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Score:

Goals:
WV: Nolan 3, Toby, Knopp, Fitzy, James Richards, Drakey, Patrick
LP: John Doorhy 2, Jason W, Sam Blundell

Score:

Goals:
WV: Nolan 3, Hayzie 2, Gary, Ortiz, Patrick, Knopp
LS: Oscar, Crackers 3, Bart D, Al

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

It is time to make your membership in the Chicago Australian Football Association (CAFA) official. Visit the CAFA website and pay your 2011 dues. There are two separate annual dues required to be paid by each player:

(1) 2011 Chicago Australian Football Association (CAFA) Dues

• $80 Per Player / $50 for first year players
• Required to be eligible for Chicago Metro games
• Due prior to Metro Round 1 – Friday, April 15th

(2) 2011 USFooty Dues

• $40 – $100 Per Player, rate depends on how soon you register
• Register yourself at www.usafl.com
• Required to be eligible for Chicago United games
• Due prior to the Chicago United game on Saturday, June 18th

Dues are essential to the continued success of the club, funds raised from collecting dues are used:

• Obtain permits for Waveland Field from the Chicago Park District for all Metro and United home games
• Register Chicago United with USFooty/The MAAFL
• Purchase equipment
• Offset team travel expenses

2011 dues must be paid by the deadlines above to be eligible for the Chicago Metro and Chicago United games. Don’t let your team down. Pay your dues.

EZ, Treasurer

The 2011 Chicago Footy Draft Party at the GasLight Bar and Grill was a great success. There were many enthusiastic new faces with almost every veteran carefully dissecting each roster. Which team is the sleeper team? Which team has the stacked roster? It looks to be a great season!!!

See the 2011 Metro Team rosters below: