GGAFL Round 1 Results
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After a long and brutal San Francisco winter of spells in the highs 70′s, the GGAFL was ready to get underway with its much anticipated 2014 Metro League season. The San Francisco Knights were coming off an impressive campaign in 2013 and snatched their second premiership in a row under recently appointed Roos coach Chyna. In a recent interview, Knights/Roos coach Chyna stated, “it’ll be a good hit out this year. Heaps of talent and plenty of beers. Should be a cracker I recon.” Coach Chyna then rode off into the sunset, cigarette in mouth and ice cold Prohibiton Ale in hand.
The ferocious start of the 2014 campaign saw the reigning premiers take on the GGAFL’s two time reigning runners up, the Mavs. A sprightly Bobby Lancaster shared some of his thoughts after a long night at the Mavs Club House, Silverclouds Karaoke: “mate, I’m pretty sure footy starts tomorrow and it’s gonna be the year of the Mavs! Don’t quote me on it though.”
The fast and furious match saw each team kick two goals each within the first two minutes of the contest. The game would be a highly contested bout until the final siren. A hard hit out from the get go saw Knights captain Uppers be sent off for the blood rule and return bandaged and inspired. Both teams had much of the footy and a very skilled midfield of the Knights, led by new gun David Leung, maintained the possession for the Knights. Chris Shallue provided a big target in the forward line and was able to slot several goals for the Knights.
At no point in the game was the margin larger than two goals for each side. With just over 3 minutes remaining, Leung took a solid mark on a 45 degree angle and slotted the goal putting them up by 2 points. Every possession down the stretch was crucial. The ball was pinged up and down the boundary line and often kept out of the middle of the grounds. With a big center bounce coming at the foot of the Knights goal line, the ball squirted out the the Mavs forward 50, scooped up by Tim (last name), snapped a shot on the right boot, and slotted the game winner.
As the horn sounded, a worn out, fatigued, and battered group of players shook hands as promises flew around the Concord Cricket Ground, that this fantastic rivalry was only getting underway for the 2014 season. It was a thrilling start to the season and the rest shall not disappoint-at least not as much as the empty Mav-run tuck shop.
After the curtain raiser match of Knights vs Mavs ended, the real men took the field Saturday for the 2014 edition of the Bay Bridge Derby: San Francisco Seals vs Oakland Pirates. Some might ask why the expansion Seals are a part of the Bay Bridge Derby, rather than the SF Knights, and the answer is that everyone just likes the Seals more. Like, way more. But I digress…onto the match.
The Seals turned up with an army of bodies, while the Pirates only had 11, so a match of 14s was determined after each team drafted a handful of players. The first quarter saw the Pirates take advantage of the scoring end of the ground, kicking 4.2 to the Seals 1.4, ending with a 16 point lead at the siren. Leading the way for the Pirates was young Daniel Dahlquist, who took over for Chris “Buckets” Johnson in the forward line and kicked three of his six goals on the day during the first quarter.
San Francisco’s favorite Seals looked fresh and ready to go for the second quarter, but the scoring end was not enough for them to get back into the match. USA Revolution ruckman Kevin Waden dominated in the circle and helped the Pirates keep control of the footy, plus Dahlquist added another two goals, so Oakland was able to build their lead to a solid 25 points at half.
As the third quarter began, the Pirates looked to really take advantage of their final shot with the attacking wind and downfield direction, however it was the D that really stepped it up. The Pirates defense, led by Mark “IronYogi” Beare, Chad “The new guy” Miller and Justin “JT” Mann, shut out the Seals for the quarter, and allowed the offense to kick two goals to pad the lead. After three in Concord, it was Pirates 61 Seals 24.
The fourth quarter began with Dahlquist kicking his sixth goal for the day, giving the Pirates a 43 point lead. But the rest of the frame was all Seals. Powered by captain Justin Yee, team rep Jack Tse and John “Carps” Carpenter, the Seals began their attempt at a massive comeback. Goal after goal, the Seals crept closer, but just could not get the last few kicks they needed. The final horn sounded with Oakland still in front, still holding the Bay Bridge Derby Champs Rainbow Belt of Champions.
Game 2
The Seals had been busy recruiting during the off-season and brought a full squad of 18 to round 1 of the GGAFL, including 4 new Seal Pups. With an active player list of 21 members, The Seals are building to be a solid presence in the GGAFL in only their second year. Round 1 saw The Seals line up against The Pirates. Could the young Seals match the tall timber of The Pirates?
The opening minutes saw a strong mark from Seals veteran Kezza, following by a lightning fast handball out to young pup Binga. Binga slotted the goal on the run and the crowd roared in appreciation of the quality passage of play. Soon after, another strong overhead mark from Kezza led to another Seals goal and the Pirates realized they had a game on their hands.
Tall timber in the shape of Yogi was sent to play free in the backline and The Pirates were able to steady their ship. The Seals seemed to lose their bark for the next two quarters and went into the fourth trailing by over 30 points.
The Seals have never played well in the fourth quarter, but with the wind in their backs the Seals were able to gain momentum and slotted goal after goal in quick succession, with Rossi, Jack, Linke and Carps all kicking accurately. With The Pirates barely able to contain the rampaging Seals, now it was a battle against the clock. The Seals managed to peg back most of the deficit, but were just short of the target when the final whistle blew. The battle was over. The Pirates were victorious by a lot of points.
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