EDITION 16 $2.50 CONTENDERS OR PRETENDERS? ACT WINS AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS THE PAUL WALSHE STORY Contents inside The GM’s Report 4 AFL Canberra Limited Bradman Stand Manuka Oval Manuka Circle ACT 2603 Ainslie - Pretenders or Contenders? 8 PO Box 3759, Manuka ACT 2603 Ph 02 6228 0337 The Paul Walshe Story 10 Fax 02 6232 7312 Publisher ACT Wins Australian Coordinate PO Box 1975 Country Championships 11 WODEN ACT 2606 Ph 02 6162 3600 Email [email protected] Seniors 16-23 Neither the editor, the publisher nor AFL Canberra accepts liability of any form for loss or harm of any type however caused All design material in the magazine is copyright protected and Reserves 24 cannot be reproduced without the written permission of Coordinate. Under 18’s 25 Editor Jamie Wilson Ph 02 6162 3600 Round 16 Email [email protected] Designer Logan Knight Congratulations- it’s all about you! Thanks to the Ph 02 6162 3600 Canberra Labour Club this week’s “face in the crowd” Email [email protected] winner receives a meal voucher to use at any of the Labour vs Photography Andrew Trost Club venues. The winner must present themselves at one Email [email protected] of the Labor Club venues, prove they are the person circled Ainslie Oval, Sat 2nd August, 2pm in the above picture (each reception area will have a copy of this photo) and the meal voucher will be sent to you. vs Greenway Oval, Sat 2nd August, 2pm vs www.laborclub.com.au Dairy Farmers Park, Sat 2nd August, 2pm Chandler Street Belconnen Petrie Plaza, Canberra City Lhotsky Street in Charnwood Teesdale Close (just off Fremantle Drive in Stirling). In the box increased immediately and professional became coach on day 2 in a pre-arranged move and rumours with the GM comfortable. The accommodation was better than quickly spread of a nasty hamstring injury for the david wark expected, a stroll around Deakin Reserve had some ACT full forward. At 7 goals to 0 at half time of banter but the post dinner meeting set the tone for the third game it was effectively game over. Craig At three quarter time of the final of the Australian would have the Tuggeranong stalwarts, Don and the carnival. The coaches reiterated their areas of Healey was sensational kicking goals at will. Country Football Championships the Victorians Steve as the trainers and Craig Wisdom from the control and the expectations at those set plays. The Andrew Ainger was powerful and created pathways had kicked the last four goals of the game. Demons as the physio then it was apparent Big coach spoke briefly but with purpose and strength. for the smaller forwards. The ACT team had played Michael Ghobrial, who had been sensational in Mac should be involved. Mark was keen to get Steve His eyes said he was ready for the fight, 23 other two ‘halves’ of football that were exhilarating at the first four games had his opponent kick two Mahar involved and the coaching group and medical pairs of eyes suggested they were with him. Nathan worst. Attacking, running, skilful and tough football goals in two minutes for a game tally of five to that team were in place. Mark Copley was always Clarke then took over the meeting and created as became the ACT trademark. A defensive unit stage. James Bennett was closely marking his going to be the Team manager after his excellent much laughter and camaraderie in 10 minutes as flooding forward sharing the ball through chains opponent, the Vics best player, who to that stage performance in 2007. Russell Taylor would be any leadership group, inspirational speaker, faith of handball and picking off leading forwards had had been very quiet but was surely ready to have an responsible for all bookings, accommodation, healer or any person could create. It was excellent any person who enjoys elite level sport nodding in impact on the game. Aaron Rogers was having an flights, buses, meals, rehab sessions, so his role and ensured the entire group went to bed with admiration. This group of players had something outstanding game but his willingness to take risks was clear. All ‘staff’ knew that all jobs were in a smile, felling good about themselves and also special going between them and had definitely set must be devoured by the pressure of the game in every person’s job description and for the team knowing what needed to be done. themselves up as the team to beat. 3-0 the last quarter. Bill Neely had run, run and run to succeed the support around them had to be NSW had been built up as a team worthy of The fourth game, a dead rubber v Victoria, who were and involved himself in an incredible number of first class. genuine consideration and the first half was tight. also undefeated had some moments of interest. The contests and had to be exhausted. Nathan Clarke’s The squad selection process involved every player Significantly prior to the first bounce a commonly three point loss was significant for the Vics having precise skills could not possibly hold up in the known issue was dealt with in an incredibly fired their best shot and the ACT boys storming rain and under intense pressure. Coach Mark being considered. Players were selected on the basis of a role they may play in the ultimate side. professional and magnanimous gesture from both home. It was them who knew their bag of tricks was Armstrong spoke with a cool head, in a calculated parties. Griffen Underwood cut loose in the second exhausted and the visitors knowing they had plenty manner and with very clear instructions. He had Talls, smalls, midfielders, youth, experience, club form and the pre-requisite of skill and half, Ben Hughes took some incredible marks and left. 3-1 suggested at the team meeting the night before the ACT boys were away. Eight goals in a 17minute courage were all taken into account. Training was Friday night was quiet. Card games, footy on that the aim for the first three quarters was to be half and it was clear the boys had come to play. 1-0 in a position at three quarter time that would allow reasonable in perfect conditions with the emphasis he television and some ‘convivials’ in the Team the ACT superior fitness to come to the fore when on set plays – movement at kick-ins, throw ins, SA – traditional football state – had the cockiness Manager’s room where Singing Bee was dominated it mattered. ball-ups, opposition kick-ins. The enthusiasm was they would claim as a Victorian trait only. Ryan by the Waddler – according to him. His best work forced. It was professional, not warm. Underwood used the ball efficiently and impressed was still to come! Saturday was busy for the three In March I spoke with Mark about coaching the those unfamiliar with him, Jeremy Stiller was men who controlled rehabilitation. Massage, ice, Rep Team for the 2008 Australian Country Football Selection of the final team proved challenging. Late injuries, a couple of unexpected withdrawals very effective and Mark Kimball showed what no treatment and more massage meant our unit of Championships. Mark knew the ACT record was inhibitions can do for a player with confidence. He Steve Ryder, Don Axon and Craig Wisdom were a second and first in the last two starts. He was and the original 24 changed significantly in 48 hours. Teenagers Ash Harris and Connor ran hard, handballed with reflex and tackled with exhausted at days end. The lawn bowls revealed part of the first place and vowed then to retire fro ferocity. Luke Jeffery ran through the centre of the those with touch and class and the car park Representative Football as a winner. The lure was Pettersson from Ainslie were included, Eastlake dasher Mark Kimball was a late call-up and ground linking up like he had played as a defender revealed those with no talent and little to offer. playing and coaching in a final at the MCG – the all his career. 2-0 venue originally planned for the championship’s Ryan Quade from the Tigers also came into James Bennett was given a run with role on the last game. The lure proved strong and with the the squad. The pre-carnival team dinner was Armstrong had 7goals for the day. James Vics gun midfielder. James almost apologised to his family priorities sorted ‘Merv’ was right to go. again professional. ACT champion Guy Cannon Kavanagh’s form was better than his club form and opponent early in the game after some bleating that encouraged the players to ‘give of themselves’ and Ash Harris looked at home in this hurly burly of Rep it was going to be a bad day for the Victorian – of Immediately a professional approach was that with an investment of spirit the rewards would football. Connor (Corey?) was damaging and Quade course said more eloquently and received with little apparent. Clubs were asked to nominate people be immense. and Roy Jaques showed experience and guile enthusiasm. Roy was given the job on a mercurial who would be interested in being involved with the counts for plenty when under pressure. forward (who would fit nicely into any AFL Canberra program. Julian Farkas, Ian Muir, Tony Wynd were Players gathered at the airport and for the first time looked like a team. Energetic, excited, anxious. The side) and the ACT champion full forward was back. immediately in touch with the coach.