Victorian U15 All Nations representative Matthew Ranger tells the story of his team's triumph in the Indigenous and Multicultural Championships held in Coffs Harbour from 11-16 April.
The start to our tournament could not of gone any worse. We all met at Tullamarine airport at 10 in the morning only for our plane to be delayed due to the weather. It was then delayed further and then cancelled all together. They tried to put us on a plane to Gold Coast so we could drive down to Coffs harbour but after that was set up that flight was then cancelled. After 12 hours at the airport we then were taken to a motel in Melbourne and got to sleep just after midnight and then had to get up at 4 to catch an early morning flight. It was a relief when the plane finally took off. Arriving late at Coffs meant we missed the opening ceremony and had first game has now been transferred to Sunday.
So tired when we got here and stiff they took us to the beach for a quick swim to freshen up first before we finally took to the ground against the NT. I started ok until I tackled the man mountain from the north and brought him to the ground, unfortunately right on top of me. He knocked the wind out of me and I had to sit on the bench to get my breath back. I had a much better second half and was great to be part of a quality win against one of the comp favourites. We are all happy with the result and very much looking forward to going to sleep early tonight.
Final score Vic 12.5.77 def NT 4.4.24
After a great night sleep we played South Australia today. Whilst they were the bottom team they put up a great fight. We weren’t at our best to start with as we seemed a bit flat and South Aussie hit the scoreboard first. We then started to string some team work and work our way back in front. In the second half we kicked with the wind and quickly put the game beyond SA’s reach. We will need to play a lot better when we take on the unbeaten Western Australia team after lunch.
Final score Vic 9.8.62 def SA 2.1.13
After a short lunch break we were at it again. I had a bad knock to the leg in the first game so I had the ice pack all during the break and started the game on the bench. The coach, David Rodan wanted to develop our skills so played us in different positions so when I got on the ground I was sent down back. Unfortunately WA jumped us and even though we managed to get back in the game in the second half when we returned to our normal positions the lead was too big to reel in. So after three very physical games in two days we are all very tired and a bit sore but will back up tomorrow. If we can beat NSW and QLD tomorrow we will finish top 2 and get Monday as a rest day and we need it. As for now we can head to the beach for our recovery session. Can’t do that back home.
Final Score Vic 3.2.20 lost to WA 5.8.38
After our recovery session we went over the videos of the game and talked a lot about our ball use and sharing it around more. After another good night’s sleep we spent the morning with the players of all the teams at the Novotel conference centre. We listened to some guest speakers on AFL pathways and followed that with some team bonding sessions. After lunch it was back to the ground and a match against NSW. We started very strongly and hit the scoreboard early. As a team we used the ball much better and were able to achieve all of our goals we set during the review. It felt good to get back on the winners’ board.
Final score Vic 10.4.64 def NSW 1.0.6
After my best game of the series so far against NSW I had to sit the vital clash against QLD on the bench with ice on my knee. One of our back men had already sat the NSW games out with a calf injury and would not play this either so that left us with one on the bench. We had to win this game to get Monday off and a straight run into the Preliminary final. As most of us had some injury we knew we needed the rest. The boys game out firing and jumped QLD early and had a 5 goal lead at the break. QLD knew they had the legs as our boys were tiring with only one rotation and QLD threw everything at them and started to cut into our lead. I tried to convince our coach, David Rodan, I was right to go on by removing the ice strapped to my leg and running up and down the boundary in front of him. He wouldn’t fall for it though and even though the boys were exhausted they managed to kick a sealer and hang on by 2 goals. Fantastic! We get Monday to relax and unwind. Nine a side football might somehow sound easier but with less space to work in, and playing against so many boys with a rugby background, you seem to get hit harder and more often. No player has escaped unharmed at some stage this series and the eventual winner might come down to who still is standing.
Final score Vic 8.6.54 def QLD 6.1.37
Thankfully we had a very nice rest on Monday, with some education sessions in the morning. We heard some inspiring words from Michael O’Loughlin, Aaron Davies and Kevin Sheedy about how to get the most out of football and life. Then we went to watch the kickstart team (Victorian indigenous team) win their semi final to advance to the Prelim. After the game we went and had some fun at the beach. Tuesday morning was another education session followed by the Preliminary finals. We watched the kick start battle WA but unfortunately they went down by 2 points in a low scoring match. Then it was time for our game against a rapidly improving NSW who have been the surprise packets of the tournament. We kicked with the wind in the first half and with very good use of the ball and constant switching of the play we were able to establish a big lead by half time. NSW did everything they could in the second half but we remained steady and scored often enough into a strong wind to close the game out. So tomorrow we will take on the unbeaten WA for the cup. Thankfully we received no new injuries in this game so we should all be fit and raring to go.
Final score Vic 9.5.60 def NSW 4.1.25
After all the camps, the training and the educations sessions it was time for the big game. The Grand Final against the undefeated Western Australian. This game was only one of the tournament to be played over 4x10 minute quarters, the rest had been 2x15minute halves. WA came out with all guns blazing and got on the scoreboard very quickly and kept a 1 goal lead until the first break. We were in the game but needed to use the ball better. We managed to close the gap to just 2 points by the main break after a very physical and bruising 2nd term. After half time we were able to get in front and put real pressure on their ball use, it was our defensive pressure that had turned the tide and WA was starting to struggle to get it deep into their forwards. We had a 1 goal lead by the last break and started the last term full of confidence. In the last we were in full control and were able to hold WA up as well as hit the scoreboard ourselves. In the end we ran away winners by 13 points to win the first ever ‘ALL NATIONS CUP’.
The whole experience has been just fantastic. I have learnt a lot about both football and myself. I have met lots people from all over our country and made some new lifelong friends. I had a great lot of fun playing some of the most exciting but tough and bruising football I have ever played and enjoyed the excitement and thrill of winning a premiership. Big thanks to the coaches and staff from AFL Vic Country and AFL Goulburn Murray both in Melbourne and Shepparton.
Final Score Victoria 6.9.45 def Western Australia 4.9.33
Last Modified on 22/11/2016 19:13