World Footy News

The Flying Boomerangs were just too good for the NZ Hawks u16’s. This is no surprise as these indigenous Australians realistically will have been playing footy from not long after they could walk. Meanwhile many of the Kiwis will have been identified through talent spotting competitions like the Hawks Cup, with most players unlikely to have played more than twenty games ever. Over time, as the juniors come through in NZ the gap between the two sides is likely to become less, but right now the tour is best seen as a great experience for all involved!

The AFL Flying Boomerangs were formally welcomed to New Zealand with a powhiri (a welcome to country), held at Te Marae within the Te Papa Tongarewa Museum, which served as a fitting introduction to the indigenous Maori culture of New Zealand.

Playing with an exciting blend of skill and speed, the AFL Flying Boomerangs were simply too fast for the Hawks to keep pace. However, the Hawks earned respect through their dogged commitment throughout both games.

Before each match, both teams challenged each other with cultural performances. The New Zealand Hawks performed their haka, led by Te Rei Clark of Ngapuhi and Northland. The AFL Flying Boomerangs also performed their War Dance, meeting the challenge set out by the Hawks.

The first game saw damp conditions that made ball control difficult, but it was the AFL Flying Boomerangs who made much of the early running. Matthew Wilkes scored two goals during the first quarter, along with goals to Jordan Jeffery and Shai Bolton. The dominant display from the Boomerangs led to them leading 4.5:29-0.0:0 going into the break.

With the advantage of the wind in the second quarter, the Boomerangs extended their lead. Five more goals over the quarter reflected the passing and marking skills of the touring side. The half ended with the score 9.11:65-0.1:1.

A fired up Hawks side came out after half time, determined to put points on the board. An increase in intensity at the ball led to more possession, and more opportunities.. During the third quarter the Hawks scored their first goal of the game, with Jonty Hall cleaning up a loose ball to convert the opportunity. The period ended 11.18:84-1.1:7.

A hallmark of New Zealand Hawks teams at every level is the ability to keep improving right until the final hooter. So it was with the Under 16 New Zealand Hawks, the 4th quarter was their best. The match ended 16.23:119-2.3:15.

The post match awards emphasised the culture of friendship that has characterised the AFL Flying Boomerangs tour of New Zealand.

Each coach selected a player from each team to award a Best on Ground trophy. Hawks coach Mick Coultard recognised Utu Ah Kuoi from his own team, and Kym LeBois from the opposition.

AFL Flying Boomerangs coach Eugene Warrior was particularly impressed with the performance of Siope Ngata, a current holder of an AFL International Scholarship with the Hawthorn Football Club. Warrior also recognised Keenan Waterbury from the Northern Territory.

Eugene Warrior was generous in his praise for how the Hawks played. In particular he noted the physicality and courage showed by the home side. “The intensity at the ball from the Hawks was world class.”

Final Score: Game 1
AFL Flying Boomerangs: 16.23:119 (Jeffrey 4, Wilkes 3, Johnstone 2, Bolton 2, Walsh-Bannam 2, Garlett, Simpkin, Gray)
Under 16 New Zealand Hawks: 2.3:15 (Hall, Fifita)

The conditions were better for the second game and the AFL Flying Boomerangs benefitted in the first quarter. Right from the opening hooter they attacked, running clever lines to string together passes and marks. The remarkable display of skill saw the visitors race out to a 8.5:53 – 0.0:0 lead.

The Hawks, however, were not about to give up, and fought back. In an improved performance over the quarter, Sam McDougall slotted the first of his two goals for the game. The dominance of the AFL Flying Boomerangs was clear though, and they extended their lead over the quarter. At halftime the score stood at 13.6:84 – 1.1:7.

With the wind against them again, the Hawks were facing an uphill task in the third quarter. The backs worked hard to minimise the scoring opportunities available to the visitors, and the Hawks also combined to set Sam McDougall up for his 2nd goal. The score after three quarters was 18.14:122 – 2.1:13.

Up until the final whistle the Hawks kept pushing for points, and they managed to score two goals in the final quarter. In what turned out to be a higher scoring match for both teams, the final score finished at 25.18:168 – 4.3:27.

The Best on Grounds were awarded to both teams at the end of the match. From the New Zealand Hawks, Te Rei Clark and Sam McDougall were awarded the honours, after strong and consistent performances in the match.

All observers were impressed with the courage of Anthony Young of the AFL Flying Boomerangs, who committed to every tackle and contest with impressive zeal, despite being smaller than many of the players he was marking. Young was one of the visitors awarded a Best on Ground, the other was another small but effective player, John Garlett.

Following the matches, both teams shared their culture through teaching each other their respective prematch rituals. The New Zealanders learnt the AFL Flying Boomerangs’ War Cry, and in turn taught their guests the haka. It was a touching moment in a tour marked by friendship and mutual respect.

Touring teams play a major role in the ability of the AFL New Zealand High Performance programme to offer athletes opportunities to excel through AFL. With a major tour involving each of the Under 16 New Zealand Hawks, the Under 18 New Zealand Hawks, the Under 18 New Zealand Kahus and the Senior New Zealand Hawks to be played every year, the pathway from age group to open age national representation is available to all athletes within the programme.

For more see:-
http://aflnz.co.nz/afl-flying-boomerangs-take-first-tour-match/
http://aflnz.co.nz/afl-flying-boomerangs-notch-2nd-classy-win/