World Footy News

The following matchday report is provided by AFL Vanuatu.

ERAKOR GOLDEN STAR AFL CLEAN SWEEP OVER MELE

Round Two of the AFL Vanuatu competition saw Erakor Golden Star AFL Club win a clean sweep of all divisions played this Saturday as hosts at Erakor Sal Wota Field.

The under 12 division game however only saw a result after Erakor’s Colson Kalsaru kick truly after the siren to register a win for the host club – the first win for Golden Star club in season 2011. Erakor 5.8.(38) def Mele 5.3.(33). Colson Kalsaru kicked three goals for Erakor in a dominant performance.

The women’s game was a walk-over win for Erakor as Mele AFL do not currently have a women’s team however a demonstration match was played amongst the Erakor female players.

A heated affair in the U/16 saw Erakor run out winners by 130 points however the score line distorts the fact that in many respects, it was an even affair (Editor: that's a big call!). Mele’s Alfred Malas was awesome all day but Erakor were better across the field. Erakor goal kickers Takau 9 & Charlie Sablon 6 combined with Erakors generally dominant ball movements meant that they had a lot more scoring opportunities, which they rarely wasted. All day though, the effort at ball was typical of two clubs who are both well aware that spots in the U/16 national squad are up for grabs.

Best players Erakor: Samsen Takau, Michael Wayane, Robert Toukoune, CharlieSablon, Kition Kaltack, Nomen Kaltack Mele: Alfred Malas, Obet Rakon, Neil Mansale

A lively & parochial village crowd watched in the seniors as Erakor ran out easy winners over an under manned Mele outfit. With two Australian import players Andrew Medard & Justin Johnson, both Caulfield Grammarians (aside: this Melbourne APS school has produced AFL players such as Chris Judd & Mark Chaffey), Erakor was always going to be hard to beat. In their previous match Rico was the standout for Mele however in round two Rico was absent (because of work commitments); especially his run through the middle that might have been the difference between the two teams. Despite the import players, the real stars for Erakor were Killip and Robin who ran & ran & ran all day.

             1st             2nd           3rd             Final

Erakor 3.4.(22)  6.7.(43)   7.12.(54)   14.16.(100)
Mele     1.0.(6)    3.2.(20)   5. 5.(35)        6.8.(44)

Best on Ground : Erakor Kilip Andrew, Robin Andrew, Tony Laoutu, Justin Johnson, 2E (Tooeee) Mele Lee-Roy, Robbie, George

Both clubs are scheduled to meet again in a months time and with a win a piece in the seniors, it is sure to be a huge affair. AFL Vanuatu is calling for interested clubs who are keen to join the burgeoning league to contact Justin at Moorings Hotel to gather more information about affiliation.

File photo of Erakor club players and volunteers.