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The 2008 Australian Football International Cup was the third time the Australian Football International Cup, an international Australian rules football competition, has been contested.
It was scheduled for 2008 (as part of the 150th year celebrations of Australian Football), with 16 nations competing.
The tournament was hosted by both Melbourne and Warrnambool in Victoria, Australia between the 27 August and 6th September, with a single match additionally played in Geelong.1
Like previous tournaments, the competition was open to men's teams with strict nationality eligibility rules.
The Grand Final was played between New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea were victorious by 8 points with a goal kicked after the siren. Like the Grand Final in previous years, the match was played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as a curtain raiser to the 2008 AFL Season finals match between Hawthorn Hawks and Western Bulldogs which attracted a crowd of 76,703 spectators. However unlike previous tournaments, the final was not televised.
Contents |
History and build up
The WAFL and Perth, Western Australia raised the possibility of bidding for the tournament soon after the 2005 cup had been completed,2 however the AFL has confirmed that the cup will once again be held in Melbourne (the game's spiritual home) for at least for one more year, as the 2008 Cup will coincide with Australian Rules football's 150th anniversary. The AFL later indicated that a regional round and semi-finals would be held in Warrnambool.
The AFL indicated that unlike earlier cups, it would likely be split into two divisions, a premier division and development division, with some discussion as to whether the eligibility rules could be loosened for the development division, to enable more countries to participate. Leagues were given the opportunity to nominate which they would prefer, with eight in each division being an initial target.3 Ultimately, this idea was dropped, with the sixteen teams being seeded into four pools.
In December, 2007, it was announced that Melbourne and Warrnambool would co-host the two division event, with Melbourne matches to be played mainly in Royal Park North. Several potential new sides were announced by the AFL, including an Israeli-Palestine combination supported by the Peres Centre for Peace, China and India.45
The USA Women's team announced an intention to send a squad to play against Australia and possibly Papua New Guinea. Additionally Canada and England announced their intentions to send Under 17s squads.6 As a result, there was speculation over an inaugural women's and under 17 divisions. However the AFL denied these divisions in favour of a senior men's competition only. In response, and with the Barassi International Australian Football Youth Tournament being cancelled, British and Canadian junior teams had to organise their own tours and matches against Australian schools. Despite both international teams being in Australia at the same time, they did not play against each other.7 The US women's team announced a 2009 tour instead.
Competing Nations
The AFL confirmed in July 2008 that sixteen nations will compete.8 In addition, there will be friendly matches played between Melbourne-based migrant community teams under the names "Team Africa" and "Team Asia", as well as the Tongan side which was unable to commit to the full tournament. Also despite a previous appearance, the Spain Bulls will not be competing.
| Pool A | Pool B | Pool C | Pool D |
|---|---|---|---|
Games
Round 1
| Team | Score | Team | Score | Ground | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Ireland Warriors |
12.12 (84) |  Sweden Elks |
1.0 (6) | McAlister Oval | Wednesday, August 27 11:00 AM |
 New Zealand Falcons |
13.13 (91) |  Japan Samurais |
0.2 (2) | Ransford Oval | Wednesday, August 27 11:00 AM |
 Canada Northwind |
18.22 (130) |  Finland Icebreakers |
0.0 (0) | Western Oval | Wednesday, August 27 11:00 AM |
 Samoa Kangaroos |
16.20 (116) |  India Tigers |
1.0 (6) | McAlister Oval | Wednesday, August 27 1:00 PM |
 Great Britain Bulldogs |
20.15 (135) |   Peres Team for Peace |
1.2 (8) | Ransford Oval | Wednesday, August 27 1:00 PM |
 United States Revolution |
11.6 (72) |  Denmark Vikings |
1.4 (10) | Western Oval | Wednesday, August 27 1:00 PM |
 South Africa Lions |
20.26 (146) |  China Red Demons |
0.0 (0) | McAlister Oval | Wednesday, August 27 3:00 PM |
 Papua New Guinea Mosquitos |
10.9 (69) |  Nauru Chiefs |
3.2 (20) | Ransford Oval | Wednesday, August 27 3:00 PM |
Round 2
| Team | Score | Team | Score | Ground | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand Falcons |
35.19 (229) | India Tigers |
0.0 (0) | Western Oval | Friday, August 29 11:00 AM |
| Ireland Warriors |
13.20 (98) | Finland Icebreakers |
0.0 (0) | McAlister Oval | Friday, August 29 11:00 AM |
| United States Revolution |
16.18 (114) | China Red Demons |
0.0 (0) | Ransford Oval | Friday, August 29 11:00 AM |
| Papua New Guinea Mosquitos |
20.20 (140) | Peres Team for Peace |
1.1 (7) | McAlister Oval | Friday, August 29 1:00 PM |
| Samoa Kangaroos |
4.7 (31) | Japan Samurais |
8.7 (55) | Ransford Oval | Friday, August 29 1:00 PM |
| Great Britain Bulldogs |
2.6 (18) | Nauru Chiefs |
10.5 (65) | Western Oval | Friday, August 29 1:00 PM |
| Canada Northwind |
16.12 (108) | Sweden Elks |
1.1 (7) | Ransford Oval | Friday, August 29 3:00 PM |
| South Africa Lions |
9.11 (65) | Denmark Vikings |
3.2 (20) | West Kardinia Oval | Saturday, August 30 12:00 PM |
Round 3
| Team | Score | Team | Score | Ground | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland Warriors |
4.6 (30) | Canada Northwind |
2.2 (14) | Reid Oval | Monday, September 1 11:00 AM |
| Sweden Elks |
6.7 (43) | Finland Icebreakers |
2.2 (14) | Reid Oval | Monday, September 1 11:00 AM |
| New Zealand Falcons |
10.11 (71) | Samoa Kangaroos |
1.2 (8) | Walter Oval | Monday, September 1 11:00 AM |
| Japan Samurais |
15.16 (106) | India Tigers |
0.0 (0) | Mack Oval | Monday, September 1 1:00 PM |
| United States Revolution |
5.6 (36) | South Africa Lions |
8.10 (58) | Reid Oval | Monday, September 1 1:00 PM |
| Papua New Guinea Mosquitos |
7.9 (51) | Great Britain Bulldogs |
3.2 (20) | Walter Oval | Monday, September 1 1:00 PM |
| Denmark Vikings |
17.20 (122) | China Red Demons |
0.0 (0) | Reid Oval | Monday, September 1 3:00 PM |
| Nauru Chiefs |
28.9 (177) | Peres Team for Peace |
1.1 (7) | Walter Oval | Monday, September 1 3:00 PM |
Group Results After Rounds
Pool A
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | Points For | Points Against | % | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Zealand Falcons |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 391 | 10 | 3910.00 | 12 |
| 2 | Japan Samurais |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 163 | 112 | 145.53 | 8 |
| 3 | Samoa Kangaroos |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 155 | 133 | 113.13 | 4 |
| 4 | India Tigers |
3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 451 | 1.33 | 0 |
Pool B
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | Points For | Points Against | % | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Papua New Guinea Mosquitos |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 260 | 47 | 553.19 | 12 |
| 2 | Nauru Chiefs |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 262 | 94 | 278.72 | 8 |
| 3 | Great Britain Bulldogs |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 173 | 124 | 139.51 | 4 |
| 4 | Peres Team for Peace |
3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 22 | 452 | 4.86 | 0 |
Pool C
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | Points For | Points Against | % | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa Lions |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 269 | 56 | 480.35 | 12 |
| 2 | United States Revolution |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 222 | 68 | 326.47 | 8 |
| 3 | Denmark Vikings |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 152 | 137 | 110.94 | 4 |
| 4 | China Red Demons |
3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 382 | 0.00 | 0 |
Pool D
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | Points For | Points Against | % | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ireland Warriors |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 212 | 20 | 1060.00 | 12 |
| 2 | Canada Northwind |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 252 | 37 | 681.08 | 8 |
| 3 | Sweden Elks |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 56 | 206 | 27.18 | 4 |
| 4 | Finland Icebreakers |
3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 271 | 5.16 | 0 |
Finals
Finals Round 1
| Team | Score | Team | Score | Ground | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samoa Kangaroos |
7.8 (50) | Sweden Elks |
4.2 (26) | Mack Oval | Wednesday, September 3 1:00 PM |
| India Tigers |
4.4 (28) | Finland Icebreakers |
8.4 (52) | Reid Oval | Wednesday, September 3 1:00 PM |
| Nauru Chiefs |
7.3 (45) | United States Revolution |
3.5 (23) | Walter Oval | Wednesday, September 3 1:00 PM |
| Peres Team for Peace |
5.7 (37) | China Red Demons |
4.4 (28) | Mack Oval | Wednesday, September 3 3:00 PM |
| Great Britain Bulldogs |
5.4 (34) | Denmark Vikings |
4.3 (27) | Reid Oval | Wednesday, September 3 3:00 PM |
| Japan Samurais |
0.3 (3) | Canada Northwind |
7.7 (49) | Walter Oval | Wednesday, September 3 3:00 PM |
| New Zealand Falcons |
8.9 (57) | Ireland Warriors |
2.3 (15) | Reid Oval | Wednesday, September 3 5:30 PM |
| Papua New Guinea Mosquitos |
9.8 (63) | South Africa Lions |
2.3 (15) | Reid Oval | Wednesday, September 3 7:30 PM |
Finals Round 2
| Team | Score | Team | Score | Ground | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Playoff for 13th and 14th | |||||
| Finland Icebreakers |
2.2 (14) | Peres Team for Peace |
14.5 (89) | Western Oval | Friday , September 5 10:00 AM |
| Playoff for 9th and 10th | |||||
| Great Britain Bulldogs |
8.9 (57) | Samoa Kangaroos |
1.11 (17) | Ransford Oval | Friday, September 5 10:00 AM |
| Playoff for 5th and 6th | |||||
| Nauru Chiefs |
12.8 (80) | Canada Northwind |
7.7 (49) | Ransford Oval | Friday, September 5 10:15 AM |
| Playoff for 11th and 12th | |||||
| Sweden Elks |
0.2 (2) | Denmark Vikings |
14.19 (103) | Western Oval | Friday, September 5 11:45 AM |
| Playoff for 7th and 8th | |||||
| United States Revolution |
14.13 (97) | Japan Samurais |
2.4 (16) | McAlister Oval | Friday, September 5 11:45 AM |
| Playoff for 3rd and 4th | |||||
| Ireland Warriors |
5.2 (32) | South Africa Lions |
4.9 (33) | Ransford Oval | Friday, September 5 12:00 PM |
| Playoff for 15th and 16th | |||||
| India Tigers |
6.6 (42) | China Red Demons |
7.14 (56) | Ransford Oval | Friday, September 5 1:45 PM |
| Grand Final | |||||
| New Zealand Falcons |
7.4 (46) | Papua New Guinea Mosquitos |
7.12 (54) | Melbourne Cricket Ground | Friday, September 5 5:30 PM |
Individual Awards
World Team
The world team was selected based on player performance in the pool rounds only. India, China, the Peace Team and Finland all missed representation in the team.
| Player | Nation | Club | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| [[Donald Barry | Papua New Guinea |
Gulf | Half Back Flank |
| Joe Lla | Papua New Guinea |
Central | Ruck Rover |
| Overa Gibson | Papua New Guinea |
Gulf | Centre Half Forward |
| Stanis Susuve | Papua New Guinea |
Gulf | Interchange |
| Richard Bradley | New Zealand |
Eastern Blues | Full-Forward |
| Andrew Crighton | New Zealand |
North Shore Tigers | Fullback |
| Andrew Congalton | New Zealand |
Takapuna Eagles | Interchange |
| Mike Finn | Ireland |
Heidelberg Tigers/Caulfield Bears (VIC) | Centre Half Back |
| Ian O'Sullivan | Ireland |
Leeside Lions | Forward Pocket |
| Cian Quigley | Ireland |
Leeside Lions | Interchange |
| Julian Horn | South Africa |
North West Province | Back Pocket |
| Thabiso Phakedi | South Africa |
North West Province | Back Pocket |
| Scott Fleming | Canada |
Vancouver Cougars | Forward Pocket |
| Emmanuel Mattata | Canada |
Etibicoke Kangaroos | Ruck |
| Agir Amwano | Nauru |
Tigers | Centre |
| Torio Mwareow | Nauru |
- | Half-forward Flank |
| Aiden Dillane | Great Britain |
Putney Magpies | Half-forward flank |
| Luke Matias | Great Britain |
Caulfield (SFL, VIC)/Nottingham | Interchange |
| Pa'al Finnson | Denmark |
Jylland | Wing |
| Jen Djernes | Denmark |
Jylland | Interchange |
| Chris Candelaria | United States |
Denver Bulldogs | Interchange |
| Michito Sakaki | Japan |
Waseda University | Rover |
| [[Fia-Tootoo | Samoa |
Moorabbin Kangaroos | Half Back Flank |
| Andrew Svensson | Sweden |
Landskrona Bulldozers | Wing |
| IC2008 World Team | |||
| B: | Thabiso Phakedi |
Andrew Crighton |
Julian Horn |
| HB: | Donald Barry |
Mike Finn |
Fia-Tootoo |
| C: | Andrew Svensson |
Agir Amwano |
Pa'll Finnsson |
| HF: | Torio Mwareow |
Overa Gibson |
Aiden Dillane |
| F: | Ian O'Sullivan |
Richard Bradley |
Scott Fleming |
| Foll: | Emmanuel Mattata |
Joe Lla |
Michito Sakaki |
| Int: | Luke Matias |
Stanis Susuve |
Andrew Congalton |
| Cian Quicgley |
Chris Candelaria |
Jes Djernes |
|
| Coach: | Not Named | ||
Tournament Best & Fairest winners
| Player | Nation | Club |
|---|---|---|
| Mike Finn | Ireland |
Heidelberg Football Club |
Gallery
 New Zealand's captain Andrew Congalton takes a strong mark in front of an Indian opponent |
 New Zealand's Richard Bradley takes a high mark against India |
 The USA and China contest the ruck |
 Canada's ruckman Manny Matata takes a kick against Sweden in round 2 |
 Canada's Scott Fleming kicks one of eight goals against Sweden in round 2 |
 Swedish team lines up for the national anthem before taking on Canada |
 A British Bulldog gets a kick away despite close checking from a Nauruan opponent in Britain's round 2 loss |
 Robert Dipierdomenico coach of the Peres Peace team joining with his team to sign the joint anthem |
 The Papua New Guinea Mosquitos line up for the national anthem before taking on the Peace Team |
 Samoa lines up for the national anthem before taking on Japan in round 2 |
 Big pack mark by Ireland's Mike Finn over South Africa |
 Another Mike Finn special |
 Irish player gets a kick downfield |
 South African player kicks the ball against Ireland |
 Running shot for goal by Ireland's Mike Finn |
 South Africa and Ireland contest the high ball with South African attempting to spoil |
 Irish player takes an overhead mark |
 Nauruan takes a shot on goal |
 Peace team gets a kick away against Finland |
 Papua New Guinea shortly after the final siren at the MCG |
 Papua New Guinea celebrates winning the cup |
Papua New Guinea after a lap of honour |
References
- ^ AFL International Cup goes to Warrnambool
- ^ World Cup For Perth. August 28 Digby Beacham, Sunday Times, Perth
- ^ Cup dates proposed as AFL ponders divisions
- ^ Israelis and Palestinians to play side by side
- ^ Warrnambool to co-host 2008 International Cup
- ^ Plenty of issues to consider for Cup organisers
- ^ Wolfpack hunt in big numbers from worldfootynews.com
- ^ World Footy News - 16 teams to contest IC08, a dozen more in the wings
See also
- List of Australian rules football leagues outside Australia
- Australian football around the world
- AFL Women's National Championships
External links
- Official 2008 International Cup Homepage
- http://www.aussierulesinternational.com
- Long term view to IC2008 - part one article from World Footy News with predictions on 2008 results
- Long term view to IC2008 - part two article from World Footy News with predictions on 2008 results
- World Footy News International Cup homepage
- Video of Aussie Rules from YouTube