August 2, 2004 by Greg Everett
On the weekend of July 31-August 1, AFL Canada and their national team, "The Northwind", hosted the United States Australian Football league (USAFL) and their national team, "The Revolution", in a series of International matches featuring their "A" and "B" squads.
Matches were played up at the Ontario Australian Football Leagues (OAFL) field located at Humber College North in Toronto. With warm sunny days over the weekend it was a fantastic two days of Australian Football featuring the best 50 players from both countries.
Saturday, July 31st
On Saturday there were two games played that featured both countries "B" squads playing each other as the curtain raiser to the 49th Parallel Cup played out by both "A" squads for the North American bragging rights. Both games were played at a cracking pace and with teams showing amazing skill and team work. The USA came out on top in both matches on the Saturday but not without getting a scare from two fast finishing Canadian teams that had superior fitness but gave their rivals too big a lead to run down. The 2004 version of the 49th Parallel Cup stays with our American counterparts for another year. We hope to get it back from them in 2005 when we meet them in Melbourne, Australia for the 2nd International Cup.
USA "B" (10.13.73) def. Canada "B" (6.6.42)
Canada Best: Brian McGillis, Chris White, Clayton Holmes, Mark Van Gelder, Jeff Burkin, Nick Dirago
Canada Goals: Mark Van Gelder 6
USA "A" (9.9.63) def. Canada "A" (7.9.51)
Canada Best: Paul Longhanne, George Dimacakos, Jason Robinson, Aaron Falcioni, Anastasios Dimacakos, Adam Siddiqui
Canada Goals: Chris Buczkowski 2, Anastasios Dimacakos 1, Greg Logel 1, Jason Robinson 1, George Dimacakos 1
Sunday, August 1st
On Sunday it was the top squads of both countries the "A" playing their opposition "B" squads. This was to be an interesting one as the Canadian had found out that the USA had dropped some of their "A" players back into the "B" squad to strengthen it. The first match saw the Americans "A" squad easily account for the Canadian "B" squad. The 2nd Sunday game was between the Canadian "A" squad and the American "B/A" squad, with Americans looking to clean sweep the Canadians on home soil. This was not to be as the Canadians came home the strongest with superior fitness and running power to take the win from the "Yanks" and leave them with something to think about before seeing the Northwind next year.
USA "A" (12.17.89) def. Canada "B" (1.3.9)
Canada Best: Eben Shaeffer, Luke Posthumus, Chris White, Oliver Hayward, Josh Beaupre, Phil Muller
Canada Goals: Phil Muller 1
Canada "A" (7.11.53) def. USA "B" (3.8.26)
Canada Best: Ed Worsfold, Aaron Falconi, Jeff Fish, Dale Simnett, Mike Travers, Paul Longhanne
Canada Goals: Paul Longhanne 2, Chris Buczkowski 2, Mark Van Gelder 1, Austin Enright 1, Mike Butcher 1, Jason Robinson 1
A great weekend was had by all and the Northwind coaching staff were very pleased by the performance of their players and the fact they have unearthed some quality players from around the country from which to pick the best 30 players to take to Australia next year in August 2005.
Thanks to all the players and helpers who helped out with vital jobs over the weekend that made it not only a great weekend of football on the field, but a great weekend off it as well.