TAC Day 6 - Revos Edge Ireland in Thriller

Records are made to be broken.  So are droughts.

In six matches, the Irish Warriors have downed the USA Revolution four times.  The last American victory was in the third place game IC05, which gave the Revos their best ever finish.

After a scrappy game that was not for the faint of heart, the U.S. came from behind in a feverish fourth quarter to pip Ireland 53-51 in one of the best games in program history.  The win left them as the best Americas side at the 2024 AFL TransAtlantic Cup, and will roll them into a semifinal against Canada on Friday.

The morning dew mixed with yesterday’s rain left the field wet and the ball slick to open things.  Pinpoint passes made defending difficult for the American back six.  But the Revos held their structure thanks to the two center backs, Tim Lindfelt and Erik Anderson.  They helped to limit the Warriors’ kicks and trajectory around goal, and at the first change were only down 16-1.

A couple of patterns started to emerge in the second term.  The Irish were starting to lose the odd player to injuries, and the Americans’ numbers around the ball were getting better.  Jevon Mason, Max Depina, and Clyde Simpson were all surrounding the play and offering options to the ballgetters.  Mark McClure was presenting himself well as was Jacob Gross.  Both pace and pulse quickened as the teams traded goals, with DePina, McLure, Gabe Martin del Campo, and Mike Lenahan clawing the US back into the game.  At the main break, Kyle Strenski’s team trailed 36-27.

The wear and tear of the conditions seemed to have more of an effect in the third quarter, and the Warriors began to suffer more bumps and bruises.  Mason and Depina, as well as Derrick Shotwell, were absolute workhorses in the third term, getting to the ball and frustrating the green clad attack.  Jacob Gross got into the scoring act in a quick reply to an Irish goal, and with one quarter to go, it was down to 9 points a 45-34.

Irrespective of what happened in this final term, Kyle Strenski’s outfit wanted to win.  Anderson, who has been rock solid in the fullback position, was asked to go forward.  And he responded with a match winning performance. The Americans looked fitter and faster and were now almost swarming the Sherrin like angry wasps.  Anderson laid on hit after hit, and Martin del Campo brought the U.S. back to within a goal.  Jevon Mason, who had the best game of his career, scored to give the US the lead.

After Anderson booted home a goal that seemingly gave the US a winning 8-point edge, the Irish through everything and the kitchen sink in the hopes of pinching the victory.  They got one goal back, and now the Revos had to protect a two point lead with sixty seconds to do it.  Just as it seemed as though they would get that chance, Anderson laid on a massive hit to earn a free kick and kill the threat.  

This was the toughest game that the Revos have played in some time, and on occasion they have come out second best.  Not today.  It was the sort of win that good teams pull out, and the boys showed that they, in fact, are a good team.

Anderson's efforts, including the goal and tackle that sealed the game for the USA, earned him TASMANIAN Player of the Game honors.

"I just saw my name and the board and [asked coach Strenski] what do you need me to do," said Anderson, who started with the Portland Steelheads before moving back home to Sacramento.  "And he said 'just run, come back, take some marks, get us forward, and do everything you can to get a goal.

"I kinda started slow in the beginning [in the backline] but we've really gotten better as time has gone on.  We've been making sure we've been talking and staying on guys and keeping on the pressure."

Now they have a matchup against Canada in the semifinal.  The old nemesis.  Forget the fact that the US have won 17 out of 18 matches all time.  It hits different in tournament play.  The winner plays the winner of the European group semifinal between Great Britain and Ireland.

"I think we have to take it just like any other game," said Anderson. "If we start hard, we'll be alright."