A rag-tag team from HMAS Adelaide won the Father MacDonald Cup after an unbeaten run through the AFL Nines competition at Randwick Barracks, on March 4.

Player-coach Petty Officer Martin Tideswell said the team – drawn from HMA Ships Adelaide, Arunta and Kuttabul – only met the morning of competition, and the opening match against HMAS Albatross reflected it.

A slow start gave way to stronger play in the second half as Adelaide ran away with the win 62-6, but their second match against Kuttabul was a tougher match, winning 37-26.

“They put up a big fight. That was the one team I was worried about after the second half,” Petty Officer Tideswell said.

“But we rallied the troops up, let them know we can win and beat them."

A more comfortable 44-1 victory followed against HMAS Stalwart, whose injuries left them underpowered but determined to leave it all on the field.

Facing Kuttabul again in the final, Adelaide took the field after a rousing speech from Petty Officer Tideswell, who reminded players they had beaten their opponents already.

'Winners are grinners in my mind.'

Despite the competition’s non-contact rules, the decider was a physical affair as both sides put bodies on the line to make big plays.

Adelaide held a narrow lead from the start before pulling away in the second half to secure the cup with a 32-19 win.

“Winners are grinners in my mind,” Petty Officer Tideswell said.

“Once the team had the wins under their belts, we felt unstoppable in getting the cup. The hunger was there and there’s nothing better than filling up on winning the Father Mac Cup.”

It was a triumphant return for Petty Officer Tideswell, as “Navy’s most consistent coach” snapped a 0-19 losing streak after six years away from the competition.

Standout performances came from Able Seaman Powell Hicks, whose boot couldn’t miss in front of goal, and Petty Officer Dylan Riebe, who joined mid-competition and made an immediate impact as ruckman.

Chaplain Hugh MacDonald was born in Geelong in 1930, entered the priesthood in 1956 and was appointed to Navy in 1960.

A champion sportsman and lover of Australian Rules football, Father MacDonald was killed in a road accident at Castle Hill in 1975.

The Father MacDonald Cup was established in 1976 in his memory, with Albatross claiming the inaugural title.