MAF Irish Tour 2002 Match Report
From: Ken Sanders

James Durnan - Coach's Comment - Game 1
Considering 36 hours in transit, several players not knowing team-mates, and playing with a round ball for effectively the first time, the Wombats really planted their claws into the foundations of the international code!
 

In reality, the Dublin Knights over 40s really trounced the Wombats early. Their ball skills and cute one-on-one tricks quickly showed that the 3-4 senior & highly decorated county players were indeed a class act.
 

However, the Wombats gathered themselves and from the mid-point of the second term showed they would quickly adjust to the game & its strategies. All 29 players soon appreciated the physical demands of the game - run, run, run. So the on & off field rotations gave all players a very solid blow out.
 

The challenge of the Wombats is clear - quarter by quarter to get better - and game one established this. Our final quarter was by far our best as we started to use the ball & convincingly won the quarter.
 

The Wombats will be challenged both on & off the field. The team's spirit and ambassadorial status has been outstanding. Two games to go and 5-6 days to go, and lots of success to continue as these 'Pioneers' make a tremendous inroad into establishing an international tradition.
James Durnan

Andrew (Axel) Foley - Assistant Coach's Report - Game 1
Thursday 10 October 2002 was a historic day in the evolution of Masters Australian Football, when our touring party of over 30 people (including players, officials, supporters, & partners) finally touched down in Dublin after a marathon flight. And just a few hours later we all borded a bus and headed for St David's College to take on our first opponents for the series - Dublin Masters.

Our boys commenced the game a bit unsettled as they tried to come to terms with the pace & rules of the game, as well as adapting a game plan based on regular rotations off the interchange bench. The Dublin boys, in contrast, were well versed in their own game plan and opened up a big lead. Despite their constant attack on goal and their ability to score in the net (a difficult skill for the Australian boys) Alex Buckley did a great job as goal keeper, stopping many attacks and switching play to launch attacking raids by the Wombats.
 

Andrew Savoia and Wayne Fletcher were both poised & polished in the heavy midfield traffic and were standout performers in a difficult first half. Tragedy struck for Tim Wilson who injured his knee in the second term and will not play again this trip; however, he is otherwise fine and continues to keep a positive attitude. All who saw him hobble up the steps at Croke Park for the team photos were impressed with his courage.

In the second half things began to turn around for the Wombats, who gained more possession and made better use of the ball. Paul Reball lifted the team with his tackling, pace, & second efforts at the ball. Captain for the day, Chris Guice, employed in a tagging role, helped to shut down one of Dublin's classiest prime movers. Peter Wright, playing as a tall forward, was an effective target in front of goal and was well supported by Steve Hoiles who marked strongly.
 

As the final siren sounded the Aussie boys had clearly improved in every quarter and finished the stronger, even though still behind on the scoreboard.
 

When both sides gathered together for a match photo, with the imposing St David's College in the background, it was a great moment in our sporting lives and one that we will treasure forever.
 

Friendships are already being formed with our Irish hosts, especially over a Guinness or two at the after-match function at the Parnells Club (Cumann Parnell).
 

The next morning the team trained at the fabulous Trinity College, one of the world's most famous universities, thanks to the kindness of Sinead at the University Public Recreation Office.
 

Today (Sat 12) we travel to St Vincent's Park for game two in the series, whilst tomorrow (Sun 13) the squad will attend the first international test at Croke Park.
More updates will follow.
Andrew (Axel) Foley
 

Ken Sanders - Editors note.
The trip over was long & tiring, not helped by the 4-hour stopover in Paris, but many friendships were formed & we all had a few laughs. The hotel is nothing flash, but very handy for walking around & exploring Dublin.
The Irish have been particularly friendly towards us and most people seem genuinely interested in the test series. Lots of kids have been coming to our games & asking for autographs - in their scrapbooks, on their clothes, on footballs, etc.
 

The first game we played on the day of our arrival was a good contest after we eventually recovered from the beating we copped in the first quarter, but the Dublin Masters guys were very skillful and came out easy winners by about 99 to 33, according to them.
 

The second game we came up against a Dublin representative side, most of them in their mid twenties. They were far too quick for us and got out to a big lead in the first quarter. The last three quarters we played with an Aussie footy, which evened things up bu! t made the game slower & more physical. We were happy with our performance after half time, but we have no idea what the final score was.
 

Both oppositions were very friendly joining us for drinks after the games and even continuing to show us around town in the evenings. The weather has been fine for both games, but the other days have been very wet, including today when we went to the first test at Croke Park - what a sensational event. The stadium is quite impressive and the game was a fantastic contest. Ireland won the first half comfortably and the Aussies looked out of it, but the whole game turned around in the second half and the Aussies pulled off a very impressive win.
 

Tonight we're off for a few social drinks with the AFL boys at their hotel.
Ken Sanders
PS. The Guinness is great!