Star team wins with Anzac spirit

Volume 11, No. 41, April 20, 2006

ADF Australian Rules All Stars coach Sgt Paul James (RAAF) invoked the Anzac spirit to inspire his team to victory over the National Emergency Services team at the SCG on April 22.

The ADF team put aside any inter-service rivalries to trounce Emergency Services 21.13 (139) to 11.9 (75).

Although the match hung in the balance at half-time, the All Stars dominated in the third term to run up an unassailable 10-goal lead.

Sgt James said he had deliberately kept the game-plan simple and relied on his players’ professionalism and fitness to carry the day. But he invoked the Anzac spirit in his pre-match talk to give his team that extra edge.

“We usually play the game as the curtain-raiser to the AFL match on the Anzac weekend, but that didn’t happen because of TV rights,” he said.

“So even though there wasn’t the same atmosphere before the game, we did remind them that it was the Anzac weekend, and to keep that in mind out on the field. They were pretty happy after the game that they had managed to uphold that spirit.”

The All Stars managed just three training sessions together after the side was selected following the conclusion of the National Championships in Canberra.

Although players from Army and Navy dominated the side, Sgt James said the 64-point win had truly been a “team effort”.
“There is always that inter-service rivalry, but the players are professional enough, and good enough to get on the paddock and play well,” he said.

AB Dustin Roberts kicked five goals for the All Stars and LAC Joshua Barton kicked four. Pte James Wilson was named man of the match.