Atlanta Kookaburras

The Atlanta Lady Kookaburras maintained their favorites tag for the 2008 USAFL National Championships with their 18th straight win on Saturday against a combined team from Milwaukee and New York. The win by 48 points at Creel Park south of Atlanta gave the undefeated Lady Kookaburras a chance to put their skills on display at their only home game for the season. Missing several players out through injury and illness the Kookaburras started well posting early goals to put the pressure back on the Milwaukee/New York combine.

Leading from the front was club Captain Judith Stein at full forward and multi award winning USA Freedom Captain Jenny Sarbacker. The combined team from the north had few answers to the all over ground skills and endeavor of the Kookaburra players but just the same pressured the Lady Kookaburras to the limit.

The teams were confronted with a perfect day for footy at Creel Park with a slight breeze drifting to the city end of the park. In the center it was Katie Grist in the ruck and Jenny Sarbacker as rover dictating from the start. What they didnt get their hands on Diana Pizzari cleaned up with some crisp hand skills. It only took a few minutes and the Lady Kookas were on the board with a goal to Captain Judith Stein. Nikki Peoples playing at the key Center Half Forward position followed up with a goal also for the home team with Meghan Brown snapping truely on her left to make it three for the term. Up the other end the Milwaukee/New York team were finding their feet with Denielle David just missing the big sticks with an early snap at goal before Corynne Pereira went one better and posted her first ever goal and the northerners first goal of the day.

The quarter belonged to the Kookaburras though with Ann Collins rock steady in defense with help from first gamer Hanna Camp. At the first break it was Atlanta 3.1 (19) to Milw/NY 1.2 (8)

The second term was an arm wrestle of gigantic proportions with the Milw/NY team playing very tough football. With many of the New York players playing their first game ever it was an excellent effort. Andrea Casillas and Beth Cartier were certainly in the thick of it when it counted and Denielle David was troubling the Kookas with her hard running. Scoring was hard to come by as both teams valiantly defended their goals before the Kookaburra's Katie Grist resting off the ball slotted through a nice goal. This seemed to spur on the home team and they added two more for the quarter with a lovely goal on the run from Sue Marsh and Judith Stein added another from a hot contest in the goal square. At the main break Atlanta 6.6 (42) lead the Milw/NYorkers still on 1.2 (8)

The third term and it was more defense from both teams. Atlanta played one short after a dual send off for misconduct earlier in the game. Milw/NY were allowed to replace their player with a reserve. Atlanta had no bench so soldiered on one down. Jenny Sarbacker was everywhere for the Kookaburras like Denielle David was for Milw/NY. Both players sending their team forward several times and shoring up defenses when needed. The tackling from both teams was strong and persistent all day and there was no easy ball to be had. Late in the quarter the Kookaburras were rewarded with a goal to Nikki Peoples and like the second term had another soon after kicked by Dewi Mitchell, stemming any hopes the combine had of getting back into the game.

Jane Moore of Milw/NY was rewarded for her great work with a goal before the quarter was out and although not a lot of scoring was happening the game was entertaining just the same. At the last change the Lady Kookas were holding steady leading 8.10 (58) to 2.2 (14)

The last quarter saw some tired ladies out there. The large ground and 80 minutes of football was taking its toll on some players. Nikki Peoples came off with a calf injury for the home team and an exhausted Denielle David came off giving everything she had till it was too much. Meghan Brown for Atlanta posted the only goal of the term and when the siren blew it was the Kookaburras victorious by 48 points. A terrific game by many new players on the New York team and good debuts for several Atlanta players heading into the Nationals next month in Colorado Springs.

The Atlanta Kookaburras sure to be red hot favorites again this year looking to secure their 4th National title in as many years.

Goals

Atlanta : Judith Stein 2, Meghan Brown 2, Nikki-Nicole Peoples 2, Katie Grist, Sue Marsh, Dewi Mitchell 1 each

Milw/NY: Jane Moore, Corynne Pereira 1 each

Best

Atlanta: Jenny Sarbacker, Nikki-Nicole Peoples, Katie Grist, Diana Pizzari, Ann Collins.

Milw/NY: Denielle David, Beth Cartier, Siobhan McHale, Helen Spink, Jane Moore