MAAFL League History

Season - 2005

The 2005 Mid American Australian Football League season is over with first-time Premiers the Dallas Magpies taking the title after going through the season undefeated. Dallas in their third year in the MAAFL thrived this year with some excellent recruiting drives, a strong administration and certainly some great leadership on the field. Their qualities of play a fine example to the marked increase in skill and fitness of players throughout the league. Runners Up this year were the Chicago Swans, or was it the CAFA? (Chicago Australian Football Assoc.) - more on that later.

The Mid American Australian Football League completed its sixth official year with several teams pushing up the ladder and few falling by the wayside. It was a year of consolidation with the same seven teams making up the league from 2004 but there was no doubt an increase in the standard of play. Inconsistent games by Premiership champions the previous two years, the St Louis Blues, left the door open for improving clubs to show their stuff.

Although Dallas had most of the season covered they did fall over the line once against second place Chicago at home when the Chicago lads could not kick straight, the final score of 8-11 to 6-18 telling the story there. That was the only hiccup in the Dallas Magpies' year - as well as hosting the East v West game the club improved its player stocks all year with a solid Metro League season. Dallas head into the USAFL Nationals next weekend ranked #2 in country behind the Denver Bulldogs and quietly confident they have the team to go all the way.

The Chicago Swans completed their first full season now under the Chicago Australian Football Association banner with the joining of the Chicago Swans list with that of the Chicago Sharks late last year. All reports are the transition was smooth with only some minor hiccups. Now simply known as the “CAFA” the Chicago teams season was consistent and reports are their training attendance and local games have been far improved from 2004 where they struggled all year. The Chicago lads join Dallas in Division 1 at the Nationals and are quite capable on their day to put up a good showing.

The Milwaukee Bombers had an indifferent start to the year and lost two of their first three games, however they came home with a wet sail and finished with a 4-2 record in third place with big wins at home and solid wins on the road. The Bombers are hosting the USAFL National Championships next weekend and that for sure would put a strain on the club. However the Bombers report their Metro League has never been stronger and will field two full teams at the Nationals one in 1st and one in 3rd Divisions.

The St Louis Blues finished fourth in the MAAFL this year in what to them must be a disappointing year. The Blues relying heavily on young college aged players perhaps were found out for depth through injuries and several players traveling overseas. They started the season in high spirits with a win away against Atlanta and at home versus Nashville but struggled from there on, their other win coming via cellar dweller in Cincinnati. The Blues are a young group and if they regain some players will be a force again.

From the remainder fifth was Nashville who have not much progressed in 2005. It was apparent their numbers were down early and they never really recovered. Their wins coming at the expense of Cincinnati and Atlanta on the road. The emphasis on their own local Australian Festival does take its toll and for the first time in memory they will not be represented by a team at the National Championships. Along with St Louis falling back Atlanta were probably the other surprise of the year failing to win a game other than a forfeit v Cinci. The Atlanta Kookaburras coming off big year in 2004 of hosting the USAFL Nationals and the East-West game got off to a bad start beaten by St Louis first round at home and went down hill from there. Injuries and probably a need for a lot more younger players played a part in a disappointing year for the Kookaburras. Cincinnati could only have been described as in a rebuilding phase in 2005, their lack of numbers on the road reflected in their scores. They have a great core group of players that are passionate for the game though and brighter days are ahead for the Dockers no doubt.

The 2005 MAAFL season was a great success, four teams are now running regular local games often referred to as ‘Metro Leagues’ and the player development in skill and knowledge is on a steady curve upwards. There are other clubs in the mix like Kansas City, Louisville and Baton Rouge who have all shown their own improvement in 2005 and points to the fact the MAAFL could possibly grow to 10 teams within the very near future. That can only be great for Aussie Rules footy in the USA.

Season - 2004

The MAAFL 2004 Season was one for the "History Books". Never had a regional league in United States (or any regional league outside of Australia) attracted the attention that the season provided. The Atlanta Kookaburras and the Milwaukee Bombers joined the league in 2004 - and they had an immediate impact on the league with both teams winning their first two games and then meeting in undefeated showdown in Milwaukee in July - that saw the Bombers get up for a fine victory. Of course - traveling under the radar for the first part of the season was the St. Louis Blues who simply had gone about business (the business of winning) - and playing some catch up on the ladder due to a first round loss to Dallas. Dallas also had made a great impact on the early part of the season - and then the actual veteran clubs of the MAAFL (Chicago, Nashville, Cincinnati) were fighting it out for lower portions of the ladder. As the season tightened up the league championship truly became a wide open race. While the Kookas had really looked like early season world beaters - the Blues, Magpies and Bombers were all sitting pretty at the top end of the ladder with the Kookas. Added to the excitement down the stretch was the marked improvement of Nashville and Chicago - who knocked off Atlanta and Dallas to keep their slim hopes for a flag alive. The final three rounds provided the MAAFL clubs and associated fan based with the most exciting finish you could see in Australian Football. With all 4 top clubs playing each other - all having their own destiny in their hands (and all within a game of each other) - the league saw the mighty St. Louis Blues shine through with great victories over Milwaukee and then Atlanta in the final rounds to clinch the 2004 MAAFL Championship. Amazingly - the St. Louis Blues had one Australian on the team showing that tenacity and their physical approach to the game was a superior formulae than ex patriots our for a kick. The Blues Championship made them the first MAAFL club to win back to back championship.

Season - 2003

Season 2003 saw the most exciting MAAFL season to date. It went completely down to the wire - leaving several clubs holding their breath before the mighty St. Louis Blues were crowned the 2003 MAAFL Champions. The season opened with Dallas Magpies joining the MAAFL and immediately finding out that the key to a successful season is how well you travel. Dallas pulled small numbers on the road against St. Louis in the season opener and ultimately the league champion came from this match. The highly fancied Roos failed to score their first ever win in Cincinnati with a Dockers drubbing while the Swans opened the season in high style against Kansas City. The season never looked back from there. Some key highlights as St. Louis marched towards their first ever championship was their amazing 1 point with over Kansas City in an incredible match in KC while Dallas came storming home from a 6 goal deficit against the Kangaroos to record a fine victory in Dallas. Of course the Kangaroos being dual MAAFL champions faced stiff opposition at all turns going down to the Swans in a great second half blitz in Chicago. Other highlights included the Dallas Magpies finishing out their season with drubbing of the Chicago Swans and putting themselves in a position to win the MAAFL title. Due to early season scheduling issues - the MAAFL title came down to the St. Louis Blues playing the Kangaroos at the 2003 Australian Festival. The Roos had to win by a margin of 35 plus points to give Dallas the championship. Playing In front of the largest MAAFL crowd in history - the Blues fell behind 26 points in the early final quarter before mounting an amazing comeback to take the lead and more importantly the 2003 Mid American Australian Football League Championship.

Season - 2002

Season 2002 saw the emergence of the Kansas City Power with three early wins that put them in the front running for the MAAFL Championship. Nashville Kangaroos also showed early form as team with out of league wins that indicated a championship possibility. The Chicago Swans, Cincinnati Dockers and the St. Louis Blues all were focused on development of new players as their season unfolded. In keeping with the excitement of the MAAFL the season came down to the final 2 matches, which saw the Nashville Kangaroos defeat Kansas City Power, then wrap up the championship with a sold victory over Chicago in Nashville. Over the course of the 10 round season many highlights were found in the MAAFL including the St. Louis Blues recording a fine road win in Chicago. The season also saw Nashville's John Nelson winning the MVP position which was fitting for the 4 year coach of the Nashville Kangaroos. Ultimately the MAAFL completed a very successful season that was well followed on the Internet. All MAAFL Clubs competed in the USAFL National Championships and scored win at all levels in the Championship.

Season - 2001

In 2001, the MAAFL consolidated itself as a league with the inclusion of St. Louis Blues and Kansas City Power. This addition gave the League 10 official matches in 2001 with each team playing 4 matches (2 at home and 2 away). The Season started off with the oldest MAAFL rivalry - Cincinnati Dockers and Nashville Kangaroos meeting with a fine Dockers victory. From their Chicago, St. Louis and Kansas City all got into the mix. The Chicago Swans quickly established itself as the team to beat when they accounted for the 2000 Champions, the Nashville Kangaroos in Chicago. Also St. Louis showed solid form winning key games in their Inaugural Season. The Season ultimately came down to a showdown in St. Louis - with Chicago looking for a victory to win the 2001 MAAFL, while St. Louis needed a huge victory to bring the title to St. Louis. In a close game the Chicago Swans held on to win by 11 points and secured Chicago's first ever League Championship.

Inaugural Season - 2000

In 2000, the MAAFL Inaugural season – Nashville, Cincinnati, Chicago and Louisville agreed to play 4 MAAFL matches each, with St. Louis offering to play matches that would count officially in the MAAFL. Of the nine matches scheduled 8 matches were played with the Nashville Kangaroos going through undefeated. The League played matches in 5 cities (Nashville, Cincinnati, Chicago, Louisville and St. Louis). Tremendous resources were required to achieve this schedule and all clubs are commended on the efforts of regional development. A great learning experience was gained by the Development Committee of the MAAFL – and although the challenges were great – the knowledge gained in the Inaugural year will stand the league and its clubs well in future years to come.

Trial Season - 1999

In 1999, the Mid West began with a boom, Chicago and St. Louis clubs, based on strong showings in the 1998 Nationals, became forces to be reckoned with while the South East saw the development of South Carolina-Tri Cities, Atlanta, North Carolina. Matches were now being played in both the Mid West and the South East. Nashville, Cincinnati and Louisville continued their club growth. The 1999 MAAFL Teams Schedule saw 8 matches played (every one scheduled at the start of the season) with the Grand Final Festival hosting 6 of 8 MAAFL Teams to finish out the season.

League Concepts - 1998

In 1998, growth of both Cincinnati and Nashville saw the start up clubs boast over 100 club members, over 20 games played combined, incorporations took place, sponsorships obtained, as both clubs lead promotions of Aussie Rules in this region. Louisville came together in the later part of the season, and Atlanta is now in formation. With Club Structures in place, a league can now be viable.

Aussie Rules in United States - 1996-1997

In 1996 Cincinnati and Louisville played the first ever game of Aussie Rules in North America. From that time on, the game has been building in this region of the country (and the entire USA). In 1997 Cincinnati held the first national tournament in the USA, and Nashville soon followed with their first Australian Grand Final Festival. The United States Australian Football Association (now the USAFL) was founded by competing clubs at the Cincinnati Tournament (1997 & 1998) under the guidance of Paul O'Keefe from Milwaukee.

The formation of the MAAFL was under way at the
1998 Australian Grand Final Festival in Nashville