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Kangaroos Sharp in Season Home Opener Against Rival Atlanta
The Nashville flood left a patchwork of resilient grass and coarse subsoil on Elmington Park. The Atlanta Kookaburras have seen the best and the worst of this storied field, from their Grand Final weekend visit in 1999 as a neophyte club to their big win in a downpour in 2009. Despite that big 2009 win, the Kookaburras were underdogs in 2010. The Kangaroos have always been strong at home, sporting a 10-2 home record against the Kookas, and this year coach Marty Thompson also had the luxury of choice, with numerous talented recruits enlarging the squad.
Although the 2009 home team struggled with the unavailability of six key players, only one of those six returned to the Roo selection for this corresponding 2010 match. Yet, even without those five, a formidable Nashville team lined up. In particular, the recruiting of Aussies Luke "Brawny" Stockdale, "Sugar" Kane Harrison, Ben Vaastra and Anthony Verdouw along with the return of Rick "Taz" Laning provided the Roos with their most talented group of Aussie players since the glory days of 2002.
Although Stockdale won the first ruck tap, the Kookaburras won the first center clearance and soon celebrated an early lead with the first goal. The Nashville defense responded, limiting the Atlanta forwards to only an additional behind for the quarter. At the other end, an unselfish handpass from Laning to team captain "Little" Luke Nemeth led to a tying goal for Nashville. Nashville soon had the lead with a flurry of behinds and a goal by Vaastra. The first quarter ended with Nashville leading despite woeful inaccuracy, 2.5 (17) to 1.1 (7).
Atlanta's Dave Evan's scored the first goal of the second quarter, and Atlanta stayed in the game with two more majors. However, the Kangaroos extended the lead, with Val Revin soccering one through, Nemeth and full forward Damian "What's" Serong "with that?" each getting on the board, and big Stockdale grabbing the goal-kicking lead with two late goals.
The premiership quarter began with Atlanta still in the game, trailing 4.4 (28) to Nashville's 7.6 (48). A few quick goals would have made a huge difference, but the Nashville game began to flow. Stockdale added another three to his tally, while Vaastra's skillful play was rewarded with his second goal of the match. Despite this, the goal of the match came from Nick Parker, who saw an empty goal square and bombed a huge kick that bounced through. Nashville's lead looked insurmountable at 12.9 (81) to 4.7 (31), but Atlanta revved themselves up for a big last quarter.
The Kookaburras ran onto the field for an aggressive final 20 minutes and were soon rewarded when Brent Bacon, coming out of his second retirement, banged one through. For a moment, it seemed that there was still hope for a close finish. It was not to be, as Serong, emerging as an indefatigable target in front of goals, kicked three in the last quarter. A final goal by Atlanta gave them something to cheer about, but the Roos were overwhelming victors with a final scoreboard of 15.12 (102) to 6.10 (46).
This victory is the 101st overall victory (against 65 losses) for the Nashville Kangaroos, now in their 14th season. The Roos are now 3-2 on the 2010 season and and are 16-5 all time against Atlanta (11-2 at home). The Roos look to begin their quest for the MAAFL Championship in two weeks when the Columbus Jackaroos make their inaugural visit to Nashville. Game time is 2 pm in Elmington Park, so be sure to put June 19th on your calendar now and then come watch the Roos take revenge for last year's defeat in Columbus. This year's team looks to be special.
Scores By Quarter
1st- Nashville 2.5(17) Atlanta 1.1(7)
2nd- Nashville 7.6(48) Atlanta 4.4(28)
3rd- Nashville 12.9(81) Atlanta 4.7(31)
4th- Nashville 15.12(102) Atlanta 6.10(46)
Goal kickers:
Nashville: Luke Stockdale 5, Damian Serong 4, Luke Nemeth 2, Ben Vaastra
2, Nick Parker, Val Revin
Atlanta: Wayne Kraska 3, Dave Evans 2, Mick Frost
Best on Ground:
Umpires: Luke Stockdale (NAS), Simon Davis (ATL), Luke Nemeth (NAS)
Nashville: Luke Stockdale, Ben Vaastra, Luke Nemeth, Kane Harrison, Damian Serong, Rick Laning/Nick Parker; Encouragement Award: Dave Ackley
Atlanta: Simon Davis, Curtis Jones, Rob Shierholz, Brent Bacon, Evan Hofer
Umpires:
Field: Jeff Persson, Grant White
Goal: Evan Ling, Aaron Rummage
Attendance: 100
Injuries: None
