AMNRL Grand Final

[slow frontrower]

BULLS AND WILDCATS MAKE IT A 'FOUR PEAT'​

The Glen Mills Bulls and Connecticut Wildcats will battle for the CD Ferrainola Cup IX for the fourth year in succession.

The Bulls overcame a tough New Jersey Sharks squad, who were right in the match trailing only 18-10 at halftime, to win the Franklin Conference and advance to the Cup Final. A strong period after halftime which resulted in 24 points for the Bulls was enough to see the Bulls gain the opportunity to defend their title as reigning AMNRL National Champions.

The Connecticut Wildcats overpowered an injury depleted New York Knights team that produced a sharp return to form in 2006 and were just one match away from returning to the Championship Final. The Wildcats were far too strong and will present a huge threat to the Bulls in Cup Final IX as they look to add to their Lincoln Conference Championship in 2006 and go one better then last years result as Ferrainola Cup runner up.

In a fitting match up the two unbeaten teams in this seasons competition will now square off in what will be the most exciting and evenly contested Ferrainola Cup Final in the history of the American National Rugby League.

A huge crowd is expected to be in attendance as the Bulls and Wildcats contest Ferrainola Cup Final Night IX that will feature plenty of pre match entertainment, skills challenges, music entertainment, fireworks, and plenty of fun for the family.....

FERRAINOLA CUP IX

SATURDAY, AUGUST 19
7PM

JACK PEARSON STADIUM
GLEN MILLS SCHOOLS

GLEN MILLS BULLS (11-0)
(Franklin Conference Champions)
V
CONNECTICUT WILDCATS (10-0-1)
(Lincoln Conference Champions)

ADMISSION IS FREE

POST MATCH PARTY AT BARNABYS IN ASTON

More information at www.amnrl.com​

 

[slow frontrower]

We all know who I think is going to win! What does everyone else think? (excluding you tomahawk, we know who you are going to pick)

 

[Kamala]

Bulls in a close one.
The Knights deserved to get beat signifigantly but don't read too much into it. The Bulls will be a ALOT more fresher.

 

[Tomahawk]

The 2006 Grand Final should be the best Grand Final in AMNRL history. I have a few wishes for this Grand Final.

#1 is that all the clubs in the AMNRL show up and support the league in what should be with out a doubt the best Grand Final in AMNRL history. No team teams match up like these two teams.

#2 that as many spectators possible come out to watch this match. This match is going to see some of the best skillful players in the AMNRL, and is going to have some really big hits.

#3 is that it could be televised so that the fans of the AMNRL all around the world could watch it. The AMNRL has not only stepped up in the number of teams this season, but has stepped it skill playing a couple steps. Some of the best footy in AMNRL has been played this season, and by some of the new teams.

As for the Bulls, yes I believe they have the better of the two teams. However, if the Bulls want to win their 3rd consecutive Grand Final they will have to play mistake free footy. The Bulls have added one international player from last year’s roster and that is Jason Gangaram. They lost two international players in Rocky and Jonny Numa from last year, but welcomes back Scotty Nickolas. The Bulls have also add 8 American rookies to it team this year. Only 1 of them had any rugby experience, and that was rugby union.

As for the Wildcats they are a better team last year also. Slowfrontrower could tell you more on them. I do know that they added 3+ international players to their roster, making their roster made of up about half international players. One of the is a former NRL player.

Well enough is said. This is going to be a great match between two great teams. Good luck to both teams, and may the better team win.

PS – No matter what the outcome is don’t blame anything on a referees call or you guys dressed more players then we did.

 

[slow frontrower]

Tomahawk you are going down...., going down all the way to chinatown.

 

[IrishRugby420]

I like this match-up and believe most fans of the AMNRL have been looking forward to this clash for some time. This clearly matches two powerful and skillfull teams....I see the Cats jumping out to a quick 1 or 2 try lead with the Bull's pulling even by halftime...this game is gonna be decided purely on fitness level ( I believe) cause its gonna be fast paced and may showcase some hard hittin nasty tackles and quick strikes outside. I gotta say the Bulls depth in the middle may be the deciding factor since they continually rotate 5 props and 5 2nd rowers throughout the gam.

Bulls 38 Cats 32 ......... Vassilokoupolousi + Brazier Co-men of the match

 

[Tomahawk]

Gangram (Bulls) + Hollingsworth (Wildcats) = Men of the match

 

[roopy]

The Cats have played in the harder conference.
I think they will take the Bulls this year.

Next year it will be an Axemen v Warriors GF.

 

[IrishRugby420]

Roopy you might be on to something about next years final, I too like the future for Axemen and Warrior. I'm not sure if I'd call a conference where the Raiders and Boston were virtually non-existant a harder conference, although I will concede that there is some tremendous skill up that way.

 

[whatsdoing1982]

When they say a big crowd. What are they expecting?

 

[IrishRugby420]

1500 approx. just for Glen Mills (that includes the 950 students)

 

[Screech]

I have tipped the cats the last two years for two losses so I will tip the bulls this year and hope my poor tipping continues

 

[Kamala]

I pick the Bulls because they will be fresher. Don't let the score fool you, physically some Connecticut players know they were in a game last Sat.
In the fowards for the Cats Will Brazier is the key, If the Bulls can stop his momentum it makes it tougher for the others. I like how the Bulls have so many American born players. All but Brazier in the Cats fowards where born elsewhere and that is what makes them good.
On next year, beware the Knights. I think it will take the Axemen a few more years to develop, but they are for sure the most exiting thing to happen to the AMNRL since probably it started.
The lincoln is the stronger conference because of the Cats, Knights and Warriors. Besides the Bulls, 9 times out of ten these teams would beat up on Franklin teams, like I said except the Bulls.
I like this Grand Final, because these teams hate each other!

 

[Tomahawk]

I pick the Bulls because they will be fresher. Don't let the score fool you, physically some Connecticut players know they were in a game last Sat.
In the fowards for the Cats Will Brazier is the key, If the Bulls can stop his momentum it makes it tougher for the others. I like how the Bulls have so many American born players. All but Brazier in the Cats fowards where born elsewhere and that is what makes them good.
On next year, beware the Knights. I think it will take the Axemen a few more years to develop, but they are for sure the most exiting thing to happen to the AMNRL since probably it started.
The lincoln is the stronger conference because of the Cats, Knights and Warriors. Besides the Bulls, 9 times out of ten these teams would beat up on Franklin teams, like I said except the Bulls.
I like this Grand Final, because these teams hate each other!

Kamala; very well said, and I believe you are right on target. The battlefield for tomorrow nights Grand Final will be in he middle of the field with the BIG GUYS. Both teams have strong, big, and athletic forwards, 2nd rowers, and so on. However, the Bulls have always won these battles with these guys, and believe this will be their toughest war ever. Saying that I believe the Bulls are stronger, and have more personnel to win that battle. When you have the likes of Shayne Mains, Ed Woodbridge, Mike Edwards, Chris Craig, and Joe Becker all Tomahawk players in that middle it is going to be hard to shut them down. And they are only 5 of the many soldiers the Bulls have in the center to fight.

I think you failed to mention the role that the backs and skill players on both team are going to play. The Bulls will have two of the most feared back rowers in the AMNRL playing center, and they will be Jason Gangram, and Kevin Deal. Kevin Deal has been a player who has hurt the Wildcats in the past couple of years. The Bulls also have skill in Dave Niu, Marcus Vassy, Scott Nicholas, and Rick Dortone, who all can get the ball around the field.

From what I hear the Wildcats are also very solid at their skill players. They will want to get the ball into their skill players’ hands. Whatever team can shut this part of the game down, will come out the winner.

 

[Seamus Haney]

The CATS will win..
If the Cats can shut down Jason Gangram then they will definately win. He's by far the best player on the bulls.

 

[Chicago Saints]

Should be a fantastic game and a fantastic night, whatever the outcome or whoever the respective MVPs maybe, the true winner here is Rugby League.

 

[Tomahawk]

Wildcats win 36 to 28 in what will arguable be one of the best Grand Finals of all time. The Bulls were unable to capitalize on th Wildcats mistakes, and were down 1 player for a total of 20 minutes.

Congrats to the CT Wildcats for being the 2006 AMNRL Champions.

It was a great game that litterally came down to the last couple of minutes of the match.

 

[roopy]

Wildcats win 36 to 28 in what will arguable be one of the best Grand Finals of all time. The Bulls were unable to capitalize on th Wildcats mistakes, and were down 1 player for a total of 20 minutes.

Congrats to the CT Wildcats for being the 2006 AMNRL Champions.

It was a great game that litterally came down to the last couple of minutes of the match.

Good result for the game in America.

When is the All Star game being played. It should be a cracker (is that a cuss word in America?).

It might even be good to play a two game series - one game in the North and one in Jacksonville to spread the word.

 

[spinnerhowland]

How many people attended?

 

[Tomahawk]

How many people attended?

About 1500