The Milwaukee Bombers wrapped up the 2006 MAAFL Championship with a great win over Atlanta.  Congratulations to the Wisconsin boys on a fine season, undefeated with one round left in the season.  This is Milwaukee's first MAAFL title, coming close the last couple of years, well deserved. The real question now is who will take out 2nd spot and the automatic berth into Division 1 at this year's National Tournament in Las Vegas.

Three clubs can take 2nd spot, Chicago, Dallas and Nashville.  Each team sitting on 3 wins, Dallas has the bye and will need both Nashville and Chicago to lose.  Nashville face Atlanta in Atlanta while Chicago hosts the Dockers. Nashville seem to be in a better position than Chicago with a greater percentage but have the tougher game this weekend.  Chicago on the other hand need a big win but are hosting Cinci which should be a win for the United squad.  Either way both teams really need to win to grab 2nd spot.

Nashville heading down to Georgia face their old foes the Atlanta Kookaburras.  When these 2 clubs meet you never know what to expect.  Nashville have greatly improved this year but any team at home is tough to beat and the Kookas have already proved that against Chicago. Chicago play the Cinci Dockers who won their first game for quite a while only 2 rounds ago against the Kookas.  United at home have been undefeated so far in 2006 and they will be aiming to keeo that record in tact.

Interesting though: Chicago beat Nashville and Dallas but lost to Atlanta, Atlanta beat Chicago but lost to Dallas and Cinci, Cinci beat Atlanta but lost to Dallas and Nashville and Dallas beat Atlanta but lost to Nashville and Chicago.  Everyone has beaten a team that has lot to another who has beaten the other....other beaten...lost to who?

In the other game, St Louis play host to the champion Milwaukee.  St Louis will be looking to even out their season with a 3-3 finish but their % is way too low to threaten 2nd spot.  Milwaukee, with the title already in their hands will still be trying to continue their undefeated season.  St Louis are a pretty hard team to beat at home but Milwaukee have not fallen yet and will want to go into Nationals with an invincible confidence.  So potentially we could have 4 teams finish 3-3 at the end of the season, Chicago, Dallas, St Louis and Nashville.
 
The MVP race is still pretty open, this weekend's votes will go along way to deciding who will take out the award with Milwaukee, Chicago and Dallas players as the potential winner.
 
My tips for the weekend are:
Atlanta too strong for Nashville
Cinci overwhelmed by United
St Louis to get over the line against the Bombers
 
Dallas...still warm enough to give the pub a good thumpin'.
 
 
Well it has been a fantastic season so far and it isn't quite over yet.  This Saturday night should be fun with all the clubs celebrating the end to another great regular season.  Once again, congratulations to Milwaukee and best of luck to all the other teams this weekend.  Keep an eye on further details for the Australian Festival...more footy action ahead!!!
 
I'm not playing this weekend but I'll be out there on Saturday so I may see you around the grounds...

* Webmasters Note - Congratulation to Big Al - Completing his 3rd year as MAAFL President. Another tremendous season and continued growth and development of Australian Football in the region - good job Al!