Cincinnati Dockers Australian Football Team Triumphs in Columbus

COLUMBUS, OH - The Cincinnati Dockers Australian Rules Football Club was able to endure both Mother Nature and the Columbus Jackaroos’ youth and speed en route to a victory in Ohio's capital city, as the Dockers defeated the Jackaroos 45-19 last Saturday afternoon at Tuttle Park in Columbus, OH. 


Due to travel issues from both visiting teams, the initially scheduled 3-team tournament was changed to one standard 4 20-minute quarter match, with the Milwaukee players that made the trip joining the Dockers to challenge the hosting Columbus Jackaroos.  Making things more interesting was Mother Nature’s presence in the form of heavy rain.  However, not even this perfect storm of events could stop the Dockers. 


As the match started, it became clear that the rain would have a severe impact on ball handling, as neither team were able to catch the ball very well, instead relying on picking up dropped balls.  The Dockers only managed to get 3 scoring opportunities in the first quarter, while holding the Jackaroos to only 2, and ending the first period with a 1 point lead.  At quarter-time, Cincinnati led 1 goal and 2 behinds for 8 points, to Columbus' 1 goal and 1 behind for 7 points. 


The rain poured down even heavier in the second quarter, and it was the Dockers who were more able to adapt.  Cincinnati were there to pick up loose balls from contests which resulted in a more scoring opportunities, while also denying the Jackaroos a single goal during the period.  Halftime score was Cincinnati with 5 goals and 3 behinds for 33 points to Columbus' 1 goal and 3 behinds for 9 points. 


In the third quarter, the rain finally gave way to the sun, and with it the hopes of the Jackaroos.  They intensified their offense and forced the Cincinnati players up the field, which left very little manpower in their offense. This helped hold the Dockers scoreless during the third quarter, however, the combination of the Dockers' defense toughness and Columbus' inaccuracy only produced 3 behinds for the Jackaroos the whole period.  The three-quarter time score had Cincinnati leading 5 goals and 3 behinds for 33 points to Columbus' 1 goal and 6 behinds for 12 points. 


With ball handling now back into play with the end of the rain, both teams kicked on the afterburners and gave it everything they had. It would be both teams' defense that were on display, with each side only earning 2 scoring shots.  It would be the Dockers who made the most of those opportunities, scoring a goal on each of them, while the Jackaroos only scored one goal and one behind, leaving the Dockers with a hard fought victory and plenty to cheer about.  The final score had Cincinnati winning with 7 goals and 3 behinds for 45 points to Columbus' 2 goals and 7 behinds for 19 points. 


The battle between the Dockers and the Jackaroos is not over yet though.  Both teams are tentatively scheduled to compete in a match at Heritage Oak Park in Mason, OH on August 1st as part of the annual USA vs. Canada weekend spectacular.  More details on this match will be released as they come. 


The Cincinnati Dockers are an Australian Rules Football club based out of Fairfield, Ohio. Established in 1996, they are the oldest club of its kind in the United States. Last year, the Dockers were co-winners of the USAFL division 4 national championship. For more information about the Dockers please visit their website at www.cincinnatidockers.com. To contact the Dockers, please send an e-mail to dockers@cincinnatidockers.com. 


Scoring note: In Australian Rules Football, a goal is worth 6 points, and a behind is worth 1 point.

Note: The Cincinnati Dockers combine with the Louisville Kings for all 2009 MAAFL games.

The Troy Skating Club is once again hosting their annual Summer Skating Competition at Troy's Hobart Arena from Thursday, July 8 to Sunday July, 12.

Local and regional Figure Skaters from many different associations and clubs will once again compete for gold, including several members of the Troy Skating Club.

The weekend event is free and open to the public, as MiamiCountyPost.com will cover parts of the event for broadcast on MCP TV in the future.

Left To Right: Josh Tucker, Kyle Pierson, Lee McClure, Trent Iffland

“First Four” Troy Bruins Announced
By JT Szabo

Troy, OH- Nearly sixty years after the legendary Troy Bruins of the International Hockey League introduced the sport of ice hockey to the citizens of Troy and the Northern Miami Valley, The Troy Bruins Jr A Hockey Team is proud to introduce the first four players for the newest incarnation of the hockey legacy this coming fall.

Upon the successful completion of the first local tryout camp, held at Hobart Arena on June 19 through 21, four players have committed and have signed with the team, creating the “First Four” Troy Bruins, and adding a fresh new chapter to local sports history.

“Our first [tryout] camp was intended as an opportunity for local hockey players of juniors age to showcase their talents and abilities at a level most have not had the ability to experience, and we are excited to have four talented young men from the region as the first players in team history” commented Troy Bruins President and General Manager Rick Szabo. Of the four players who signed, two come from Central Ohio (Josh Tucker, Trent Iffland); one is from the greater Cincinnati area (Kyle Pierson) and one player is from Beavercreek, Ohio (Lee McClure). All four players have prior experience at the Junior level, and should be great assets to the team.

“We hope to sign at least two more players from that local tryout camp in the near future” remarked Szabo. He continued “As we progress towards the season, our players will be present throughout the Northern Miami Valley at public appearances and events, helping the community get to know them and us as a team”.

A first-year member of the United Junior Hockey League, the Troy Bruins bring competitive and entertaining Junior A level hockey back to Troy’s historic Hobart Arena starting in September. For more information on the Troy Bruins, visit their website at www.TroyBruins.com.

Cincinnati Dockers Australian Football Team Travels to Columbus for Three-Team Series

FAIRFIELD, OHIO - The Cincinnati Dockers Australian Rules Football Club continue their 13th consecutive season on Saturday, July 11th when they head to Tuttle Park on West Oakland Avenue in nearby Columbus, Ohio for a three-team mini tournament against the Columbus Jackaroos and the Milwaukee Bombers.  The matches are scheduled to begin at 1 PM.

The Columbus Jackaroos may be the newest team in the United States Australian Football League, but the history between Columbus and Cincinnati started on day one.  Jackaroos co-founders, Chet Ridenour and Matt Reiss, currently the team's president, are both former Cincinnati Dockers.  Additionally, the Jackaroos' first ever match was against the Dockers almost exactly one year ago.  However, there will be no pleasantries when these two teams take the field.

The third team in the mix is the Milwaukee Bombers.  Milwaukee usually provide very tough competition and are legitimate challengers for any competition they compete in.  Last season, the Dockers lost a heartbreaker to the Bombers by one point after the Dockres' lead for most of the game.  This time around, the Dockers will look to go ahead and stay ahead at the end.

All three matches are scheduled for 2 20-minute halves.  The first match will pit the Cincinnati Dockers against the Columbus Jackaroos at 1 PM.  Just after that, at approximately 2 PM, the Dockers will suit up again to take on the Milwaukee Bombers.  In the last match of the day at approximately 3 PM, the Milwaukee Bombers will take on the host Columbus Jackaroos.

In Cincinnati's last match, the Dockers lost a tough match against the Nashville Kangaroos in Louisville, Kentucky.  Columbus' last official match was on the road against the #1 ranked Baltimore/DC Eagles, where they lost 105-21.  Milwaukee last competed officially against the Minnesota Freeze, losing 84-14 on the road.  After this tournament, the Dockers will head home to nearby Mason, OH on August 1st to once again challenge the Columbus Jackaroos as part of the colossal USA vs. Canada weekend.

The Cincinnati Dockers are an Australian Rules Football club based out of Fairfield, Ohio. Established in 1996, they are the oldest club of its kind in the United States. Last year, the Dockers were co-winners of the USAFL division 4 national championship. For more information about the Dockers please visit their website at www.cincinnatidockers.com. To contact the Dockers, please send an e-mail to dockers@cincinnatidockers.com.

Note: The Cincinnati Dockers combine with the Louisville Kings for all 2009 MAAFL games.