30 April 2024
South-East Queensland Army secured bragging rights against Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) in a night of heartbreak and triumph at the second Aussie Rules Anzac Cup on April 19.
Held at Brisbane’s Springfield Central Stadium, the women’s match kicked things off with a tough back-and-forth game in which Army ultimately couldn’t get ahead, going down 0-3-3 to 2-5-17.
Army forward, Captain Helena Wallington, said despite the loss it was a good chance to get time on the field.
“We probably should have had some practice matches, but we couldn’t; it’s the nature of the beast with everyone going out field,” she said.
“It was our first hit out together, so the game plan was simple; man-up, get the ball and get it between the posts, and unfortunately we came up short.”
A Last Post ceremony was held between the matches, with soldiers from 7th Brigade forming a catafalque party in centre field as the bugle sounded across the silent arena.
After the ceremony, the men’s match ball was delivered via a Queensland Air Rescue-500 helicopter and winch crewman.
The Army men led from the opening siren and despite losing a player to injury, were able to weather a fourth-quarter fightback to win 3-8-26 to 2-4-16.
Team captain and player of the match, Lance Corporal Paul Darcy, said after drawing the inaugural match last year, both teams were eager to be a clear winner.
“The QFES are a hard-hitting team and we knew that from last year, so we had to bring pressure straight off the bat,” he said.
“Unfortunately our coach, who also played, broke his leg in the fourth quarter, but after he was taken off we regathered and came away with the win.”
Knowing they had a fitness advantage over QFES, this year’s plan was to stay calm and make the most of opportunities.
“Use the usables and just slow it down; look for the 45s and when you have the ball, up the guts running,” Lance Corporal Darcy said.
This year’s event helped raise money for Homefront Australia and Wounded Heroes veteran charities.
