Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Revos fall to Nauru
In a heated battle for the top spot in group two, the Revos fell to Nauru in the fourth quarter. Up by a few points going into the forth, Nauru scored a quick goal to start. Within a few points then, Nauru was awarded a questionable call in the square which they easily converted. It seemed downhill from there - calls against the US and no calls against Nauru. In the end, the Revolution held their head high and played hard aggressive footy. The game was hard fought, and at times over the edge aggressiveness by Nauru which went uncalled.
Humor entered the game late in the fourth quarter when Revo Dan Sarbacker was fouled by the 50-meter line. On going back with the ball, his defender gave him a "whose your mothers hows your father?" to his rear end, perhaps too close - as the umpire and crowd all saw a hand go where it should not. Sars yelled to the ref "keep his hand out of my butt!" - the ref did nothing and the defender smiled - perhaps enjoying it too much.
Nauru USA
0.0 (0) 1/4 2.1 (13)
0.2 (2) 1/2 2.2 (14)
1.3 (9) 3/4 2.5 (17)
7.3 (45) Full 3.5 (23)
Next up for the Revos are either Japan or Canada (depending on the result this afternoon).
Bombers Bruce Beilfuss and Andy Vanica both rested this game. They are expected to play in Friday's match.
Humor entered the game late in the fourth quarter when Revo Dan Sarbacker was fouled by the 50-meter line. On going back with the ball, his defender gave him a "whose your mothers hows your father?" to his rear end, perhaps too close - as the umpire and crowd all saw a hand go where it should not. Sars yelled to the ref "keep his hand out of my butt!" - the ref did nothing and the defender smiled - perhaps enjoying it too much.
Nauru USA
0.0 (0) 1/4 2.1 (13)
0.2 (2) 1/2 2.2 (14)
1.3 (9) 3/4 2.5 (17)
7.3 (45) Full 3.5 (23)
Next up for the Revos are either Japan or Canada (depending on the result this afternoon).
Bombers Bruce Beilfuss and Andy Vanica both rested this game. They are expected to play in Friday's match.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Lions run Revos off their feet
On Monday September 1 2008, the International Cup moved south west from Melbourne along the southern coast to Warrnambool (think final scene of Point Break) for the clash between the two top seeds in Pool C, USA and South Africa. The weather while still quite windy across the ground and favouring the southern end had improved since the earlier session with the sun now shining and the ground dried by the constant wind.
The Lions set the tone with the first clearance. Steven Malinga snapped out of the pack to open the scoring with a point. Simphiwe Mbhalo added another from a long kick that drifted away and Bayanda Sobetwa snapped one more after roving a loose ball. The US team started to look a little more settled and laying some strong tackles. But the Lions put up the first goal of the day and the only one for the quarter when Malinga marked a kick in from an out of bounds free kick, went back and goalled. Donnie Lucero cleared from the center of the ground to Justin Valley for the US, but the ball spilled and though he gathered was tackled as he kicked with the ball skewing left for a behind.
South Africa added another point after Sobweta's long bomb came off hands for a minor score. Further points were added for the Lions by Mtutuzeli Hlomela, Toy Prinsloo and Richard Prinsloo. The Lions 1.8 to the US 0.1 with a wind advantage of a couple of goals looked like a poor return but it was a lead that they were glad to have. George Lakomy kicked an early point for the US as his scrappy kick rolled wide of the big sticks. Valley marked 30 metres out but failed to make the distance and the ball came off hands for a behind. Both sides piled on the pressure and there were continual turnovers mostly within close range of the centre square. It was the South Africans who seemed to be pouncing on the loose ball first and getting off quick hands. Malinga again got free with the ball but this time hit the padding on the goal post for a behind from 25m out.
The ball remained on the Lions' half forward line with plenty of scrambling pack footy. The US moved forward again and Lucero was taken down 35 metres out by Lwazi Jawe, his kick however went wide for a minor score. Back at the nothern end Khaya Sikiti kicked long to Sobetwa who went back and goaled from 15 metres out. The US quickly moved the ball forward out of the centre in response and Paul Duncan swooped on a loose bouncing ball and goaled from close range. South Africa received a number of free kicks going forward and eventually managed to drive the ball to the 40 meter arc where Donnie Lucero appeared to have got first hands on the ball in defence but the mark was paid to Malinga who flew spectacularly over him. The kick fell short as the siren sounded and Lucero spoke at length to the umpire on the way to the rooms for the half time break, his team 13 points adrift.
South Africa came out with the breeze in the third quarter and opened with a quick goal to Godfrey Molohlanyi who received a quick pass from Benji Motuba. The US controlled possesion next but Julian Horn cleared twice in as many minutes off the South African halfback line. The South African captain Mtutu kicked long to Toy Prinsloo who went back and goaled from 30 metres out. The US responded quickly with their second goal for the match through Patrick Miller. The US forward again through Jay Levesque but his kick came off hands for a behind. Two more wayward kicks resulted in minor scores as the US tried desperately to bridge the gap. However their luck was about to change as the South African kick in found Paul Duncan who quickly centred to Rob Lutostanski who made no mistake in kicking for goal. The lead had been pegged back slightly with the Lions going into the last just 10 points up.
The breeze had not dropped off so much as swung around so that it was now more across than down the ground. The ball was quickly into the Lions forward line. A US free kick was smothered and Toy Prinsloo picked up the loose ball and and goaled through tight traffic from 15 metres out. The ball flowed from half back to half back line before a long ball to the US forward line was cleverly soccered off the boundary line to Paul Duncan who ran in and goaled from close range as the Lions defender closed on him. The Lions cleared from the center again, Toy Prinsloo close to goal stepped around three defenders and snapped a high kick that carried over the line for a goal. Toy was again part of the next two goals with assists to hand off to Malinga first then Sobetwa for goals that put the nails in the Revolutions International Cup coffin. The US scored a late consolation goal through Luke Nemeth who scored from a free kick 25 metres out. The siren sounded and it was the Lions in an upset by 22 points. The celebration was large and must be taken in the context of the improvement that the South Africans have made in the last three years.
The US did look like they might come home strong and take the win at three quarter time, but the South African were able to back themselves and go on with it. It was noticable that the physical clashes that were expected by most to come from the US did not really eventuate, and the the South Africans were continually first to the ball and able to avoid those clashes with such quick ball movement. South Africa will now play PNG in Wednesday's semifinal and the US will take on Nauru.
USA South Africa
0.1 (1) 1/4 1.8 (14)
1.3 (9) 1/2 2.10 (22)
3.6 (24) 3/4 4.10 (34)
5.6 (36) Full 8.10 (58)
USA
Goal Kickers: P. Duncan 2, L. Nemeth, P. Miller, D. Jones
Best Players: C. Candelaria, A. Vanica, K. Nelson, A. Lindsey, D. Lucero, B. Blankenship
South Africa
Goal Kickers: T. Prinsloo 3, G. Molohlanyi 2, S. Malinga, B. Motuba, B. Sobetwa
Best Players: B. Sobetwa, T. Mogapi, R. Prinsloo, K. Garenamotse, L. Jawe, B. Mitchell
Written by Troy Thompson
Tuesday, 02 September 2008
Courtesy of World Footy News (www.worldfootynews.com)
The Lions set the tone with the first clearance. Steven Malinga snapped out of the pack to open the scoring with a point. Simphiwe Mbhalo added another from a long kick that drifted away and Bayanda Sobetwa snapped one more after roving a loose ball. The US team started to look a little more settled and laying some strong tackles. But the Lions put up the first goal of the day and the only one for the quarter when Malinga marked a kick in from an out of bounds free kick, went back and goalled. Donnie Lucero cleared from the center of the ground to Justin Valley for the US, but the ball spilled and though he gathered was tackled as he kicked with the ball skewing left for a behind.
South Africa added another point after Sobweta's long bomb came off hands for a minor score. Further points were added for the Lions by Mtutuzeli Hlomela, Toy Prinsloo and Richard Prinsloo. The Lions 1.8 to the US 0.1 with a wind advantage of a couple of goals looked like a poor return but it was a lead that they were glad to have. George Lakomy kicked an early point for the US as his scrappy kick rolled wide of the big sticks. Valley marked 30 metres out but failed to make the distance and the ball came off hands for a behind. Both sides piled on the pressure and there were continual turnovers mostly within close range of the centre square. It was the South Africans who seemed to be pouncing on the loose ball first and getting off quick hands. Malinga again got free with the ball but this time hit the padding on the goal post for a behind from 25m out.
The ball remained on the Lions' half forward line with plenty of scrambling pack footy. The US moved forward again and Lucero was taken down 35 metres out by Lwazi Jawe, his kick however went wide for a minor score. Back at the nothern end Khaya Sikiti kicked long to Sobetwa who went back and goaled from 15 metres out. The US quickly moved the ball forward out of the centre in response and Paul Duncan swooped on a loose bouncing ball and goaled from close range. South Africa received a number of free kicks going forward and eventually managed to drive the ball to the 40 meter arc where Donnie Lucero appeared to have got first hands on the ball in defence but the mark was paid to Malinga who flew spectacularly over him. The kick fell short as the siren sounded and Lucero spoke at length to the umpire on the way to the rooms for the half time break, his team 13 points adrift.
South Africa came out with the breeze in the third quarter and opened with a quick goal to Godfrey Molohlanyi who received a quick pass from Benji Motuba. The US controlled possesion next but Julian Horn cleared twice in as many minutes off the South African halfback line. The South African captain Mtutu kicked long to Toy Prinsloo who went back and goaled from 30 metres out. The US responded quickly with their second goal for the match through Patrick Miller. The US forward again through Jay Levesque but his kick came off hands for a behind. Two more wayward kicks resulted in minor scores as the US tried desperately to bridge the gap. However their luck was about to change as the South African kick in found Paul Duncan who quickly centred to Rob Lutostanski who made no mistake in kicking for goal. The lead had been pegged back slightly with the Lions going into the last just 10 points up.
The breeze had not dropped off so much as swung around so that it was now more across than down the ground. The ball was quickly into the Lions forward line. A US free kick was smothered and Toy Prinsloo picked up the loose ball and and goaled through tight traffic from 15 metres out. The ball flowed from half back to half back line before a long ball to the US forward line was cleverly soccered off the boundary line to Paul Duncan who ran in and goaled from close range as the Lions defender closed on him. The Lions cleared from the center again, Toy Prinsloo close to goal stepped around three defenders and snapped a high kick that carried over the line for a goal. Toy was again part of the next two goals with assists to hand off to Malinga first then Sobetwa for goals that put the nails in the Revolutions International Cup coffin. The US scored a late consolation goal through Luke Nemeth who scored from a free kick 25 metres out. The siren sounded and it was the Lions in an upset by 22 points. The celebration was large and must be taken in the context of the improvement that the South Africans have made in the last three years.
The US did look like they might come home strong and take the win at three quarter time, but the South African were able to back themselves and go on with it. It was noticable that the physical clashes that were expected by most to come from the US did not really eventuate, and the the South Africans were continually first to the ball and able to avoid those clashes with such quick ball movement. South Africa will now play PNG in Wednesday's semifinal and the US will take on Nauru.
USA South Africa
0.1 (1) 1/4 1.8 (14)
1.3 (9) 1/2 2.10 (22)
3.6 (24) 3/4 4.10 (34)
5.6 (36) Full 8.10 (58)
USA
Goal Kickers: P. Duncan 2, L. Nemeth, P. Miller, D. Jones
Best Players: C. Candelaria, A. Vanica, K. Nelson, A. Lindsey, D. Lucero, B. Blankenship
South Africa
Goal Kickers: T. Prinsloo 3, G. Molohlanyi 2, S. Malinga, B. Motuba, B. Sobetwa
Best Players: B. Sobetwa, T. Mogapi, R. Prinsloo, K. Garenamotse, L. Jawe, B. Mitchell
Written by Troy Thompson
Tuesday, 02 September 2008
Courtesy of World Footy News (www.worldfootynews.com)
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Game Recovery
Here's what happens post game...you head straight to Port Philip and dip in the ocean for a twenty minute walkabout. It helps with the bruises and bumps and getting ride of all that fun game stuff that makes your body ache...needless to say, a few of the boys were a little cold in the 50 degree water...at least thats what we think it was...
Revo David Walker on Aussie Radio
This morning, Nashville K'Roo David Walker was featured on Ross & John on 3AW Breakfast radio show. Take a listen at:
http://www.mytalk.com.au/aspx/pages/mediaplayer.aspx?t=audio&w=12687
They mention a picture in a local paper about a Swedish player and an Irish player. There are some little quick guys here to play and there are some big blokes as well! Yes, he is holding him up.
http://www.mytalk.com.au/aspx/pages/mediaplayer.aspx?t=audio&w=12687
They mention a picture in a local paper about a Swedish player and an Irish player. There are some little quick guys here to play and there are some big blokes as well! Yes, he is holding him up.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
1 Down 4 to Go
Today was fantastic. It's why we play the game. My first International Cup experience was flat out fun. Every now and then we have to remind ourselves of why we play the game - it's because we love the game. We train hard day in and day out, grind out the games in hot weather back home, run the track by ourselves when no one else is watching or joining. But this is what it is all about - playing a game you love.
The weather was footy perfect. Around 60 degrees and sunny. A little cross wind, but nothing to make a difference or anything to alter a shot.
Nerves were running high throughout the team. The vets were cool as ice, the rookies jumpy and nervous as expected. The line up was a solid mix of experience and ready-to-go-out-the-gate newbies. We played 4 quarters of 17 (no one knows why) on a field that was VERY long and super wide (hard to see the other side of the field wide). It seemed as if you could fit the whole 3 field US National Tournament on the one field itself.
After a first few minutes of jitters we settled down and played our ball. Hard at the footy and beat your opponent. There was not one mark uncontested or a 50/50 ball that was not ours. The overall effort was outstanding.
The backs worked extremely hard and efficient, marking, clearing and punching everything that came in the defensive 3rd. KB at the back lead the way with "Brando" and Bruce on the pockets. Captain Donnie led the halfback line with solid leadership and composure, laying down his law when anyone came to visit. Sars ran wild all game, providing the most energy, picking up loose balls, grabbing marks, making his usual winger runs and hitting the forwards with on-the-mark disposals. In one sequence, Pat Miller grabbed a loose ball on the edge of the box, hand-balled to a streaking and clothed Sars, who then hit George "Kidney" Lakomy for an easy 20 yard set shot. Kidney had a fantastic game - with 5 goals. He frequently outmarked the foot shorter defense man. When Denmark switched up the bigger back on Kidney, JV Valley had his way with the short. That didn't last long. The game ended 11.7 (72) to 1.4 (10) in favor of the USA.
The post game was spent dipping for a chilly 20 minute ocean walk in the Port Phillip bay. Lots of cold blokes running and walking back and forth. Water temps estimated at 50 degrees by Big Country. We are all hoping it makes a difference tomorrow when we wake.
The competition looks good overall, with NZ, PNG, Ireland, South Africa and Great Britain all posting big margin wins. Friday against China will let the rest of the guys get their jerseys dirty before we match up against South Africa.
Tomorrow we are honored to watched the Western Bulldogs practice, and then get to train on their ground. It will be great to see how an AFL team prepares on a daily basis. No doubt it will be intense and sharp.
The weather was footy perfect. Around 60 degrees and sunny. A little cross wind, but nothing to make a difference or anything to alter a shot.
Nerves were running high throughout the team. The vets were cool as ice, the rookies jumpy and nervous as expected. The line up was a solid mix of experience and ready-to-go-out-the-gate newbies. We played 4 quarters of 17 (no one knows why) on a field that was VERY long and super wide (hard to see the other side of the field wide). It seemed as if you could fit the whole 3 field US National Tournament on the one field itself.
After a first few minutes of jitters we settled down and played our ball. Hard at the footy and beat your opponent. There was not one mark uncontested or a 50/50 ball that was not ours. The overall effort was outstanding.
The backs worked extremely hard and efficient, marking, clearing and punching everything that came in the defensive 3rd. KB at the back lead the way with "Brando" and Bruce on the pockets. Captain Donnie led the halfback line with solid leadership and composure, laying down his law when anyone came to visit. Sars ran wild all game, providing the most energy, picking up loose balls, grabbing marks, making his usual winger runs and hitting the forwards with on-the-mark disposals. In one sequence, Pat Miller grabbed a loose ball on the edge of the box, hand-balled to a streaking and clothed Sars, who then hit George "Kidney" Lakomy for an easy 20 yard set shot. Kidney had a fantastic game - with 5 goals. He frequently outmarked the foot shorter defense man. When Denmark switched up the bigger back on Kidney, JV Valley had his way with the short. That didn't last long. The game ended 11.7 (72) to 1.4 (10) in favor of the USA.
The post game was spent dipping for a chilly 20 minute ocean walk in the Port Phillip bay. Lots of cold blokes running and walking back and forth. Water temps estimated at 50 degrees by Big Country. We are all hoping it makes a difference tomorrow when we wake.
The competition looks good overall, with NZ, PNG, Ireland, South Africa and Great Britain all posting big margin wins. Friday against China will let the rest of the guys get their jerseys dirty before we match up against South Africa.
Tomorrow we are honored to watched the Western Bulldogs practice, and then get to train on their ground. It will be great to see how an AFL team prepares on a daily basis. No doubt it will be intense and sharp.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Eat Breath Sleep Footy
Day two - we are in full swing of the IC. Finally out of a jet lag haze, practice was much sharper and crisp today. Jet lag coming this way isn't as bad - you sleep as much on the plane, arrive in the morning, stay up all day, then hit the sack around 8ish and sleep till 6. Do that two nights in a row and you feel normal again. Its amazing what sitting on a plane for 16 hours and doing nothing for two days does to your body. Legs are very tight. Practice in the afternoon yesterday was vigorous. Sprints with the ball. Heart was pounding. This morning, legs sore and still tight.
Its 24 hour footy. The focus is all on Denmark tomorrow. You wake up, meat the team for breakie, talk, think, eat footy. 8am run/stretch/kick/practice. Rest. Eat lunch. 1pm meeting for strategy and then off for another practice. Back and rest - watch footy on the tele (it seems like there is a game on at all times). It's all footy. All the time. The amount of footy knowledge I'm surrounded by is amazing. I was told by Earl Evon (Boston Demon and Revo 05) that in these two weeks I will learn more footy than I knew before - its true.
Starting line-ups were announced at the strategy meeting. Only 24 dress for the game. 18 play, 6 on inter change. Both Bruce and myself were named as starters. Bruce played on the 05 squad - this is my first IC and first official cap as a national team member.
So after a year and half of training, three Revo camps, a dislocated shoulder, and many miles training - it's here. Tomorrow vs Denmark the tip goes up at 1:20 pm local Melbourne time. The game will be fast and intense. It won't be like Milwaukee verse Minnesota where you applaud a good mark by a fellow Revo teammate on the opposite team. Now that will make you mad and get you fired up. The other team will be out for our heads - literally. But we are fired up and ready for the task. Game by game the march towards the MCG goes on.
The theme for Revo 08 is trust. Trust in everything that goes on in the team. Trust your teammate will be there for the leading run into open space. Trust you have that sheppard waiting next to you. Trust that the red white and blue will be there no matter where you turn.
I'm completely fired up and stoked for tomorrow's game. I get to represent the US of A. The adrenaline will be running high, nerves flying as usual. But when the tip goes up, it's just another footy game - maybe a little faster and fierce than usual, but it's a just another footy game.
For a PDF guide to the IC, click here. Courtesy of the AFL and IC.
Its 24 hour footy. The focus is all on Denmark tomorrow. You wake up, meat the team for breakie, talk, think, eat footy. 8am run/stretch/kick/practice. Rest. Eat lunch. 1pm meeting for strategy and then off for another practice. Back and rest - watch footy on the tele (it seems like there is a game on at all times). It's all footy. All the time. The amount of footy knowledge I'm surrounded by is amazing. I was told by Earl Evon (Boston Demon and Revo 05) that in these two weeks I will learn more footy than I knew before - its true.
Starting line-ups were announced at the strategy meeting. Only 24 dress for the game. 18 play, 6 on inter change. Both Bruce and myself were named as starters. Bruce played on the 05 squad - this is my first IC and first official cap as a national team member.
So after a year and half of training, three Revo camps, a dislocated shoulder, and many miles training - it's here. Tomorrow vs Denmark the tip goes up at 1:20 pm local Melbourne time. The game will be fast and intense. It won't be like Milwaukee verse Minnesota where you applaud a good mark by a fellow Revo teammate on the opposite team. Now that will make you mad and get you fired up. The other team will be out for our heads - literally. But we are fired up and ready for the task. Game by game the march towards the MCG goes on.
The theme for Revo 08 is trust. Trust in everything that goes on in the team. Trust your teammate will be there for the leading run into open space. Trust you have that sheppard waiting next to you. Trust that the red white and blue will be there no matter where you turn.
I'm completely fired up and stoked for tomorrow's game. I get to represent the US of A. The adrenaline will be running high, nerves flying as usual. But when the tip goes up, it's just another footy game - maybe a little faster and fierce than usual, but it's a just another footy game.
For a PDF guide to the IC, click here. Courtesy of the AFL and IC.
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