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A warm and humid day confronted the Kookaburras and their traditional rivals Nashville in the home of country music, Nashville Tennessee. The Kookas traveled very strongly with 21 players and even brought a few wives and girlfriends along which was much appreciated by the players. Its always good to have some vocal support on the sidelines. After a stirring moments silence for those lost in recent London bombings and also for the tragic loss of one of the Kookas family, both teams shaped up for another epic battle in front of a modest crowd of near 100 spectators. The Kookas wearing black armbands as a sign of respect for the passing of their friend and teammate Lewis Sinclair. Nashville jumped out of the blocks with the first goal of the game before the Kookas answered through ones of Bacon's now trademark banana goals as the ball moved quickly from end to end. The field was slippery and soft underfoot from the recent rains here in the south but it allowed all players the opportunity to win the ball without fear. Its certainly a far better and more even surface from years gone past at Elmington Park, a credit to the Roos and local parks community. In the back half it was former Kangaroo Jason Barnes leading the way for the Kookas with Curtis Jones and Travis Quigley certainly in amongst it early. Up forward Kooka Captain Brent Bacon was hard at it with another former Nashville star in Chad Huie kicking a goal on the run, an enthralling battle was taking shape. At the first break it was the Kookas trailing by just three points Atlanta 2. 1. 13 to Nashville 2. 4. 16 The second term was much like the first, the ball moving from one end of the ground to the other with both backlines under tremendous pressure. The Kookas seemed to be perhaps gaining the upper hand in the middle with Mobley doing some valuable running and gaining plenty of touches. With Robinson and Gambaro doing ok the Kookas looked like they were getting on top. However Nashville were not to be denied and to their credit answered every challenge the Atlanta team threw at them with Vseteska and Coach Link leading the way. Bacon kicked the only goal of the quarter for the Kookas after a free kick dead in front and at the main break Nashville held a seven point lead Atlanta 3. 4. 22 to Nashville 4. 5. 29 The Kookas made a few changes into the third term to try and break down the Nashville defenses. Diamond had the better of returning Adam Carter down forward and although the Kangaroo centers looked threatening it was at times mistakes by the Kookas that resulted in goals for their opposition. Several errant kicks in the Kookas back half resulting in opportunities and then goals to the home team. The Kookas went goalless in the third term which is testament to the solid defenses of the Kangaroos. At the last change the Kookas looked nearly out of it trailing by 22 points Atlanta 3. 5. 23 to Nashville 6. 9. 45 The last quarter arrived and in quick time the Roos had their first through Carter, with a goal to Mobley the Kookas remained in touch but Persson goaled again for the home team and the day looked over for the Kookas. A few minor changes at the ten minute mark of the quarter seemed to make some difference. Kraska went to half forward with Huie and Bacon went into the middle. Moments later Kraska dished a handball to Bacon and he nailed home his third for the day and the game was alive. Bacon and Kraska were able to combine well across half forward several times and again with the help of Greg Cave the Kookas coach snapped a goal to help lift his team even further. The Roos swarmed back into their backline trying to avert disaster having led all day when Jason Barnes followed his man down from full back and in a great individual effort shrugged off several players and bombed a long shot through the big sticks to cut the lead down to five points. It was down to the last thirty seconds and Gambaro got the ball to Crist in the middle and the Kookas were into attack, the ball falling short of Cave at full forward and with the Nashville team holding on in desperation the siren blew and it was all over. A heart breaking loss for the Kookas as they all knew they had let themselves and their supporters down. All credit to the Kangaroos though for a superior game of footy throughout the day and played in a terrific sportsmanlike manner by both teams. Atlanta 2.1 3.4 3.5 7.10.42 Nashville 2.4 4.5 6.9 8.9.47 Best Players: ATL: Barnes, C Jones, Crist, Mobley, Quigley NASH: Vsetecka, Persson, Link, Moore Goalkickers: ATL: Bacon 3 , Kraska, Mobley, Huie, Barnes 1 each. NASH: Link 2, Ortiz, Amden, White, Carter, Persson, Moore 1 each.
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