Rheinland Lions defeat inaccurate Berlin Crocs to win 2011 AFLG Premiership

This article courtesy of Kate O'Halloran

It was the grand final that almost didn’t happen. Two months before the game was due to be played, members of the Australian Football League Germany (AFLG) were told that the ground they had booked and were contracted for was unavailable. Three weeks before the game, no resolution had been made, with the game likely to be moved to Berlin.

Later, the ground was again theirs, much to the relief of members of the opposing clubs. Such is the life of the AFLG footballer: their passion for and the importance of a game most locals have never heard of is not always understood.

None of this drama was evident at the start of the game on Saturday. It was an unexpectedly sunny, 25-degree September day in Stuttgart. While most of the locals were out at the regional Folk Festival, an eclectic mix of onlookers gathered in the heat to watch the Rheinland Lions and Berlin Crocodiles battle it out for the AFLG premiership.

The Rheinland Lions are no strangers to the last Saturday in September, having now contested the last 6 grand finals in a row. For the Crocodiles, on the other hand, it was their maiden grand final after a mostly successful season which saw them bolt to the top of the ladder before tapering off mid-way through the season.

Despite the vastly different history of the teams, the first quarter saw a relatively even contest unfold. The Crocs kick-started the final with some nervous fumbling and dropped marks, but stayed in the game thanks to their willingness to put their heads over the ball: a tactic reinforced to them before the game by Australian playing coach Troy Pedder. In fact, the Crocs went forward several times, but missed two relatively simple shots in front of goal and went into quarter time at 1.2 (8). The Lions looked the more polished and skillful side, but would also rue some missed opportunities, kicking 1.4 (10) for the term.

Although the first quarter would have given Crocs fans hope, the second would ultimately clinch the final for the Lions. Having looked the more skillful team but failing to convert this advantage into scoreboard pressure, the weight of their experience began to take its toll. The Lions ultimately piled on 5 goals for the quarter, although Berlin were again left to rue missed opportunities in front of goal. Normally accurate power forward and ex-Rheinland player Daniel Wishart was one the main culprits as the Crocs managed just 3 points for the term.

Half-time offered the chance to re-group for the Crocs, and they came out firing in the third quarter. Nonetheless, fumbling and inaccuracy would again define their term, and they could only take away a further 5 points for a much-improved performance. Despite having two less shots on goal, the Lions were able to accurately convert, kicking 2.1 for the quarter.

The Rheinland bench were prompted to remark that they had ‘weathered the storm’, and as in so many other games, the ability of the Lions to withhold the Crocs’ charge gave meaning to the term ‘premiership quarter’.

The fourth quarter soon became party-time for Rheinland, who went from strength to strength, kicking another 3 goals for the quarter. Accurate passing and quick link-ups became a defining feature of their game, as did their notable fitness base as they ran out the game the stronger side.

For the Crocs, the most pleasing thing was that their attack on the ball did not let up, and they were able to salvage a deserved second and final goal. While the final score (Rheinland Lions 11.9 (75) Berlin Crocodiles 2.12 (24)) perhaps did not accurately reflect their endeavor, they were ultimately outclassed by a more polished and successful outfit.

The Lions could thank a host of players for their dominant display, not least of which playing coach Anthony Garland who contributed 3 goals. Josh Edwards also finished with 3 to his name, as well as a host of possessions in a best on ground effort fittingly awarded with a medal (the only piece of silverware handed out on the day). Other notable possession getters for the Lions included many of their local German players: Max Kolleck, Roland and Chris Odenthal (two of four Odenthal brothers to play for the side), Marcel Fassbender and Michi Dietrich. This fact was re-inforced by captain Luke McBride after the game, who referred to the German contingent of the Lions as ‘the heart and soul’ of the team. Despite heralding the performance as a team effort, McBride pointed to the fact that the Lions have the highest percentage of German players in the league (around 75%). This allowed them the consistency required to build an experienced and successful team, said McBride.

For the Crocs, it was a disappointing end to a season which started with so much promise. Speaking after the game, player Tony Witney admitted that nerves may have played a role in the defeat. Nonetheless, Witney suggested that inaccuracy was the biggest concern: their poor conversion rate in front of goal robbing them of the chance to compete. The Crocs also fielded many first-year players, many of whom were German (around 50%). For Witney, this both explained some of the nerves but also provided hope for the future.

With their biggest ratio yet of German players, Berlin can now look forward to emulating the feats of its rival, Rheinland. It was not all bad news for the Crocs either, with forward Wishart continually looking dangerous, and the intense defensive pressure and skill of players like Declan McCaffrey, Peter Neumann, Simon Patel and Troy Pedder providing plenty of hope for the season to come.

GOALS
Rheinland: Edwards 3, Garland 3, Wiens 2, Fassbender, Grünstern, Nolan
Berlin: Patel, Wishart

BEST
Rheinland: Dietrich, Edwards, Fassbender, Garland, Kolleck, C. Odenthal, R. Odenthal
Berlin: McCaffrey, Neumann, Patel, Pedder