AZAFL's First Game of the Season

The first official footy match of 2007 played in the US is in the books which also happened to be the first match of the newly overhauled AZAFL was played on February 3 between the Devils and Dingos. Aside from the obvious stellar level of officiating enjoyed by players and spectators alike, a rather decent footy match broke out between these two teams.

Under beautiful skies and on a typical Arizona straw-like grass field, the new and improved AZAFL began the sixth Metro Footy season. And get this, the match actually started on time. That feat may actually be a league first. As part of the new look AZAFL, three teams are filled and one match per weekend is staged. The team on it’s off week is responsible for field duties. Many thanks to the Marshalls for setting the standard for covering all their responsibilities. A dozen Marshalls showed up early as did the competing teams and took care of the field set-up and match officiating. What wasn’t yet conveyed to the clubs is that if your club consistently fulfills off-week responsibilities, a $100 credit will be available for your team at the end of season function.

Now, on to the match report.

The Devils went on the offensive right away, pushing the ball into their forward zone with scrappy on-ball play by Ryan Luto and Troy Anderson. The Dingos managed to turn away the Devils initial attempts with some excellent back line defense from J.D. Sovereign and on-ball play by Chad Martin. The Dingos got the ball into the hands of Johnny Reynoso who snapped off two majors in the first period. Captain Gabe Miritello and Jason Todd added two more goals for the Devils. The Devils answered with three 6-pointers of their own to pull within five points at the end of the first period of play. Towards the end of the period the Dingos were forced to play a man down to an unfortunate injury to Mid-Fielder Brandon Gumbert. Without any exchange players on the bench, the Dingos would have to hustle all day to keep up with the Devils.

 The second period of play was much like the first with spirited mid-field play from both sides and strong defensive play on both ends. The larger field and 12 per side format really allowed both teams to run into open space and stay a kick away from the ball making for better flow of the game. Of course, when the ball was on the ground, pure AZAFL Metro Footy took over. No one is harder at the ball than our own AZAFL footballers. The Devils managed to pull ahead at the half-time horn with a 2 point lead.

The two teams kept up the level of intensity in the third period with a fair amount of on and off the ball. Neither team was giving up any ground, nor gaining much during this period. Reynoso tallied his fourth and fifth major on the day and the Devils spread their scoring out amongst three other players to push their lead to six points at the final break.

The final period started where the third ended with the Devils pushing the pill into their forward zone early and often. The Dingos fought back valiantly but were slowly running out of gas without and fresh legs. Rob Luto added his fourth goal of the day along with AZAFL newcomer Daniel Rogan kicking his first major of what we hope will be a good many goals by this young man.

In the end, the Devils ran out winners in an excellent and hard fought match by both teams.

 Final Score – Devils 11.9 (75) d. Dingos 9.8 (62)
Goals – Devils: Rogan, Denis Kelly, Jellison, Anderson, Rob Luto (4), Ryan Luto (3)
Goals – Dingos: Gumbert, Todd, Miritello (2), Reynoso (5)
Best – Devils: Anderson, Luto², Koernig, Jellison. Dingos: Reynoso, Miritello, Gumbert, Martin, Hanover.

A few quick announcements: 

First, the next match is next Saturday, February 10th at the same location, McQueen Park at 2 PM. The Devils are back in action against the Marshalls. The Dingos have field duty. Get there early.

Next, our first fundraiser of the year is a raffle. AZAFL players will be selling raffle tickets numbered from 0001 to 1000. The number of the ticket is the price of the ticket. For example, ticket number 0102 would cost the purchaser $1.02. The least a ticket can cost is one cent and the most is ten dollars. There will be 4 cash prizes with the Grand Prize worth $750.00! The winning tickets will be drawn during what is, as far as we know, the first “Legends” Footy match played in the US.

That’s right, all those intrepid players that started this whole mess are invited back to participate in an Epic Legends Footy match against the formidable Lady Hawks on March 3rd. Be sure to mark that on your calendar as it is sure to be a terrific event.

Cheers,
John Meier
President
Phoenix Australian Football Club

- John "Pops" Meier
(834)