News — united

One week is a long time in football when you are champing at the bit to have another go! The boys were pretty psyched up for the challenge of playing against a previous Div 1 Premiership team in the New York Magpies. It wasn’t since the halcyon days of Bergmann had the Big Apple Pies come into town, and what an epic encounter that was.

The scene was set for a great afternoon with a 3 goal breeze headin down south on Lakeshore Drive at the home of the Swans, Waveland Park. Chicago had a couple of injuries from the week before and some were unavailable to play, saw 10 blokes out of the squad that headed down to Louisville last week.

The new Australian Consul General Roger Price, a big fan of Aussie Rules came down to spectate and got roped into tossing the official double headed coin; incidentally the opposition captain called correctly and they kicked with the breeze in the first.

All we could ask for was an honest effort from the lads and see where we stood against a New York side that boasted 5 top Aussie midfielders, led from the front by Jordan McIntyre. His form didn’t disappoint the few New York faithful, and a tagging role was given to one of the new fellas to the game, Keith Campion.

The Swans team really played well in the first quarter. Our backline under a barrage of pressure held NYC to three goals and we managed one into the breeze which was pleasing. Our tackling was most likely the best I have seen from the club and if it wasn’t for a bit of polish on the finish scores at the end of the first quarter may have been closer.

Strsaight kicking in the second quarter and a direct attack on the ball saw us win the quarter and go into half time 14 points in arrears. With no respite from the breeze, we felt all we needed to do was hold in the third quarter. Another great effort from the backline in the premiership quarter to keep New York to only two goals.

With the scoreboard showing the Swans behind by 19 points, there was an air of confidence from the boys at three quarter time that we could really win this game. As history tells us this early in the season, the lads ran out of puff and were unable to utilse the breeze and apply scoreboard pressure. In the end, New York ran out winners by 34 points.

Aside from the fadeout in the last quarter the Swans played some really good footy in patches. There were some really pleasing signs, a solid backline that fought all day, under duress, to Nolan McKeegan up forward finding the goals on four occasions. Lot’s of positives to work on in the next few weeks, before we come up against Milwaukee on 23rd June.

After a grueling four session boot camp at LA Boxing and a few outdoor training sessions down at the lakefront, the footy season is ready to kick off. The first real hit-out of the season will be in Louisville, KY on April 28th.  This will be a tournament between a number of teams from the mid-west and will be a good warm up for the blockbuster against New York at home the week after.

To prepare for the Kentucky trip, the first round of “metro” footy was converted into an intra-club scratch match. With brand new goal posts spiking out of the Waveland fields, over 30 players took the field for the first game of the season. Those travelling to Louisville vs those staying at home, the final result had the travelers the victors but inaccurate kicking kept the contest tight.

Final Score:

Goals:

United: Oscar 4, Crackers, Xavier 1
Tigers: GG 2, Keith, Joe, Sars, Nolan S 1

A new year brings a new look to the Chicago Australian Football Association.  After some off-season discussions, the players have voted to align the club with the Sydney Swans.  The representative team will now be known as the Chicago Swans and will don the red and white for all MAAFL and USAFL matches.

The 2012 season kicks off with pre-season training on the 6th March (Tuesday evening).  Four indoor sessions before heading outside and preparing for a few early season clashes.  An road-trip to Kentucky for a tournament to kick off the season, then the blockbuster game against the New York Magpies at home in Chicago.

Time to dust off those runners, shake off those cobwebs and hit the treadmill to get back into shape for a historic season.

Now that you have had a chance to wind down after a busy year of footy, we now look forward to the night of nights, 2011 Presentation Night!  A night where we recognize outstanding perfromances both on and off the field, and those who have joined us and those who will leave us, in addition, who will win the Rich Noty award for recognition of service to the club, the Warwick Burgmann award for Best & Fairest (MVP), the Al McGlashan award for the one who kicked straightest throughout the year and of course the Runaway Train award that Rocky has made his own in recent times?  So dust of the tux and get your dolls all frocked up for our Presentation night on Saturday November 19, 2011 @ 7pm.

Where: SideBar & Grill (LasSalle & Wacker)
When: Saturday November 19
Time: 7pm
Dress: Red, White & Black

Tickets: $40 – ALL inclusive (tax & tip), dinner and drinks.  You must purchase tickets online, this will be our only indication on numbers.

United head down to the USAFL Nationals this weekend in Austin, TX. Chicago will be competing in division 2 and have pool games against Boston, Austin and Portland.

Game 1 – vs Austin, Final result:  Austin 5.6.36 def Chicago 2.0.12
Goals:  Steve Cassity, Josh Edwards
Best: Hoyt, Deutz, Josh Edwards

Game 2 – vs Portland, Final result: A draw!! Chicago 4.2 26. Portland 4.2 26!
Goals: Hayes, Deutz, Fitzy and Sainty.
Best: Al, Crackers, Saint, Leibo and Fitzy.

Game 3 – vs Boston , Final result:  Boston 6.2.38 def Chicago 3.5.23
Goals:  Leibo, Jules, Steve

Nashville were only able to muster up 7 players to make the trip up to Chicago. This resulted in a forfeit and the crowning of Chicago United as MAAFL premiers.

The travellers and Chicago put together two teams and played a heated match to get a good run in leading up to Nationals. The United jerseys won on the day and sent Drakey off to retirement with a win (with only his beloved Wrigleyville missing out on a Metro premiership the only blemish in his career).