Police intervene in clash of Kangaroos and Kookaburras

In an unprecedented event in Australian football worldwide, the Nashville Kangaroos game against the Atlanta Kookaburras was ended by Metropolitan Nashville Park Police, who expressed concern for potential damage to the field.

 

Rain fell in the first quarter. The Kookaburras struggled in the wind and rain, barely taking the ball beyond the center. At the other end, the Nashville Kangaroos faced both determined Atlanta defense and the challenge of handling the wet ball. Kane “Sugar” Harrison at last found Damian “Damo” Serong with a relatively long kick, repelling a clearance by the Atlanta defense. With Serong’s straight kick, the first goal was on the board. Tim Creed was outstanding at half forward, both Ross “Rosco” Flemming and Rob Drysdale benefiting with goals. When the bell rang for the end of the first quarter, Nashville was 3.4 (22) to the scoreless Atlanta.

 

The rain had cleared, allowing a more productive quarter for both teams. The ball was still slippery, making ground play more valuable than marking, but visibility improved and kicks traveled further. Ben Vaatstra goaled prior to a flurry of activity in the Atlanta forward line. Kookaburra full forward Chris “Bagman” Moerman‘s kick sailed right in his first opportunity, but he made no mistake with his second effort. A third Atlanta scoring possibility disintegrated when Nashville defenders Mischa Nemeth and David “Frosty” Harris dispossessed Moerman, and the Kangaroos swiftly moved the ball in a flawless passage of play to provide a well-deserved goal for Tim Creed.

 

Serong continued to spearhead the Kangaroo attack, kicking two more goals to total three for the half. Cliff “Nugget” Cosnahan earned plenty of possessions and kicked the final goal of the quarter. The bell rang again, and the Nashville Kangaroos were leading 8.5 (53) to 1.1 (7).

 

Although Nashville was playing a superior game, the coaching team saw a number of important corrections to implement for the third quarter. The Atlanta Kookaburras made some key changes during half time, planning to steadily reduce the Kangaroos’ seven goal lead. However, the third quarter had just began in pleasant conditions when Metro Parks Police arrived to order the teams to leave Elmington Park, stating concern for potential damage to the field by playing in wet conditions.

 

The Nashville Kangaroos can move on to Chicago satisfied that they showed enough in the two quarters. The Kangaroos now have a 10-1 record and a six game win streak. They travel to Chicago next Saturday, hoping to add both the Wayne Schwass Cup and their fourth MAAFL premiership to this successful 2012 season.

 

The MAAFL is the oldest and best supported league in the country, and currently holds the record for attendance. Chicago Swans have the most MAAFL championships of any team: 2001, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011. The Kangaroos three were 2000, 2002 and 2010.

 

1st - Nashville 3.4 (22), Atlanta 0.0 (0)

2nd - Nashville 8.5 (53), Atlanta 1.1 (7)

 

Nashville: Damian Serong 3, Ross Flemming, Rob Drysdale, Ben Vaatstra, Tim Creed, Cliff Cosnahan.

Altanta: Chris Moerman.