The Air Force team, hailed as "the best Air Force side yet" by coach FSGT Mark Cooper.

IF actions speak louder than words, the Air Force Australian Football team certainly made itself heard at the 2002 Australian Services Australian Football Association (ASAFA) National Championship in Sydney from June 3-7.

A vastly improved effort by the Air Force players against the Navy and Army teams definitely turned plenty of heads in the wash-up of the carnival, won again by Army.

Traditionally the easy-beats of the tournament, the Air Force team defeated Navy on the opening day and came within a whisker of the almost untouchable Army side two days later.

Coach of the Air Force team, Flight Sergeant Mark Cooper said the majority of his side were new players, making them an "unknown element" as far as how they would go.

However, at the tournament's presentation dinner, he hailed his "unknown" as "the best RAAF side yet", with the potential to knock the Army from its lofty pedestal.

"We got within a couple of goals [of Army] and at one stage I thought we had them, but the Army's fresh legs beat us in the end," FSGT Cooper said.

Whereas the Army and Navy teams were able to thank numerous sponsors for their support, FSGT Cooper paid tribute to his team's back pockets which largely funded their effort at the Nationals.

"This may have been our best side, but we can improve," he said.

"Next year, we need managers, sponsors, more female players and a little more support from COs letting the players go.

"To back up after the Navy game and then get within two goals of the Army, who knows what can be achieved."

Air Force also had an unprecedented seven players selected in the ASAFA All-Star squad.

They are: David Waller (back pocket), Milan Kutisa (centre halfback), Michael Dunlea (wing), Leon Purden (forward pocket), David Woerner (full forward), Glen Noye (rover) and Michael Kemp (interchange).

Glen Noye was also named best Air Force player at the ASAFA presentation.

However, for all involved with the Air Force team, the saying "there's always next year" is never truer.

By Michael Weaver