Defrosters Dominate in First Metro
In the first metro contest of the 2024 season, the Defrosters dominated play, impeaching City Hall 15.12.102 to 4.12.36.
On a crisp, sunny Saturday at the Cricket Field in Forest Park, The Defrosters filibustered City Hall by committee. A group effort tabled every motion and maneuver by City Hall.
St. Louis was joined by four guest players from Lindenwood rugby including Australian Leander McQuade, far right.
Blues legend Dave Zitko won BOG honors followed by Alex “Taj” Tajkowski and Leander McQuade while Mark “Pinky” Politz took down the first ever Smooth Operator Award (SOA) for his saucy moves on the pitch. Following up were Leander McQuade and Aaron “Dondo” Elizondo.
Can City Hall rebound with the return of their fearless leader Joel “Frosty” Friesen? Or is it meeting adjourned for the bombastic bureaucrats?
Find out May 11. Same time. Same channel!
May 11
Ball up 11 AM
The Blues Open the Season!
Footy camp! #usafl @STLAFL pic.twitter.com/SQkaUNr4fN
— rich-o (@coachricho) April 6, 2024
Ended footy camp with a run up the hill to the statue of St. Louis #aussierules pic.twitter.com/jLoXizacYv
— rich-o (@coachricho) April 6, 2024
Up the hill to the statue #usafl #aussierules pic.twitter.com/3bmJdUQnZA
— rich-o (@coachricho) April 6, 2024
Footy camp stats #aussierules pic.twitter.com/RkZLGFlPNH
— rich-o (@coachricho) April 7, 2024
Open House April 20
The St. Louis Australian Football Club will hold an open house at the Cricket Field in Forest Park on April 20, 2024 from 10 AM to noon.
Our open house is intended to introduce the great sport of Australian Rules Football to newcomers and to give new players an opportunity to play in a real scrimmage.
Plenty of veteran players will be on hand to assist. Please bring comfortable athletic wear, soccer shoes, and plenty of water.
Come have a kick!
St. Louis Kicks Off April 6
The St. Louis Australian Rules Football Club kicks off the 2024 season with Footy Camp at the Forest Park Cricket Field April 6 at 10 AM.
All newcomers are welcome!
You should bring comfortable athletic wear that you would wear for a soccer game including soccer shoes. You should also bring running shoes and plenty of water!
What to Expect
We will be knocking the rust off on April 6 after a long, cold winter. Footy camp will consist of chalk talk, drills & contests, conditioning, and a scrimmage.
You will not find a friendlier bunch than our club. We welcome all athletes and supporters to come have a kick.
New Board Elected; Gravelle Named President & General Manager
The St. Louis Blues Australian Football Club has named a new board and president.
From left to right, Vice President Mark Politz, Secretary Pete Nagel, Member at Large Rhiannon Duryea, President/General Manager Robert Gravelle, and Treasurer/Social Media Mogul Stephen Zenishek.
Gravelle moved to St. Louis from Chicago and together with long-time member Dave Zitko and others helped breathe new life into the club.
Gravelle takes over as president after Zitko stepped down after a decade of outstanding leadership.
Lozano Takes Coaching Reins
Former player and assistant Richard Lozano takes over as senior coach of the St. Louis Australian Football Club for the 2024 season.
Coach Lozano began his career with Aussie Rules in 1998 as one of the earlier members of The Blues. Lozano was slated to join the coaching staff of the U23 Revolution for the Arafura Games in Australia in 2003, but the international games were canceled due to concerns over SARS.
As a player, Lozano played full forward and was selected for team of the decade in 2007 as well as the 25th anniversary team in 2023.
Lozano was the recipient of the USAFL’s Club Heritage Award in 2022 and was made a Life Member of the St. Louis Australian Football Club in 2023.
“I am looking forward to continuing the work of bringing Aussie Rules back to St. Louis and growing it to new levels in our city,” said Lozano. “This is an exceptional sport that even the most serious athlete will find fun and very challenging. We don’t play a modified version. This is the real sport.”
Lozano is joined by his former teammate and current USAFL secretary Jim Martin and Australian Troy Kirk.