DALLAS DEFEATS BATON ROUGE

Dallas, TX – April 5th 2008 - The Dallas Magpies kicked off their 10th season in the US with a convincing win against neighbor rival Baton Rouge, 19.16 (135) to 2.5 (17). 

It was a perfect day for football in Dallas as both teams fielded solid line ups.  The Magpies were looking to retain their unbeaten record against the Tigers but following some pre-season recruiting the Cajun's looked young, fast and fit.

Strength in the middle proved key for the home side and rookie big man Rob Kleifgen worked the ball down to the on-ballers during the first quarter to drive the ball down to the forward line.  Playing in his first major game for the Dallas team was Shane Jobe.  The youngster showed determination and the ball getting skills of a veteran as he continuously pushed the ball forward.  Throughout the day the Pies on-ballers provided fresh legs in the middle of the ground and delivered the ball precisely to a two-prong forward line.  Steve Cassidy marked the ball on several occasions, kicking 2 goals and he was well supported by Scott Cobb who finished with 4 goals.  Some inaccurate kicking from the Dallas team did leave an opening for the Tigers however and heading into the first break there was only a few goals in it.

The pressure continued in the second quarter and both teams fought hard for the ball.  Captain and full back Pat Sutton led his defensive players Justin Chance, Robbie Rothlein, Brenn Miller and Lorcan Drew.  Returning from injury and playing off the back flank Jared Rey for the Pies was elusive as usual and provided good support in transitioning the ball to mid field.  It was a commanding performance by the backline who managed to keep the visitors scoreless until just before half time.

During half time Dallas coach, Stuart Rackham, praised the team for leading by 10 goals but the play had not been consistent throughout the quarters.  The challenge was thrown out to be first to the ball, in front and utilize the running game.  It showed after the big break and the Pies turned on the switch and played a fine quarter of football with some brilliant team passages of play to further their lead.  Not to be out down the Tigers came out growling after the half break and proceeded to work the ball forward for their first goal.  The third quarter was very equal and possibly the scoreboard didn't reflect the play on the ground.  Both teams fought hard for the ball and worked it around the ground, capitalizing on possession footy.

The last quarter saw the Pies change up some positions and try a few new tactics and it paid off with another 5 goals coming from the forward line.  Benije Bliss, Jess Wortman and Justin Sullivan contributed to the offensive play and were handed the ball from tireless on-ballers Grant Campbell, Duncan Relf, Steve Moore and Taylor Howard.  When the final siren sounded it was a victorious Dallas Magpies who managed to notch up their first big win of the season by 118 points.

Dallas now turns to the Orange County Bombers and will be looking to revenge defeat after an away trip to California last year.  This time it will be on Magpies home turf and the team is working on strategy to overwhelm the visiting side on Saturday April 26th.

Goal Kickers: Cobb 4, Cassity, Rackham, Campbell, Moore, Wortman 2, Sullivan, Relf, Azizi, Bliss, Bass 1.
Best : Rob Kleifgen, Grant Campbell, Jared Rey, Shane Jobe, Scott Cobb, Steve Bass

No.

Player

Kicks

Handballs

TOTAL

Marks

Goals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

Taylor Howard

6

2

8

2

0

2

Justin Sullivan

6

0

6

0

1

3

Shane Jobe

2

2

4

0

0

4

Lorcan Drew

5

0

5

2

0

5

Steve Cassity

6

2

8

4

2

6

Grant Campbell

15

6

21

4

2

7

Stuart Rackham

10

4

14

1

2

8

Pat Sutton

5

1

6

1

0

9

Drew Schneck

2

2

4

1

0

10

Alex Azizi

5

1

6

0

1

11

Duncan Relf

14

1

15

5

1

12

Justin Chance

4

1

5

1

0

13

Dustin Brazil

5

2

7

3

0

14

Benjie Bliss

10

2

12

3

1

16

Jess Wortman

11

3

14

6

2

17

Robbie Rothlien

4

2

6

0

0

18

Brenn Miller

7

3

10

1

0

20

Brian Bell

2

5

7

0

0

22

Rob Kleifgen

10

5

15

4

0

25

Kyle Horgan

9

2

11

1

0

36

Steve Moore

10

5

15

2

2

42

Scott Cobb

7

1

8

0

4

16

Chris Olley

7

7

14

1

0

11

Jared Ray

14

6

20

3

0

23

William Pritchard

2

3

5

0

0

 24

Steve Bass

8

1

9

3

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Totals

186

69

255

48

19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possessions per goal

13.42105