August 5, 2005 by Bruce Parker | View Comments (22)
Murphy Reserve – Port Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Canada 4.3.27 defeated by Papau New Guinea 5.11.41
Heavy rains overnight made for a soft ground and sloppy conditions this morning as the Northwind took to the field against the speedy PNG team. The Canadian team had a tough time adjusting play to the quick ball movement of the Mosqitoes.
The aggressive style of play by the Northwind cost them three consecutive frees against giving the PNG team a quick lead. The Canadians were slow to adapt to the Mosquitoes continued swarming of the ball. The Northwind players found themselves chasing the ball most of the first quarter. Canada scored late after Rob McElwain earned a free for a solid tackle just outside the 50m arc. Rob kicked to the top of the goal square to Mark Van Gelder and Chris Cunning. PNG spoiled, however Aaron Falcioni picked up the crumbs and snapped a quick goal from 15m out. Canada trailed 1.1.7 to PNG 3.2.20
PNG continued to give Canada fits with quick leads and running in packs. Only the hard work by the Northwind backs prevented the score from getting out of control. The squad was tentative in it's attack of the ball and was unable to contain the PNG speed resulting in only one shot on goal. At the end of two quarters Canada 1.2.8 PNG 4.7.31
The boys received quite the spray at halftime. Coach Everett was not pleased with any aspect of thier play and let them know it. The boys looked deep and came out fired up. The boys started doing the small things they did against Ireland and showed much better form. The Northwind started to take the body to PNG and caused them to start to hesitate.
The hard play presented scoring opportunities. The first was started by an Adam Siddiqui tackle on the wing. Siddiqui kicked a short pass to Mike Butcher in the center square who kicked it to Kevin Duffy just out side the 50m arc. Kevin Duffy's kick for goal fell short but once again Aaron Falcioni was there for the loose ball and snapped a quick goal.
The second goal of the quarter came when George Dimacakos gathered a loose ball on the half back flank and start up the wing George handballed to the ground in front twice to evade the tackle. He gathered the second and delivered a precision pass to Aaron Falcioni leading out. Aaron on a set shot from outside of 50 kicked a beautiful long goal to close the gap. Phil Muller sacrificed the body to prevent a goal on a set shot after the siren. Canada 3.3.21 PNG 4.10.34
The boys continued to go hard for the ball in the fourth. They were winning the 50/50 contests around the ground and moving the ball well. The team was not getting sucked into chasing the PNG players, but contained them and forced them to kick well to gain ground. Canada's only goal came when Adam Paterson delivered a long kick into the forward line. Mark Van Gelder gathered the loose ball and snapped the ball across his body for the goal. In the end it was too little too late.
Goal Kickers
Aaron Falcioni-3, Mark Van Gelder-1
Best on Ground
Aaron Falcioni, Adam Paterson, Jason Robinson, George Dimacakos
Back: Austin Enright-Victoria,Chris White-Victoria, Sean Duffy-Lakeshore
Half Back: Stefan Leyhane-Broadview, Adam Paterson-Etobicoke, Darrell Smith-Red Deer
Centre: George Dimacakos-Toronto Eagles, Paul Loughnane-Mississauga, Kevin Minaker-Toronto Eagles
Half Forward: Aaron Falcioni-Toronto Eagles, Kevin Duffy-Lakeshore, Chris Cunning-Toronto Dingos
Forward: Phil Muller-Etobicoke, Mark VanGelder-Toronto Eagles, Adrian Lagan-Calgary
Ruck: Dale Simnett-Mississauga, Rob McElwain-Windsor, Jason Robinson-Etobicoke
Interchange: Mike Butcher-Toronto Dingos, Greg Logel-Guelph, Jeff Burkin-Red Deer, Matt Kidd-Red Deer, Jason Parks-Fort McMurray, Adam Siddiqui-Lakeshore
Comments (22)
Keep your chin up guys, you have come within a couple of kicks of the best two teams in the league. We're all rooting for you back here, you're doing us proud. All the best for Sunday, the footy world is going to stand up and notice that Canada is a new force in the game.
As I told you in my last email, play more dingos and you'll win.
No Dingos = No wins
4 Eagles, 3 roos (???), 2 Victoria, 2 Demons, 2 Rebels and 1 Dingo....
AZA you legend! Great effort boys, I know how tough these games are especially in the later rounds. Stay strong and show em what canadian footy is all about, we are all cheering you on.
Great work guys, keep up the good work......and for the idot that makes comments using my alias.....get a life
Now its time to step it up boys. Lets show em what we've got up in Canada.
Where is Sauce (Anastasios Dimacakos)?
Sauce is a bit sore in the legs. We expect him to be ok for the last few games
Don't worry about the first two loses boys, just look forward to the next game. If you get this Nisker, I want a heavy dose of you in the next game. Kick some A** Nisker and Canada.
Great second half effort guys, you really took it to them after the main break. Step it up and win the next two!
Awesome effort fellas. You continue to show the world how strong Team Canada is. Good luck in Wangaratta.
Didn't memorize the fixture right - good luck at TEAC Oval too!! Samoa will be tough but they'll learn a thing or two about how tough Canadians are as well. Stay proud boys.
As an Aussie married to a Canadian, I wonder where can someone get hold of a Northwind footy jumper?
Go! Northwind! Go!
Keep going Fellas.. Great effort to date, these games are always tough, lets show em just how well Canadian Footy has progressed.
Samoa 7.4.46 def Canada 6.6.42
See attached from afl.com.au
Goals Samoa – P Maalona (5); P Wright (1); N Tagai (1)
Goals Canada – P Loughnane (2); K Tumak (1); J Robinson (1); A Dimacakos (1); M Van Gelder (1)
Best Samoa – C Teniselli, P Mallona, A Tootoo, N Talai, S Tualafo, F Tootoo
Best Canada – M Butcher, C Cunning, K Tumak, P Loughnane
Does everyone know that Canada were up 5.4.34 to 0.1.1 at half time? Good to see Sauce back and in the goals!
Here is a link if you want a match report:
http://www.thefootyrecord.net/match.php?acct=INTL&id=1012
A huge hello to all the guys on the Northwind Team. We're all rooting for you's way up here in Northern Ontario. We're so very proud of all of you! Keep up the good work, it's times such as these that make me so proud to be a Canadian! Just keep on thinking positive, keep up the good work and show them the fancy footy you's can do! I'll keep watching you's all till the very bitter end,and in the end, it's you's who'll come up on top of the charts! So bring that trophy home boys, bring it home and make us all real proud!
Luv you's all...
Miss Vinamarie Duguay
Canada lost to Great Britain by a point! How unlucky can they be?!
Spoke to Chris this morning. He and the rest of the team are obviously disappointed with the outcome of the match vs. Great Britain, but as hard as it is for them to stay positive they know deep down that they are playing their hearts out and earning so much respect from the other world representatives. They will hopefully let off a bit of steam tonight and just relax a bit before the qualifying rounds begin. Spain first and then South Africa. They are already focusing on their next goal - a 7th place finish - which will be an improvement over 2002. Stay focused guys and you will achieve your goal!! Best of luck, Helga
...hard luck in the first 4 rounds boys, but you're definitely winning over the hearts of the locals and everyone back home is still rooting for you guys BIG TIME! Let's finish it off with 2 big wins over Spain and S.Africa...C'arn Northwind.
Spain has forfeited their match scheduled for Thursday vs. Canada due to injuries. Although a win for Canada and guaranteed a spot in the match for 7th place, this is certainly not how they wanted it to play out. However, an additional day of rest for the boys will help in order to gear up for their final and now most important match of the tournament. Good luck guys!
i live in melbourne and have been playing footy all my life. i think it is great to see footy really developing in places like canada and the US, footy is finally being recognised as one of the best sports there is. its been good having the international cup in melbourne, and let me say, Go the mighty Grubbers!!!
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