Eagles’ wings clipped
Lack of fitness blamed for back-to-back losses

Air Force big man Corporal Russell Rogers spoils his Army opponent with the help of Leading Aircraftman Jonathon Shoenmaker. Photo by Ben Caddaye

By Ben Caddaye

THEY call themselves the Eagles, but the Air Force Australian rules football side failed to soar to the heights they would have expected at the recent ADF National Championships in Canberra.

Air Force lost both of its games in the annual tournament, with team representatives citing a lack of fitness and preparation for the slightly disappointing performance.

Air Force was pumped up for the carnival and came out firing in its first game against Navy.

With Leading Aircraftman Michael Dunlea, Leading Aircraftman Michael Wescombe, Leading Aircraftman Nathan Holland and skipper Corporal Lance Purdon all getting their hands on the ball, Air Force jumped their rival early to set the stage for a first-up win at half-time.

But the tiring Eagles outfit quickly watched a healthy 17-point lead turn into a 12-point deficit as a fit Navy side kicked five goals to one, dominating across the paddock.

The warm afternoon sun beat down, raising the temperature and taking its toll on the exhausted Eagles.
Air Force fought gallantly in the final term, but an obvious lack of leg speed made it impossible to peg back the lead and Navy eventually pulled away to record a comfortable 13.11 (89) to 10.6 (66) win.

Air Force’s next match two days later against defending champions Army, who had won the championships for the past 16 seasons, was always going to be a tough proposition.

Still feeling the effects of the Navy clash, Air Force was never in the hunt against a bigger, faster, fitter Army outfit, losing every quarter to go down 20.10 (130) to 5.5 (35).

Again, LACs Holland, Wescombe and Dunlea shone for the Eagles against quality opposition.

Army showed just how good it was by backing up to win the final against Navy two days later in convincing fashion.

Four Air Force players, CPL Purdon, LAC Dunlea, LAC Holland and Best and Fairest winner LAC Wescombe, were selected in the All-Star Defence team, which will play a curtain-raiser match prior to the Anzac Day clash between Sydney and Melbourne at the SCG.

And in a further boost to Air Force football, Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Angus Houston, who turned up to support the side at the championships, has agreed to come on board as Club Patron.

Southern comfort

By Michael Weaver

THE Southern region women’s Australian football team continued its dominance against Northern region in the two women’s matches at the ADF national championships.

The Southern team, comprising players from Victoria and NSW, proved a cut above their Northern counterparts during the two games on March 26 and 28.

Coach Warrant Officer 2 Kim Beasland said although numbers were reduced to nine-a-side games, the talent was definitely a highlight.

“The matches were a bit one-sided this year, but the encouraging thing was the effort shown by the new players,” he said.

“A lot have just started playing for the first time this year and two who had not played before were selected in the ADF All-Stars side.”

Ten players were selected in the ADF women’s side to compete at the 2003 National Women’s AFL Championships in Darwin in June.

WO2 Beasland said a squad of 25 would represent the ADF, with the remainder to be proven players selected on current performance and ability with local clubs.

In the first game of the ADF nationals, both teams went goal-for-goal until the Southern forward line began to dominate after quarter time, running away with the match by 40 points.

In game two, teams were pushed to the limit on a day custom made for the tall players.

Injuries at one stage saw more players coming off than were on the field, with one player accidentally knocked by an umpire’s swinging arm while making a signal.

However, all toughed it out, with Southern’s ability to frequently win the ball from the centre and set up their forwards being a deciding factor in the 69-point victory.

Southern midfielder Corporal Emma Hender (Army) was named best on ground for the two games.

Players chosen in the ADF national side are: CAPT Rebecca Honey (Army), CAPT Maggie Chambers (Army), CAPT Dani Glatz (Army), OFFCDT Sarah Tallis (Air Force), LACW Michelle Allen (Air Force), LT Michelle Sheater (Army), SIG Jodie Kennedy (Army), OFFCDT Amanda Gosling (Air Force), CPL Emma Hender (Army).

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