The Spirit of the Desert Cup was a joint initiative of the South Australian, Northern Territory and Victorian Governments.
The South Australian side was selected from the match between the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands (APY Lands - Aligned to Adelaide FC through the AFL Partnership program) and the Maralinga Tjarutja Lands (MT Lands - Aligned to Port Adelaide FC through the AFL Partnership program) who played just a week earlier and came together to form the Anangu All-stars, while the side from the Yuendumu community in the Northern Territory who is aligned to the Collingwood Football Club through the AFL's Partnership program plays regularly together in both community competitions and the Central Australia AFL.
The match was played as a curtain raiser to the Collingwood v Port Adelaide match at the MCG on Sunday 31st May, 2009.
Below is a wrap-up of the two weeks the Anangu All-stars spent together in a bid to win the Spirit of the Desert Cup.
As fellow team mates boarded buses back to their respective lands, 24 of the 44 players that graced the immaculate AAMI Stadium in the Rio Tinto Indigenous Lands Challenge Cup as opposition were in a race against time to bond together, form a team feeling and learn each other’s attributes.
The team slept soundly at Fort Largs Police Academy after a big day of footy, and Sunday enjoyed some time to relax before a fun night out ten-pin bowling. The following day the team had a light recovery session before quite an interesting round of Par 3 golf. There was definitely no Tiger Woods among the side!
Tuesday morning the team travelled to Sacred Heart College where the Adelaide Football Club were conducting a training session, all members of the team were amazed with the skills and size of the AFL players. From there the All-stars headed into Victoria Square for National Sorry Day Celebrations before an opportunity to do some shopping in Rundle mall.
Port Adelaide Football Club was kind enough to host the Anangu All-stars for the official jumper presentation at their club headquarters which was attended by the Minister Weatherill. All enjoyed a very filling meal in the bistro before being presented their commemorative guernseys for the big match on the MCG.
During the sides last day in Adelaide, they enjoyed watching the Power train and again meeting players before having their own training session on AAMI Stadium. By this stage the team was united, and there was a real feeling among the men that they could take it up to the more highly fancied Yuendumu Magpies. Led by the voice and leadership of Captain, Malcolm Miller the All-stars completed their session full of voice and excitement, this was shown by huge smiles on everyone’s face, and synchronised back flips by Amos Frank and Jacob Tiger.
Before long the men surfaced from their sleep at 3am to catch the Tiger Airways flight to Melbourne. By 8am eastern standard time, the side was stunned again by the size of Tullamarine airport and Melbourne city as the bus took a few detours on the way to our accommodation.
This began a great day of sightseeing for all, as players took a map each and explored the city and its many shopping precincts and exotic foods.
On Friday the team boarded a bus and together with Yuendumu travelled to Phillip Island for lunch and a visit to the beach. A first for many and a rare opportunity for all players and officials from both sides. Late Friday afternoon the Anangu All-stars had a guided tour through the new developments of Whitten Oval, the home of the Western Bulldogs, before a light training session on the field.
Thanks to the Collingwood Industrial Magpies, both teams came together for the official launch of the inaugural Spirit of the Desert Cup at the Lexus Centre. Players were greeted by members of the Collingwood football team, and it’s most famous supporter, ‘Joffa’ and his golden jacket. Speeches were made by the Collingwood Vice President and the Industrial Magpies President before Gavin Peel, the All-stars team manager from Maralinga, amazed all present with his perfect presentation of what this event means to the men involved and thanked all sponsors that made it possible. After dinner and a chance to talk with opposition players, the team enjoyed a free night as many either played pool or took it in turns to play a tune on the guitar.
The day before the big match was busy. After breakfast the side watched Collingwood train, while having a casual kick of their own, and received an inside look at how rugby sides prepare for big matches as the Queensland state of origin side trained of the adjacent field.
From there, Yuendumu again joined their rivals to watch North Melbourne and Brisbane do battle inside Etihad Stadium. Another first for the majority of the touring party was being inside Docklands. The teams enjoyed dining out in Carlton before getting some much needed rest before match day.
The All-stars awoke full of adrenaline, butterflies and excitement. Coach, Paul Crombie had is team up and about after breakfast for a walk through the city streets, united as one. With a brief team meeting and some inspirational words coming from amongst the playing group and staff, it was clear that the All-stars had become more than just a football team in their short time together; they had the passion, determination and willingness to run and fight, not for themselves, but for their newly found brothers.
As the first bounce drew closer and the side arrived to the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the nerves became more apparent. Ipod’s were working overtime to relax player’s as they walked the halls of the MCG underground, passing years of Australian football history with every step.
Malcolm Miller again had his men’s minds on the game as footy’s were passed around the change rooms with ease. Don McSweeny, the SANFL Indigenous Ambassador stepped into the middle of the group and produced a speech that had everybody in the rooms feeling tingles down their spines and had all wanting to get out there for a game. Lastly, Coach Crombie urged his players to not pass up this opportunity, to come away winners, now not just for their home lands, but for their state.
During the first quarter the smaller, faster and very skillful All-stars side had many chances to stamp their authority on the game but were unable to convert, kicking 2-7-19 for the term to Yuendumu’s 2-1-13. These were chances that would not come easily in the next half an hour of football.
The Yuendumu Magpies began to show why they are the current AFL Central Australia Premiers with some clever football in the second quarter, slowing the run of the Anangu All-Stars and making the most of the tall men to kick away to a 2 goal lead at the long break. Their opposition had stopped running, weren’t manning up and were looking a beaten team.
The half time break gave the All-stars time to take the weight of their feet and regroup. They had drifted away from the team plan of keeping the forward line open, pushing back into defence and playing man on man football. Many words were spoken during the change over and they needed to listen.
“You’re being lazy, where’s the run and discipline gone? The team plan was to keep the forward line open, too many players are getting forward and not pushing back! If you want to be lazy, get to the back lines and clogged up their forward fifty, not ours! This is our time now, the third quarter on the biggest stage in football. It is now up to you men, pick your heads up and decide, how much do you want this? How much do you want to take this cup back home and say, yeh we played on the MCG and yeh, we won?”
The start to the premiership quarter did not go as hoped for the team from outback SA, as the Magpies kicked the first goal and held what looked to be a match winning lead of 21 points halfway through the term.
The men kept battling hard and finally put a goal on the board, before another set shot had the team back within two straight kicks. Then something must have clicked, they had the sniff they needed and within the last 5 minutes of the term they piled on 4 goals to lead Yuendumu at the last change by a couple of goals.
The excitement level of the team was at about 12 out of 10 as they made their way into the huddle. The thought of winning again looked like a real possibility but the men were now playing on sheer adrenaline.
During the first 10 minutes of the last term, the All-stars managed to kick another 3 goals, but Yuendumu were not giving up and hit back with two of their own to keep the game alive, and with the Collingwood crowd growing ever so rapidly, they were in voice and urging their adopted side to rise to the occasion for a win. But as time ticked away, the All-stars showed so much guts and determination to hold off the Maggies attack and in the last 7 minutes enjoyed the winning feeling as they put on more goals to extend the margin to 47 points before the final siren sounded.
As was the case in Adelaide, celebrations were put on hold, to shake hands and congratulate their opposition in a real sign of respect among the teams. Gracious in defeat, Yuendumu were privileged for the opportunity to play in such a game, while the Anangu All-stars linked arms and circled up to sing their official team song, written by players during the week.
Presentations’ of medallions were made to both teams and the Spirit of the Desert Cup was proudly presented by a very excited and proud Minister, Jay Weatherill. Best on ground was awarded to the lightning quick Jacob Tiger who found space all day on his wing, delivering gorgeous kicks into his forward line.
The singing didn’t stop as players enjoyed the atmosphere of the AFL game between Collingwood and Port Adelaide before heading back to the accommodation for celebrations, where the All-stars were joined by Yuendumu and there local AFL hero, Liam Jurrah of the Melbourne Demons. Both teams danced, sung and played pool until late into the night with more speeches from team managers, coaches, captains and Don McSweeny which really highlighted what the game meant to both teams and their families and communities back home and how it can help these young men become role models among their home lands.
Before the last leg of the journey, the teams enjoyed a tour of the national art gallery, a visit to the 88th floor of the Eureka tower and a trip to the Melbourne Aquarium to see many species of animals that live under water.
As the Tiger Airlines flight took of back to Adelaide, the stories and laughter of players slowly faded as the exhausted bodies fell asleep, ending their journey to the home of football where they created their own piece of special history as many have done before them.
Final scores
Anangu All-stars 14-16-100
Yuendumu Magpies 8-5-53
Best Player
Jacob Tiger – Amata community, APY Lands South Australia.
Tim Stewart
SA National Football League Inc.
Indigenous Development Officer &
Anangu All-stars Assistant Coach/Runner.