kookas got their goal kicking straightened out with goals to Bacon, a great blind turn and goal to Cave which we will hear about again I’m sure and Kraska marking and goaling right before the final siren to seal the Cats fate. Final score in a very entertaining game Atlanta 6.12.48 defeated Louisville 4.2.26.

Atlanta             3.5        6.12.48

Louisville          4.0          4.2.26

Goals: Kraska 2 , Bacon, Cave, Eckman, Powers 1 each.

Best Players: Jones, Barnes, Kraska, Cieslak, Glenn

Atlanta v Nashville GF

Again the two rivals meet for a final showdown. Although the animosity has gone thankfully from previous years encounters there was still plenty of passion about this game as both teams were after the Australian Festival Cup for 2005. The Kookas were first out of the blocks with Kraska marking a long ball into the forward line and goaling perhaps an upset was again brewing. But that was where it ended for the Kookas. Walker and Ortiz took over up forward for the locals and in a matter of minutes had five goals on the board. Where the Kangaroos were accurate up forward the Kookaburras were the opposite. The Kookas adding just five more behinds for the half mostly because of the pressure of the Nashville defense. At half time Atlanta 1.5.11 to Nashville 6.1.31 told the story.

In the second half the Kookaburras tried hard to peg back the Roos. Jimmy Glenn showed why he will be a great player for the Kookas in the years ahead with his never give in attitude and with Collins, Huie and Barnes doing everything they could the Atlanta team played it out hard till the end. But it was going to be the Kangaroos game again with White, Vsetecka doing well and certainly Walkers 4 goals up forward making it impossible for the Kookas to make much impression. Final scores Atlanta 4.6.30 defeated by Nashville 12.3.75.

All together a great tournament by the Kookas with just a disappointing final spoiling the Sunday. Congratulations to the Nashville for a great game and a fantastic 2005 Australian Festival.

Atlanta             1.5         4.6.30

Nashville           6.1       12.3.75

Goals: Kraska, Cave 2 each.

Best Players: Glenn, Collins, Huie, Barnes,  Eckman, Cieslak