Monday morning half-back: September 8 2008
Written by Chris Adams   
Monday, 08 September 2008

The camp chair got a work out this weekend. Starting in Royal Park in Melbourne for the Revo's last game against Japan, after that was the game for third place between South Africa and Ireland. It was then to the "G" for the IC 08 Grand Final game between PNG and New Zealand. Then thanks to crossing the dateline, to one of my favorite places Madison WI for the game between the Minnesota Freeze and the Milwaukee Bombers.

The Revos finished off their 2008 International Cup in the right way. "We ended up coming out at the start with our heads held high and our eyes on the pill. The younger guys wanted to honor the veterns on the team by playing until we were absolutly rooted on the field. And the vets didn't want the final whistle to blow because it may be some of their last time wearing the Revo Jumper. With all of that going on Japan simply didn't stand a chance against us," says Revo mid-fielder Jay Levesque. Stand outs for the Revos were Danny Hansen, Dusin Jones and the only Revo named to the World Team, Chris "Candy" Candelaria.

 

In other results Canada were beaten by Nauru for the fifth spot. South Africa won in controversial fashion with a kick after the siren to win by a point. The South African player was a good 55 meters out when the Irish player was called for stepping over the mark. The South Africans got a reprieve and the player scored for the win. Ireland were the better team and can talk forever about the one that got away. The one consolation for the Revo’s was that the two teams that beat them, South Africa and Nauru, won their placing playoff games.

The only game left was the final, New Zealand and PNG. PNG had made the final in every Cup but had never won and NZ are the defending champions. PNG were the crowd favorites. The NZ Falcons lead at the half but PNG chipped away all second half and finally hit the front half-way through the last quarter. The Mosquitoes were awful in front of goal and had twice as many scoring shots as the Falcons. PNG were up by a couple for the last three minutes and stopped the Falcons from pushing forward. PNG had a mark on the outer wing when the siren sounded. The bench erupted. The PNG forward took his shot at an impossible angle; the banana kick went through the tall uprights and was immediately mobbed by his team mates. It was a great conclusion to the third edition of the Cup. Three Cups; three different winners – it seemed so appropriate.

Back State-side, it was a great game between mid-western rivals the Minnesota Freeze and the Milwaukee Bombers. In the end, the Freeze were too good as they look to get their season back on track.

The next two weeks will see the final games to determine league champions and Nationals seedings. Milwaukee and Chicago face off in a game that will likely determine the MAAFL Championship. The No. 1 BW Eagles host Philly and No. 3 New York heads to Boston to finalize the EAFL Championship. In the West, the No. 4 San Diego Lions host the No. 5 OC Bombers.

 

 

Paul O'Keeffe for USFooty.com contributed to this report.

 


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