Game 1 – Brewers vs. Cascades
It was another scorcher in Portland this weekend for round five of the PAFL. With temperatures soaring into the high 80’s, there was going to be some hard fought, exhausting footy played in front of an ever growing enthusiastic crowd.

The first game saw the undefeated, yet undermanned Brewers take on a resurgent Cascades team led by the mosquito fleet of Mercouriou, Quinn and the Energetic John Kim. However, it was the Brewers who came out firing early with Luke Mooney and Will Sandman kicking the first three goals of the game for a handy lead. Jason Snider was a presence in the forward line with Shadi dominating on the defensive end.

The pressure of Mischa Tucker through the midfield helped stem the run of the Brewers while the intensity of Matt Worden’s forward line pressure slowly got the Cascades back into the game. Seth Wright and Rylan Phillips had an epic battle all day in the ruck which was worth the price of admission alone. But as the temperatures rose, so did the efforts of Kim, Mercouriou and the experienced Borenstein. Borenstein was dominating the middle while Kim’s three goals and Mercouriou’s run would eventually seal the win for the Cascades making it two in a row and putting them back in contention for the title.

Final Score:
Cascade 6.7.43
Brewers 5.9.39

Goals:
Cascades: Kim 3, Mercurio 1, Quinn 1, Reardon 1
Brewers: Mooney 2, Sandman 1, Hattar 1, J Snider 1

Umpire:
Blanden

Injuries:
None

Game 2 – Ospreys vs. Loggers
The second game of the afternoon had the Ospreys matching up against the Loggers. Both teams looking for a win after disappointing losses in the previous round. It was all Loggers early on as the Ospreys could not find an answer for the Lumberjacks’ run and efficient play making. Coach Mooney and sensational rookie Vincent Pulci both had an early case of leather poisoning in the first half to lead by 44 at the main break. The Loggers seemed to have the ball on a string with Johnson and Coil solid in defense.

As everyone expected, the mighty birds came out firing in the second half. The Ospreys quickly reduced the deficit with three rapid fire goals to the athletic Ryan Maule before he had to be helped off the field, succumbing to a knee injury. Coach Okely was finding himself free in the middle slotting two goals of his own while Evan Foulke was everywhere setting up numerous scoring attempts. First year player Caleb Elliot was dominated off the half back flank using his size and speed to his advantage. The lead dwindled and the Loggers needed someone to stand up. It was USAFL veteran Will ‘The Dream’ Sandman who steadied the ship with some skillful late goals to get the Loggers home.

In the end, the Loggers’ early start was too much for the Ospreys to overcome with a final margin of 19 points.

Final Score:
Loggers 11.4.70
Ospreys 7.9.51

Goals:
Loggers: Sandman 3, Mooney 2, Blanden 2, Worden 2, Borenstein 2
Ospreys: Maule 3, Okely 2, Cook 1, Borenstein 1

Umpire:
J. Snider

Injuries:
Maule (Knee), Coil (Ankle)