World Footy News

The Women’s USAFL team have been on tour in Australia since August 7th and so far have played two tough matches, going down in both but losing no respect along the way. The first match was against a team of first year players in the current Sydney Women’s AFL (SWAFL).

An accumulation of effort between SWAFL and US Footy saw the first ever match between a rookie representative side from the Australians and the US Freedom Team. The Americans had arrived missing two players due to a lost passport at LAX, but with some handy-work and cooperation of the taxi industry - the Freedom recovered their two players in time for the main event.

Both teams fought well to win the ball and move it forward but kicked inaccurately with SWAFL heading into the break on four behinds to one behind at quarter time. Though a bit messy it proved to the crowd that these Americans can play the game. In the second quarter there was few to separate the two sides with the SWAFL side scoring 1.3.9 to the USA 1.2.8.

The SWAFL team started to get some more cohesive play going and this showed with a few more shots at goal and better accuracy. The 3rd quarter time score was SWAFL Rookies 3.8.26 to USA 1.6.12. In the final quarter the Americans kicked their second goal of the game while the local side also kicked a goal to have the final score SWAFL Rookies 4.9.33 to US Freedom 2.6.18. US Freedom goals were scored by Siobhan McHale and Kelli Modica. SWAFL goals were scored by Jenny Gillett, Kate Woodlands (2), Britanny Day.

Best on ground for USA: Jenny Sarbacker, Tina Arend and Monica Robbins. For SWAFL Kate Woodlands and Una McKay.

Two days later the US team flew to Cairns to take on a team from North Queensland who have been training for two months in anticipation for this match at Cazaly Stadium. For the US team, this was by far the biggest oval many have played on. The Cairns lineup featured many veterans to a few newcomers, and played a good structured style of footy.

Cairns held the USA off from centre half back and through the middle, the ball hardly moving though the backlines. The USA backline were well organized and any point was well earnt. Great discipline and good skills from the US team again gained them many more fans and respect from the Aussies.

Best on Ground for the USA was player Captain Jenny Sarbacker, while Vice Captain Tina Arend had a quick visit to the Cairns Base Hospital for a few stitches in her lip. The American girls were impressed with Cazaly Ground.

Best for Cairns was Mary David, Asta Naden and Ashleigh Singleton.

Cairns: 2.4 (16)  2.6 (18)  3.7 (25)  3.10 (28)
USA: 0.0 (0) 1.2 (8)  1.2 (8)  1.5 (11)

Goals Cairns: Stacey Paech 1, Dakota Noah 1, Lauren James 1.
Goals USA: Kelli Modica

US Freedom now travel to Melbourne where they will fit in matches on Thursday night and Saturday morning: