ANOTHER beautiful day at Humber College in Toronto as day two of the AFL 2024 Transatlantic Cup kicked off on Saturday with the first round of the men's competition.
The MCG-sized oval was once again in excellent condition for the matches held under overcast skies.
The Irish Warriors took on the debutants from South America and the Colombians arrived at the ground singing with one voice ready to take on one of the best non-Australian footy nations in the world over the past 20-odd years.
The Irish ran strong in numbers, switched boldly and exploited their physical height advantage over the plucky Colombians. But that was not always enough as Colombian were willing to go aerial to spoil and intercept mark even when mismatches occurred.
The Irish would feel they left some goals out there, with inaccurate kicking and numerous inside 50 balls. But credit must go to Colombia who continually ran in numbers often outpacing the Irish and showed no fear to tackle the Irish any time they failed to quickly dispose of the ball.
For the Irish, O'Dwyer was the man they most looked for and he honoured the good feed he got out of the middle to kick five goals and lead the tournament goalkicking at the end of the first round. He had plenty of help though as his side kicked 16 goals for the match.
Colombia tried valiantly to breach the stout Irish defence, but could not manage a goal, however Jose Leon became the first score for Colombia when his kick drifted left of the post for a behind.
The USA Revolution Team looked to get their tournament off to a winning start on the other side of the northern border taking on the France Coqs. Both teams sung their anthems proudly and got down to some serious footy.
The Coqs got the early jump on the Americans and put the first two goals on the board, before the US levelled before quarter-time.
The French kept coming though and Leschasles and Bouche added goals for the French as the Americans showed frustration and gave away some ill-disciplined free kicks and 50m penalties.
The Revolution did find their composure though and lead by seven points at half-time. It was almost like they just had to wait for the French to tire and after a goalless third quarter they finally pulled away in the last quarter to win by 31 points.
It was the experienced big man Mark Mclure with four goals leading the way for the US as the American used their height to dominate the French in the second half as they tired. Eric Anderson, Gabe Delcampo and Keith Phillips major contributors for them across the park.
The host nation of the Transatlantic Cup had high hopes of a round one win, but a five goal to none second half saw the Great Britain Bulldogs with an impressive win over the Canadian Northwind team.
The Bulldogs moved the ball well and despite the Canadians repelling attacks well, ultimately it was accurate kicking and strong marking that saw the Bulldogs kicking two goals to none in the first.
The Northwind regrouped and were able to find their forwards on lead and outscore the Bulldogs three goals to one in the second quarter and trail by just one goal at half time. The second half was all Great Britain though as they dominated the ruck contest with Rees and Tucker brilliant around the packs.
But more than anything it was the British marking and forward pairing of Walkden and Hodgson kicking seven goals between them for the match that drove the Bulldogs to victory.
Tomorrow will be the second round of the women’s competition which will see round one winners Great Britain Swans and the Colombia Jaguares first up, France Gauloises and the USA Freedom looking for their first win and the rematch of the 2017 International Cup Grand Final clash between the Irish Banshees and the Canada Northern Lights.
