World Footy News

TORONTO, Ont. - On one of the biggest days of Australian Football in Ontario, Canada’s national team, The Northwind, were no match for the OAFL Australian All-Stars, in front of a good crowd of 500 people at Humber College South. Under perfect skies the Aussie All-Stars, led brilliantly by their big full forward Danny Walker who kicked 5 goals, outclassed Northwind by 52 points.

After the National Anthems of both sides were sung by Tanya Turner, and with the beer garden full of interested onlookers, there were high hopes for the Canadian team, in one of their final hitouts before traveling to Melbourne, Australia for the International Cup this coming August. From the first bounce, both teams took to defending well, as each side tried to attack and get that important first goal. But despite some good rebound-out-of-defence by Canada, the Australian team began to share the ball and use their skills to advantage.

Both teams showed plenty of physicality toward the ball and their opponents, but eventually Justin Rigney was able to kick one straight through the big sticks to give the All-Stars their first goal. Danny Walker would add another before the break as Australia took a 12 point lead to quarter time. Northwind had a number of chances to put goals on the scoreboard, but wasted their opportunities, including a miss after the siren.

In the second quarter, Australia started taking control of the match, with young Christian Harbour showing great speed and evasive skill to crumb the loose ball and snap a great goal from the forward pocket. Despite Canada improving as the quarter went on, the Aussie boys took a 30 point lead in to half time. The main highlight for the Canadian fans was a goal to Danny McIlravey on the run to register Canada’s only goal of the half.

At half time, Northwind coach Mark ‘Flash’ Block demanded more accountability when their opponents had the ball and to be hungrier for it when it was in dispute. This had an instant effect on the players, as Canada won possession in the middle of the ground and Chris Cunning was able to kick a goal in the first 30 seconds, something the crowd really responded to. But, as he had done in the first half, Dan Walker continued to lead well in to space, and with 3 goals in the quarter, put the game almost beyond reach for The Northwind team. The All-Stars lead at the final change was 43 points.

In the final quarter, like the third, Northwind won possession and moved the ball deep in to attack where Chris Buczkowski won a free kick and converted the chance to cut the margin back to 37 points. It would be the last goal Northwind would score on Canada Day as the All-Stars regained composure and kicked 2 late goals to run out comfortable winners, final scores OAFL Australian All-Stars 11.12 (78) to The Northwind 3.8 (26).

Leading goal kicker for the OAFL All-Stars was Danny Walker with 5 goals and there were six individual goal kickers, and for the Northwind team there were three single goal scorers: Chris Buczkowski, Chris Cunning and Dan McIlravey. Better players for Australia were Walker, Harbour, Netherway, Capoferri and Rigney. For Canada, Frank Luisser, Stefan Leyhane, Manny Matata and Chris Buczkowski were all solid contributors.

In the earlier game, Ontario outplayed Quebec in the battle of the provinces, with final score being: Ontario 14.4 (88) defeating Quebec 3.9 (27). Leading goal scorer for Ontario was Troy Marsh with 3 goals, while for Quebec, Steve Casey kicked 2.