2008 Australian Football International Cup

The 2008 Australian Football International Cup was the third time the Australian Football International Cup, an international Australian rules football competition, has been contested.

2008 Australian Football International Cup
2008 AFL International Cup
Tournament details
Host countryAustralia
Dates27 August – 5 September
Teams16
Final positions
Champions Papua New Guinea (1st title)
Runners-up New Zealand
Third place South Africa
Fourth place Ireland
The victorious Papua New Guinea Mosquitos celebrate winning the cup for the first time

It was scheduled for 2008 (as part of the 150th year celebrations of Australian Football), with 16 nations competing.

The tournament was hosted by both Melbourne and Warrnambool in Victoria, Australia between 27 August and 6 September, with a single match additionally played in Geelong.[1]

Like previous tournaments, the competition was open to men's teams with strict nationality eligibility rules.

The Grand Final was played between New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea were victorious by 8 points with a goal kicked after the siren. Like the Grand Final in previous years, the match was played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as a curtain raiser to the 2008 AFL Season finals match between Hawthorn Hawks and Western Bulldogs which attracted a crowd of 76,703 spectators. However unlike previous tournaments, the final was not televised.

History and build up

The WAFL and Perth, Western Australia raised the possibility of bidding for the tournament soon after the 2005 cup had been completed,[2] however the AFL has confirmed that the cup will once again be held in Melbourne for at least for one more year, as the 2008 Cup will coincide with Australian Rules football's 150th anniversary. The AFL later indicated that a regional round and semi-finals would be held in Warrnambool.

The AFL indicated that unlike earlier cups, it would likely be split into two divisions, a premier division and development division, with some discussion as to whether the eligibility rules could be loosened for the development division, to enable more countries to participate. Leagues were given the opportunity to nominate which they would prefer, with eight in each division being an initial target.[3] Ultimately, this idea was dropped, with the sixteen teams being seeded into four pools.

In December 2007, it was announced that Melbourne and Warrnambool would co-host the two division event, with Melbourne matches to be played mainly in Royal Park North. Several potential new sides were announced by the AFL, including an Israeli-Palestine combination supported by the Peres Centre for Peace, China and India.[4][5]

The USA Women's team announced an intention to send a squad to play against Australia and possibly Papua New Guinea. Additionally Canada and England announced their intentions to send Under 17s squads.[6] As a result, there was speculation over an inaugural women's and under 17 divisions. However the AFL denied these divisions in favour of a senior men's competition only. In response, and with the Barassi International Australian Football Youth Tournament being cancelled, British and Canadian junior teams had to organise their own tours and matches against Australian schools. Despite both international teams being in Australia at the same time, they did not play against each other.[7] The US women's team announced a 2009 tour instead.

Competing Nations

The AFL confirmed in July 2008 that sixteen nations will compete.[8] In addition, there will be friendly matches played between Melbourne-based migrant community teams under the names "Team Africa" and "Team Asia", as well as the Tongan side which was unable to commit to the full tournament. Also despite a previous appearance, the Spain Bulls will not be competing.

Pool A Pool B Pool C Pool D

Games

Round 1

Team Score Team Score Ground Date
Ireland Warriors12.12 (84) Sweden Elks1.0 (6)McAlister OvalWednesday, 27 August 11:00 AM
New Zealand Falcons13.13 (91) Japan Samurais0.2 (2)Ransford OvalWednesday, 27 August 11:00 AM
Canada Northwind18.22 (130) Finland Icebreakers0.0 (0)Western OvalWednesday, 27 August 11:00 AM
Samoa Kangaroos16.20 (116) India Tigers1.0 (6)McAlister OvalWednesday, 27 August 1:00 PM
Great Britain Bulldogs20.15 (135) Peres Team for Peace1.2 (8)Ransford OvalWednesday, 27 August 1:00 PM
United States Revolution11.6 (72) Denmark Vikings1.4 (10)Western OvalWednesday, 27 August 1:00 PM
South Africa Lions20.26 (146) China Red Demons0.0 (0)McAlister OvalWednesday, 27 August 3:00 PM
Papua New Guinea Mosquitos10.9 (69) Nauru Chiefs3.2 (20)Ransford OvalWednesday, 27 August 3:00 PM

Round 2

Team Score Team Score Ground Date
New Zealand Falcons35.19 (229) India Tigers0.0 (0)Western OvalFriday, 29 August 11:00 AM
Ireland Warriors13.20 (98) Finland Icebreakers0.0 (0)McAlister OvalFriday, 29 August 11:00 AM
United States Revolution16.18 (114) China Red Demons0.0 (0)Ransford OvalFriday, 29 August 11:00 AM
Papua New Guinea Mosquitos20.20 (140) Peres Team for Peace1.1 (7)McAlister OvalFriday, 29 August 1:00 PM
Samoa Kangaroos4.7 (31) Japan Samurais8.7 (55)Ransford OvalFriday, 29 August 1:00 PM
Great Britain Bulldogs2.6 (18) Nauru Chiefs10.5 (65)Western OvalFriday, 29 August 1:00 PM
Canada Northwind16.12 (108) Sweden Elks1.1 (7)Ransford OvalFriday, 29 August 3:00 PM
South Africa Lions9.11 (65) Denmark Vikings3.2 (20)West Kardinia OvalSaturday, 30 August 12:00 PM

Round 3

Team Score Team Score Ground Date
Ireland Warriors4.6 (30) Canada Northwind2.2 (14)Reid OvalMonday, 1 September 11:00 AM
Sweden Elks6.7 (43) Finland Icebreakers2.2 (14)Reid OvalMonday, 1 September 11:00 AM
New Zealand Falcons 10.11 (71) Samoa Kangaroos1.2 (8)Walter OvalMonday, 1 September 11:00 AM
Japan Samurais15.16 (106) India Tigers0.0 (0)Mack OvalMonday, 1 September 1:00 PM
United States Revolution5.6 (36) South Africa Lions8.10 (58)Reid OvalMonday, 1 September 1:00 PM
Papua New Guinea Mosquitos7.9 (51) Great Britain Bulldogs3.2 (20)Walter OvalMonday, 1 September 1:00 PM
Denmark Vikings17.20 (122) China Red Demons0.0 (0)Reid OvalMonday, 1 September 3:00 PM
Nauru Chiefs28.9 (177) Peres Team for Peace1.1 (7)Walter OvalMonday, 1 September 3:00 PM

Group Results After Rounds

Pool A

Position Team Played Won Lost Drawn Points For Points Against % Points
1 New Zealand Falcons3300391103910.0012
2 Japan Samurais3210163112145.538
3 Samoa Kangaroos3120155133113.134
4 India Tigers303064511.330

Pool B

Position Team Played Won Lost Drawn Points For Points Against % Points
1 Papua New Guinea Mosquitos330026047553.1912
2 Nauru Chiefs 321026294278.728
3 Great Britain Bulldogs3120173124139.514
4 Peres Team for Peace3030224524.860

Pool C

Position Team Played Won Lost Drawn Points For Points Against % Points
1 South Africa Lions330026956480.3512
2 United States Revolution 321022268326.478
3 Denmark Vikings3120152137110.944
4 China Red Demons 303003820.000

Pool D

Position Team Played Won Lost Drawn Points For Points Against % Points
1 Ireland Warriors3300212201060.0012
2 Canada Northwind 321025237681.088
3 Sweden Elks 31205620627.184
4 Finland Icebreakers 3030142715.160

Finals

Finals Round 1

Team Score Team Score Ground Date
Samoa Kangaroos7.8 (50) Sweden Elks4.2 (26)Mack OvalWednesday, 3 September 1:00 PM
India Tigers4.4 (28) Finland Icebreakers8.4 (52)Reid OvalWednesday, 3 September 1:00 PM
Nauru Chiefs7.3 (45) United States Revolution 3.5 (23)Walter OvalWednesday, 3 September 1:00 PM
Peres Team for Peace5.7 (37) China Red Demons4.4 (28)Mack OvalWednesday, 3 September 3:00 PM
Great Britain Bulldogs5.4 (34) Denmark Vikings4.3 (27)Reid OvalWednesday, 3 September 3:00 PM
Japan Samurais0.3 (3) Canada Northwind7.7 (49)Walter OvalWednesday, 3 September 3:00 PM
New Zealand Falcons8.9 (57) Ireland Warriors2.3 (15)Reid OvalWednesday, 3 September 5:30 PM
Papua New Guinea Mosquitos9.8 (63) South Africa Lions2.3 (15)Reid OvalWednesday, 3 September 7:30 PM

Finals Round 2

Team Score Team Score Ground Date
Playoff for 13th and 14th
Finland Icebreakers2.2 (14) Peres Team for Peace14.5 (89)Western OvalFriday, 5 September 10:00 AM
Playoff for 9th and 10th
Great Britain Bulldogs8.9 (57) Samoa Kangaroos1.11 (17)Ransford OvalFriday, 5 September 10:00 AM
Playoff for 5th and 6th
Nauru Chiefs12.8 (80) Canada Northwind7.7 (49)Ransford OvalFriday, 5 September 10:15 AM
Playoff for 11th and 12th
Sweden Elks0.2 (2) Denmark Vikings14.19 (103)Western OvalFriday, 5 September 11:45 AM
Playoff for 7th and 8th
United States Revolution14.13 (97) Japan Samurais2.4 (16)McAlister OvalFriday, 5 September 11:45 AM
Playoff for 3rd and 4th
Ireland Warriors5.2 (32) South Africa Lions4.9 (33)Ransford OvalFriday, 5 September 12:00 PM
Playoff for 15th and 16th
India Tigers6.6 (42) China Red Demons7.14 (56)Ransford OvalFriday, 5 September 1:45 PM
Grand Final
New Zealand Falcons7.4 (46) Papua New Guinea Mosquitos7.12 (54)Melbourne Cricket GroundFriday, 5 September 5:30 PM

Knockout-Chart (Final 4)

Semi Finals Grand Final
          
A1  New Zealand 8 9 57
D1  Ireland 2 3 15
WSF1  New Zealand 7 4 46
WSF2  Papua New Guinea 7 12 54
B1  Papua New Guinea 9 9 63
C1  South Africa 2 3 15 Bronze medal match
LSF1  Ireland 5 2 32
LSF2  South Africa 4 9 33

Individual awards

World Team

The world team was selected based on player performance in the pool rounds only. India, China, the Peace Team and Finland all missed representation in the team.

PlayerNationClubPosition
Donald Barry Papua New GuineaGulfHalf Back Flank
Joe Lla Papua New GuineaCentralRuck Rover
Overa Gibson Papua New GuineaGulfCentre Half Forward
Stanis Susuve Papua New GuineaGulfInterchange
Richard Bradley New ZealandEastern BluesFull-Forward
Andrew Crighton New ZealandNorth Shore TigersFullback
Andrew Congalton New ZealandTakapuna EaglesInterchange
Mike Finn IrelandHeidelberg Tigers/Caulfield Bears (VIC)Centre Half Back
Ian O'Sullivan IrelandLeeside LionsForward Pocket
Cian Quigley IrelandLeeside LionsInterchange
Julian Horn South AfricaNorth West ProvinceBack Pocket
Thabiso Phakedi South AfricaNorth West ProvinceBack Pocket
Scott Fleming CanadaVancouver CougarsForward Pocket
Emmanuel Mattata CanadaEtibicoke KangaroosRuck
Agir Amwano NauruTigersCentre
Torio Mwareow NauruNavarre Football ClubHalf-forward Flank
Aiden Dillane Great BritainPutney MagpiesHalf-forward flank
Luke Matias Great BritainCaulfield (SFL, VIC)/NottinghamInterchange
Páll Tómas Finnsson DenmarkJyllandWing
Jen Djernes DenmarkJyllandInterchange
Chris Candelaria United StatesDenver BulldogsInterchange
Michito Sakaki JapanWaseda UniversityRover
Fia Tootoo SamoaMoorabbin KangaroosHalf Back Flank
Andreas Svensson SwedenLandskrona BulldozersWing
IC2008 World Team
B: Thabiso Phakedi Andrew Crighton Julian Horn
HB: Donald Barry Mike Finn Fia-Tootoo
C: Andreas Svensson Agir Amwano Pa'll Finnsson
HF: Torio Mwareow Overa Gibson Aiden Dillane
F: Ian O'Sullivan Richard Bradley Scott Fleming
Foll: Emmanuel Mattata Joe Lla Michito Sakaki
Int: Luke Matias Stanis Susuve Andrew Congalton
Cian Quicgley Chris Candelaria Jes Djernes
Coach: Not Named

Tournament Best & Fairest winners

PlayerNationClub
Mike Finn IrelandHeidelberg Football Club

See also

References

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