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 2008
Teams16
Final positions
Champions Papua New Guinea (1st title)
Runners-up New Zealand
Third place South Africa
Fourth place Ireland
Papua New Guinea after a lap of honour
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 Second qualifying Final 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
Republic of Ireland Ireland Warriors12.12 (84)Sweden Sweden Elks1.0 (6)McAlister OvalWednesday, 27 August 11:00 AM
New Zealand New Zealand Falcons13.13 (91)Japan Japan Samurais0.2 (2)Ransford OvalWednesday, 27 August 11:00 AM
Canada Canada Northwind18.22 (130)Finland Finland Icebreakers0.0 (0)Western OvalWednesday, 27 August 11:00 AM
Samoa Samoa Kangaroos16.20 (116)India India Tigers1.0 (6)McAlister OvalWednesday, 27 August 1:00 PM
United Kingdom Great Britain Bulldogs20.15 (135)IsraelState of Palestine Peres Team for Peace1.2 (8)Ransford OvalWednesday, 27 August 1:00 PM
United States United States Revolution11.6 (72)Denmark Denmark Vikings1.4 (10)Western OvalWednesday, 27 August 1:00 PM
South Africa South Africa Lions20.26 (146)China China Red Demons0.0 (0)McAlister OvalWednesday, 27 August 3:00 PM
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea Mosquitos10.9 (69)Nauru Nauru Chiefs3.2 (20)Ransford OvalWednesday, 27 August 3:00 PM

Round 2

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

Round 3

Team Score Team Score Ground Date
Republic of Ireland Ireland Warriors4.6 (30)Canada Canada Northwind2.2 (14)Reid OvalMonday, 1 September 11:00 AM
Sweden Sweden Elks6.7 (43)Finland Finland Icebreakers2.2 (14)Reid OvalMonday, 1 September 11:00 AM
New Zealand New Zealand Falcons 10.11 (71)Samoa Samoa Kangaroos1.2 (8)Walter OvalMonday, 1 September 11:00 AM
Japan Japan Samurais15.16 (106)India India Tigers0.0 (0)Mack OvalMonday, 1 September 1:00 PM
United States United States Revolution5.6 (36)South Africa South Africa Lions8.10 (58)Reid OvalMonday, 1 September 1:00 PM
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea Mosquitos7.9 (51)United Kingdom Great Britain Bulldogs3.2 (20)Walter OvalMonday, 1 September 1:00 PM
Denmark Denmark Vikings17.20 (122)China China Red Demons0.0 (0)Reid OvalMonday, 1 September 3:00 PM
Nauru Nauru Chiefs28.9 (177)IsraelState of Palestine 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
1New Zealand New Zealand Falcons3300391103910.0012
2Japan Japan Samurais3210163112145.538
3Samoa Samoa Kangaroos3120155133113.134
4India India Tigers303064511.330

Pool B

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

Pool C

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

Pool D

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

Finals

Finals Round 1

Team Score Team Score Ground Date
Samoa Samoa Kangaroos7.8 (50)Sweden Sweden Elks4.2 (26)Mack OvalWednesday, 3 September 1:00 PM
India India Tigers4.4 (28)Finland Finland Icebreakers8.4 (52)Reid OvalWednesday, 3 September 1:00 PM
Nauru Nauru Chiefs7.3 (45)United States United States Revolution 3.5 (23)Walter OvalWednesday, 3 September 1:00 PM
IsraelState of Palestine Peres Team for Peace5.7 (37)China China Red Demons4.4 (28)Mack OvalWednesday, 3 September 3:00 PM
United Kingdom Great Britain Bulldogs5.4 (34)Denmark Denmark Vikings4.3 (27)Reid OvalWednesday, 3 September 3:00 PM
Japan Japan Samurais0.3 (3)Canada Canada Northwind7.7 (49)Walter OvalWednesday, 3 September 3:00 PM
New Zealand New Zealand Falcons8.9 (57)Republic of Ireland Ireland Warriors2.3 (15)Reid OvalWednesday, 3 September 5:30 PM
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea Mosquitos9.8 (63)South Africa 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 Finland Icebreakers2.2 (14)IsraelState of Palestine Peres Team for Peace14.5 (89)Western OvalFriday, 5 September 10:00 AM
Playoff for 9th and 10th
United Kingdom Great Britain Bulldogs8.9 (57)Samoa Samoa Kangaroos1.11 (17)Ransford OvalFriday, 5 September 10:00 AM
Playoff for 5th and 6th
Nauru Nauru Chiefs12.8 (80)Canada Canada Northwind7.7 (49)Ransford OvalFriday, 5 September 10:15 AM
Playoff for 11th and 12th
Sweden Sweden Elks0.2 (2)Denmark Denmark Vikings14.19 (103)Western OvalFriday, 5 September 11:45 AM
Playoff for 7th and 8th
United States United States Revolution14.13 (97)Japan Japan Samurais2.4 (16)McAlister OvalFriday, 5 September 11:45 AM
Playoff for 3rd and 4th
Republic of Ireland Ireland Warriors5.2 (32)South Africa South Africa Lions4.9 (33)Ransford OvalFriday, 5 September 12:00 PM
Playoff for 15th and 16th
India India Tigers6.6 (42)China China Red Demons7.14 (56)Ransford OvalFriday, 5 September 1:45 PM
Grand Final
New Zealand New Zealand Falcons7.4 (46)Papua New Guinea 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 BarryPapua New Guinea Papua New GuineaGulfHalf back flank
Joe LlaPapua New Guinea Papua New GuineaCentralRuck rover
Overa GibsonPapua New Guinea Papua New GuineaGulfCentre half forward
Stanis SusuvePapua New Guinea Papua New GuineaGulfInterchange
Richard BradleyNew Zealand New ZealandEastern BluesFull-forward
Andrew CrightonNew Zealand New ZealandNorth Shore TigersFullback
Andrew CongaltonNew Zealand New ZealandTakapuna EaglesInterchange
Mike FinnRepublic of Ireland IrelandHeidelberg Tigers/Caulfield Bears (VIC)Centre half back
Ian O'SullivanRepublic of Ireland IrelandLeeside LionsForward pocket
Cian QuigleyRepublic of Ireland IrelandLeeside LionsInterchange
Julian HornSouth Africa South AfricaNorth West ProvinceBack pocket
Thabiso PhakediSouth Africa South AfricaNorth West ProvinceBack pocket
Scott FlemingCanada CanadaVancouver CougarsForward pocket
Emmanuel MattataCanada CanadaEtibicoke KangaroosRuck
Agir AmwanoNauru NauruTigersCentre
Torio MwareowNauru NauruNavarre Football ClubHalf-forward flank
Aiden DillaneUnited Kingdom Great BritainPutney MagpiesHalf-forward flank
Luke MatiasUnited Kingdom Great BritainCaulfield (SFL, VIC)/NottinghamInterchange
Páll Tómas FinnssonDenmark DenmarkJyllandWing
Jen DjernesDenmark DenmarkJyllandInterchange
Chris CandelariaUnited States United StatesDenver BulldogsInterchange
Michito SakakiJapan JapanWaseda UniversityRover
Fia TootooSamoa SamoaMoorabbin KangaroosHalf back flank
Andreas SvenssonSweden SwedenLandskrona BulldozersWing
IC2008 World Team
B: South Africa Thabiso Phakedi New Zealand Andrew Crighton South Africa Julian Horn
HB: Papua New Guinea Donald Barry Republic of Ireland Mike Finn Samoa Fia-Tootoo
C: Sweden Andreas Svensson Nauru Agir Amwano Denmark Pa'll Finnsson
HF: Nauru Torio Mwareow Papua New Guinea Overa Gibson United Kingdom Aiden Dillane
F: Republic of Ireland Ian O'Sullivan New Zealand Richard Bradley Canada Scott Fleming
Foll: Canada Emmanuel Mattata Papua New Guinea Joe Lla Japan Michito Sakaki
Int: United Kingdom Luke Matias Papua New Guinea Stanis Susuve New Zealand Andrew Congalton
Republic of Ireland Cian Quicgley United States Chris Candelaria Denmark Jes Djernes
Coach: Not Named

Tournament Best & Fairest winners

PlayerNationClub
Mike FinnRepublic of Ireland IrelandHeidelberg Football Club

See also

References

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