Music City Uses Aerial Attack Early and Often in Victory over Five Points
Story posted April 7, 2005

NAFL Metro 2005 is officially underway! After the washout on Saturday, players were out in force and hungry for Footy on Tuesday night at Vanderbilt's Capers Field. Coach Link and Roo Captain Dee "Weeman" Vsetecka led the players through the pre-game warm-ups and it was clear that we were in for a terrific night of footy.

The first period started out slowly as the players on both sides of the ball were evidently still awakening from winter doldrums and remembering that to score a goal you have to have the footy. It was about half way through the period when Vsetecka found Dave "I kick goals" Walker who marked and connected from about 30 yards out. Such a combination should not be a surprise: both are on the USAFL Revolution squad hoping for selection to the final team going to Australia in August for the International Cup. This goal was followed by some nifty footwork by Luke Nemeth who broke free across the half forward line to put Music City up by two goals. Bo Link answered for Five Points with his first major, coming down the left flank. Many of the newcomers were starting to get the feel of the game and the intensity began to pick up. Unfortunately, Dave "No Doubt About It" Walker nailed yet another for Music City. This was immediately followed by another chip shot from Walker for his third (I believe his "All Day Long, Baby" comment was forecasting his anticipated joy at working with fellow Revo Vsetecka during the MAAFL season as the Weeman had delivered another perfect pass to him). Just before the horn sounded, Gilberto, playing in his first game of footy ever, used his soccer skills to chase down a loose ball in the forward pocket, and made no mistake, kicking true on the run from 20 yards deep in the pocket. Five Points was reeling and glad to hear the siren so they could regroup. Scores Music City 5-1-31, Five Points 1-1-7

The intensity picked up immediately when the second period started. Music City attacked early and often Walker nailing his fourth from 40 yards out. Right on the heels of that goal, Five Points righted itself and with some quick hand passes from Al "Take No Prisoners" Larson and "The Prophet" Isaiah that freed up Link who nailed his second of the match cutting right down the middle of the field. But then the Music City domination via aerial attack took over with Luke Nemeth and Vsetecka winning most contests and blasting the footy into the forward lines. Vsetecka bombed from 50 yards out off a ruck win and Vanderbilt senior Evan Gardner used his 6 foot 5 frame to get a chip shot from in front. Justin "Speed" Allen, showing why ‘speed kills', broke free on the left flank and managed loop one between the big sticks to narrow the gap before the half ended. Scores Music City 8-4-52, Five Points 3-6-24

The Premier Quarter opened in fine fashion, with Toby "Eat the Baby" Persson taking on Luke "No Off Switch" Nemeth in the first ruck. I think the bruises will heal, eventually. The opening tap went to Music City, and the ensuing kick found its way into the sure hands of Dave "Money" Walker, who did not disappoint. The newest players began finding the tempo of the match and Dave and Ryan combining with the Weeman, who launched a shot from 45 yards out and just beyond the reach of Vince "The Curly Haired One" and recorded his second long bomb of the match. On the ensuing ruck contest, Will "The Leg" Churchill pounded the footy out of the center square where James "Huggy" Patton, yet another Vanderbilt acquisition, showed true Roo grit, winning the contest to the footy and under heavy pressure from the defense still managed to put it just inside the right post. This seemed to lift Five Points into rally-mode, as Churchill added his first of the match a few minutes later. But, that would end as Walker was able to find about 30 yards of open space (oops! how did we forget to cover him?), for a "tough" mark off the foot of Mischa "I'm a new Dad" Nemeth. Money Walker's six-pack was completed from 25 yard out. Then the surprise goal of the game came off some serious crumbing deep in Five Points territory: Gilberto "Pele who?" slipping between three defenders, and literally soccered the footy toward the goal. The Footy Gods blessed this inspired play with a favorable bounce just inside the right post, and Music City had a commanding 40-point lead heading into the last frame. Scores Music City 12-6-78, Five Points 5-8-38

The final frame got underway with what may be the winner of this year's Mike Waller Inspired Kick of the Year Award. Evan Gardiner found himself with the footy at the top of the goal square, and in a 2-on-1 situation. After, shall we say, a rather ordinary kick, Coach Link immediately placed Evan in remedial kicking class (apparently thinking ahead to the Roo season, and forgoing the current status of being on the opposite team tonight). Practice make perfect, however, and within minutes, Evan "Surefoot" Gardiner found himself in a nearly identical situation and this time he buried it. Credit Five Points for not giving up, as second-year phenom and graduating Vanderbilt senior Jason "Nuke" Newquest" marked from 20 yards out and drilled it home. This was followed by another display of speed by, well, Speed Allen, who managed to get the footy to his boot after running 14.9 yards, and avoiding the flailing arms of two defenders sent another 25 yard shot toward goal, netting his second, nearly identical to his previous score. Gilberto followed with another display of determination, not to mention incredible ability to focus on kicking a non-sphere into a goal not being defended by a goalie, and bringing his tally to three goals. Not bad for a newbie. Luke Nemeth (who brought Gilberto into the Roo family) must have been inspired by such play because he not only won the next ruck, but managed to chase down the loose footy, and thread the needle from 35 yards out for his second. Bo Link ended the scoring using his Revolution-caliber skills to knife through a pack of players, scoop up the footy, and dodging two more defenders, sent one straight down the middle for his third. As the horn sounded, Music City had taken the opening match of the NAFL Metro season with a dominating 41-point win. Final Scores Music City 15-7-97, Five Points 8-10-58.

Round 2 NAFL Metro match is Tuesday, April 11 at 7 pm, Capers Field at Vanderbilt. The Vanderbilt Aussie Rules club will take on Music City.

Scores

Music City 5-1-31, 8-4-52, 12-6-78, 15-7-97

Five Points 1-1-7, 3-6-24, 5-8-38, 8-10-58

Goals

Music City Walker 6, Gilberto 3, Vsetecka 2, Gardiner 2, L Nemeth 2

Five Points Link 3, Allen 2, Patton 1, Churchill 1, Newquest 1

Best on Ground Walker (3), Vsetecka (2), Gilberto (1)

Injuries D'Andria (quad)

Umpires J Persson

Attendance 11