Movember Jackaroo Style
November, 2011
Jackaroos Derek Shannon, Kyle Jamison, Alan Gardner, Peter Taylor, Nate Jordan, Adam Peterson, Bill Joyce, Chet Ridenour, and Aron Tharp are looking to change the face of men's health this November by growing out their best MOustache!
This is an Aussie tradition that is now growing strong (on faces) here in America. The MOvement is to increase the awareness and support research for men's health (prostate and testicular cancer). Men will grow out their 'staches to the best cop, porn star, 12 year old, or just creepy look all to start the conversation and raise funds for men's health. Early pictures are already surfacing on facebook. Be sure to stay tuned for regular picture updates as the 'staches work their way out!
The rules:
You can support the Jacks fundraising here!
Some facts about men's health:
Some information about the project: Funds raised will help make a tangible difference to the lives of others. Through the Movember Foundation and their men's health partners, the Prostate Cancer Foundation and LIVESTRONG, Movember is funding world class awareness, research, educational and support programs which would otherwise not be possible. For more details on how the funds raised from previous campaigns have been used and the impact Movember is having please click on the links below:
Prostate Cancer Foundation research
Movember is a registered 501 (c)(3) charity, donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Jacks @ North Carolina
Sept. 17, 2011
The Jacks came down to Raleigh, North Carolina eager for a rematch against the Tigers after last year's 5.1.31 to 4.7.31 tie on the 2nd day of nationals. 14 players arrived that day promptly at 2pm to the field…well technically 12 players did and Michael Krause and Chet Ridenour showed up around 2:15 without any explanation for where they were… The field was a small one by footy standards, measuring only slightly larger than an American football field. It would drizzle all day and the mud was lined with the sand blown in from the ocean. The Tigers gave the Jacks 3 players (Red, Steve, and Andy) and the teams played 16s. It was evident before the match that the Tigers had a height advantage (see the picture above) and the Jacks would struggle to overcome this until late in the game when Coach John Fisher's insistence on conditioning all year would prove a difference in the 4th quarter. For those of you who've known the team for awhile you probably just did a double take but it's true, for the first time ever the Jacks still had gas in the tank to burn in the 4th quarter.
1st Half
The Jacks would start out very quietly showing their lack of numbers and fatigue from the trip and after the 1st quarter the score would be 1.5.11 Tigers to 0.0.0 Jacks. Not ready to give up, Coach Fisher gave a heated and emotional speech at the quarter break and asked the team if this was all they had or if they were going to play like they wanted to win this game and wanted to win nationals. Sure enough, the team came back out on the field electrified and ready to go. With the exception of a last second goal by NC, this quarter was essentially a tie with a goal being scored by the Jacks new acquisition Red. The score at the half was 3.7.25 Tigers to 1.0.6 Jacks.
2nd Half
The Jacks remained quiet in the 2nd half until rookie Peter Taylor scored his first goal ever at the start of the 4th quarter. At the time this made the score 6.11.47 Tigers to 2.0.12 Jacks. The team would rally around Peter and the ball would spend almost the entire remainder of the game in the Jacks offensive side. Two great opportunities at goals were had by veterans Alan Gardner and Chet Ridenour, but neither were able to convert including an embarrassing attempt at a snap kick from skills preacher Chet that would sail at least 50 feet in the air and just miss the goal. Rob Ward would also add a 3rd behind from a mark from at least 40 meters away and the final score would be 6.11.47 Tigers to 2.3.15 Jacks.
Postgame
The Jacks shook hands and offered jeers with the Tigers for next year's match in Columbus. The teams both joined around the injured Steve Raimo for pictures, though he probably doesn't remember it as he stared off into the sky with a dazed half-smile on his face. After the pictures, the team sat around on the field, kicked back a few beers, and bragged over who had the biggest hit on the field. That is to say everyone except for the newly designated 'lone wolf' of the team Chad Welday who must've heard the call for his 1 man pack and slowly disappeared off into the sunset without a word…
That night the teams reunited back at Woody's at City Market in downtown Raleigh and partied hard. Best on ground was announced with the award going to Chet Ridenour, Phil Sisia, and Chad Welday (in that order). A new tradition was started that night with the presidents of each team choosing 3 members of the other team to come forward and be recognized for their performance in front of the rest of the team. This “recognition” i.e. being iced (picture above) would prove a potentially dangerous start for the night as 4 different Jacks were unable to hold their drinks that night. The night was completed with several rounds of bear fights (picture below).
Goals: Peter Taylor, Red
Behinds: Rob Ward, Alan Gardner, Chet Ridenour
Best on Ground: Chet Ridenour, Phil Sisia, Chad Welday
Notable: At the very start of the 4th quarter, before Peter's goal, Chet tipped a ball that was kicked by the Tigers and was called a tip on the field by the referee, but a scoring discrepancy occurred off the field and the Tigers were credited with a goal. Not to show bad sportsmanship the Jacks decided not to fight it and soldiered on.
Fall Metro Season Game 1
September 8th, 2011
The first game of the ever popular fall metro season showed just why players have been aggressively bragging about their teams at Byrne's for the past few weeks. From the first tip both teams went hard at the ball and tempers flared for the entire game. With all available members being on the field only 1 person, Aron Tharp, was left in charge as umpire with no help in the goals or on the boundaries. Early on players were complaining about calls made against their team, regardless of if they were fair (or not). At halftime Scott Matheson, the 2010 coach, took over as the main umpire yet the intensity of the players never ceased and he very quickly issued a 50 meter penalty for backtalk. Play was stopped 3 different times for injuries, with Eddie Nangle possibly being out for the season with a shoulder injury.
The biggest score differential was a lead by Chet's Vets at the end of the 3rd quarter at 50 to 41. The game was called after 10 minutes into the 4th quarter with the final score being a tie, and the players were forced to take their aggression to Byrne's and turn their energy into a huge party as 25+ held it strong with KD and the boys.
The next match in the metro season is September 22nd.
Jacks vs. Ohio Valley
Aug 27, 2011
On a Saturday afternoon in August, the footy players of Cincinnati, Louisville, and St. Louis all travelled to Columbus to wrap up the Jackaroos 2011 MAAFL season. None of the Jacks had forgotten the loss to Ohio Valley in 2010, and the opportunity for redemption served as a strong motivator all season. Chet Ridenour had put a seemingly disturbing amount of time into planning this game, with preparations including a gate for the team to run through and a pa system for announcers Scott Matheson and Rob de Santos to present the game to the approximately 100 fans that day.
Despite the unfortunate early return of Ohio Valley's 2 Revolution players due to the US losing in the semi-finals, the River Rats were unable to travel a full team and veteran Jackaroos Wes McCorkle and Bernie Frankl donned Purple for the day to even the teams. The teams coaches John Fisher (Jacks) and Kyle Strenski (OH-V) agreed to play 14s (starting lineup below) and joined up at the center of the pitch for the national anthems and the coin toss. The coin toss was done by none other than Pat Byrne, owner of the Jacks' sponsor Byrne's Pub (picture at top).
1st Quarter
The Jacks began the game immediately showing that they were the stronger and more motivated team. After a long and scrappy fight in the midfield, Phil Sisia finally got the ball in open space and was able to kick a mark down to Rob Ward off to the right side of the goal. This would prove not to be a challenge for the experienced goal kicker as Ward would make his first goal of the day. Within the next 5 minutes the Jacks scored 4 more goals, 2 of them by Ward, and were out to a big 5.2.0 to 0.0.0 lead. This was all despite starting ruckman Adam Peterson being on the disabled list (along with quite a few other Jacks this year). Rookie Chad Wedlay was forced to try and step into the role and give it his best against the River Rats ruckman who was a starter for the Revolution in Australia. Ward would go on to kick 2 more goals this quarter making it a total of 5. The picture below best sums up this quarter and much of the rest of the game. The score after the quarter was 7.3.45 to 0.0.0.
2nd Quarter
At the start of the 2nd quarter the River Rats decided to remember that they were playing footy and began showing signs of life. 2 attempts on goal were made from 40 to 50 meters but 1 fell short and the other trickled out of bounds. Then finally, on the 3rd attempt, Ohio Valley was able to score a goal and erase any chance for a Jacks shutout. The River Rats remained much more competitive for the remainder of the quarter and the rest of the game. The Jackaroos began to lose focus and were unable to convert nearly as well this quarter. Rob Ward was only able to kick 3 goals this quarter and the score at the half was 11.7.73 to 3.0.18.
3rd Quarter
To start the 3rd quarter the Jacks were forced by team president and co-captain Chet Ridenour to run onto the field through a makeshift gate (picture above). The quarter would continue in much the same fashion as the 2nd with the Jackaroos fumbling a bit yet still putting points up on the board. The 3rd quarter featured the only 50 meter penalty of the day, called by referee Brian Turpie, for a Jackaroo being 'too near' to a player taking a mark. Another highlight was Michael Krause trying to cleanse his soul of the burden he'd carried since last year's MAAFL match vs. Ohio Valley. For his sake I won't go into detail, he's only been reminded of it several hundred times by players and fans alike, but he was finally able to earn a goal against the River Rats by picking up the ball 2 feet in front of the goal and putting it through the center posts. Phil Sisia would add 2 more goals for the Jacks and Rob Ward his 9th. As the quarter came to a close players were yelling at each other and only 13 Jackaroos were even on the field. The score after the 3rd quarter was 15.8.98 to 6.1.37.
4th Quarter
Between the 3rd and 4th quarter announcer Scott Matheson was able to fully gain his confidence at the mic and brought the crowd to laughter. A few minutes into the quarter Rob Ward took yet another mark right in front of the goal. As he was lining up his kick Matheson let out his true feelings about this man. Ward was unperturbed however, most likely because this wasn't the first time Matheson had professed his love for him, and made the goal for his 10th on the day. The 4th quarter would bring rookie Alex Sleeper his first goal ever as well as Nate Jordan's second goal on the day. Despite the Jackaroos 70 point lead, Matt Beeghley still showed he had heart when he dove on a full sprint to try and catch a kick from Phil Sisia. He would end up falling just short and Sisia's kick rolled in for another behind. The final score was 19.12.126 to 8.4.52.
Best On Ground: Rob Ward, Phil Sisia, Eric Politz, David Wilson
Goals: Rob Ward 11, Michael Krause 2, Nate Jordan 2, Phil Sisia 2, Eric Politz 1, Alex Sleeper 1
Spotlight Player: Rookie Alex Sleeper kicked his first goal for the Jackaroos
Behinds: Phil Sisia 5, Rob Ward 3, Michael Krause 2, Nate Jordan 1, Ed Nangle 1
2011 Fall Metro season Draft
Aug 18, 2011
On a warm August evening the Jackaroos all sat around at Byrnes, kicked back some brews and argued vehemently over who had the biggest boot, the biggest hit, and the biggest ego. When all the dust had settled, a line had been drawn in the sand and the members were lined up on either side shouting verbal jeers at each other over which team would win this years annual Jackaroo Metro Championship.
The teams were decided as follows:
The two teams will face off at Tuttle Park @6pm on Thursday September 8th and Thursday September 22nd. Depending on the results a rubber match may be necessary to allow one team to solidify their championship status and go down as the 2011 Jackaroo Metro Champion.
Camp Recky
Aug 2nd & Aug 4th, 2011
On August 2nd and 4th 2011 Columbus Footy hosted the children of Ohio State's Camp Recky day camp for two footy camps. Footy stalwarts Kujo, Scoota, Alan, Polly and Sinatra were ably assisted by apprentices Robbie and Raph as they taught the kids the basics of the greatest sport in the world. There was about fifty campers on both days of the camp ranging in age from six through to 12 years old. By the end of the sessions, the campers were saying 'G'Day Mates' like fair dinkum Aussies.
The first morning temperatures were hot as Alan walked the campers through some stretches and taskmaster Kujo demanded they warm-up properly. Scoota explained the history of Aussie Rules and Australia to the campers and it turned out one of the kids mothers' was actually an Aussie! This young man had a leg up right away! The Jacks and Jill took the campers through a series of drills teaching them how to kick, handpass, mark and most importantly score goals. By the end of the first day, the Columbus Footy leaders were sure that the campers were ready to take on the counsellors in a full on game in two days time!
As the second day got underway, there was a real anticipation in the air. The counsellors were ready to layeth the smacketh down on their antagonist campers, while the campers were ready to play David against the Goliath of the massive counsellors. The campers aged nine and older were split off ready to take on the counsellors, while the young children (eight and younger) played a competitive scrimmage on the second field. In the younger game, Abby was clearly emulating her footy idol Kujo with dashing speed from the backline. Raph's experience watching Alan served him well too as his kicking was outstanding. Meanwhile, on the main field the counsellors were being overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of the campers. It was about thirty campers onto eight counsellors. But as the heat took its toll, the campers began to drop one by one. With umpire Polly keeping order, the game came right down to the wire. But late in the game an athletic camper took the ball into the open field, had a bounce and a shot on goal. As the siren sounded, the ball sailed into the net and the campers had snatched away an unlikely victory. As the campers celebrated, the counsellor rued many a missed opportunity. Afterwards the campers, counsellors and Columbus Footy legends came together and an overwhelming "THANK-YOU" from the campers rewarded the footy players for their hard work.
Thanks to Kristin and the Camp Recky staff for having us out and the outstanding footy legends who came along and helped. In the immortal words of Pat Patterson, we were all "ONE TEAM, MATES!"
