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FOOTY FEVER: SQNLDR
Shane Calliess handballs the football to a teammate as CPL Owen
Geddes prepares to tackle him during a training game for the
Aussie rules inter-Service carnival in Canberra.
Photo by LACW Kim Eager |
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Inset: Coach SGT Paul
James talks tactics to the team.
Photo by LACW Kim Eager |
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BOUNCING BACK: Members
of the Air Force Aussie Rules representative squad put in the
hard yards preparing for the inter-Service carnival in Canberra.
From left is FLTLT Justin Taylor, LAC Anthony Stewart, LAC Nathan
Harris, FSGT Phil Davenport, SGT Robert Moroney, LAC Dave Munro,
LAC Matthew Jones and SQNLDR Shane Calliess.
Photo by LACW Kim Eager |
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A NUMBER of players who have impressed at selection trials so far could
make Air Force the ‘dark horse’ of this year’s Australian
Services Australian Football Association championships.
The titles will be held in Canberra at the changed venue – from Manuka
Oval to Ainslie Oval – from April 16-20.
The Air Force Football Club has found the competition from Navy and Army
tough in recent years, but hopes to redress the situation this year through
careful preparations that have included a recent training camp in Canberra,
and selection trials against an ADFA and a combined Sydney team.
Players travelled from many bases around Australia to display their skills
at the Canberra camp from March 8-18.
Air Force was far too strong for ADFA in their practice game, with LAC
Shannan Burke, LAC Anthony Stewart, OFFCDT Mark Keritz (ADFA) and LAC
Brendan Cameron playing strongly.
“Participants are not only selected on their individual skills but
how they are able to fit into the team plan,” assistant coach PLTOFF
Todd Goldsmith said.
“SGT Paul James will again coach the men’s side with the assistance
of myself, WOFF Adrian Wagner and CPL Sean McGrath.
“The focus this year is on spending more time to bond as a unit willing
to run to support their mates.
“We feel we have the right mix of players to give us speed and strength
across the ground with highly-skilled players filling the key positions.”
Playing at Kelso Oval in Milperra on March 17 against a composite Sydney
team of players from two suburban clubs, Air Force won comfortably by
15 goals.
SGT Murry Woodcroft, LAC Luke Boulton, LAC Matthew Gordon and LAC Aaron
Clayden were among Air Force’s best as the team was commended by
the coaching staff for its ability to come up with a game plan to match
the trying conditions.
“I was very happy with the dedication and commitment that the players
have put in through the camp and the two practice matches,” SGT James
said.
The Air Force representative squad will be selected soon after players
return to their home units and those who make the cut will return to Canberra
after Easter on April 10 to prepare for the carnival.
The women’s team, coached by PLTOFF Goldsmith, will enter camp at
the same time as the men.
“Each year the women’s team continues to unearth Air Force members
interested in playing Australian football,” PLTOFF Goldsmith said.
“We are still hoping to hear from more players who are interested
in being involved.
“Over the past three years about 50 women have played for the Air
Force.
“This year’s team will comprise at least 50 per cent of first-year
players, which proves that women’s football is gaining strength.
“With the senior players now having several years of experience behind
them, it provides a good platform to build on.
“It is hoped this year that those players are able to step up and
implement the brand of football that the women have been working towards
over previous years,” he said.
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