THE MAGPIES GO DOWN TO
THE LIONS
Magpie Press - May 13th
2006,
The Dallas Magpies lost their second game in two weeks at
the hands of the San Diego Lions. The
game marked the return of Brandon Blankenship to the Metroplex,
as its was his first game back in Dallas since 2004 since he was traded to the Lions
for 2 first round draft picks in 2005. Blankenship was the cause of many team
problems, and was sited as a cause of many disruptions in the locker room
before a trade was made in late 2004.
Umpires Rhett Rohde and Dallas Cowboys punter Mat McBriar were umpiring their second game of the year
together and the game was played in front of a crowd of approximately 100
people in perfect weather.
The Lions started the game out strong winning the ball 90%
of the time out of center. The Lions forwards kicked exceptionally true not
missing any shots at goal in the first quarter, while Dallas made the most of
their opportunities starting some good passages of play starting at the half
back line through Seth Haesecke and Seb Aguiari, but the Dallas
forwards couldn’t turn their chances into major points. The first half of the
game saw the Lions possession play and accurate kicking forge them a 20 point lead
kicking 6.1 (37) to Dallas 2.5 (17).
The second half saw the Pies get their kicking boots
straightened out. The Lions, who were still winning the ball out of center, saw
their pushes forward repeatedly repelled by Dustin Brazel,
Justin Chance and Full Back Pat Sutton. The change in possession opened up the
midfield for the Pies and allowed running players Taylor Howard, Jess Wortman and Stephen Moore to take control of the game. First
round draft pick Daniel Russo (pick acquired from the Lions in 2005) kicked a
quick 3 goals (while being guarded by Blankenship) in 10 minutes off the
running play of the Pies midfield to put the Magpies right back in the game,
Michael Addison and Ross McLaren add 1 major each in
the quarter to bring the Magpies haul to 5 goals in the 3rd quarter. The score at the 3rd break was San
Diego 9.2 (56) to 7.5
(47).
The last quarter started with a late hit that resulted in
Magpie player Justin Chance being sent off, leaving the Magpies with 15 players
on the field. The hole in the back
pocket proved costly for the Magpies, as the Lions forwards repeatedly found
space to mark the ball in front of goals. As was the story in the entire game, the Lions
kicked straight and converted all 3 shots at goals, while the Magpies converted
1 goal and 2 points despite controlling most of the first part of the last
quarter. The final goal of the game by the Lions came with 8 minutes to go in
the last quarter undoubtedly sealed the game, and the clock ran out as the
Lions repeatedly pushed the ball out of bounds making sure the clock would run
out.
The final score was:
San Diego 12.2 (74) def
Best on Ground (
Goals (
Individual Player
Statistics:
|
Number |
Name |
Kicks |
Handballs |
Marks |
Goals |
Behinds |
|
1 |
Taylor
Howard |
10 |
4 |
3 |
|
|
|
2 |
Jay Upston |
2 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
|
4 |
Chris Cordry |
4 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
5 |
Sebastian
Aguiari |
5 |
3 |
1 |
|
|
|
6 |
Seth Haesecke |
13 |
2 |
4 |
|
|
|
7 |
Stuart Rackham |
12 |
10 |
4 |
|
2 |
|
8 |
Daniel
Russo |
18 |
4 |
11 |
5 |
2 |
|
10 |
Jason
Ellis |
10 |
4 |
3 |
|
|
|
12 |
Justin
Chance |
8 |
2 |
2 |
|
|
|
13 |
Dustin Brazel |
11 |
3 |
6 |
|
|
|
14 |
Jess Wortman |
10 |
6 |
4 |
|
1 |
|
15 |
Pat
Sutton |
7 |
7 |
2 |
|
|
|
17 |
Brenn Miller |
4 |
4 |
2 |
|
|
|
19 |
Ross
McLaren |
9 |
1 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
|
20 |
Rob Rothlein |
2 |
4 |
1 |
|
|
|
21 |
Scott
Hunt |
9 |
6 |
4 |
|
|
|
23 |
Shane
McLean |
2 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
36 |
Stephen
Moore |
9 |
4 |
4 |
|
|
|
42 |
Scott
Cobb |
4 |
4 |
1 |
|
1 |
|
69 |
Jason
Duke |
3 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
77 |
Mike
Addison |
2 |
2 |
|
1 |
|
About
the
The Dallas Magpies are a 501(c)3
non-profit organization, dedicated to fostering national and international
amateur sports competition as well as promoting a cultural exchange between
Americans and Australians. The Magpies participate in the Mid American
Australian Football League, a division of the United States Australian Football
League, and also have a player, Brandon Blankenship, competing on the U.S.
National team internationally. The team is active in promoting the Australian
national sport and Australian culture through clinics at area schools and by
sponsoring events such as the annual Australia Day and ANZAC Day celebrations
in the Metroplex.
For more
details on organizing a school clinic, playing footy with the team or
supporting the Dallas Magpies Australian Football Club, e-mail the recruiting
department (recruiting@dallasfooty.com).