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The Atlanta Kookaburras welcomed the Milwaukee Bombers on their first trip to Atlanta for a MAAFL game and taste of footy in the south. The Bombers recent big win against the St Louis Blues stood them well for this encounter where they were pushing their case to be included in the top 8 teams come October and their home town Nationals Championships. Last years Nationals hosts Atlanta were looking for a return to form in the MAAFL where they have struggled this year to put four quarters of quality football together.
The conditions could only be described as brutal for a game like this. Pushing into the 90s in heat and humidity, water was the required product of the day and lots of it. The day kicked off with the first local women's game of footy in Atlanta and the 16 girls competing seemed to be having a great time. Some handy goals kicked there as well with a couple of Milwaukee girls also participating it was all good to see.
The Kookas v Bombers game started off in a furious pace as could be expected before the conditions would take their toll. The home team the early scorers when much traveled Ronny Miller kicking a loose ball off the ground through the big sticks and got Atlanta off to a great start.
However it was in the middle of the field where the game was about to be won. Bombers onballers Ross Siegel and Don Shadian were on top early providing the Bomber forwards with plenty of chances to score. And score they did five goals for the quarter answering Atlanta's sole early major score. In the ruck the much taller Rist was controlling the center clearances despite Collins getting far more of the ball around the field. Kametz and Ellis were trying hard for the Kookas down back but were under extreme pressure to repel attacks. At the first change the signs looked ominous for the home team trailing 1.2.8 to Milwaukee 5.3.33.
The second quarter was a better effort by Atlanta. The Kookas were able to keep the visitors to just one goal with Barnes and Huie improving their games and Thickens and Kewley both playing their second game ever were also showing they will be good players for the Kookas in time. Up forward the Kookas had lost Captain Bacon for short while but two goals came late to Kraska one on the run and the other from a timely mark. At half time most players were seriously heading towards dehydration as the heat started to show markedly on the speed of the game. The Kookas had made up some ground but still trailed their northern visitors 3.6.24 to 6.5.41 a 17 point margin.
The third term was the winner for the Bombers, four goals on the board, two to Bombers Coach for the day Langley and two to Hill meant the Kookas were really in trouble. A great on the run goal by Justin Biggs was the only shining light for the Kookas. Bazza Collins superior fitness helping the Kookas around the ground but the Kookas were generally out run and out played. Briton Rotell did come on the for the Kookas and showed what that he was prepared to put his body on the line in the first game of his hopefully long career. At the final change it was Atlanta 4.7.31 trailing by 39 points Milwaukee 10.10.70.
The final stanza was pleasing from an Atlanta standpoint that they tried till the end but the damage had been already done. Three more goals to Kraska and one to Biggs brought some respectability to the Kookas scoreboard but it was too late to give them even a sniff of victory. Collins and Kametz two standing out as putting in the full 4 quarters for their team. The final score Milwaukee 11.11.77 defeating Atlanta 8.10.58.
Another game for the Kookas where they were beaten by a better team on the day and evidence that teams that are capable and prepared to run hard all day will these days most likely take the points. Some encouraging performances though for the home team were three new players in Thickens, Kewley and Rotell starting out and making an impact. The Kookas can certainly take heart that some rebuilding and hard work on the training track will eventually pay off in time. Atlanta 1.2 3.6 4.7 8.10.58 Milwaukee 5.3 6.5 10.10 11.11.77 Best Players: ATL: Kametz, Kraska, Barnes, Huie, Ellis, Thickins MILW: Perrone, R.Siegel, Brown, A.Siegel, Shadian Goalkickers: ATL: Kraska 5 , Biggs 2, Miller 1. MILW: Ciganek 3, Langley 2, Hill 2, Shadian 2, Ruhge & Perrone 1 each
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