The long awaited Third Round of the AFL England Southern league saw a fresh faced Surrey Stags make a long, cramped journey down to Southampton to take on the Market House Pirates. Both teams went into the fixture needing a win, and, having lost by similar margins to the other clubs, we knew it was going to be a tight game.
A diverse Stag’s line-up including a cripple, a returning legend, 2 under 18’s and a Demon disguised in a Stags’ jersey stepped out into the blistering heat under a blazing sun. The Stags’ midfield quickly showed their class with 6 goals to 2 in the opening quarter. Returning Aussie Mark Harkness made his presence noticed, while Stalwart captain Ali ran rings around his opposite number and Sam Jones dominated the early rucks.
The second quarter saw the Pirates hit back with sustained pressure to the Stag’s posts but poor accuracy kept the lead safe, although panicked. The short pitch was a double edged sword as counter attacks disrupted the order and discipline of both sides; with a single kick covering most of the ground. The Pirates’ full forward showed that sometimes all you need is bulk and good hands to apply serious pressure.
The second half began with renewed vigour, Ali and Mark linking well off Sam’s tap-downs, but with Sam tiring and the Pirates’ midfield building confidence they began to win more in the middle. A ten minute burst saw one way traffic against our sticks, but some moments of glory for the Stags’ youngsters in the back, Ciar and Justin, who made their rugby backgrounds very VERY clear to the attacking pirates.
With Dominic and Tom A at half forward linking up for the best/most pathetic goal of the game (Dom barely tapping the ball from a horizontal position and Tom smashing it the last inch over the line) and James Long making some amazing grabs at full forward, the Stags outscored in the quarter by 6 goals to 4.
The Pirates began the final quarter badly, with Mark and James Long at full forward combining perfectly to slot 7 goals between them, but the greatest insult was the chairman linking with scrappy ball in the forward line to slot a goal perfectly between the posts for a career first. Jaws were seen to have dropped around the city.

Final Scores:
Q1 : Stags 6.4.40 Pirates 2.4.16
Q2: Stags 11.7.73 Pirates 5.10.40
Q3: Stags 17.14.116 Pirates 9.12.66
Q4 Stags 25.17.167 Pirates 12.16.88

Stags’ Best On ground:
Mark Harkness (28 Votes)
James Long (11 Votes)
Ali McKinnel (7 Votes)

Dick of the Day:
Ricky & Phil for arriving half way through the first quarter.