On Saturday August 8, the Dallas Magpies begun the quest for a National championship, beating home team Atlanta Kookaburras by 79 points. In temperatures above 100F the visiting side was never in doubt kicking 14.12 (96) to 2.5 (17).
Starting in the middle, the Pies drove the ball forward with Duncan Relf, Charlie Richardson and Craig Storer proving to be too fast, fit and just too good. Big men Rob Kleifgen and Tim Zorka were strong in the middle winning many ruck duals. Jimmy Glenn gave away 6 inches but a did a great job as a stand in ruckman for the Kookas. The solid defensive line up lead by Chris Olles rebounded several advances from the Kookaburras. Olles was well supported by David Wilson and Jess Wortman. With a fast and efficient running game the Pies were able to transfer the ball to forward Stuart Rackham who converted 5 majors, while elusive and persistent Richardson captured 3 for himself. Despite the big score kicked against him, Eric Baker did very well on Rackman.
Kookas Head Coach Jim Batten was very disappointed. "It's a sad state of affairs when the traveling team has more players than the home team. On a hot day you need subs. They had them, we didn't. Dallas are a fit side and run very well off the ball. We were always playing catch up. Eric Baker played very well at Full Back. He had to, because the ball was down his end of the ground most of the day. The score would have been a lot worse if not for him."
Dallas Magpies Head Coach Stuart Rackman was understandably more upbeat. "Yeah pretty pleased given a travel game and we had committed as a team to a strong preparation leading up to Nationals and this was the first step towards that. The conditions were really harsh with super high temps and it showed the fitness work we have been doing was paying off. We were a fast, fit and running team all day. Not at any time did the boys take the foot off the pedal. On ballers Charlie Richardson, Duncan Relf and Craig Storer were just too good and controlled the middle all day. Many of the Ruck duals were pretty even but as soon as the ball hit the ground these guys were on it. They all brought the ball into the forward line and when they weren't getting it on to me at full forward, they were kicking goals themselves. They totalled 7 between them. Very good win and the side really started to gel and operate like a strong unit."
Atlanta 1.1 1.3 2.3 2.5 (17)
Dallas 4.1 6.5 10.8 14.12 (96)
GOALKICKERS
Atlanta: Warren Ballagh 1.2, James Batten 1.0, Simon Davis 0.2, James Glenn 0.1.
Dallas: Stuart Rackham 5, Charlie Richardson 3, Duncan Relf 2, Craig Storer 2, Unknown 2.
BEST PLAYERS
Atlanta: Eric Baker, Adam Grist, James Glenn, Warren Ballagh, James Batten.
Dallas: Chris Olles, Craig Storer, Charlie Richardson, Stuart Rackham, Duncan Relf.
Field Umpire: Mike Powers.
Article courtesy of DallasMagpies.com.
