Women's Australian Football Association

The Baltimore Washington Lady Eagles took to the field for the first time this season today at their home ground in Baltimore, Frank C Bocek Park. Playing nines against the Lady Magpies from New York who were fresh off a trip to Toronto last month. Great to see the women's teams traveling to play games this year already.

Today however it was to be a big day for the home town Lady Eagles. USA Freedom Captain Judith Stein was in everything with 5 goals for the match but had plenty of support from her local teamates. At the half it was Balt/Wash leading 44 to 6. The Magpies only goal of the match would come from Siobhan McHale during the half, who used her hard running skills to advantage many times.

For New York with a new group of players this year it was left to their main leaders to show the way, long time player Andrea Casillas was given the nod as the best Magpie out there, assisted well by Christina Licata who tried hard all game.

After the half however it was the Lady Eagles in control, goals scorers were Karen Stablein, Eileen Geoghegan and Julie Gailey each getting two goals. It was Stablein that was given the best player on the ground award closely followed by Stein and Geoghegan. Julie Gailey also was acknowledged as the best first year player on the ground. Nice effort.

The final score 12.9.81 to NY 1.0.6

The New York Magpies were on the road again today traveling over to the windy city, Chicago. It is early in the season for both teams, however Chicago would be smarting from going down to Columbus last week at the John Harrell Memorial Tourney whilst NY have already had a win over Boston.

At the half NY had grabbed a handy lead and had the aid of the breeze in the third term. Half time scores. 5.9 39 to 4.1 25 at half time. Chicago were unable to keep NY down and get themselves back into the game in the third allowing the visitors to kick 2 goals to 1. At the final change Chicago kicking with the aid of a stiff breeze in the last quarter were still down, 7.10 52 to 5.3 33.

But NY against the wind in the last quarter rallied further, running out comfortable winners 11.13 79 to 7.3 45. A 4 goal last term against the wind a match winning quarter for the Magpies who will find themselves most likely on top of the USFooty News Ladder later in the week.

John Harrell Memorial Cup

(Louisville, KY – April 28, 2012)

Footy teams from across the Midwest will meet up in Louisville this coming weekend for the annual John Harrell Memorial Cup. The Harrell Cup has been played for numerous years and it is the second oldest annual footy tournament in the United States. This year business is really picking up as the tournament expands to include six teams across two pools with the two pool winners meeting in the final. Teams from Chicago, Nashville, St. Louis, Louisville, Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland and Milwaukee will all be involved in the event.

In pool A are the Nashville Kangaroos, current holders of the Harrell Cup. The side has undergone considerable transformation in the past two years and experienced a considerable fall from grace last season. After presenting a strong Division One side at the 2010 Nationals, Nashville languished towards the bottom of Division Three in 2011. Nonetheless, the side still boasts some of the highest quality players in the USAFL including Luke Nemeth, Dave Walker and Ross Fleming. While the core of the Roos is aging, younger players Cliff Cosnahan and Tim Klemen really stepped up last season. Nashville will be looking to bounce back in 2012 and retain their hold on the cup.

The host squad, Ohio Valley River Rats, will look to wrest the cup from Nashville. The combination of St. Louis, Louisville and Cincinnati has become familiar with division four at Nationals, winning three of the last four premierships at that level. Outstanding young players Chip Price and Eric Floyd represented the River Rats proudly with the US Revolution last season and the side is busting with experience. Dan Sergot is a formidable challenge in the Ruck and Matt Seuling generally presents headaches down forward.

The third side in pool A will be a combined squad of extra players from all teams and a few players from the Milwaukee Bombers. The side will have an hour to become familiar with one another before feeling the bite of the Nashville Kangaroos.

In pool B, the Chicago Swans, a perennial regional powerhouse, would have to start favorites. Led by coach Anthony Hendrie, the Swans are a consistent, experienced side who'll bring a strong team down I-75 to Louisville. Backline veterans Frank Bradley and BJ Gambaro set up the play for a star studded midfield boasting Revolution captain Dan Sarbacker among others. Down forward, the Swans are not hurting for options as Paul Meyer, Brian Hoyt and Rohan Ward all present well. The Swans will be tough to beat.

The Columbus Jackaroos will reckon themselves up to the task though after a handy first up win over the Cleveland Cannons. Spearhead Rob Ward was on song for the Jacks' and the midfield looked good under the tutelage of coach John Fisher. The side's strength has always been the backline featuring Chet Ridenour, Evan Gardiner and others. The challenge for Columbus has always been working the ball past half-forward and it will be interesting to see if they can remedy this in 2012.

The newest side in the USAFL, the Cleveland Cannons, will round out pool B. The Cannons will be looking for a little more game time after their first match against Columbus earlier this month. Troy Mounts and Ross Vellacott featured in a very young but athletic side that lost heavily to the Jackaroos, but should be proud of their efforts. The motto for the Cannons should be "baby steps" as it often takes sides several years to get established in the USAFL and this tournament will be good experience for them.

For a selection, I'll pick Ohio Valley to make it out of pool A thanks to a favorable schedule. Meanwhile, Chicago should be too strong for the Ohio sides in pool B, setting up an excellent final between two very deep squads. The schedule has Chicago finishing with back-to-back games and reaching the final would give the Swans three games in three hours, an arduous task after a five hour drive down from the Windy City. Their depth will really be tested. Meanwhile, the River Rats will boast a large pool of players drawn across three cities with talent at most positions. They should have greater depth, and coupled with their experience, should run out winners by about two goals in the final.

The Sacramento Australian Football Club is fast becoming another success story of the USAFL. With exponential growth the club is taking the next big leap in 2012 by commencing a league that allows tackling and full contact to go with their already blossoming co-ed non contact Aussie Rules Football league.

It is quite interesting to note the difference in this clubs development life cycle as opposed to the past traditional mens teams seen around the USA, where normally a bunch of guys get together and start a "one team in one city" full contact men's club.

The Sacramento club was started just back in 2009 by Matt and Amy Bishop who are both heavily involved in the USAFL and had originally got involved in the sport when living the Baltimore/DC area on the east coast. Matt is currently the Head coach of the USA Men's team the Revolution and Amy has a role with the USAFL as the Web media and Marketing Manager. Amy has also played for the USA women's team and was a major organizer of the USA Freedom and their tour to Australia for their first International Cup campaign in 2011. Together that have brought all their experiences to the greater Sacramento area to provide a great alternative sport that is finding a strong foothold already. The club has now has a full Executive Board of eight (None of which have the last name Bishop btw) ready to take the club to the next level.

The new league will mean new participants will not have to travel to the Bay area to play contact footy in the Golden Gate League the GGAFL and the new local league will further help the development of their own local men's travel team, the Sacramento Suns. The Suns have plans to play games against the Denver Bulldogs, Las Vegas Gamblers and the nearby Golden Gate Roos in 2012.

A Women's tackle Sacramento travel team have already preceded the men somewhat, traveling to the USAFL Nationals in 2010 and 2011 and competing last year as a stand alone team for the first time in the women's division. A nice effort considering the team was without any real contact footy base to draw on.

In a recent press release club President Saleh Tyebjee mentioned the new SAFL will initially consist of four mens teams and two women's teams playing games weekends at McKinley Park in East Sacramento. The club also has had great exposure through TV media spots and recently the club was featured on local Sacramento sports news battling with Soccer clubs for field space for training and games. See the News Video Clip here.

As with several of these inner city leagues around the USA the numbers of players playing will fluctuate, but the league will give those players already progressing through the co-ed games in Sacremento that extra level of intensity or challenge and somewhere to develop their footy further, should they desire to.

Developmental pathways are hugely important in this new sport for the USA and teams that make plans ahead of time and prepare well are clearly seen to be progressing fastest within USAFL ranks. Sacramento has shown that the direction to a full contact team can take a different route than previously thought possible. One that utilizes the building of non contact league first to gain participants that are quickly sold on the enjoyment of playing Australian Rules Football.

Take some time to read more about Sacramento Football Club on their website here.

We wonder how long will it be till these two teams become the fiercest of rivals. On Saturday one of the clubs just starting out in the world of USA footy the Tulsa Buffaloes led by former Dallas Magpie none the less Dustin Brasel, traveled down to Dallas for a little Texas early season hospitality. Here is summation of the event with the assistance of Dustin Brasel the Buffaloes go to leader.

We took just five Tulsa guys play but the Dallas Magpies were very gracious hosts. They spilt their team up for us so we could have even sides and play a competitive game for the first hit out of the year. The field was in great shape despite very high winds and a little rain and the match itself was pretty even for the first half. The "Buffaloes" were up by two goals at half led by on-baller Craig Storer and Forward Daniel Russo (Brasel himself also contributed a career single game high of 3 goals!). Defensively Brenn Miller and the one they call "Big Country" were stout in the back line. The 'Pies came roaring back and carried the pace after intermission. Jared Rexilious, Stuart Rackham and Stephen Moore all contributed to led the Pies back for a solid win. Things look really good for the Pies in 2012.

Brasel commented "The Magpies generosity of hosting the Buffaloes despite our limited numbers was huge. Being able to get inexperienced guys some game time is vital to our growth. I can't thank them enough. Class act! I will be very excited to host them and Kansas City Power on June 16th. We are expecting to have a side of 10-12 Tulsa players and the remainder of the Buffaloes will consist of 6-7 of Dallas' reserves. I am not sure how many KC will be bringing but I expect a strong showing from their club. We also discussing coming up for KC's tournament and joining forces with whomever needs/wants us."

UsfootyNews.com have followed the Bufaloes progress with interest over the last year, it looks like already its going to be a history making 2012 season for the team.

Editor: Wayne Kraska

Baton Rouge and Houston started the year off with a friendly game on April 14th. The two teams which often join forces, and will later in the month in Austin in a mini tournament enjoy their footy, as can be seen by this report courtesy of www.batonrougetigers.com

On Saturday, April 14th, the Tigers boarded the team bus, which sorely needs a nickname, and headed down I-10 to Houston for the first real hit-out of the 2012 season.

Five hours later, their senses dulled by Guisseppe Montanaro's collection of '90s rock, the nine Tigers stepped out to face a Lonestars squad brimming with numbers and confidence.

Baton Rouge picked up a few Houston players to play ten-a-side with subs and the match was underway. After winning the opening tap, the Lonestars immediately bombed the ball long to their tall timber, Kevin Vaden, who marked and goaled.

It was a pattern the rest of the match would follow.

After an opening barrage, the Tigers began to get their feet under them and started finding a bit more of the footy. But with a constantly rotating Houston midfield getting first use of the ball and kicking to the entrenched Big Kev, the going was rough.

But not all was bleak for Baton Rouge.

Once he shook off his birthday hangover, Irish James Morris proved to be a force around the ground, constantly breaking lines with his deceptive agility and sending the ball into the Tigers' forward 50.

He even had the match highlight with a brilliant run and shot on goal in the second half. It would've been better if he hadn't been attacking his own goal and recording a behind for the Lonestars, but the effort wasn't lacking.

The Tigers also blooded Kool Keith Fleniken who acquitted himself well on the field and at the pub afterwards.

Veteran Jeff "Fidel" Phillips brought his hobo beard, massive turning radius, and new-found stamina to the field. He even reluctantly had an extended run in the midfield.

Typical Tigers' forward Jeff Horn enjoyed some time in foreign place–the backline–but used his marking skills to help spur a Tigers run in the fourth quarter playing as a loose defender.

New Orleans resident Jason Wynn-Smith had the toughest assignment of the day, as he spent most of the afternoon on Big Kev but certainly spoiled a few goals for the massive forward.

Word's gotten out about Mean Joe Roy, and the ref paid him extra attention, but that didn't stop his hard-charging ways.

Despite being a combined 184 years old, Roberto Montanaro and Neil Stebbing put the "Aussie" in Baton Rouge Aussie Rules during the trip. Robbo provided a scrap in the ruck and for a few glorious minutes Stebbing turned back the clock and burned up the middle of the ground–until the ref whistled full-time.

Player/coach Tyler Smith also played hard and fast in the center all game, matching his speed and agility against the best that Lonestars could bring to bear, and providing much needed stabiliy and experience to the center lineup.

Despite being under the pump most of the match, the Tigers ended on a strong note by winning the fourth quarter. After that, it was all cold beer and beautiful women.

Houston: 21.7.137

Tigers: 6.4.40

Membership  is again open on USFootyNews.com. (Down the bottom of the page) Due to increased spammers and people up to no good we closed down automatic registration for a while. Its now open again however we will be looking at things to see how it goes. Please use the contact us form to send us an email if you have any questions.

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The win was impressive but the write up about the game even more so. Columbus Jackaroos set the standard of play and write ups about the game from game one. Welcome to US Footy News 2012.

April 7th, 2012 (Tuttle Park, Columbus, OH)

Fresh off the assembly line, the Cleveland Cannons, in their first ever footy match, trundled down I-71 to tackle the Columbus Jackaroos in the opening game of the 2012 USAFL season. The Cannons brought down a team teeming with athleticism and enthusiasm, but they were up against a tall order in the skillful Jackaroos side. Columbus was looking to make amends for a disappointing end to 2011, where the side languished at the bottom of the Division Three standings at the USAFL National Championships. A healthy crowd of about 30 people watched the Cannons win the toss and kick with a slight breeze towards the Olentangy River end. Unfortunately, it was to be a long first half for the newcomers from Cleveland...

The Jackaroos welcomed the Cannons to big time footy with ferocious tackling, hard running and outstanding communication. Midfielders David Wilson, Clyde Simpson and new ruckman Will Dudley were particularly savage in their attacks early. For the first quarter, it seemed like the game was played entirely in the Jackaroos attacking zone. High marking forward Rob Ward was on song early and Columbus opened up a sizeable lead at quarter time.

Quarter Time Score: Columbus 10.4 (64) vs Cleveland 0.0 (0)

The Cannons were beseeched to man up by coach Troy Mounts at quarter time. Early results were hopeful for the Cannons, as they managed to labor the ball forward for their first score, a behind kicked by AJ Olding. But the Jackaroos defense was stout, with champion defenders Chet Ridenour and Evan Gardiner clamping down on their opponents and rebounding the ball with ease. With Alan Gardner busy up forward and coach John Fisher and Alex Sleeper heavily involved through the wings, the scoreboard was unsympathetic to Cleveland at the half.

Half Time Score: Columbus 16.9 (105) vs Cleveland 0.1 (1)

All looked lost for the abecedarian Cannons at half time. But they came out to start the third quarter with renewed vim and a different strategy. Joe Karas tagged Columbus ball-winner David Wilson, Ross Vellacott switched back into a defensive role and AJ Olding swung forward. Young import Tyler Hughes started to get on top of Rob Ward and first gamer Mark McClure provided a nice marking option around the ground. The first of four goals for the quarter came from Andrew Jordan and the young Cannons inhaled a collective breath of fresh air. They continued to run hard and actually outscored the Jackaroos in the third quarter!

Three Quarter Time Score: Columbus 20.11 (131) vs Cleveland 4.4 (28)

Regrettably for the Cannons, their superior execution evaded them in the last quarter, as the superior fitness and experience of the Jackaroos became telling. Shawn Furlong finished off an excellent debut with a fine goal and Brandon Crowe continued to batten down the hatches in the defense. Despite the tough efforts of Cleveland defenders such as Ryan Reisiger, Columbus piled on five more goals to round out a comprehensive 132 point victory.

Final Score: Columbus 25.16 (166) vs Cleveland 5.4 (34)

Columbus coach John Fisher was very pleased with a first up win.

"I was pleased with the Jackaroos performance. In the first and second quarters, we were really talking a lot which allowed for quick, clean handballing and some open goal scoring opportunities. We were also playing well into space early in the game by making hard leads when they counted. As the game went on, the talk slowed down and guys got a little bit lazier on the leads. I think that relates to conditioning which is something that we will have to hammer in practice. Overall, I was very pleased to get a win against a Cleveland team that shows some real promise for the coming years."

"As we go forward with the Jacks' schedule, I'm expecting some real battles but a great season. We have the Harrell Cup in Louisville as our next set of games. That will give us some great tests against veteran teams. After that we have North Carolina which will give us a really good indication of where we stand compared to a very solid Div III squad. I think this year can be the best year yet for the Jacks (if the guys are willing to work)."

Goal Kickers

Columbus: Rob Ward 8, Alan Gardner 4, David Wilson 4, John Fisher 2, Scott Matheson 2, Phil Sisia 2, Clyde Simpson 1, Kevin Hoffman 1, Shawn Furlong 1.

Cleveland: Ed Nangle 2, Andrew Jordan 1, Troy Mounts 1, Chet Ridenour 1.

Best Players

Columbus: David Wilson, Clyde Simpson, Rob Ward, Shawn Furlong, John Fisher

Cleveland: Joe Karas, Tyler Hughes, Ross Vellacott, Mike Patterson, Mark McClure