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The Atlanta team traveled well to Baton Rouge taking 21 players for their first challenge game clash against the newly formed Baton Rouge Tigers. Under sunny Louisiana skies the Kookaburras were greeted by a field almost bordering MCG dimensions. However the surface of the field was still under development by the local Rec. Dept. and this made it pretty tough on anyone hitting the dirt at any time during the day. Prior to the game Coach Kraska spoke to the Atlanta players about the events preceding the game and former player Brent Pollards accident on Thursday and the life that he is facing in the next few months and the years ahead. Kraska asked his players to think about how lucky they were to be here and to show Polly back home that they wear the Kooka colors with pride and to win this one for him. There was a steady breeze favoring the right of screen as the two teams lined up for their first 18 on 18 encounter. The coin toss was won by Patrick Muller of Baton Rouge and understandably he chose to kick with the assistance of the breeze. Out of the blocks went the Tigers and within a few seconds of the game start Trevaskis off the wing slotted a great pass to Captain & Coach Muller and the Tigers were looking good for their first home game of 2005. Muller missed the shot at goal to the left in what ended up being limited opportunities for the Baton Rouge leader up forward. The Kookas had heir own plans and with the wide expanses started to move the ball well through midfield. Goals resulted to Ron Sheffield, Mick Frost and Brent Bacon who was leading well and taking marks at center half forward. Midway through the term Baton Rouge got on the board with a mark and goal to Muller and the game was heating up. Paul Cargal in his first Kookas game slotted through a goal when close, in what was going to be a great debut game for the new recruit. At the first break the Kookas led 4.2.26 to 1.1.7 Second term and Kleinhenz for Baton Rouge was giving plenty of trouble for the more experienced Gambaro and Trevaskis on the wing for the Tigers was certainly in a lot of the action before moving back to shore up defenses. For the Kookas it was Crist, Collins & Mobley through the center and Huie and Jones in the back half. Kraska always looked dangerous and although the Kookas were on top they were unable to capitalize under pressure. Bacon was again a focal point up forward kicking a goal from a strong mark and Biggs chipped in for his first of the season after some great play by Cargal and Frost. At half time the scores were the Kookas up 6.7.43 to the Tigers 1.2.8. The game was tough all day with plenty of bone crunching tackles and with the ground being unforgiving players were certainly earning their worth.! Kookas lost Bazza Collins with a bloodied face and Ron Sheffield went off with a shoulder. Other players from both sides wore a lot less skin than what they arrived with before the game. Kicking back into the breeze in the third term it was a titanic struggle for the Kookas. Baton Rouge would not give up for a second to their credit and Atlanta wasn’t going to give an inch either. In a thrilling quarter of hard tough footy neither team could post a goal though Atlanta had far more of the play. Gambaro was getting on top of his younger opponents and Barnes in his first game for the Kookas from Nashville was making an impression through half back. At the final change it was Kookas leading 6.10.46 to Tigers 1.3.9 The last term was all Atlanta as the tiring Baton Rouge team had given their best and found it wasn’t enough. Paul Cargal was very competitive up forward for his first game and with two more great goals made a real mark on the game. Jason Barnes showed his versatility by slipping into the forward line and weaving through a tricky goal and the day was capped off with a terrific mark in front of goal by Bacon and Coach Kraska sharking a loose ball and riding one home on the breeze. The Kooka’s were too good in the end with winners in Gambaro, Crist and Collins through the center and Bacon & Cargal up forward. Final Scores Atlanta Kookaburras 11.13.79 defeated Baton Rouge Tigers 1.3.9 After the game the Tigers hosted a great beer and crawfish feast and under sunny skies all players got together kicked back and enjoyed the sunshine. It was a great day for footy and a great day for footy in the south. The Tigers have a young group of players that with a little time will develop into a handy unit. The Kookas have bigger plans looking to improve on their third place standing in the MAAFL last year. Baton Rouge 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.3.9 Atlanta 4.2 6.7 6.10 11.13.79 Best Players: Baton Rouge: Trevaskis, Kleinhenz, Samuels, Kefron & Prohn Atlanta: Gambaro, Bacon, Crist, Cargal, Barnes & B Collins Goalkickers: Baton Rouge: Muller 1. Atlanta : Bacon 3, Cargal 3, Kraska, Frost, Barnes, Biggs & R Sheffield 1 each.
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