Squids Devour Tigers, Magpies to Win Eastern 18s

Lauderhill, FL -- If any team was going to make the first big splash of the USAFL season, it may as well have been the one named after water-dwelling cephalopods.

Indeed, it was the Ft. Lauderdale Fighting Squids who made best use of their home field advantage to take home the 2015 Eastern Regional 18s tournament at beautiful Central Broward County Park.

But it wasn’t just that the Squids did it, it was how they did it.  In winning the tournament, they turned aside two reigning National Champions: Divvy 4’s North Carolina Tigers and Division 1’s New York Magpies.  The ‘Pies would finish at 1-1 on the day, while the Tigs’ played two strong matches despite dropping both.

Originally, this was to be a four-team tournament with each team playing three 2x20 matches.  Early in the day on Saturday, however, Tampa Bay disappointingly pulled out, leaving three clubs to go at it.  It was decided that, due to the heat, that games would now be 4x12 minute quarters.

South Florida’s famous humidity have dampened the players a little quicker, but it didn’t affect the skills on the day, as all three games featured some great marks, slick goalkicking, and some passages of play that would make some AFL pundits take notice.

Game 1: New York/Philadelphia 10.8.68 def North Carolina 4.1.25

Though the Magpies had a number of better players stay home in New York, the team they brought down to Ft. Lauderdale was still pretty impressive; captain Mike Murphy, veterans Andy Brennan and “Juice” Desai, as well as Grand Final hero Marcus Jankie all dressed for the black-and-white.  This roster was augmented by five members of the Philadelphia Hawks, including Revo Ryan McGettigan, speedy winger Dan Greenberg, and defensive powerhouse Nick Wolk.

North Carolina, meanwhile, had a mix of veteran players and newcomers, led by captain Nick Camilleri, forward Paul Duncan, and tall man Scott Bradley.  The size and height advantage would go to the Yellow and Black, and the Tigers were looking to make a good first impression to start the year, and had to get past a tough foe to do so.

But from the start, it was clear that this was going to be the Magpies’ game, and Brennan would have would could easily be considered “a day out” in the opener.  He kicked two goals in the opening term, then would add five more over the remaining three quarters as Jankie, McGettigan, Alex Kwiatkowski and the rest of the midfield kept getting the ball through the Carolina defense and help set up scoring shots.

The Tigers put up a pretty good fight, however, with Camilleri propelling the ball from the back and working it through into the talls up front.  Duncan, Bradley, and Justin Plumley put pressure on the New York defense, and though they wouldn’t get very many scoring shots, Carolina made them count when they did.

Up big, the Magpies pulled Brennan back into the defensive position and the Tigers started to get some momentum.  But in the fourth quarter the tall redhead was back up front to finish his big game, and the Magpies stomped home by 43 points.

Game 2: Fort Lauderdale 6.7.43 def New York/Philadelphia 2.6.18

After playing just short of an hour of footy, the Magpies had to come back and take on a Squids team that was fresh, and which had the benefit of a larger bench.  Dave Regan, who debuted last season for Ft. Lauderdale, would lead his team out with fellow Aussies Troy Taseff, Morgan Carter, Jack Cuzner, and a collection of athletic Americans.

Despite all this, New York was still considered the favorite.  But after one quarter, Regan’s back line play and the mobility of the Squids’ forwards seem to stifle the champions as much as the heat did.  The magic that was there in game one was slow to start in the second match, and the Squids took a nine point lead into quarter time.

With the newcomer Cuzner, Cameron Pinnock, and Matt Davey playing well, Ft. Lauderdale would continue their lead into the second quarter, when Jankie and the ‘Pies finally woke up.  They would amass six scoring shots in the term, digging their way back to tie the match, but only see one find the big sticks.

As their foes tired, the Squids’ fresh legs surged ahead, and at times they moved the ball around like their opponents had been known to do so many times over the years.  One goal midway through the second quarter saw four pin-point passes from end to end, as Squids’ players got free of their defenders time and time again, leading to a Cuzner goal at the end of it. 

Down 21-11 at half time, New York wasn’t in trouble yet, but an upset was brewing.  The foot was on the gas pedal, and the Pies’ were clearly out of it despite gamely hold on.

In the fourth, Regan, who had been playing fullback, crept forward, and threw daggers into the hearts of the defending premiers, kicking a goal towards the end of the game to ice it.  Ft. Lauderdale had won by 25 points, and say what you will about the New York roster and the heat and everything else, nothing could take away from the win for the Fighting Squids.

Game 3: Fort Lauderdale 7.5.47 def North Carolina 3.7.25

After feasting on a tired Magpies side, the Squids now tangled with a rested Tigers side with a win giving them the trophy.  Both the Tigers and Magpies still had a chance to snatch the title away from Ft. Lauderdale on percentage had Carolina won, but unless the Tigers blew out the Squids, it would be New York who would stand to benefit from that result.

Perhaps it was the fact that the Squids were used to playing in the heavy air of April moreso than New York, but the earlier action didn’t seem to hinder them as much.  Still, despite playing on their heels for most of the first twelve minutes, it was the Tigers that lead 7-2 at the short break.

In the second quarter, however, Carolina would doom themselves with lax defending and undisciplined mistakes, and Ft. Lauderdale would gleefully cash in.  After a Cuzner goal gave them the lead, the Tigers were guilty of a square violation on the ensuing ball up.  The Squids would pick their way down the oval and score again.  This would happen yet again after that goal, and the same result occurred.  When the dust had settled, the Squids had kicked away to a 24 point halftime lead, with all of those points being unanswered.

But the Sashes were not done by a longshot, and with Bradley, Matt Sherman, and the forward line inspired, the Tigers would come roaring their way back, kicking two goals of their own while allowing just seven points in return.  At three-quarter time, there was still a glimmer of hope for a comeback.

As the sun set on Central Broward Stadium, and the tournament, however it became apparent that 8 quarters of footy, albeit short quarters, had taken their toll.  The play was spirited but ragged, and the Squids, thanks to Regan, Tom Hecker, rookie Marcelo Ferriera and the rest, would see out the win.

Game Notes

Best on Ground, Club: Jack Cuzner (FTL), Marcus Jankie (NY), Scott Bradley (NC)
Best and Fairest, Tournament: Dave Regan, Ft. Lauderdale

So where does this leave everyone?

Well, the Magpies will have been disappointed to lose, even with the hot conditions and having not brought their full squad.  Still, their opening match win over North Carolina was as emphatic as they come, even if they had outclassed the Tigers.  The loss to Fort Lauderdale shouldn’t hinder their #1 rank for the next poll, but you know it will be in the back of the mind of the panelists for the rest of the season.

North Carolina, despite dropping both games, played strong as they always do and should be proud of what they have accomplished to open the season.  Their effort against New York should be something to use as a positive as the campaign goes on, and their size will make them a formidable foe.

As for the Squids, well, they hadn’t won a game in over a year, and this was a stylish way to break that duck.  They have built in leader in Regan, and if the team can play up to their potential around him, then this team will be extra tough come Nationals time.  Say what you want about New York’s roster situation on Saturday, a win over the National Champions is an upset and a large one, and Ft. Lauderdale’s #20 ranking in the preseason poll is guaranteed to go up.

The Squids weren’t the only winner, however.  Central Broward Regional Park Stadium once again was an impeccable host for footy, and there was a great amount of praise from players and spectators alike for the quality and ambiance of being able to play the game in its natural environment. 

Thanks to the Squids and president Tom Hecker for putting on a fantastic tournament.  Also thanks to the Central Broward Regional Park and Stadium for hosting the weekend, as well as umpire Millsy and his crew.