Day 1: Aussie 3-0

Pottsy giving it all he's got (Photo: Paul Hurt)

The Australians have had an excellent start to World Games finishing day 1 with 3 wins and almost guaranteeing a place in the gold medal match.

Game 1: Australia v Finland

Australia have beaten Finland 13-3 in their first game of the tournament.

The team played very well, with everyone making positive contributions. Australia started on D and took control of the game early, winning the first 3 points. The D was very strong, playing tight on the in cuts denying the Fins easy passes, and when they put a long one up the Aussies were all over them.

Australia took half 8-2 with a 50m flick from Tom Rogacki (wearing custom made cleats with his number and signature printed on them) connecting with Diana Worman for the score. After half Australia kept up the pressure and cruised to a comfortable win. Johnno Holmes was a standout, throwing goals, catching goals and getting blocks, although everyone else played well too. The Australian team seemed to use the female players more than the Finnish team, no doubt a factor in their win. The team is looking good with no injuries so far and everyone in top form.

Game 2: Australia v Japan

Australia beat Japan 13-9 in a very tough game. The Japanese started very well and were up 5-2 but the Aussies rallied, taking 4 points in a row with better defence and percentage, shorter throws. With the Aussies up 6-5, they looked to take half with an aggressive pommie zone defence. Owen Shepherd marked the thrower for 136 throws, (around 12 mins' worth), before Ant Dowle took over for 120 throws or so. Japan eventually scored that point but Australia took half at 7-6 with Sarah Wentworth enjoying double happiness; firstly getting a sharp block on the dump then receiving the goal from Tom Rogacki.

The second half featured more intense play, with a few contested calls from both teams. The Japanese were very close and physical on the mark, and with agile, fast runners, and skillful, mostly conservative throwers, they were a great challenge. The height mismatches that Australia were hoping to exploit were not a factor at the beginning of the game. The hucks failed on the greater part to connect, whilst in fact Japan were enjoying an effective long game. In the second half the Japanese huckers were identified, which enabled more effective defence on the cutters.

The final point was a long one, with several turnovers from each team. In the end it was Johnno Holmes to Sarah Wentworth for the winning goal. Jane Irving took a few strong, high grabs in the second half, one during the last point, where she had to read a contested disc near the sideline.

Game 3: Australia v Canada

Australia have beaten Canada at the World Games in a crucial game that went to sudden death overtime.

Australia and the US are the only unbeaten teams after day 1 and with Canada having also lost to the US earlier today, it means that Australia will qualify for the gold medal match on Sunday regardless of their results tomorrow against Germany and USA. So if anyone wants to jump on a flight to Duisburg to see Australia go for gold on Sunday, get down to your travel agent now!

Australia started on defence and went up 3-1 with two spectacular blocks from Jonno Holmes. The Canadians then fought back with a zone defence that forced Australia into some silly errors, resulting in the Canadians taking a 5-3 lead. Tight person-on-person defence (including a diving block by Jane Irving underneath large Canadian man) saw the Australians take the next 3 points to lead 6-5. They then traded to half-time, taking half 7-6 with a full field length flick huck by Tom Rogacki to Owen Shepherd.

The second half was just as tight. The Australians' defence was extremely tight, with late game highlights including a handblock by Ant Dowle at a critical moment, and Owen chasing down a long huck and laying out to catch a goal inches above the ground. A key factor in Australia getting on top was that the strong Canadian women were well contained by the Aussie ladies, meaning that the Canadians were relying heavily on the their men, while Australia were able to use their women more effectively. Australia went up 10-8, but the Canadians came back again scoring the next 3 points to go up 10-11. Both teams scored on their next offensive points so Australia were facing game point down at 12-11, but Sarah Wentworth scored the leveller from a throw from Di Worman.

With the game in the balance at 12 all, both teams had to dig deep on every point - especially tough given that this was the 3rd game of the day for both teams and they only had 4 subs each (although Canada had had a longer break prior to this game). Both teams were looking tired but the Australians seemed just a little fresher and were generating more pressure on D, and looked like they had the self-belief to carry them home. The Australians were also buoyed by the very vocal crowd support from travelling Australians (including Anita Beck, David Vadas, Duncan Keenan, Michael Cummings and Becca Humphries, Andy Vincent, Joy Lee, Chris Warris, plus a few randoms that wandered by)

Canada turned it over on their next O point when a huck to their main receiver missed due to some great pressure from Tom Rogacki. Tom then threw the goal to Matt Dowle, 13-12 Australia. The teams then traded to 14 all, so with a hard cap at 15 it meant a sudden death last point. Australia started on O and calmly worked the disc down the field before Matt put a sweet little flick to Gak for the winning goal.

Scores for games can be seen on WFDF World Games website. Tom Rogacki is leading the tournament score/assist count with 3 goals & 15 assists! Matt Dowle & Sarah Wentworth coming in third equal with 8 goals & 4 assists a piece.