![]() Fellow Aussie Damien Holland is the link-up artist for a side that has two sets of good wheels in Jon Loring and Dan Greenberg. John Hinchen was unlucky not to have taken home the Roos Medal last season he returns with a fire in his belly to right that wrong. The road to Sarasota-Bradenton has been bumpier than Baltimore Avenue in West Philly, but this is still the best team the Hawks have brought to Nats. With that D3 title and two straight Eastern D1s behind them, they now make their return to D2 after seven seasons a rung below. It took 16 years for the Philadelphia Hawks to bring a National Championship back to the Delaware Valley, and they did it after getting back up off the canvas against Ohio Valley. The foreign legion is led by Andrew and Simon Craig, and by former Baton Rouge Tiger Lachlan Miscamble. ![]() Chance Mire’s athleticism will put teams back on their heels, and Jeffery “Jammer” Jamnik is pesky when he doesn’t have the footy. Zach Weikel led the ‘Stars at regionals and has been an offensive workhorse for them this year. The Lonestars are a side of improved polish, and one that has brings heart to their games which usually sees them through. They are still in search of that breakthrough performance at this level, and after landing in fifth from nine teams in Racine a year ago, they want to end their tenth season with a large trophy that they’ll need to check in. Houston comes across the gulf in search of their first Grand Final in six seasons, having taken out the D3 flag against Sacramento in 2013. There are those in the peanut gallery who could see San Diego competing at the D1 level sooner rather than later, and how they go in the heat of Florida will measure the pH on that take. But it’s the Americans that lead this pride, from Nationals alumni Justin Valley and Brandon Blankenship to the roving speed of Bryan Powers and Lukas Golson. The two time D1 National Champions are on a five year upswing that began with them lifting the D4 title in 2015, and are swinging their way through a 13-win season this campaign.Īdelaide Dominic Graves led the Lions through a torrid stretch that saw them take out the Socal and SCAFL premierships, as well as a toe-to-toe showing against the very best in D1 at regionals. There was a time in history when the San Diego Lions were the best team on the West Coast, and they would strike fear into the hearts of their opponents a la their namesakes. POOL A: San Diego Lions, Houston Lonestars, Philadelphia Hawks, Nashville Kangaroos Here is a look at who each of these divisions will shake out. ![]() From the champions of yore looking to claw their way back to the top, to teams who have been treading water for several years looking to make the breakthrough, to the new kids on the block, Divisions 2, 3, and 4 on the men's side have something for everyone. Teams are competing not just for a trophy this weekend, but for the chance to move up a division at next nationals. Call this the undercard if you must, but there is plenty of talent, action, and excitement at the lower levels of the USAFL Nationals.
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