After trailing for most of the match, the men’s ADF Anzac Aussie Rules team drew on a never-say‑die attitude, surging to a last‑minute victory over Australian Combined Emergency Services (ACES) in front of a crowd of 5000.

Held at Adelaide Oval on Anzac Day as a curtain-raiser for the AFL Round 7 Port Adelaide v Geelong clash, they were four or five goals down midway through the second quarter.

“Our game was shortened as the curtain-raiser, so that makes the margin even harder to come back from,” forward Flight Lieutenant Blayke Lane said.

The strategy was to control the ball, make the emergency services work hard to defend, ultimately wearing them down towards the end.

“Which ended up happening,” Flight Lieutenant Lane said.

The momentum swung in the third quarter, sparked by an epic goal from the 50‑metre boundary by Private Zach Fuller.

“We were down all game, then in the last quarter it was a flurry of goals to win right at the end,” Flight Lieutenant Lane said.

It was Flight Lieutenant Lane’s 13th Aussie Rules game representing the Air Force and the ADF, but his first win.

'We were down all game, then in the last quarter it was a flurry of goals to win right at the end.'

The final score was ADF 10.5 (65) to ACES 9.3 (57).

An honourable mention went to Army Lieutenant Sam Woods.

“He got absolutely poleaxed by the emergency services’ captain,” Flight Lieutenant Lane said.

“It looked like a car crash. He got up 30 seconds later and played the rest of the game, which was pretty inspiring.”

Full-forward Able Seaman Jaxsen Shinners said the emergency services were a formidable team.

“They carried more physical mass than us and used it,” he said.

“But at the end of the day, we were quicker on the legs.”

After the match, the team changed into service dress for the Anzac Day march around the oval, held before the main match in front of a crowd of 40,000.

Sergeant Roger Morris, playing on the wing in his fifth Anzac match, said the lap of honour never gets old.

“Everyone’s clapping, kids are coming up for high‑fives, you’re seeing friends and family. It’s always the best feeling,” Sergeant Morris said.

Man of the match Army Corporal Simon Mackie was awarded the Jack Hammond Medal, and the Major General Matt Hall players’ player award went to Trooper Adam Justice.