Young Aussies show how

By Jarrod Potter
YOUNG bodies notwithstanding, the AIS/AFL Academy team comfortably won its encounter with the European Legion, sealing the victory 183 to 12.
On a cloudless day in South London, the immaculate ground at Dulwich College filled with more than 2000 people who witnessed the young Australians’ convincing win against a spirited European team.
The AIS/AFL team was never in doubt against the European Legion, but the result was an afterthought compared with the honour for the Australian boys to wear the Australian colours and the experience gained by the Europeans to play high-quality football against future AFL players.
Dandenong Stingrays midfielder Lachie Whitfield backed up his best-on-ground performance against Geelong’s VFL team last week with a best-on-field performance against the Legion.
Kicking four goals and gathering the ball continuously throughout the match, Whitfield was awarded the inaugural High Commission Medal.
The European Legion consisted of amateur players from eight countries (Sweden, Wales, Scotland, France, Denmark, England, Ireland and Croatia), who showed their passion for the game by battling hard all day, even if their efforts weren’t rewarded on the scoreboard.
The Legion’s Adam Ballard, the playing coach of the Durham Saints in England’s north-east, won the Victoria Tourism Medal for best on field for Europe.
The AIS/AFL Academy team ended its tour of Europe with an Anzac Day dawn service at Gallipoli. Josh Growden, a young player from South Australia on the Greater Western Sydney list, laid a wreath on behalf of the AFL.