The Australian national squad program roared back to life after a 3-year hiatus in Newcastle on the weekend with the inaugural Bristol Paint Aus Open.
A large crowd devoid of topflight Touch Football action packed the Harker Oval grandstands witnessing three full scale exhibition matches. The players didn’t let them down either with each match decided by a solitary try showcasing the talent and depth within the Emus ranks.
The day also provided an opportunity for members of Touch Football Australia’s Golden Jubilee teams to come together and be publicly recognised for their achievements and presented with a special replica Emus shirt by members of the current Emus squads in a fitting tribute.
With the legends of the game and Aussie coaches watching on, both groups were equally impressed with the performance of several younger and emerging players who showed they are more than capable of matching it with and against the current world’s best.
The Mixed Open match commenced proceedings with Stephanie Maiolo (Aussie Blue) and Katee Maller (Aussie Grey) both scoring a treble for their respective teams. A faster start for the blues proving to be the only difference between the two teams in the end with Aussie Blue holding on to defeat Aussie Grey 9-8 in an action-packed start to the day.
It was a similar story in the Women’s match which proved to be a tight tussle right from the outset, however Rachel Walsh was the difference scoring four times for the Aussie Grey’s in a breakthrough performance that would have impressed coach Swain Rovelli. Final scores Aussie Grey 8 defeated Aussie Blue 7.
With threatening skies, the rain thankfully held off for the Men’s match in what was a successful return game for Emus Captain Nick Good following an ACL injury. Dylan Hennessey showed he hasn’t lost anything and Jordan Marshall-King looked sharp however it was the all round performance of the younger players that stood-out. Jayden Benbow spearheading the youthful display crossing the line three times in a dominant performance however it wasn’t enough. The younger Aussie Greys perhaps gaining some locker room bragging rights with a 7-6 victory over their more experienced teammates.
Despite the competitiveness on the field, the weekend marked an important stage in rebooting international Touch Football and the national team program in Australia and based on what we saw, the future is looking bright for the green and gold.
Did you watch the games? Tell us who your starting six would be for the PainAway Australian Emus at the following website: https://touchfootball.com.au/news/2022/04/21/pick-your-starting-six/
Match Results
Mixed Open
Aussie Blue 9 defeated Aussie Grey 8
Try Scorers
Aussie Blue: Stephanie Maiolo 3, Tim Baartz 2, Jake Notley 2, Shameus Edwards 1, Jade Pond 1.
Aussie Grey: Katee Maller 3, James Hegedus 2, Jack Smith 1, Jamon Bob 1, Liam Robinson 1.
Women’s Open
Aussie Blue 7 defeated by Aussie Grey 8
Try Scorers
Aussie Blue: Courtney Young 1, Kim Sue See 1, Samantha Rodgers 1, Lucy Spain 1, Isabella Geros 1, Jade Pond 1, Andi Law 1.
Aussie Grey: Rachel Walsh 4, Lucia Fildes 1, Sammy Jo-Curtis 1, Rebecca Mi Mi 1.
Men’s Open
Aussie Blue 6 defeated by Aussie Grey 7
Try Scorers
Aussie Blue: Jayden Benbow 3, Jonathon Palau 1, Jordan Marshall-King 1, Harry Fryer 1.
Aussie Grey: Luke Cain 2, Hayden Moffat 2, Jake Notley 1, Jardel Bob 1, Justin Cridland 1.
