Melbourne Day 3: 1 down 4 to go

Today was fantastic. It's why we play the game. My first International Cup experience was flat out fun. Every now and then we have to remind ourselves of why we play the game - it's because we love the game. We train hard day in and day out, grind out the games in hot weather back home, run the track by ourselves when no one else is watching or joining. But this is what it is all about - playing a game you love.

The weather was footy perfect. Around 60 degrees and sunny. A little cross wind, but nothing to make a difference or anythign to alter a shot.

Nerves were running high throughout the team. The vets were cool as ice, the rookies jumpy and nervous as expected. The line up was a solid mix of experience and ready-to-go-out-the-gate newbies. We played 4 quarters of 17 (no one knows why) on a field that was VERY long and super wide (hard to see the other side of the field wide). It seemed as if you could fit the whole 3 field US National Tournament on the one field itself.

After a first few minutes of jitters we settled down and played our ball. Hard at the footy and beat your opponent. There was not one mark uncontested or a 50/50 ball that was not ours. The overall effort was outstanding.

The backs worked extremely hard and efficient, marking, clearing and punching everything that came in the defensive 3rd. Kurth "KB" Nelson at the back lead the way with Brandon "Brando" Blankenship and Bruce Beilfuss on the pockets. Captain Donnie Lucero led the halfback line with solid leadership and composure, laying down his law when anyone came to visit. Dan "Sars" Sarbacker ran wild all game, providing the most energy, picking up loose balls, grabbing marks, making his usual winger runs and hitting the forwards with on-the-mark disposals. In one sequence, Pat Miller grabbed a loose ball on the edge of the box, hand-balled to a streaking and clothed Sars, who then hit George "Kidney" Lakomy for an easy 20 yard set shot. Kidney had a fantastic game - with 5 goals. He frequently outmarked the foot shorter defense man. When Denmark switched up the bigger back on Kidney, Justin "JV" Valley had his way with the short. That didn't last long. The game ended 11.7 (72) to 1.4 (10) in favor of the USA.

The post game was spent dipping for a chilly 20 minute ocean walk in the Port Phillip bay. Lots of cold blokes running and walking back and forth. Water temps estimated at 50 degrees by Big Country. We are all hoping it makes a difference tomorrow when we wake.

The competition looks good overall, with NZ, PNG, Ireland, South Africa and Great Britain all posting big margin wins. Friday against China will let the rest of the guys get their jerseys dirty before we match up against South Africa.

Tomorrow we are honored to watched the Western Bulldogs practice, and then get to train on their ground. It will be great to see how an AFL team prepares on a daily basis. No doubt it will be intense and sharp.

Courtesy of USFootyNews.com

- Andy Vanica
(1193)