World Footy News

On October 16th, Ontario AFL Grand Final day, the touring Convicts side took on a slightly depleted Canada squad as a curtain-raiser and valuable match practice for the Northwind. After the Convicts concept had its first international loss earlier this year (when an injury riddled team went down to South Africa in Soweto), the Aussies bounced back with AFL legend Kevin Sheedy looking on. The following report is courtesy of the Convicts' Anthony Nanfra. Apologies for the delay as we were (unsuccessfully) attempting to gather Canada best player and goalkicker information.

The Australian Convicts touring side has had a hard fought 23 point win against the Canadian Northwind at Humber College north campus in Toronto today. The game was played in damp conditions as the curtain raiser to the Canadian Grand final between the Etobicoke Kangaroos and the Toronto Eagles (won by the Eagles).

The Convicts got off to a good start kicking 2.2 to one goal in the first quarter but it was in the second that most of the damage was done when the Northwind were held goal-less with the Convicts adding a further 3.4. The Convicts by 28 points at half time.

In the third, it was the Convicts adding a further three goals to one to take the game beyond doubt with a 8.4 to 2.3 lead at three quarter time, or so it seemed.

The Northwind's brigade of younger players coupled with the experienced ones decided to turn it on early in the last quarter slamming on six goals to one. At one stage the Canadians had come to be within 4 points late in the final term but two steadying late goals and a little more experience under pressure in the final minutes just saw The Convicts home to a 23 point win.

It was a great game played with real spirit by the Northwind and considering that there were players that weren’t considered due to grand final commitments a very gutsy effort to run out the match so well. It really illustrates the depth of Australian Football in Canada.

As for the Convicts, it was the first game against the Canadian side on their 2 week tour of the USA and Canada. Both teams stayed on to watch the grand final and be a part of the celebration of another successful year in Canadian football.

The Convicts were welcomed by their hosts and became a real hit with the crowd that turned up to watch the game. A big thanks to AFL Canada for showing us such a good time and providing us with a great memory of our tour to Toronto – we will be back for sure!

Details of the Convicts' match against the USA Revolution the following Sunday at the USAFL championships will follow when available.


Scores:

Australian Convicts 2.2, 5.6, 8.6, 12.6 (78)
Canadian Northwind 1.1, 1.1, 2.4, 8.7 (55)

Goals:

Australian Convicts: Justin Doutch 4, Brendan Sacilotto, Sean Millane 2, Brodie Peterson, Nick Barden, Brendan Bell, Anthony Dhillon
Northwind: not available

Best players:

Australian Convicts: Damien Bowles, Anthony Dhillon, Justin Doutch, Brodie Peterson
Northwind: not available, but captain Stefan Leyhane was named as best