IN A DAY of massive highs and the cruellest of lows, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea emerged as the best of the elite men while Ireland and Canada again stamped their authority in the women's competition of the AFL International Cup.
It was a rollercoaster round of matches on a wet and windy Tuesday at Royal Park in Melbourne, with a brave Ireland team edged out of a Grand Final spot in division one of the men's competition, after a goal on the final siren.
The Warriors then demonstrated phenomenal spirit to get behind Ireland's women's team, the Banshees, who overcame a seven-point final-quarter deficit to beat Great Britain and reach the women's Grand Final at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
In a repeat of the 2011 and 2014 AFL International Cup grand finals, Ireland will face Canada, which delivered a consummate display to beat neighbour and rival, USA.
In the upset of the day, Germany soared into the men's division two Grand Final in its first appearance at the AFL International Cup with a classy performance against China. The Eagles will meet Croatia, which leveraged a huge height and weight advantage to kick nine goals and nullify a lively Japan.
The action returned to Royal Park on Tuesday after round two at Victorian schools and last weekend's round three at community clubs.
Less than two weeks ago, the AFL International Cup's sixth chapter was a blank page. Twenty-six teams were heading into the unknown, and nervous energy was lifting the roof at Government House in Melbourne.
Forty-seven games later, the energy is still on the rise, the quality of football is skyrocketing and all roads have reached the Grand Final stage – albeit with a few sore bodies along the way.
"The women are not that far behind the Australian girls and the Papua New Guinea boys are playing some of the best football I have seen at any International Cup," said five-time Hawthorn premiership player Dermott Brereton.
"There is a sprinkling of top talent in every team and the willingness is there throughout. Every time there is a disposal there is a contest, which makes it very watchable.
"The competition has improved dramatically in quality – Germany and Japan for example are now playing at the level (that) division one was three years ago. I felt sorry for the Ireland boys, though," he said.
Canada escaped the USA's grasp to book a place in the women's Grand Final. Picture: AFL Photos
With two minutes to go in Ireland's enthralling clash against New Zealand, all was set for a rematch in the Grand Final. Ireland was two points ahead after a heroic team performance and five goals from Padraig Lucey. The two division one heavyweights had exchanged blows all the way through a fiery affair.
But Barclay Miller's free kick and goal left Ireland on 12 points, alongside Papua New Guinea and USA on the ladder, meaning the Mosquitoes' superior percentage saw them head to the Grand Final.
It was a birthday dream come true for Papua New Guinea's Jeconiah 'JJ' Peni, who turned 22 on Tuesday. The Mosquitoes kicked 16 goals against South Africa in an attempt to ensure they had a better percentage than the Americans, who booted 132 points on their way to a demolition of France.
Although Peni's smile will be lighting up Melbourne over the next few days, the biggest smile of the day could be seen across the face of Enrico Misso, the first Sri Lankan to play at VFL level.
The Sri Lankan Lions roared to their maiden victory on Tuesday, at this, their first AFL International Cup. Former St Kilda ruckman Misso, who coaches the Lions, said: "It's such a delight that these guys got a win. Their spirit has been incredible. This is one of the biggest buzzes I have ever had in footy!"
Sri Lankan forward Damian Ratwatke, who added four goals today to his competition tally of nine, said: "The boys come from different sports – we are incredibly proud to get together and produce a winning performance after just four games together."
Sri Lanka will face Indonesia in a play-off for fifth after the Garudas showed tremendous energy to beat India by 51 points, along the way kicking a spectacular team goal finished off by Dillasyah Abdillah.
Canada and Nauru kicked off by setting a high bar for the day. The Chiefs lit up a gloomy morning with two goals from outside 45 metres and a hanger from Shaun Kemp Maaki in the second quarter. The damage was done and Nauru showed class, composure and pace in closing out a 32-point win.
AFL International Cup Grand Finals
Men's division two
12.30pm Friday, August 18
Germany v Croatia
Royal Park – Ransford Oval
Men's division one
11.15am Saturday, August 19
New Zealand v Papua New Guinea,
MCG
Women's competition
4.30pm Saturday, August 19
Canada v Ireland
Etihad Stadium
