August 01, 2002

Handball . . . ADF player Emma Hender (Army) passes under pressure as Paula Bunting (Army) provides a shepherd to South Australia during the 2002 Women's Australian Football Competition. The ADF team won the game 8-7-55 to 0-4-4. Photo by Bill Cunneen

ADF women Australian Rules footballers put on an admirable performance in the recent 2002 Women's Australian Football Competition in Sydney, coming fourth out of six teams.

Hosted by the Sydney Women's Australian Football League, the 2002 competition was the second time the ADF had entered to compete against the host state, along with South Australia, Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory and the traditional victors, Victoria.

Led by WO2 Kim Beasland, also the national men's coach, the women were selected from the recent ADF national championships and had barely a month to prepare for the challenges of competing against well-established teams at a national level.

"After only one year at the nationals we have realised that the players need to be equipped with skills and game knowledge prior to arrival," he said.

"We encouraged all players to join civilian clubs so the coaching staff could concentrate on team strategies and game plans, rather than teach skills and rules of the game".

"The girls were fantastic. I think the majority didn't really know what to expect as a vast number were football immature and had never competed at that level, let alone at that level of ADF representation before last week.

The three-day competition was held at picturesque Drummoyne Oval. Five games in two days for each team, each game of two 20 minute halves while the play-offs were full matches of four-quarters.

"The game plan was fairly simple in that they were asked to adhere to the four fundamental team rules and run and share the ball," Beasland said.

"Certainly we aspired to win games but to win against South Australia, lose to the grand finalist by five points, get into the minor play-offs and get four girls in the All Australian Team with one Best at Carnival was outstanding."

"The team plan and adherence to the team rules were crucial. In four days we weren't going to get any fitter but with the daily exposure to drills the skill level definitely picked up and preparation was assisted by Steve Malaxos of the Sydney Swans at the SCG."

Throughout the round-robin phase, the back line was solid, strong and quick, moving the ball out of defence with ease at times - Sgt Kellie Brett, RMC, displayed this on a number of occasions.

"Yes, we did a deal of work with our kick outs and moving the ball out of defence, however this should not detract from the stoic back line and the teamwork they demonstrated."

The first game of the championship was against a very polished and the short-priced favourite, Victoria.
"We should have done better but, once again, I don't think the girls were prepared for what the competition had in store, let alone the facing up to a very talented and well drilled Victorian side first up."

By far their best game was against the Northern Fliers. The ADF women controlled the centre bounce, ball delivery was accurate and the team played confidently and came out firing.

When WO2 Beasland made a few changes, moving a loose player to centre half forward, the ADF began feeding the hot spot at the top of the goal square, resulting in a number of points on the board.

From the centre bounces, the ADF women started to string a few handballs together and delivered the ball accurately to forward positional players.

The back line seemed to take a leaf out of Sgt Brett's book and fought for the ball on the ground, ADF won 6-4-40 to 1-2-8.

Against NSW, the ADF continued playing an aggressive brand of football, both teams fighting doggedly for the ball on the ground and in the air. At half-time only a point separated the two teams.

While the ADF finished with a wet sail, accuracy was to cost them the game against NSW, who went on to compete against Victoria in the play-off for first and second.

On the second day of competition, the ADF and ACT women met in what was to be a preview of the play-off between third and fourth.

"Our endeavour was not to be criticised but our understanding of the flow-on game and to use that to our advantage and hold up the opposition was a telling factor."

The ADF women lost both games to a skillful and very knowledgeable ACT side.

While many may have been disappointed with the results, Women's Australian Rules football in the ADF is in a developmental stage and a number of players were rewarded for their great work.

Flg-Off Andrija Blums, OCdt Kelly McFarlane, Sig Emma Murphy and Pte Fiona Rose were selected in the All Australian Team. Pte Rose was selected as Best at Carnival from a competitive field.

"At a team level, the girls need to get involved in civilian clubs and come to us with the skills, fitness and metal preparation to be moulded into a viable product.

"At corporate level, we have improved each outing and look forward to the ADF Nationals in Canberra in March 2003 and the Women's National Titles in May 2003."