2010 Season

Friday 30 October, 2010 - The Squids bounced back from the defeat in last weekend’s inaugural Boat Show Footy Classic and turned the tables on their academic foes, winning comfortably by 4 goals.

The game was fast-paced, with plenty of space to allow both sides freedom to play an open style of footy. Trading goals to begin, Squids sensed an opportunity to bury the complacent Saints after last week’s beating, and took great delight in doing so.
For the victors, Cabin Boy Adzy did well in his rucking debut, overcoming the double-barreled fury of Gav, and keeping the potty mouth in check, while Vlad impaled himself in his usual style, Carlos “The Jackal” stayed busy terrorizing the ball and Spider overcame his tardy start to get involved (in the game as well as his favorite pastime, umpire sledging).

For the Saints, Bagman Steve was showing no ill-effects from his recent Vegas bender, showing up all over the ground and snaring possessions like chicken wings at a free buffet. Matt “The Cobbler” fired up after Diamo tuned him up with an errant elbow to the chin, and continued to show good development and “Shoe making”. Papa Cam also enjoyed some well-earned freedom to kick a few goals and keep the Saints in the hunt, with Big Joe and Greg “The One legged Sailor” or Pirate Greg keeping pressure on the marauding Squids.

The lead stretched out to 5 goals at one point until time, darkness, thirst and hunger (for more free pies) turned the players’ attention to their favorite Irish boozer up the road (Maguires). In what may be a first in Fighting Squids history, numbers at the pub were 25% greater than participants in the game.

Medical Warning: The Maguires’ first aid kit has limited supplies, as Diamo discovered when seeking some attention to a gaping wound on the knee. Publican Jim was on hand to dispense Rum as the preferred disinfectant, so all was good.
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Saturday 23 October, 2010 1st Annual Boat Show Footy Match - The weather gods smiled upon Holiday Park in Fort Lauderdale last Saturday afternoon for the first annual Boat Show Footy Classic. Bright autumn/fall sunshine and sea breezes swept across the broad, manicured turf as the 11 a side match commenced. This was Sunshine State footy at its best (well, weather-wise anyway)

With the winds favoring the downtown end the Squids drew first blood with debutant Dave showing strength and agility up front to mark and kick truly: Game on. It took some time for the Saints to settle in the blustery conditions but they managed to claw back towards the end of the first quarter to stay within reach. Newcomer Peter working well up front and Sailor Greg enjoying some freedom across half forward.

Half time had a point separating the teams, and the crowds were collectively salivating like Pavlov’s pooch at a snackfood convention, as the second half got underway.
They call it the premiership quarter and the FAU Saints responded accordingly in the 3rd stanza, stringing together great teamwork and quick movement of the ball to nullify the wind advantage and sneak ahead of the Squids at the final change.
The determination was clearly showing in the faces of the Fighting Squids as the final quarter commenced but the fitness and teamwork of the Saints proved too much in the end and the students ran away at the end, recording a comfortable 14 point win in a very entertaining and open game. Overall the game was fast and open and the difference was the ability of the Saints forwards to kick accurately and make the most of their opportunities.

The Dipper tried hard to keep his goal-kicking form rolling on but only managed to remove a goal post with a unlucky snap, with Big Joe battling in the backline this week after his fairytale dalliances up front last week. Bundy was fuming (not angry, just fuming) and got better (ie fresher) as the game went on.

Spider took on Tinny Tom in the ruck and though getting the upper hand in the rucking duels found Tom’s mobility and fitness around the ground impossible to contain. On ballers Jezza and Carlos were busier than Bondi beach Seagulls. Jim the Shark made a welcome return with plenty of run in the middle, as did Diesel Craig back from his fact-finding mission out west.
Adzy tried to impress the wife with his fitness (somewhat convincingly given he’s in fine fettle compared to some of us old blokes), and Tibs (aka Vlad the Impaler) tried hard despite suffering a bad case of “shagger’s back”, caused by some nefarious nocturnal adventure as was rumored). Olen showed great improvement from his debut last week, and got involved with some good passages of play.

Some international flavor was added with debuts from SAFA/Jarpie George who relished the physical nature of the game, while the Kiwi Nugget Bo showed his rugby skills by constantly being a threat to life and limb (and even getting the hang of handballing).

Maguires was the venue for the night’s entertainment where the complimentary Four ‘n Twenty pies were enjoyed by a good crowd. We are looking forward to Boat Show Footy 2.0 next year.

FIU SAINTS 10.7 67....... FT LAUDERDALE SQUIDS 7.8 50
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Friday 15 October, 2010 - The Squids this week overcame a run of defeats to turn the tables on the FIU Saints in emphatic style, running out winners by 4 goals.

This weeks’ Squids were powered by Big Joe, who in a surprise move by the coaching team was thrust into the key forward position. His 3 goals could (should) have been 5, had it not been for the gallon of custard he injected into his right leg earlier in the day (causing him to miss 2 “sitters”). The highlight of the night was his excellent mark, thrusting his ample derriere into Papa Cam to hold the front position and mark cleanly.

The record crowd were entertained by the fast and open brand of footy employed by both sides in perfect “autumn/fall” conditions. The enthralling ruck duel of Jezza v Carlos kept the crowd spellbound, as did the regular passages of play accented by good handball. The Dipper finally got on the goal-scoring list by marking strongly and finishing it off with a straight-ish kick that had the goal umpire considering the verdict for a few seconds.

Carlos continued on from last week and kicked a great goal on the run to get things moving for the Squids, and at half time a topsy- turvy encounter had the Saints within a kick. After the break the Squids showed better cohesion, moving the ball quickly from the centre and putting lots of pressure on the Saints’ defence. “T Shirt Tightwad” Dion showed his footy class on his long-awaited return, which was also his last for a while as he is returning to Australia to manage the Gold Coast’s first ‘hourly’ motel. Corporate rates available for all footy friends of the Fighting Squids, just don’t buy the T Shirts.

Matt improved from his debut last week, with Greg showing better fitness and mobility down back, while Adzy managed to keep his potty mouth in check (especially commendable given the sledging from a tall, Guinness-swilling spectator).

As dusk settled and the siren sounded, the Squids were pretty pleased with themselves and became even happier when a slightly emotional supporter on the sidelines invited us back to his place for beers and Hungarian sausage. Maguires was spared the invasion of sweaty bodies, and attention turns to the big game this Saturday afternoon at HOLIDAY PARK.... 3:30 Everyone welcome to have a run.......
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Friday 8th October, 2010 - Finals fever is over as far as the AFL goes but Squid Park was in perfect shape for this week’s local clash. The track was fast and humidity low and the Saints showed their intentions early by banging through the first 2 goals within a minute, and soon it was 4 on the board to a solo effort from the Squids via Papa Cam. Who was doing the damage you ask? The Damaged and Forgotten MVP from last season, Mike Heithaus, who made a miraculous recovery from a boating accident to be the focal point up forward. He finished with 8 .1 and was clearly BOG. His back issues seemed to have improved his kicking accuracy as well, so we must thank that Marine Biology Intern for sorting him out.

Both “Dipper” Judd and Big Joe tried to stop Mike’s footy lesson, and both worked hard and put themselves in the right position more often than not. The problem was further upfield where Saints midfielders, being well fed by Spider Nath in the ruck, simply had space and time to deliver accurately to full forward. Competing against a team with 3 Debutants (Bundy/Andy, Carlos and Matt) and the returning cripple, Squids’ more experienced line up were left flat-footed and frustrated (even mildman Adzy fired up due to his teamates’ reluctance to run and provide an option. Does he kiss his mother with that mouth? I guess he is a sailor after all.

Carlos managed goal of the day in his debut, roving the centre bounce perfectly, working the ball down the field and receiving a slick handball from Mike. American Matt soon got the hang on the handball laws and proved very effective, and Bundy was short of a gallop but showed some form and will be all the better for the run.

Fitness Guru Gav had it easy down back for the Saints, rarely having to fire a shot (for a change), while Jezza covered plenty of ground for the Squids and was rewarded with a mini-bag of majors as his consolation prize. While both sides tired and showed a reluctance to man up towards the end of the game, it was the Saints who made more of an effort and it was reflected on the large Coopers Scoreboard to the tune of a 5 goal margin as the siren sounded. Rehydration at Maguires was the logical next
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Friday 17 Sept, 2010 - Finals fever is definitely upon us, and St Kilda’s march to the AFL Grand Final provided the FIU Saints plenty of motivation which translated to a comfortable 4 goal victory over the Squids.

Competing very well in the centre, Squids’ Big Spider Nath gaining some ascendancy in the ruck duels with Tom, and still had time to whinge about Coach Marcus’ umpiring (what a multi-tasker). Tom however showed great form around the ground, his best game since returning from an Afghani Ashram. Squids drew first blood with Papa Cam appearing to have a ball magnet hidden in his hand, and goaling on the run. Adzy was busy in the guts and Little Joe was burning off Saints as he screamed around Squid Park getting possessions at will. Fortunately for the Saints his boot let him down a few times, especially in front of the sticks.

Saints refused to give in to this early pressure, and their determination to compete was exemplified by Jim and Tibs who harassed Squids into making mistakes and providing some useful turnover ball. A great team effort from the Saints moved the ball quickly and put plenty of pressure on Big Joe and Ross in defence who tried hard along with Jezza but too many Saints were on hand to keep the Coopers Scoreboard attendant busy. Among them was Steve the Bagman up forward, making a welcome return from the PGF tour. Tibs drilled through his usual brace of ugly but effective goals, and rookie Dipper almost got his first, just missing to the right after a good mark. The ball moved so well for the Saints even old Diamo managed some easy goals. Plenty of Squids forays into their forward line were thwarted by Gav, who was suffering a lower appendage strain (hmmm) but managed to pull off some nice moves.

The jubilation proved too much for our debutant Irishman, Irongut Owen. After a brilliant display during the game with goals, marks and tackles a plenty he then provided Squid Park with some unexpected fertilizer, parking his lunch on the turf. Clearly a victim of some bad Shrimp (perhaps the seafood platter at Grady’s?). No such problem at Maguire’s where the players adjourned and warmed up for the following week’s Grand Final Party extravaganza. See you there!
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SEPTEMBER 10th, 2010 - In the early “noughties” the all-conquering Brisbane Lions had the “Fab Four” to drive them to 3 AFL premierships in a row. The Squids this night had its own version, of sorts: The FLAB FOUR. Experienced Aussie quartet Coach Marcus, Adzy, Spider Nathan and Diamo (combined age 324) had no answers as the FIU Saints ran out comfortable 5 goal victors.

Our resident Shark-hunting Marine Biology PHD, Big Phil turned the Squids into an insipid chowder with his dominant display in the ruck and around the ground. Immediate center clearances get them off to a quick start with goals to Papa Cam and Tibs (Vlad), who’s ugly boot produced a swag of ugly goals. Remember that no extra points are given for “pretty” goals so ugly ones count as well (reminds me of end of season footy trips…). Jim and Little Joe also provided great run for the Saints while Big Joe played a close-checking style down back.

It was a simple recipe for success, made all the more obvious when watching the Squids fiddle about like a bunch of old grannies fighting over a Karaoke mic. The hapless cephalopods tried hard to get back into the game, with Ross working hard up forward and in the center, while Debutant Squid Judd (aka The Dipper) showed some promising moves. Ultimately, the Saints were too fast, too fit and too direct to allow the Squids back into the contest, which was effectively iced before the big orange ball hit the horizon.

The game was played in good spirit, with the intensity seeming to be increasing in recent weeks as the regulars get into matchplay rhythm. We’re having fun out there, even us losers!
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SEPTEMBER 3rd, 2010 - With smaller than average numbers, last Friday saw a spirited contest in the steamy conditions, with the Squids putting the squeeze on the at times wayward Saints, and finishing a couple of goals clear.

A good team effort from the Squids brought home the bacon, And the boys on both sides left nothing in the tank. Jezza continued his development up forward with 2 goals, and debutant Ross (a US-raised son of a Swan)

showed some good form, including a goal-saving tackle on Big Ben, and a good running goal. Gav (Romper Stomper) ran everywhere in the ruck, including over teammate Diamo’s foot.

Our other US debutant, Jim (the Shark), was sensational, showing amazing aptitude for someone with zero footy experience. His spoil of coach Marcus and cool handball to clear the ball from the danger zone was one of the highlights.

Big Joe also showed some good form, in particular his big mark over the diminutive coach. Maguires was able to replenish essential Squid/ Saint fluids lost during the contest, in the ambiance of the Squid Row outside bar.

It will no doubt be a popular spot come the AFL Grand Final Party on Friday 24 2010
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AUGUST 27, 2010 - With smaller than average numbers, last Friday saw a spirited contest in the steamy conditions, with the Squids putting the squeeze on the at times wayward Saints, and finishing a couple of goals clear.

A good team effort from the Squids brought home the bacon, And the boys on both sides left nothing in the tank. Jezza continued his development up forward with 2 goals, and debutant Ross (a US-raised son of a Swan)

showed some good form, including a goal-saving tackle on Big Ben, and a good running goal. Gav (Romper Stomper) ran everywhere in the ruck, including over teammate Diamo’s foot.

Our other US debutant, Jim (the Shark), was sensational, showing amazing aptitude for someone with zero footy experience. His spoil of coach Marcus and cool handball to clear the ball from the danger zone was one of the highlights.

Big Joe also showed some good form, in particular his big mark over the diminutive coach. Maguires was able to replenish essential Squid/ Saint fluids lost during the contest, in the ambiance of the Squid Row outside bar.