On Saturday September 13 Chicago United took on the Milwaukee Bombers at Brown Deer Park in Milwaukee WI. In a game that could decide the MAAFL champion, the Chicago United produced their best effort of the season to run out big winners over a disappointing Milwaukee by 50 points and launch themselves ahead of the MAAFL favorites to possibly go back to back depending on the big clash next week between Minnesotta and Nashville.

From the jump it was apparent Chicago had come with one thing on their mind and they hit the Bombers with everything they had. The Chicago first came within minutes of the opening bounce when Rohan Ward marked strongly and goaled. Seconds later United Coach Drake marked strongly and goaled and the two big fellas had set the standard for the day as Milwaukee struggled to match them.

Milwaukee finally settled and trough Jimmy Nunan and Ross Seigel were able to start winning a bit more of the ball but were nable to bring up a major in the first and when Ward soccered a pearl off the deck in the dying minutes, the United flag was flying high.

Milwaukee were able to hit back strongly in the second as Nunan started to dominate around the ground despite the United tags. He and big Heath Moore at center half forward for the Bombers combined well and often to frustrate the Chiago backs and the Bombers were finally rewarded with two majors as they clawed their way back into the game before big Al MacGlashan (full back) and Frank Bradley (center half back) put the clamps on and started to dominate their big opponents. With the United mid-field providing sterling run through the center, the United juggernaut got into full gear and goals to Paul Drake, Gordon Ambrosino and a miracle snap from MVP Ryan Hayes sent the United boys into the half on top and looking to the Premiership quarter to push for back to back MAAFL glory.

The third quarter is where Chicago really put their stamp on the game. Morgan and then Isadore were able to contain the dangerous Nunan and when the Bomber midfielders did get the ball, they were repeatedly gang tackled and harassed and kicking into a forward line that had been effectively shut down.

After a big grab from a kick in, Drake was unduly dumped and the ensuing 50m penalty put him in front and set the United sails aflutter as the wind came out of the Bombers. From the Chicago backline, play of the day saw MacGlashan gather and showing some rare 'speed', he went to the wing and found Miller whose handball found a running Brennan. A beautful kick from him found his coach who took off and found a hard leading Ward who played on and snapped truly to set the game alight. Seconds after the ensuing bounce, Frank Bradley burst through the middle and his kick found his coach who went back and slammed on his 4th as the United threatened to turn the game into a romp.

To their credit, Milwaukee were able answer a few questions after the final break as their backline stood strong against a wave of Chicago runners. Paul Meyer was able to kick a classic crumbers goal with a sweet checkside that he'll be talking about for awhile and a very busy Ambrosino was rewarded with his first after an earlier miss by the goal umpire gave him a point.

The game ended with Milwaukee getting their third after the siren, thanks to a 50m penalty that put the final scores at 10.14: 74 to 3.6: 24 and put Chicago in the drivers seat to win their third MAAFL title and go back to back for the first time in the US's oldest league. All eyes will now be firmly on the Nashville vs Minnesotta game on Saturday September 20 2008.

FINAL

Chicago United 10.14 (74)

Milwaukee Bombers 3.6 (24)

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