After just two rounds of the round robin series of AFL Italia, the competition is destined to be decided by a derby grand final.
The Milano Eagles and Genova Dockers secured that opportunity after the second matchday, played on June 3rd at the wonderful venue of Carlini Stadium in Genova.
Despite there still being a matchday to be played in Roma on Saturday, June 16th, the Eagles and the Dockers share the top of the ladder, three wins clear from the Roma Blues, the side that won the 2012 Italia Cup tournament in March, and played in the last two Grand Finals.
The first match of the day between Dockers and Eagles was a hard fought game, with the Eagles inaccurate in front of goal, scoring 10 behinds and just three goals. The Dockers were good enough to take their opportunities to win by nine points: 37 to 28.
In the second game the Milano side were very determined to win to maintain their position on top of the ladder, and had a flying start going 20 to zero in the opening minutes. The Roma Blues didn’t panic, and started their way back in the game.
The Eagles started again to kick very poorly (six behinds and one out-on-the-full out of eight shots) and the Blues managed to trail by only seven points at half time and then grabbed the lead 42 to 39 with five minutes left.
But the Eagles were ruthless in the dying minutes, winning the contested possessions and strong finishing with four unanswered majors to get home with hard-fought, but well deserved 24 points win.
In the last game of the day the Roma side, tired and depleted, showed their pride to get to the half time break in front by a goal. In the second half the Genova Dockers were too good, fresh and quick in their play and won easily by 26 points.
MATCHDAY 2
June 3rd 2012 GENOVA, Stadio Carlini
Game 1
GENOVA DOCKERS 2.3 5.7 37
MILANO FOOTY EAGLES 1.4 3.10 28
Goals
GENOVA: G.Alloisio 2; L.Arnulfo; F.Arnulfo; F.Alloisio.
MILANO: Nugnes; Wilkinson; Cei.
Game 2
MILANO FOOTY EAGLES 4.5 9.12 66
ROMA BLUES FC 3.4 6.6 42
Goals
MILANO: Nugnes 3; Carboncini; Carson; Cei; Pacecca; Diana; Bolognese.
ROMA: Castellini 3; A.Lorenzi 2; Bruschini.
Game 3
ROMA BLUES FC 3.4 3.8 26
GENOVA DOCKERS 2.4 7.10 52
Goals
ROMA: Castellini 2; A.Lorenzi.
GENOVA: F.Alloisio 2; G.Alloisio 2; F.Arnulfo; Invernizzi; De Giorgi.
LADDER Pts pf pa pct
MILANO FOOTY EAGLES 12 212 143 148,25
GENOVA DOCKERS 12 150 160 93,75
ROMA BLUES FC 0 152 211 72,03
GOALKICKERS’ LADDER:
Nugnes (MFE) 8
F. Alloisio (GDO) 6
Pacecca (MFE); Castellini (RFC) 5
White (MFE); A. Lorenzi (RFC) ; G. Alloisio (GDO) 4
Marusic; Ingardia; Bruschini (RFC);Wilkinson (MFE) 3
Carson; Bolognese; Cei (MFE); Reali (RFC);
Quiroga; Caballero; L. Arnulfo; f. Arnulfo (GDO) 2
Della Ricca; Carboncini; Diana (MFE); Marks (RFC); Invernizzi; De Giorgi (GDO) 1
