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The Atlanta Kookaburras were seeded into Division 2 for the first time since 2001. They had previously played in Div 1 in 2002-2004 but dropped to Division 3 for 2005-2006 events. The pool games two Saturday and one Sunday were to be played over 2 x 20 minute halves. The Kookaburras had brought a solid squad of 20 players with only 8 Aussies. The team also was on the more experienced side of the ledger with 5 or 6 players over 40 years of age and 'perhaps' in the twilight of their careers. Game 1 Atlanta v North Carolina The first game of the weekend saw the Kookaburras take the field fairly confident of beating their old adversaries the Nth Carolina Tigers who they hadnt played since the 2004 season at the Grand Final to the SEAFL championship in Raleigh. The field conditions on Field 2 however could only be described as dangerous for footy with the ground rock hard and dusty after no rain here in Louisville for well over a month. The Tigers started quickly and had the Kookas on the back foot early with several thrusts into their forward 50m early. The youthful speed and agility was testing the likes Cave, Mobley, Jones and co. in the backline but they were not giving in. Up forward for the Kookas Damien Sheehan and Warren Ballagh were certainly giving the Kookas something to aim at when looking for marking options. And it was Ballagh who provided the first sign of light for the Kookas with a fantastic goal kicked from near the boundary line later in the first term. In the middle Ross Larosa and Brent Kewley were trying hard but Ed Robinson was finding the high leaping Nth Carolina ruckman a handful. At the half time break the Kookas were down but not out. Atlanta 2.1.13 to NC 4.3.27. The second half was to be one of the Kookas best terms of footy all year. Larosa, Robinson & Kraska had started to gain ascendancy in the center and Curtis Jones was dominating Center Half Back. Alan Mobley and Ben Crist were providing plenty of drive off the half back line and through the wings and Damien Sheehan looked like he was about to cut loose. A telling free kick at a center bounce and then 50m penalty gave Ed Robinson a chance to put the Kookaburras in front late in the term. Soon after another goal to Sheehan put the Kookaburras up 7 points. North Carolina immediately answered with a goal of their own and put the difference back to one point. The last five minutes could only be described as desperation footy by the Kookaburras with every player putting it on the line. When the "hooter" went off it was the Kookas in front by 1 point, one of their best wins in recent memory. Atlanta Kookaburras 2.1 6.1 (37)
North Carolina Tigers 4.3 5.6 (36) Best Players: Damien Sheehan, Adam Grist, Andy Ciganek, Ben Crist, Curtis Jones, Ed Robinson Goalkickers: Damien Sheehan 2, Warren Ballagh, Mike Frost, Ed Robinson, Ron Sheffield 1 each. Team Line Up. Backs: T.Roberson G.Cave A.Grist
Half backs: D.Heffernan C.Jones A.Mobley
Centers: B.Crist B.Kewley A.Ciganek
Half forwards: R.Sheffield D.Sheehan E.Robinson
Forwards: E.Baker W.Ballagh D.Monsour
Rucks/Rovers: M.Frost W. Kraska R.LaRosa
Interchange: M.Powers S.Wamsley Game 2 Atlanta v Nashville This was the game many players were looking forward to, the rematch with our fiercest of rivals the Nashville Kangaroos. Earlier in the morning they had been handed a lesson by the newbies Minnesota so were looking to get back on track. For the Kookas it was chance to have their best Saturday at the Nationals since 2001. The Kookaburras started full of energy but scoring was not easy with plenty of attention from the Nashville backline and on-ballers. Curtis Jones was having another great game in the back half and Kewley and LaRosa were definitely on top through the center. Warren Ballagh marked well and kicked truly and the Kookas were in front at the first break by just ten points. In the second half the Kookas really hit their straps. It started across half back with Crist, Jones and Mobley leading the way and with the move of having Ballagh up on the wing they had an extra tall to kick to. Wayne Kraska again put in a serviceable effort with the hilight his accurate disposal to the likes of Ballagh and Damien Sheehan. Sheehan was becoming too much for the Nashville backline to handle and despite often flying against two opponents he showed his class with several telling marks at half forward. Mike Frost kicked two nice goals after solid leads and two to Sheehan put our old foes to bed for another year. Atlanta Kookaburras 1.6 5.9 (39)
Nashville Kangaroos 0.2 1.3 (9) Best Players: Mike Frost, Ross LaRosa, Wayne Kraska, Brent Kewley, Warren Ballagh, Damien Sheehan Goalkickers: Damien Sheehan 2, Mike Frost 2, Warren Ballagh 1. The Line Up. Backs: S.Wamsley G.Cave A.Grist
Half backs: B.Crist C.Jones A.Mobley
Centers: W.Ballagh B.Kewley A.Ciganek
Half forwards: R.Sheffield D.Sheehan D.Heffernan
Forwards: E.Baker M.Frost D.Monsour
Rucks/Rovers: E.Robinson W. Kraska R.LaRosa
Interchange: M.Powers T.Roberson Game 3 Atlanta v Minnesota The Minnesota team from previous results were going to be the hardest team to beat there was no doubt. It appeared the Kookaburras matched up well with their opposition team and remarkably they were not taller like the two previous teams. The Kookas were forced to make an adjustment to their team with LaRosa carrying a knee injury he would be resigned mainly to duties up forward for most of the game with Warren Ballagh coming into the center. Unfortunately the Kookas could not get off to a good start to give them some confidence. Minnesota were running well through the lines and the Atlanta team were hard pressed to keep them under control. Up forward Sheehan was being double teamed and this meant opportunities for scoring was limited. The Kookaburras still had some winners though, Ed Robinson was on top in the ruck and Curtis Jones was celebrating his first nationals with another great game at Center Half Back. In second half the Kookaburras were able to settle into the fast tempo of the game. Eric Baker who was always trying hard and providing opportunities held a solid mark and kicked a nice goal. LaRosa kicked a great goal from the boundary and Sheehan took a great grab and converted soon after to give the Kookas some hope getting to within 17 points of the Minnesota team. That was to be it though for the Kookas, the "Freeze" showed why they have been touted as future Div 1 material with another quick goal to put the result beyond doubt. A great effort by both teams, a slow start perhaps the telling factor in the result for the Kookas as they close to out played their northern counterparts after half time but the horse had already bolted in a good old Kentucky sense. Minnesota Freeze 3.6 6.8 (44)
Atlanta Kookaburras 0.2 3.3 (21) Best Players: Warren Ballagh, Ben Crist, Curtis Jones, Alan Mobley, Damien Sheehan, Adam Grist Goalkickers: Ross LaRosa, Damien Sheehan, Eric Baker 1 each. Team Line Up: Backs: S.Wamsley G.Cave A.Grist
Half backs: B.Crist C.Jones A.Mobley
Centers: W.Ballagh B.Kewley A.Ciganek
Half forwards: R.Sheffield D.Sheehan D.Heffernan
Forwards: E.Baker M.Frost D.Monsour
Rucks/Rovers: E.Robinson W. Kraska R.LaRosa
Interchange: M.Powers T.Roberson
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