What a morning it was, we started off the day with our Division 2 Men’s competition which was represented by teams: Malta, Macedonia, Croatia, India and Fiji at La Trobes Facility in Bundoora.
Macedonia, Croatia, India and Fiji were new inductees in the competition, and they didn’t disappoint. There was a great display of football amongst the new teams. Croatia led by their chief Noah Balta from Richmond Football Club proved too good beating Fiji in the grand final. Final Score 3.3.21 to 2.2.14
We then moved onto the Division 1 competition with reigning champions Lebanon keen to go back-to-back and team World looking for redemption after last years loss in the grand final. New Zealand and Italy also looking to go one better. Lebanon started off strong beating Team World by 31 points in the opening round. Italy also had a solid win against New Zealand. Team World recorded a shock win against Italy beating them by 22 points. As the day progressed Mo Kaakour and his boys secured their second Grand Final spot with the opposing team Italy progressing on the smallest of margins due to percentage, but it was the Charlie Denaro show as his boys from Italy demonstrating some immaculate football proving too strong for Lebanon winning convincingly by 30 points. Final Score Italy 7.4.45 def Lebanon 2.3.15
We hosted our Women’s Division 1 under lights this year. New Zealand women were the 3rd team introduced to the women’s line up for 2022 with only Team World and Australia represented in the inaugural women’s competition last year.
Team New Zealand women were impressive, beating the reigning champions Australia by 1 point in their opening match. Team World proved too strong with a new look team and coach lead by Shannon McFerran winning all their group games and making to the grand final convincingly. With New Zealand and Australia left to battle for a spot of silver it was New Zealand who once again proved victors over Australia. The grand final didn’t disappoint, although the scoreboard didn’t do it much justice, New Zealand women put up a great fight but fell short of securing the cup with Team World coming out on top to take out the WINSHER 2022 Nations Footy Cup. Final Score Team World 6.4.35 def New Zealand 1.0.06