With the 2017 Anzac Day Cup in Osaka only one sleep away, there are a number of burning questions facing the travelling Goannas squad:
1. Can Chalmerakis do it again?
After a runaway best on ground performance a week ago, all eyes will be on Peter Chalmers and whether or not he can be the Anzac Day hero that the Goannas will no doubt need. With a depleted squad of 7 players, the boys will need the elite run and pressure of the Magners Marvel if they are to be any chance of taking out the Anzac Day Cup.
2. Could this away trip fix Boots’ yips?
After famously lighting up the Sendai Super Dome with an inflated 5 sausages last season, could this weekend’s change of postcode be what Owen Bootsma needs to get over his goal kicking woes? After a 0.4 effort against the Suns last week, the People’s Boot will need to be on target in Osaka if he hopes to retain his spot in a team boasting a host of Dead-eye Dauds.
3. Will the Goannas be exposed as flat track bullies?
With the exception of the aforementioned Tour de Sendai, it’s been two years since the Goannas left the comfort of Kanto to contest a game of footy. Although they will be well-rested after flying down in comfort with Jetstar, there are some serious question marks around whether the Goannas’ “kick it to Trav” game plan will hold up on the traditionally larger fields of Kansai. While the Goannas have a strong fan base all over the country on the back of their “Don the Bash” campaign, they will be in hostile territory among the footy-starved Dingoes faithful.
4. Who will get the match up on Matty Gale?
With close to 100 goals to his name in a 6-game JAFL season, Matt “Gary” Gale will no doubt prove a handful for whichever unlucky Goanna gets the job. Often referred to as the Brendan Fevola of Japan footy due his love for kicking bags of sausages on suburban football grounds and his ability to sniff out the best spot for a craft beer no matter how remote the location, the fans will be out in droves to see the Dingoes President displaying his wares. Much improved defender Yuji Prestigiamoto is the current front-runner for the position.
5. Do the boys have the depth to get the win off the field?
While there are some obvious gaps in the on-field lineup, the biggest concern for the coaches this week has been the team structure for the boat race at the Fiji Bar after party. In an unexpected turn of luck, Oceans has been a late scratching for the trip, significantly increasing the Goannas’ chances of defending their crown from the Anzac Day Cup two years ago. While fitting 7 players into a 9-man boat race will no doubt be a challenge, a number of game plans based around letting Big Al drink all nine beers are being discussed.
Go get em 'Annas!!
1. Can Chalmerakis do it again?
After a runaway best on ground performance a week ago, all eyes will be on Peter Chalmers and whether or not he can be the Anzac Day hero that the Goannas will no doubt need. With a depleted squad of 7 players, the boys will need the elite run and pressure of the Magners Marvel if they are to be any chance of taking out the Anzac Day Cup.
2. Could this away trip fix Boots’ yips?
After famously lighting up the Sendai Super Dome with an inflated 5 sausages last season, could this weekend’s change of postcode be what Owen Bootsma needs to get over his goal kicking woes? After a 0.4 effort against the Suns last week, the People’s Boot will need to be on target in Osaka if he hopes to retain his spot in a team boasting a host of Dead-eye Dauds.
3. Will the Goannas be exposed as flat track bullies?
With the exception of the aforementioned Tour de Sendai, it’s been two years since the Goannas left the comfort of Kanto to contest a game of footy. Although they will be well-rested after flying down in comfort with Jetstar, there are some serious question marks around whether the Goannas’ “kick it to Trav” game plan will hold up on the traditionally larger fields of Kansai. While the Goannas have a strong fan base all over the country on the back of their “Don the Bash” campaign, they will be in hostile territory among the footy-starved Dingoes faithful.
4. Who will get the match up on Matty Gale?
With close to 100 goals to his name in a 6-game JAFL season, Matt “Gary” Gale will no doubt prove a handful for whichever unlucky Goanna gets the job. Often referred to as the Brendan Fevola of Japan footy due his love for kicking bags of sausages on suburban football grounds and his ability to sniff out the best spot for a craft beer no matter how remote the location, the fans will be out in droves to see the Dingoes President displaying his wares. Much improved defender Yuji Prestigiamoto is the current front-runner for the position.
5. Do the boys have the depth to get the win off the field?
While there are some obvious gaps in the on-field lineup, the biggest concern for the coaches this week has been the team structure for the boat race at the Fiji Bar after party. In an unexpected turn of luck, Oceans has been a late scratching for the trip, significantly increasing the Goannas’ chances of defending their crown from the Anzac Day Cup two years ago. While fitting 7 players into a 9-man boat race will no doubt be a challenge, a number of game plans based around letting Big Al drink all nine beers are being discussed.
Go get em 'Annas!!
RSS Feed
