THE Aboriginal AFL Academy has won its touring match against the Clontarf Centralian Academy at Albrecht Park in Alice Springs.
After the match was relocated from Traeger Park to Albrecht Park on Friday, the Academy produced a strong running effort to claim a hefty nine-goal victory over the Centralian team.
Clontarf was a stronger side this year compared to the team that the Academy played in 2014, and coach Eugene Warrior said the South Australians needed to adjust to the challenge thrown at them.
"It was a good game, the conditions of the oval were good and a beautiful day for it," Warrior told portadelaidefc.com.au
"We got off to a really good start with the first couple of goals, and it probably took Clontarf a little bit of time to adjust but then we started playing some really good footy.
"They surprised a little with their speed and the way they went about it.
"But they've been together for one or two weeks while our boys have been together all year, so our setups and structures worked really well."
Warrior brings similar philosophies to coaching the AAA that are employed at the Power - take the game on, run hard, defend well - and was pleased to see that produced for much of the game, particularly after a 17-hour bus drive from Alberton to Alice Springs.
"Some of our ball movement from one end to the other was really good, so in terms of that we played some real good footy," Warrior said.
"They started to play within themselves, so we told them to get back to basics and play team footy, we did that really well.
"Given the boys travelled on the bus for 17 hours, to play some good footy is pleasing, and we had some really good players for us today."
The result is particularly pleasing for the Aboriginal AFL Academy as it continues to catch the eye of corporate Australia for its joint football and education outcomes.
EnergyAustralia recently joined the program as a joint-major partner with the Government of South Australia, while the SA Aboriginal Sports Training Academy continues to work as a coordinating partner.
The AAA returns to Adelaide on Sunday and will play five more games against local schools in Adelaide.
Port Adelaide chief executive officer Keith Thomas also toured with the Academy to Alice Springs, you can read his diaries here.
SCOREBOARD
Aboriginal AFL Academy 15.6 (96)
Clontarf Academy 6.6 (36)
AAA BEST
I. Milera, A. Stengles, K. Karpany, D. Garlett
GOALS
K. Jackson 3, Trevor Wanganeen 2, K. Broome, Milera, Satala, Stuart,Tommy Wanganeen, Drover, Day, Stengles, LeBois, Garlett
The Aboriginal AFL Academy is proudly supported by SAASTA, EnergyAustralia and the Government of South Australia
