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Good signs ahead boys! In a year through injury, travel schedules all affecting training and attendance at games I saw progression last weekend, we managed to put our first W up on the board, and losing to MN & C’bus. Yes you could argue a loss is a loss, and while no one likes losing, we have to take positives from each game.

Way back in Louisville, we were underdone but can honestly say we gave it our all, yes we didn’t end up on top, but were gallant. The following week against a strong New York outfit, my main interests were with our structure and movement. And for periods of the game we were able to match it with a Div 1 team.

Columbus really cut us up, I could see after the game the disappointment in your faces that these guys had beaten us for just the second time. In all seriousness we should remain confident that will beat these guys at Nationals should we come up against them. The heat, lush grass and the dying wind in the last quarter, worked against us, but even under duress we were able to instill panic into them after winning the third quarter. Another one that possibly got away.

Last weekend was a tough weekend, we took 18 blokes up to Madison for three games: Minnesota, Columbus & Kansas City. Once again some really good individual efforts, EZ, Wolfy, Xavier, Pedro, Hayesey, Sars & Pat ‘no more study’ Defors showing us the way in determination and skill to keep us in every game and keep going when there was literally nothing left in the tank! We should be very proud of our effort.

Saturday May 21 saw the boys from the Ontario Football League in Canada head down to Chicago to take on the combined United side in what was be a cracker of a day of International Aussie Rules football. First game kicked off between Chicago and Hamilton at 2pm, with the main game between Chicago and the OAFL Steam at 4pm with post game celebrations at the Brownstone Tavern.

The weather gods held back and the dandelions blew strong down at Waveland field to provide a great afternoon of AFL football in the Windy City.  With the BBQ sizzling away and a live(ish) DJ it was a festival atmosphere on the lakefront.

Two games were played between Chicago and a number of players from the mid-west (Des Moines, Milwaukee, Minnesota, St Louis).  Both were hard fought and provided some spectacular highlights.

Game 1 between Hamilton/OAFL and Chicago/MAAFL (2:15pm)

Game 2 between OAFL Steam and Chicago/MAAFL (4:15pm)

Post-game celebrations were held at the Brownstone Tavern to witness Brian Hoyt receive the Blue Jacket (for his efforts in defense) and Jason “Pony-Boy” Wilhelm take the coveted Golden Goose.

If the match tonight between the Tigers of Lincoln Square and the Piranhas of Lincoln Park is anything like the preview we saw two weeks ago then we are in for a cracker of a game. Two weeks ago we saw these two teams battle it out in a shortened 20 minute game in which the Tigers narrowly edged out the Piranhas 10-7. Each team kicked only one goal but it was the Tigers persistence that helped tack on three more behinds than the Piranhas to pull out the victory. The match was hard fought and in doubt until the final seconds and I see no reason why we shouldn’t expect the same the same effort from both teams tonight.

The Piranhas as always will be looking to take control of the game from the first toss up as they fly in with CAFA starting ruck man Jason Wilhelm. Pony boy will be looking to get the ball to one of his midfield speedsters. The young talented trio of Sammy Blundell, Vince Doorhy, and Billy Uhlman are no strangers to this game and look to carry on the tradition of midfield talent that Chicago is known for. Helping to round out the midfield for Lincoln Park will be US Revolution star Dan Sarbacker and CAFA veteran Deri Morgan both of whom have a wealth of footy experience and knowledge. The Tigers will hit back with their own tough midfield which while not as fast as the Piranhas is in no way second class. The midfield of Graham Brennan, Tommy Gun, and Eric Zukowski could be starting for any USAFL team in the country and they looked impressive in their debut two weeks ago. The tough task of slowing down Wilhelm in the ruck will be going to first gamer Henry Knopp who has impressed the Tigers coaches in pre-season trainings and has the height and skill to be a top notch ruck man.

The real battle today should be fought in the Tiger forward line as experience meets experience. The Tigers will be looking to get the ball up forward to the three headed monster of Paul Meyer, Brian Hoyt, and Al MacGlashan. Meyer hopes to continue his goal kicking ways and let everyone know that he plans on repeating as the Macglashan award winner in 2011. Asked for a comment before the game Meyer responded “everyone keeps talking about this Mckeegan bloke kicking goals…but after tonight everyone is going to know the real hotdog on this team in Oscar Meyer”. The Tiger forwards will likely have no room to breathe though as the smothering defense of legends Frank Bradley, BJ Gambaro, and Danny Kastilahn is a rare treat to watch. Bradley’s shoulder has been holding up fine and Kastilahn is back from an earlier ankle injury and both are looking to put their stamp on this game. The Tigers will need help from the crumbers up front and will look to Pedro Jimenez and Kyle Joseph to pick up the slack in that department.

There hasn’t been much fire from the forward line of the Piranhas yet this year. The lone spark being Doug Malcolm who looks to improve on his stellar first week performance and see if he can kick a bag tonight. First year player Lars Christianson has looked very impressive so far for the Piranhas and will draw the eye of the Tigers defenders tonight. Rounding out the forward line will be Pat Mchale and Matt Reid, two second year players who have shown a lot of promise. The Tigers will be led into battle on the defensive side by veterans Mike Panek, Jeff Borchardt, and Brett Isadore. The only thing those three can do better than shut down opponents is party…and they look to party all night long celebrating their defensive battle tonight.

This game is too close to call on paper and should be a hard fought contest until the final siren. Look for each team to support teammates and run all day long as they reap the benefits of a tough off season conditioning program(alright I made that last part up). Either way this should be an awesome night and an awesome game. Post-match festivities to take place at the Brownstone Tavern starting at 9pm and ending when they kick us out. We all know win or lose on the field Frank Bradley is looking to take the green jacket at the bar.

 
Score:

Goals:
LP: Bradley 4, Nate Ward, Vince Doorhy
LS: Bart D, Kyle Peters, Eric Z

The 2011 kicks off Friday night with a blockbuster evening of Aussie Rules footy down at the lake front.  Not one, not two.. but THREE games to kick off the 2011 Metro season.  The triple-header kicks off at 6pm at Burgmann fields (3500 N Recreation Dr) – after the games, head over to the Brownstone to celebrate your first kick of the season, your first goal of the season, possibly your first win of the season but more than likely your first Golden Goose nomination of the season. Our field reporter Hoyt (B) has the following preview of the action.

Game #1 Tigers vs. Piranhas

In the first game of the year we see the reigning premiers Lincoln Square Tigers taking on the Lincoln Park Piranhas in a rematch of the 2010 Grand Final. The Tigers are led by co-captains Brian Hoyt and Graham “Crackers” Brennan but have years of CAFA experience rounding out the rest of the team. The Piranhas are led into battle by former US Revolution standout BJ Gambaro and CAFA legend Danny Kastilahn.

The Tigers bring a strong midfield of Crackers, Tommy Gun, and 2010 Rookie of the year Eric Zukowski. All three have the experience and speed necessary to get the ball out of the middle. Once the ball gets moving forward they have multiple targets in the 2010 MacGlashan award winner Paul “Oscar” Meyer, 2007 co-Burgmann award winner Hoyt, and the man, the myth, the legend.…Al MacGlashan.

The Piranhas will be answering with their own formidable midfield made up of Billy “Peanut” Uhlman, Sammy “Miami” Blundell, and Vince “Crabs” Doorhy. On paper this is definitely the fastest midfield of the entire metro comp. The Piranhas also bring years of experience and talent to their backfield made up of 2010 MAAFL MVP Frank “Poncho” Bradley, Dougie “Fresh” Malcolm, Kastilahn, and Gambaro.

Key Match ups:
Oscar vs. Poncho
Midfield vs. Midfield
Gambaro vs. MacGlashan
Poncho vs. His Shoulder
Kastilahn and Hoyt vs. Heart Attack

Game #2 Tigers vs. Rhinos

This game sees the rematch of the 2009 Grand Final and brings with it all the bad blood between these sides. There has been lots of trash talking on the part of the Rhino leadership specifically 2009 & 2010 Runaway Train Award Winner Adrian “Rocky” Deehan. Not much has been heard from co-captain Toby Allen(mainly because he hasn’t shown up to training). Nobody is really sure what to make of this team just quite yet. On paper they look to be loaded with Aussie talent but they seem to be lacking in leadership and have not shown up well to training.

From what we have seen this year the Rhinos will be bringing a strong mix of veteran players and promising young talent. The scouts have been impressed by new CAFA players Daniel Knopp and LJ Eve and expect big things from them this year. They should work well with 2010 Burgmann award winner Matt Leibowitz, CAFA legends Dave “Fitzy” Fitzgerald, Matt “Betty” Palmer, and the ever elusive Nolan McKeegan. The Rhinos also welcome back the legendary Paul Drake and hope his hammy is healed up after trying to do his best Steve Smith impersonation while showing off his American football skills.

The Tigers will hit back in this game with some crafty veterans of their own. Craig “Funky” Miller has been rumored to be returning to the pitch and will be leading the charge along with Brett “Pablo” Isadore, Mike “Disco” Panek, and 2010 Coaches award winner Pedro “Taco” Jimenez. The Tigers have also been impressed with their new crop of young talent specifically Kyle Peters and Clancy Kornie and expect big things from them this year.

Key Match ups:
Leibowitz vs. whoever gets the task of marking him
McKeegan vs. His Jumper
Betty vs. Taco
Rocky vs. Chicago Police Department
Drakey vs. His Hammy

Game #3 Rhinos vs. Piranhas

This match could come down to youth vs. experience as the Piranhas will try and use their young legs to run past the more experienced Rhinos. The Piranhas have a talented crop of 2nd and 3rd year veterans lining up against some CAFA royalty.

The youth movement of the Piranhas could be an exciting thing to watch develop over the course of the season. Strong rookie years by stand out ruckman Jason “Pony Boy” Wilhelm, forward Brandon “Night Stalker” Harper, and Jason Schmelzer are expected to be followed up with an even stronger sophomore seasons. Hopefully the experience of veterans such as Deri Morgan, John “Fish” Doorhy, and Tyler “Minutes” Dorsett can rub off on the young guns and steer them towards another Grand Final. The Piranhas have also added some new CAFA talent this season by drafting Lars Christianson and Steve Cassity who have both looked strong in pre-season trainings.

They say that youth is wasted on the young and if that’s the case then the grizzled Rhino veterans have nothing to worry about. With United regulars Ryan Hayes, Toby Allen, and 2007 co-Burgmann award winner Drew Wolfe anchoring this team they are looking to set sail towards their triumphant return to the Grand Finals. But it doesn’t end there for the Rhinos in terms of experience. The Rhinos return the ever fit Jeremy “Jezza” Morgan, Pat “Sniper Shot” Hoyt, and a man that needs no introduction but we’ll give it anyway….Frank “Outback Kid” Plummer. The Rhinos also bring in their own crop of 2nd year talent consisting of the scrappy Ben Hanisch, Dave Deutz, David “Big Papi” Ortiz, and Josh “Stank” Stenger who will all look to continue on their first year success.

Key Matchups:
Billy vs. Hayzie II (The scrap after the tap)
OBK vs. Whiskey, Cohibas, and all the ladies
Tyler vs. Throwing up
Deri vs. Anyone understanding what he is saying

Game 1 – Lincoln Square vs Lincoln Park

Score:

Final
Lincoln Square 1.4.10
Lincoln Park 1.1.7
Goals:
LS: Oscar
LP: Dougie

Game 2 – Lincoln Square vs Wrigleyville

Score:

Final
Lincoln Square 1.1.7
Wrigleyville 3.2.20
Goals:
LS: ?
WV: Nolan, Fitzy, Wolfie

Game 3 – Lincoln Park vs Wrigleyville

Score:

Final
Lincoln Park 0.0.0
Wrigleyville 5.1.31
Goals:
LP:
WV: Nolan 2, Drakey, Hayzie, Knopp

The 2010 season finished with a bang at the Red, Black and White Gala held at the Sidebar Grille then celebrated into the wee hours of the morning at Benchmark. The season awards for 2010 went to:

Rich Noty Award – Anthony Hendrie
Coaches Award – Pedro Jimenez
Rookie of the Year – Eric Zukowski
MacGlashan Medal (Goalkicker) – Paul “Oscar” Meyer
Burgmann Medal (Metro B&F) – Matt Leibowitz
MAAFL MVP – Frank “Poncho” Bradley
Runaway Train – Rocky Deehan

Cheers to all on a great season!

METRO GRAND FINAL – SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 18 – 2-4pm – WAVELAND FIELD ON THE LAKEFRONT
Lincoln Square Tigers vs Lincoln Park Piranhas

CHICAGO, IL- The two best teams in the Chicago Metro Competition meet this saturday at Waveland in what will be a magnificent culmination to a magnificent metro season. With three competitive teams fighting it out throughout the season, it all boils down to this one shot at glory for both the Tigers of Lincoln Square and the Piranhas of Lincoln Park.

The Tigers have long been the measuring stick of the Metro Competition and with the their fearless leader in Frank ‘Poncho/fruit and salads’ Bradley back to 100% (relative for him anyway, in fact, according to the Tiger captain, 50% of his body is at 40%, 25% is at 50% and the shoulder is at 10%… add it up people…. that’s 100%, trust me, I am a teacher… and I had Hoyt do the math for me anyway so I must be right!) it augers well for the boys in the famous ‘yellow and black’ to repeat as masters of the field formerly known as Burgmann (has anyone seen him?). Bradley, the heart and soul of the Tigers and a favorite amongst the Tiger Army will be ably supported by United big guns in the Flying Peanut Billy Uhlmann, the equally talented Crackers Brennan, the Brothers Grimm in the Dhoorys, David ‘the leg’ Fitzgerald and Knick Knack Patty Whack McHale. The murderers row of Australian talent is immense with the recently married (hence, this will be a big outing for him) and goal kicking master in Oscar Meyer coming off a bag last outing, the Big Lebowski in Leibowitz (lets hope Yom Kippur doesn’t get in the way) and the streaky Bradshaw making up a threesome of talent not seen since Al’s friend Debbie did Dallas all those years ago (giggity). If the Piranhas can control these talents, there is one name that will have Hayse, MacGlashan and Gambaro shaking in their boots, that of the mercurial Brian Hoyt. On his day he can win a game of his own boot but if the ‘tude’ isn’t there, he can go missing quicker than Whitey in Nashville when a free kick is about to be paid against the Roo Boys. Hoyt could be the key to this game as the Piranhas are sure to put their best back on Meyer leaving the great man a forward line more open to exploitation than a 21 year old lovely at Brownstone with a Matt Palmer or Gordon Ambrosino circling.

The Tigers also boast a ruck trio of the likes not seen on the lakefront since MacGlashan and Spider teamed up for the swans (only to get well beaten by a rampaging Shark outfit lead by spearhead Drake who kicked a lazy 6 that memorable day… and by memorable, I mean I remember it, couldn’t care less if no one else does) but will they show? Jason Wilhelm is the best thing that has happened to football since Nathan Buckley retired and with EP and Trimberger a chance to show, the big boys from the Square will rule the air!! The Tiger runners also prove to be a handful. Led by Tommy Gunn and featuring names such as Harper, Junius, Ortiz, Harris and Grisoni, these guys are the unheralded players that keep the ball rolling for the Tigers and provide that important link when moving the ball forward and stopping opposition backs. Grisoni especially has been a pain in the arse to both Rhino and Piranha forwards as his evolution into an Australian Footballer of quality continues and he has carved out a nice little niche for himself behind the power of Poncho and the Tiger half backs.

The underdog card has been hung around the Piranha neck for a long time. For too long the laughing stock of the Metro Competition in Chicago, MacGlashan and Hayse have put together a fine team using Paddy power to fuel the engine and surprise opposition teams. Their win over the Rhinos where half of Dublin turned up to play for them was a memorable one but this is a grand final and those shenanigans wont fly with Meyer and Bradley (not that Oscar is beyond a bit of slight of hand!). The arguments prior to this game could feature more wheeling and dealing than Vincent Jackson and the Chargers (yep, I picked him in my fantasy league… phark!) and could provide some pre game entertainment for the massive crowd that is expected.

The Piranhas will live and die on the form of their big gun, one Roofy Ward. The boy has not set the world alight this season after his barnstorming heroics of last year and after a guest appearance on the Oprah show its hard to judge where his brain is at. Will Oprah and Stedman be in attendance to worship the ground that becomes freshly hallowed every time he takes a step on it with those size 13 hooves of his? Or will the glitz and glamor be to much for him to handle and he’ll become the next Reggie Bush? MacGlashan had his glimpse of the highlife featuring in GQ and living it up with Hef and the bunnies at Playboy and didn’t get a kick for three months afterwards (he got plenty of kicks that night though!!). MacGlashan will be tutoring his younger protege through the limelight and steering him from the pitfalls that threatened to railroad his career seasons ago. The girls, the drugs, the hangers on like Jay Z, Clooney and Jolie almost led to MacGlashan losing his career, marriage and even life after a drug fuelled bender with Robert Downey Jr. Lets hope the Roof top can handle the pressures of superstardom with more poise and kick a tonne this week against the Tigers who will struggle to match up on him.

The Piranhas Australian talent is impressive with Ward, MacGlashan and Hayse leading the way but their homegrown talent and Irish imports are where the win will come from. Gambaro is amongst the best of the old breed of American footballer. Talented, skillful and exceptionally good looking, he can be the Twins to Hoyts White Sox, the any oppostion team to the Cubs. Eric Zukowski is a raw talent along the Uhlmann lines and will be a star United player for a long time to come. With a mentor that is mentioned along names like Parkin and Barassi, Hendrie has his brother in law playing some quality football. Kastilahn, Fresh, Ehlers, Cisco, Palmer, Morgan, Sweeney are all top quality players but the ace in the Piranha sleeve will be the little Paddy in McKeegan. He constantly kicks goals and his relationship with Roofy (while strained of late as Oprah muscles in) playing the ‘one up, one down’ role to perfection has led to many a Piranha victory. Look for him to have a massive impact on this game.

Who will win this game then and why? My pick is the undefeated Tigers. Too many good players and a backline that will strangle the life out of you. Nothing gets passed Bradley and now with Hoyt and Meyer getting amongst the goals, it looks hard to stop them. Stace Elmore has a massive task ahead of him in the ruck for the Piranhas but the Piranha big boys are more than capable to dominate the airways with Stace, Gambaro, Ward and Big Al providing viable targets all over. But how do you stop Brennan, Uhlmann, Gunn, the Dhoorys and Fitzgerald? I am actually asking… anyone? I tried but couldn’t, Hayse has tried and hasn’t been able to shut them all down at once either. That’s why my pick begrudgingly goes to the Tigers (though would love to see the Piranhas beat the bastards just quietly) and I am going with an 8 point win.

WHO: Lincoln Square v Lincoln Park
WHEN: Saturday, September 18th at 2pm
WHAT: The Metro Grand Final BABY!
PLAYERS TO WATCH: LP: Ward, Gambaro, Zukowski, Elmore, Palmer. LS: Bradley, Brennan, Dhoorys 1 and 2, Gunn, Meyer, Uhlmann
BIG MATCH UPS: Hayse v Uhlmann, Elmore v Wilhelm, Bradley v Ward, MacGlashan v his own hammys, Palmer v Hoyt
VEGAS ODDS: Tigers 3-1, Piranhas 7-1
WHAT ELSE: Rhinos are to supply umpires (I’ll do central). Bring as many of your mates, girlfriends, wives and hangerson as possible and make this a great annual event. We will be all heading to the Brownstone at the end of festivities and watching Rocky push to inevitable glory as he looks to secure the Runaway train with a good 3 hour jump start on the rest of the team as he sits on the sidelines sucking tinnies.