Bolds hold off olds

DAIRMAINT’s LTCOL Jim Phasey attempts to kick despite the pressure from FLTLT John Price from DAIRENG.

Photo by FLTLT Stephen Haines

YOUTH and skill triumphed over age and treachery in the annual Australian Rules football grudge match between the Directorate of Aircraft Engineering (DAIRENG) and the Directorate of Aircraft Maintenance (DAIRMAINT) at RAAF Base Williams.

The more youthful DAIRENG team defeated the mature DAIRMAINT 10-3-63 to 6-9-45 for the Directorate General of Technical Airworthiness (DGTA) Cup.

The weather was typical Melbourne winter with strong winds and showers, but this did not deter the teams or their vociferous and enthusiastic supporters.

According to DAIRMAINT team organiser, Flight Lieutenant Sean Sunley, this was the sixth year the cup had been contested.

“DAIRENG is the younger team and has more younger officers than DAIRMAINT. DAIRMAINT is more senior NCOs, warrant officers and senior APS personnel,” he said.

“There is a lot of rivalry between the two directorates and the annual footy game is a chance to show who is best and settle old scores.”

DAIRENG were undefeated and went into the game as firm favourites.

DAIRMAINT were determined not to let the DAIRENG run continue and had been training hard for many weeks before the match. As a result, the game was the closest one yet.

The strong northern wind played a large part in the game with 15 out of 16 goals scored at the southern end.

The first quarter put DAIRENG in a strong position, with 31 points (5 goals, 1 behind) to DAIRMAINT’s 1-0-6.

Undaunted, DAIRMAINT came out swinging in the second quarter and dominated the ball for an end of quarter 3-6-24 to a single point from DAIRENG.

Whether or not DAIRENG’s coach had a few choice words at the break is not known, however, the younger men settled into their stride and ran a copybook to the first quarter, 5-1-31.

In reply, DAIRMAINT copied their rivals second quarter with 0-1-1.

The older men rallied for the final quarter and gave their younger rivals a shock when they smothered the ball. DAIRENG 0-0-0 had no answer to their rival’s 2-2-14.

DAIRENG walked from the paddock deserving victors, but it was a near thing. DAIRMAINT had slammed though 15 scoring shots against DAIRENG’s 13.

Some slightly straighter kicking would have swung the game in their favour.

“With the furious enthusiasm of our players, I am surprised we have had no serious injuries over the six years,” Flight Lieutenant Sunley said.

“DAIRENG is always happy to have the win, while DAIRMAINT is always happy to get enough players for the team.

“The most common comment from their players after the game is ‘never again, too old’.

“But they always seem to forget when the next year comes round.”

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