Match Report
Osaka March 31, 2007
Tokyo Goannas V Osaka Dingos

The mighty Tokyo Goannas have prevailed in an away game against a potential future arch rival in the Osaka Dingos. After catching a shinkansen down to Osaka, the 16 Goannas representatives (including coach Mick Stones, Ex-gun Matt Hegarty and avid Goannas supporter – Rubin) proceeded to the pending venue. We were not disappointed and were blessed with a quality pitch which looked cherry ripe for Aussie rules. After a warm up session, Coach Stones laid down the law and identified the game plan which looked to suit our style. 4 new blokes (Mikey, Jason, Chris and Gerald) were keen to impress in their first game for the red and white after a couple of excellent training sessions.
1st Half
Game got off to a flyer in the 1st qtr as we came out with all cylinders blazing. A-Dog in the ruck was dominating with some deft tap work. Jason and Chris impressed in their first games with some excellent contested possession. Dan McGrath took some strong grabs and presented well with some hard leading all over the ground. Mid-way through the 2nd qtr the Dingos looked like they were playing against each other as a heavy head clash saw 2 dingos removed from the ground with matching shiners on their cheekbones. Yasu in his first game back in over a year was everywhere as he dazzled the white foreigners from the land down under with an amazing variety of skills. Ronnie capped off some excellent disposal into the forward line and finished with 2 goals for the quarter. The Goannas had a 2 goal lead at Qtr time. The 2nd qtr was pretty even as the ball was relayed up the pitch and when Flanno presented hard through the midfield and capped off some hard running with a goal it was looking good for the visitors. Not long after he had been on the end of a fiery coat hanger by a lanky, uncoordinated Dingo, Flanno really hit his stride and his leadership and attack on the footy was exemplary. Mid way through the qtr, Coach Stones rang the changes and with Mark leading in the ruck to give the A-Dog some rest we witnessed some great work in the middle. Mikey in his first game read a slurred incoming shank from Flanno to mark strongly and slam through his first goal for the Goannas. Ricey, playing under duress with a tweaked hammy before the game was doing well down back and was a rock that could be relied on with strong marking and excellent clearance kicking. Trav was on fire in the 2nd qtr with 2 wonderful snaps on either side of his body which ignited the Goannas and the supporters into frenzy. Not long after our US import and Osaka tour guide, Gerald was brought on for his first run and showed his talents with some strong tackling and awareness around the packs where he dished out some silky handballs. Bump n’ Grind was starting to find his own form and with one magic passage of play he split a pack open, marked, played on and disposed of the ball beautifully to the forwards. Half time bell sounded and the Goannas had improved on their lead and held a 25 point buffer at the long break.
2nd Half
An astute half time address by Coach Stones and a pump up by elected on the day Captain Ronnie saw the Goannas come out firing after the long break with some quality hand ball and possession football. The Goannas midfield was burning the Dingos alive as wave after wave of Goannas pumped the ball long where the forward leading of Ronnie was being rewarded with ball after ball finding its way into his mits. After a dominant display in his return to the red and white, Yasu was on the receiving end of a bone crunching tackle which saw all the weight of a large dingo come crashing down on top of him. The 61kg comeback kid took the full impact and his shoulder popped ending his wonderful return to the top league. The margin had blown out now to close to 10 goals with Ricey, Chris, Bumpa and Jason down back providing a formidable and miserly defence. The last qtr was party time as coach Stonesy put it and he rang the changes – Flanno going forward and taking a spectacular flying grab over one of the beanpole dingo boys that left him with altitude sickness. Mikey was nipping at the heels of any Dingo that went near him and Mark was unstoppable in the ruck. A-dog received a couple of clanger awards when he went the double punch in a contest against himself – disciplined stuff. Trav and Dano were everywhere and terrorized the Dingo camp by marking anything and everything. Gerald was getting plenty of action showed some excellent tackling ability. Chris and Jason’s run and backline clearances were making the forwards drool. Coach Stones came on for a run and showed his Carlton form with some shut down defensive tactics. The goals continued and by the final siren it was a comprehensive team victory with the final margin around 42 points. A rendition of the club song was well received and it appeared most of the girls accompanying the dingo camp were keen to switch sides and come and join the Tokyo boys. All in all a top effort and great way to open our account for the season. Well done boys and lets build on that to make 2007 a Goannas year to remember.

Goannas Tour Party
Stonesy, Dan, Ronnie, Ricey, Travis, Bumpa, Mark, Mikey, Chris, Gerald, Flanno, Jason, Yasu, A-dog, Rubin, Heggsy

Match Report by Ronnie & Dan Ooohhh Ahhh McGrath