2009 - Round 4

Round 4 Match Report

Chandler, Arizona – Today’s match was set to be an epic encounter with the top two teams in the AZAFL meeting on the ground for the second time this season. The undefeated Devils came in as 2 goal favorites with the Kingsnakes trying to get some revenge for their first found loss. The Kingsnake roster had as many holes as block of swiss cheese with star player Kieran Fitzpatrick unable to make the game along with Jack Watty who was rumored to be missing due to the fact that his ball and chain Janelle wouldn’t let him play with the boys. Also missing were AJ Koernig, Rob Gellison, and JD Sovereign who is believed to be out the entire season with a back injury. Team captain Chad "Tank" Martin was going to have to do a lot of positive talking to keep his boys in the game.

The first quarter had the Devils dominate the field maintaining nearly 75% of the possession taking a 17-9 lead. Daniel Rogan and Ronan Barrutt both scored a goal but it was poor kicking (5 behinds) that prevents a blowout early in the game. Jon "Sweets" Martinez scored the only goal for the Kingsnakes. On a side note the editors would like to apologize to Sweets for not mentioning in an earlier report that he is actually one of only 2 players left from the second AZAL season 7 years ago. Maybe if he spent less time defending criminals and more time at practice he wouldn’t be forgotten (Touph you may want to get his card).

The crowd was expecting a one-sided 2nd quarter and they began drinking lots of beer to numb them for the event but David came out this time and fought the mighty Goliath. Led by star import Jason Wood who was making his one and only guest appearance in the AZAFL the Kingsnakes began to rally. Wood was working as hard as a one-armed bricklayer and got one goal in the quarter. Club President and all around average bloke Laki Kondylas scored a goal as Did Callum "baby faced assassin" Ford. For the Devils, Dennis Kelly notched a goal and again poor kicking lead to another 5 behinds to have the Devils give up the lead and enter the half-time break down 28-33.

Tank Martin continued to rally his troops at half-time and first year players Chris "Pun" Gamach and Sean Carney heeded his words and had their best games of the season. The third quarter was the best of the day for the Kingsnakes and they picked up 5 goals behind stellar play of Matt Sovereign who has arguably been one of the most consistent players in the league this season. Callum scored his second goal (had more touches in the game than he did on Spring Break) as did Sweets Martinez. Wood scored 2 more and fill-in player Wyatt Glaze kicked one of his shin to give the Kingsnakes a 66-36 lead. For the Devils it was a somber affair. Feeling shell shocked only Jared "not so sneaky this week" Jones kicked a goal. The only consistency on the field for the Devils was Tim "Spewey" Montagna who kept alive his streak by throwing up on the field both in the first quarter and twice in the third. This did not seem to affect him too much and he still managed to dance around the field like a ballerina getting numerous disposals.

In the 4th there was a slim chance the Devils could stage a comeback. It would be hard as they were missing two of their younger and fitter players, Joe Sauer and Lucas "Pineapple Express" Hanover. They did make it interesting by scoring the first 2 goals of the match behind Jones for his second and Spewey with his first. Team Captain Brad Palumbo lead by example and played as hard as a calculus question on a math exam and he was supported well by Alec West and Mark "Spidey" Stoeker. Big Mike Speilman was quiet on the day and while he athleticism stood out he was unable to get on the scoreboard (scored 5 against the Kingsnakes in Round 1). Simon Daniels recovered well after using his face to block a kick earlier in the game. After going to the sideline until the blood stopped flowing he gallantly came back out to try to help his team but to no avail. Eric "Moose" Nichols was an angry man on the field and his tough play helped keep the game from becoming a bigger blowout. The Kingsnakes only scored one goal in the 4th with Callum getting his third but that was all the needed to hang onto the win. Martin played strong in all 4 quarters and the highlight of the match was him throwing Spewey Montagna like a rag doll in a tackle in the 4th. John "Nitro" Scott was strong as well and overall it was a great team effort for the Kingsnakes in winning the game 10-12-72 to 6-16-52.

It will be an interesting game when these teams meet next. If all players show up on both sides it will be an epic battle. Best on ground for the Kingsnakes were Ford, Martin, Sovereign and Wood. For the Devils it was Nichols, Rogan, Palumbo and Montagna.

Game Notes: Jeff "Fingers" Purcell made a guest appearance in the game. Purcell is one of the original players for the Phoenix Scorpions/Arizona Hawks from 10 years ago. Purcell now resides in Seattle. The AZAFL would also like to give a big hello to Jack’s Dad (Hello Mr. Watty) who we hear is an avid reader of the match reports back in Australia. We wish Jack would show up more so you could read about him! Just wanted to let you know that he is doing well over here in the U.S. He is skipping a lot of classes, drinks most nights, is not eating his vegetables doesn’t wash behind his ears and would like you to send him over $500 ASAP. Janelle is also excited to meet you and the family when they come home.

Final Score - Kingsnakes 10.12 (72) d. Devils 6.16 (52)

Goals - Kingsnakes: C. Ford (3), J. Wood (3), J. Martinez (2), W. Glaze, L. Kondylas

Goals - Devils: J. Jones (2), R. Barrutt, D. Kelly, T. Montagna, D. Rogan

Best - Kingsnakes: Martin, Ford, Sovereign, Wood Devils: Nichols, Montagna, Palumbo, Rogan

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