Canadians pick experienced side for International Cup
- Sunday, August 10 2008 @ 02:24 pm ACST
- Contributed by: Salvatore Capoferri
- Views: 6,228
The Canadian Northwind has named their squad for the 2008 International Cup, with a strong and experienced group of players heading to Australia.
AFL Canada this time around has appointed local OAFL legend Mark “Flash” Block as Northwind’s new coach and Emile Studham as his assistant skills coach. Mark is Canada’s most successful coach and has taken his local team, the Toronto Eagles to the past two OAFL Premierships. He is also no newcomer to the international arena as he captained the Northwind side in the 2002 International Cup.
When asked what is different this time around, Flash commented, “Since being on board as coach I have made a number of changes to the National Program. For example we are playing more games together now and that is starting to give off results as the team is starting to gel”. He added “due to increasing levels of interest we have been able to set higher standards which have allowed us to name a well balanced team consisting of top line defence-men, a nice blend of big guys and vastly improved centre and forward lines that can move the ball forward quickly.
"For example, I am very happy with the way champion brothers Tasos and George Dimacakos are playing along with the way Danny Zimmerman and Danny McIlravey are shaping up” stated the new Northwind Coach and finished off by saying “We also have a number of players that are improving their skills by playing in Australia this year and I think we have improved significantly since last year’s win over the US Revolution”.
Players
The Team appointed Stefan Leyhane of Toronto's Broadview Hawks as its Captain and has named centre-half forward Aaron Falcione as its Vice-Captain.
Representing Northwind at this year’s International Cup in Melbourne will be:
# | Player | Club | Age | Height (cm) | Weight (kg) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Scott Fleming | Vancouver Cougars | 18 | 190 | 86 |
2 | Kien La | Central Blues | 28 | 177 | 77 |
3 | George Dimacakos | Toronto Eagles | 22 | 180 | 79 |
4 | Clayton Holmes | West Coast Saints | 27 | 180 | 75 |
5 | Rhys Harris | Broadview Hawks | 27 | 173 | 82 |
6 | Gareth Bowley | West Coast Saints | 27 | 190 | 84 |
7 | Andrew Gareth | Toronto Eagles | 28 | 175 | 74 |
8 | Murray Lovett | Etobicoke Kangaroos | 29 | 175 | 75 |
9 | Aaron Falcioni (v/c) | Toronto Eagles | 28 | 185 | 95 |
10 | Jacob Sone | Central Blues | 27 | 190 | 93 |
11 | Bruce Parker | Central Blues | 37 | 183 | 82 |
12 | Stefan Leyhane (c) | Broadview Hawks | 36 | 185 | 84 |
13 | Mario Pareja | Broadview Hawks | 23 | 177 | 84 |
14 | Oliver Hayward | Toronto Eagles | 25 | 190 | 100 |
15 | Daniel Mcllravey | Toronto Dingoes | 27 | 175 | 88 |
16 | Chet Long | Etobicoke Kangaroos | 24 | 175 | 86 |
17 | Kevin Minaker | Toronto Eagles | 28 | 185 | 79 |
18 | Jared Postance | Central Blues | 33 | 177 | 79 |
19 | Lowden Matt | Toronto Eagles | 27 | 190 | 111 |
20 | Tasos Dimacakos | Toronto Eagles | 28 | 183 | 104 |
21 | Dale Simnett | High Park Demons | 28 | 195 | 98 |
22 | Greg Logel | Guelph Gargoyles | N/A | 185 | 95 |
23 | James Maitland | West Coast Saints | 29 | 195 | 95 |
24 | Steve Carew | Toronto Eagles | 28 | 173 | 82 |
25 | Sean Kennedy | Toronto Eagles | 27 | 190 | 104 |
27 | Emmanuel Matata | Etobicoke Kangaroos | 26 | 188 | 109 |
28 | Daniel Zimmerman | Central Blues | 27 | 185 | 107 |
29 | Chris Buczkowski | Toronto Dingoes | 29 | 190 | 104 |
33 | Frank Luisser | Toronto Eagles | 32 | 185 | 88 |
34 | Adam Jacobs | Etobicoke Kangaroos | 26 | 190 | 102 |
40 | Chris Cunning | Guelph Gargoyles | 41 | 198 | 107 |
Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Mark Block (Toronto Eagles)
Assistant Coach: Emile Studham (Etobicoke Kangaroos)
Assistant Coach: Scott Sheen (Vancouver Saints)
Administration
General Manager: Martin Walter
Team Manager: Helga Cunning
Media Manager: Bruce Parker
For more information visit the Northwind’s website at aflcanada.com