Port Malmö Australian Football Club, Sweden » Captain’s Rant

The captain’s Rant 14/06/2009 Jutland vs Malmö

The Captain — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 20:21:06 +0000

The caravan of courage departed from Malmö at 08:15ish for the five hour drive across the öresund and up to Randers in Denmark. A few of the Maulers looked a bit sluggish after whatever they had gotten up to the previous night but all in all it was a good turnout considering it was an away game.

We expected to be forced to delay the match due to a few late Malmö arrivals but luckily they rolled up just before the scheduled start time and the game could begin. The captain’s were called in for the toss of the coin and Jutland won and chose to go against the wind. All things considered I would have done the opposite choosing the tried and tested “shock-and-awe” approach which has proven beneficial for the Malmö campaign this year.

Kicking with a strong wind in the first quarter Malmö put five or six goals on the board creating a comfortable lead. Boyd had a great quarter and showed some excellent goal kicking. We could have done with a couple more on the board but all in all it was a good start to the game.

The second quarter was the most important based on the thesis that if we kept their score low in the quarter where the wind was favourable to them we could shatter their confidence and make it a bit easier on ourselves, and we did just that. Malmö’s formidable defense showed yet again that it’s no easy task putting the pill through the posts. It’s worth mentioning that our Staffordshire terrier of a defender Mcloughlin was out due to an injury and even without his blood soaked knees they still got the job done. Well done lads!

The Captain’s Award this week goes to a man who epitomizes the expression “a club man”. Not only did he drive up there and back again after a huge night out on the town, he also put the boots back on and helped out on the field when our numbers were low, had a damn good run too, Adam Brown.

We ran away with the game in the third quarter putting a few more on the board and as McMahon put it, “you know we’re playing well when Simon manages to get some goals”, just pointing out my consistent white-line-fever.

As always I forget to mention many great efforts and individual brilliance but I would like to say that Higgins’ umpiring was consistent and fair and a big thanks to him for putting up his hand to miss out on playing and get a few more DAFL aussie-points for the Maulers.

Let’s not get too cocky now just because we’re five wins of five games in 2009. The true test this year will be later in the season when Farum import their young guns from down-under. But leaving aside any seriousness, shit we’re good!

Rock and Roll!

Simon Ward

The Captains Rant. Malmö vs Farum, 31st of May

The Captain — Sun, 31 May 2009 07:45:43 +0000

The crowd that had gathered on Limhamnsfältet would never have expected that such a grand spectacle would take place. It was an achievement never before seen in DAFL football and a day of celebration on many levels.

Malmö was to host the year’s biggest double header so far, Malmö vs Farum followed by Helsingborg vs Jutland. The gods of football saw it fit to bless us with sunshine and cold beer, but also just to throw a spanner in the works, a six goal gale-wind was blowing to the seaside end of the oval.

First of all I think I’ll start with the Captain’s Award which without a doubt has to go to the man who didn’t only put on a sterling performance on the field, he also played his one-hundredth game of DAFL football, a milestone which proves his commitment to the club and diligence on the ground, Ross Levesque.

The Maulers showed the whole league yesterday that this year was not going to be like the ones past. After winning the toss and electing to go with the wind in the first quarter the Malmö boys held nothing back. It was tough work out there and the fact of the matter is that we wanted the ball more than they did, and the result showed on the score board.

After dominating in the first quarter and putting themselves comfortably in front the Maulers showed great stamina in the second quarter keeping Farum’s tally low and unimpressive. The third quarter was when this writer believes the Farum lads realized- “shit, we might lose this”, too-little too-late.

Hats off to all the boys for a hard fought second half and a hard-earned victory on the home field. It’s worth mentioning that Port Malmö had never beaten Farum at home until yesterday. Go the Maulers we’re on the top of the ladder and undefeated in 2009! Congratulations!

Blood was spilt on the grass and beer was drunk on the sideline. We soaked up the sunshine and sat back to watch the Saints against Jutland (which unfortunately the Saints lost in the final minutes). Good company and football in Sweden. I remember remarking to someone, “It doesn’t get any better than this”.

Simon Ward

Port Malmö 10.14(74)

Farum 5.9(39)

2009-05-24 Captains Rant, Copenhagen vs Malmö

The Captain — Sun, 24 May 2009 06:15:29 +0000

It was a DAFL double header in the land of röda pölser and pig farms. The wind was favouring to one side but even more so to the grand-stand wing. After witnessing Farum take an away win from the North Copenhagen Barracudas the Malmö boys knew what had to be done.

With a squad of seventeen there was no room for slackers. Everyman had to put in all from first whistle to last kick in order to take the prize home, and they did. The Maulers came out hard and fast after winning the toss and electing the “shock-and-awe” approach by going with the wind.

After losing our invaluable ruckman, Verngren in the first five minutes to an injured shin our captain, Ward was forced to fill the roll. But his reign there was cut short half way in to the third quarter when he copped a knock on the head which resulted in a bent neck leaving him on his back moaning like a woman in labour. The buck had been passed and our faithful leader, Page Brown took the reins and commanded in the ruck for the remainder of play.

The Captains Award this week goes to a player that’s been here in the forward line doing what only he does best for the Maulers for quite some time. He kicked his one-hundredth goal in DAFL football (and I’m sure he’ll tell ya all about it) Matt Mcmahon.

It’s true Port Malmö fashion to take a small squad to an away match. This writer struggles to understand where the enthusiasm goes as soon as we are forced to cross the öresund. Admittedly several players had prior engagements to attend but you lot that just couldn’t be bothered or thought it was tomorrow (Måns) pull your head in!

The team that took the win home resulting in an undefeated Maulers can hold their heads high. This win was the biggest win so far and it holds us up there in contention for top spot on the ladder. Next week it’s the team to beat, Farum at home.

No slackers, no half-ass excuses, no retreat, no surrender!

Simon Ward

The Captain's Rant Sunday, May 10th

The Captain — Sun, 10 May 2009 18:28:11 +0000

Port Malmö 21.17 (143) defeated Jutland 1.6 (12)

Port Malmö vs Jutland at home. With the sun high in the sky and the wind easing in to a cool breeze as the afternoon heated up, the whistle was blown and the first ball was tossed. We came out hard and fast but the center couldn’t quite take control and as a result Jutland managed to put some points on the board. Although their celebrations were soon to cease and all hope crushed as the second quarter began.

A bit of quick thinking from Aaron and the center-line lads caused frustration amongst the Jutland ranks as we each took a man leaving big Jens from Jutland no one to tap the ball to. Having done that and taken authority in the center, our boys released the hounds and it began to rain, goals that is!

The lads showed us all that we can take home a big win despite leaving a few aussies out of the game. This club is sure to be a dominant force in the league if we keep hauling in the new recruits like this. Well done to everyone!

A few special mentions are in order. First up to Denis for his best on ground effort and exceptional defensive play. Secondly to all the boys that umpired for getting these aussie-points that should come in handy. And thirdly to Mad Matt for yet again proving to us that he’s a real team player and keeping a close eye on any loose balls on our goal line.

Being a relatively young footy club with very few traditions I hereby announce the beginning of the Captains Award, an award given weekly to a player whom I feel showed a moment of individual brilliance and courage. This week the Captains award goes to Dani Joncock for that sweet shephard he made in the center-ground which resulted in yet another goal, we all remember it and it was a beauty!

Simon Ward