August 13, 2005 by Bruce Parker | View Comments (11)
In as suprise move the coaching staff sat out many of the teams veterans, opting for youth and speeed. The gamble paid off as Canada was victorious over a vastly improved South Africa side.
The Northwind started quickly kicking long into the attacking 50 right out of the centre bounce and was rewarded with a behind. Canada locked the ball in and continued to pepper the goal square and was soon up by 9 points. South Africa responded late with a brilliant display of speed. They move the ball out of their back and delivered long accurate kicks up the wing. If not for a poor shot at goal the scores would have been closer at the first break.
The second quarter saw a very back and forth play. The teams defence repelling attacks. Canada added to their lead early from two David Wells goals. Both team were desparate to get the ball and the South African speed was starting get them first to the ball. The Northwind started to give away frees and once again the South African accuracy let them down. Canada enjoyed a two goal lead at the long break.
The boys had been here beforeand it showed on their faces as they returned to the field. South Africa played with great desparation and continued to beat the Canadains to the ball. The Northwind continued to give away free kicks and was lucky to hold onto their lead as South Africa shut down the Northwind offence while scoring 1.1 to close to less than a goal at the final break.
Once again the coaching staff did a fine job of settling down the boys. Asking them for just fifteen minutes of everythign they had. And that is what they gave. The Northwind came out fired up once again the play was back and forth but the Canadian defence held fast allowing a single shot on goal through. The Northwind attack proved fruitful as they kicked 1.2 to increase their lead. A one last attack by South Africa put a bi of a scare into the team but was deftly turned away and moved up field as the final siren sounded.
Well done to the players and coaches through a particularly difficult draw. They played with pride and honour and finished 7th, two better than 2002. It was a bitter sweetday as Head Coach Greg Everett announced his retirement from team. Greg has spent the last 4 years coaching the national and has sacrificed a lot of personal time to put together the program and competitive side that is the Northwind. All the best to Greg as he starts his new chapter in his life with finance Heidi.
Canada 1.3.9 3.3.21 3.3.21 4.5.29
S.Africa 0.1.1 1.4.10 2.5.17 2.6.18
Goals: David Wells-2, Ken Tumak-1, Adrian Lagan-1
Best On Ground: David Wells, Kevin Minaker, Dale Simnet, Rob McElwain, Chris Cunning
Back: Kevin Mclean, Dave Tumber, Andrew Nisker
H.Back: Matt Kidd, Kevin Minaker, Clayton Holmes
Centre: Ken Tumak, Rob McElwain, Jeff Burkin
H.Forward: Richard Mintz, Mike Butcher, Rohan Brown
Forward: Chris White, David Wells, Phil Muller
Ruck: Dale Simnet, Greg Logel, Jason Parks
Interchange: Chris Cunning, Paul Loghnane, Austin Enright, Aaron Falcioni, Adrian Lagan, Darrel Smith
Comments (11)
Woohoo to Northwinds
Way to go you guys, I'm soooo very proud of you all, Congratulations to all of you, especially to you ken tumak, I'm sooo very proud of you! In any game such as rugby, you needed to play with your whole heart and soul, and it really showed in all of your games especially in this last game.I would have given anything to have been there and watch all of you live in action! My son Marcus is 13yrs. old now, hope that he takes just as much interest in rugby later on as he does at the present time. Again, Congratulations to you all, have a safe trip home and take care everyone... You's will always be my very special #1 team!!!
Yours Always,
Miss Vinamarie Duguay
Yes well done fellas. Well done on finishing the tourniment on a good note. I'm sorry if this sounds rude but does Vinamarie Duguay think the aussie rules is rugby? If so then she has insulted the game!
Hi Tim
Just wanted to inform you that I don't think the aussie rules is rugby so if you think that I have insulted the game then I'm very sorry and I sincerly appologize. When I wrote my last comment I was so excited and overwhelmed that I had absolutely no idea that someone such as yourself would have misinterpreted what I had written. Again, I'm very sorry.
Yours Sincerly,
Miss Vinamarie Duguay
...great work boys, good on ya, and a well deserved first victory! I bet it feels great to get that win in international competition...it's been a while and you guys did Canada proud. Kudos to all the players and coaching staff...you blokes deserve a lot more credit than you've probably been getting for the extremely strong efforts you've put in as a squad over the last year; playing practice matches, spending hours and hours of training sessions away from work/friends/family, and giving so much to this game for Canada. Well deserved...you guys are definitely winners in our books, no matter what your record is. Keep up the great work as this country will continue to grow as a bigger and better footy nation with the young talent and coaching experience we have at our disposal. :)
I agree completely with Charles Thompson's comments. You all deserve a big pat on the back for your commitment, effort and the improvement in Canada's results. It bears remembering that the last two games against the US were both close ones and they finished 3rd, so the gap between 3rd and our placing is very narrow. 2 more straight kicks in each game would have put us in the top 4, so considering the schedule we had it was a very solid effort from the team and the coaching staff. Well done guys and it can only get better!!
How much of the team is made up from ex-pat aussies?
Carl,
None mate. That's the point of the International Cup - it's for nationals of the competing countries - aimed at guys that learnt the game in their country, not in Australia. Plenty of expats playing in Canada, but they weren't eligible for the team. The AFL are pretty strict on that, which is what the countries want.
Vinamarie,
I'm sure no one was insulted - just worried you got the games mixed up.
Cheers,
Brett
www.worldfootynews.com
Hey all,
Can anyone tell me where I might be able to watch the Adelaide Crows vs Port Adelaide Power Semi Final in the Australian AFL tomorrow?
I am in Victoria, British Columbia and would love to watch the Crows beat the crap out of the Power!
Either that, or could anyone tell me of a website that I could watch the game on? Cost doesn;t matter - I really want to watch the game.
Cheers all and thanks for keeping this great game alive outside of Oz.
Timbo
Hi Tim,
Try the AFL website afl.com.au, or maybe the triple m website www.mytriplem.com.au/shows/football/index.php
Am watching the game at the moment - halfway through the 1st quarter, crows 10 pts port nil, but buggerit I wish the crows would kick straighter.
Hi there,
Just moved to Aurora near Toronto and am keen for a kick, where would be a good place, is the season almost over? Cheers Jimmy
Jimmy, go to the OAFL site (www.ontariofooty.com), which has links to team pages. The season is almost over, but those teams still in the Finals are still training and would warmly welcome you out for a kick. I recommend the Dingos. Enjoy.
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