As we head towards the 2014 International Cup, I had a brief chat with Matthew Bishop, the coach of the United States mens Australian Football side, the Revolution.
Matt spent some time playing footy in central New South Wales, with most of his senior footy playing footy in Brisbane and Sydney.
He began his coaching career at the Manly Warringah Club where he coached the reserves. He moved to Washington where he was involved in coaching their team in 2007 and 2008, before moving to California where he founded and coached the team in Sacremento.
Matt has been coach of the Revolution for the last six years, taking over after the team finish sixth in 2008. He says that the skills of the players and the way its picked up in training is greatly improved.
Geography conspires to make coaching difficult, but technology evens that out somewhat. In addition theres now plenty of AFL football available on TV or on the internet.
The United States men have competed at every International Cup since 2002, with a best placed finish of third in 2005, where they defeated Ireland by 35 points. In 2011, they finished fourth going down to New Zealand in the third place playoff by 35 points. At the Cup they are ranked fourth with a win ratio of 70 per cent.
In total, 28 players have been selected for the 2014 tournament, with staff, coaches and family making up a touring party of about 40. The selection process includes a training camp, and national championships.
The United States side is fairly unique in that there are no Australian-based players, with all members of the team selected from US teams via the process.
Matt says the USAFL has considered the prospect of Australian-based scholarship players, such as the recently signed Mason Cox, taking part in the International Cup – St Kilda listed Joe Baker Thomas is named for New Zealand – but says they are at present shying away from this from a cultural perspective.
Matt believes it would be unfair for local players to work hard to earn a place only to be replaced by superstars from Australian lists. However he says the issue is likely to show up more and more, as greater numbers of players are drafted from combines held in New Zealand, Ireland, Europe and the United States.
Matt says limited support has come recently from St Kilda, with some US players having the opportunity to get out to the Saints preseason training camps, and development coach Paul Hudson has lent a hand in recent times.
The 2014 fixture sees the Revolution playing Finland, Canada and New Zealand. The USA plays Canada every year there isn’t an International Cup, taking out a 31-point win over the Northwind in August last year, and it seems likely that the real threat in their group is from New Zealand, with Finland are relatively unknown quantity.
Matt says the biggest gains from being involved in the international cup are actually made once the cups are over. Former Revolution players are taking active roles in the USAFL, whether in administration or coaching, with several USAFL clubs now coached by Americans.
Players to watch out for
Andrew “Tiger” Werner – Full forward/midfielder from the Minnesota Freeze. 2011 World XVIII
Bryan Dragus – Centre half forward from the Golden Gate Roos. 2011 World XVIII
Steve Fashant – midfielder from the Minnesota Freeze. 2011 World XVIII
Ben Carpenter-Nwanyanwu – Of Nigerian Descent, won the National Championships with Austin Crows last year.
You can find more details on the Revolution on the USAFL site. The International Cup begins on August ninth, 2014 in Melbourne.
David Fashant
Guest
Congratulations Steve! Everyone in Minnesota will be rooting for you.
The_Wookie
Roar Guru
I wouldnt mind seeing how they go against an actual amateur side. Even at Under 17s many of these players are in the TAC Cup system - many AIS players played in the recent U18 championships. In SA and WA they are benefiting from proper coaching systems in WAFL and SANFL clubs, plus AFL programs.
Johnno
Guest
Thanks The Wookie the gap is wider than I thought, if a an AIS under-17's side is beating a Europe Under-23's side, the gap is massive were talking maybe bigger than when dream team usa started playing. Put it this way the gap in AFL is bigger than say if dream team USA 1992 took on the Melbourne Tigers/or Perth Wildcats in a hypothetical match. I didn't realize an AIS under-17 side would be so good, wow.
The_Wookie
Roar Guru
The only real comparison we have is the AIS matches.v NZ - important to remember that this is the AIS Under 17 side v an open NZ side featuring NEAFL and VFL players and at least one former AFL player. NZ lost by 43 points. See more on that here - http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php/20130129002711408 The AIS under 17s slaughtered a European Legion U23 side by 96 points in April. The European side was filled mostly with Irish players, as well as three Croatians, a German, Swede and six players from Denmark, which has had a junior club system in place for many years. Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/tom-lamb-stars-in-aisafl-academys-victory-over-european-legion-20140413-zqu2y.html#ixzz36U9NR4cZ
Johnno
Guest
The Wookie do you know the standard of the US/NZ/Ireland sides and how they''d go vs some of the teams I mentioned or any other teams or comps in OZ, im very interested to know where there national teams are at.
The_Wookie
Roar Guru
apparently not. He doesnt mention it at all in the interview.
Rising Power
Guest
So not the Matthew Bishop who played for Melbourne and Port Adelaide?
The_Wookie
Roar Guru
Theresa a Vice Report by a journo trying out for the Chicago Swans here https://sports.vice.com/article/aluminum-swan-a-painful-introduction
Johnno
Guest
After reading this im trying to gauge the standard of US/NZ/Ireland. What level would these guys go at. For example would they beat say the best team in the "Ovens and Murray League" eg a Wangaratta Rovers or Wodonga Raiders. Or how would they go vs some of the Sydney teams in the Sydney AFL comp eg the Manly Giants or Sydney Uni. Im trying to work out there standard. I doubt they would compete any NEAFL sides like Ainslie from Canberra as there semi-pro sides. But be interesting to see how they'd go vs say a Ovens and Murray club or a team from the Sydney AFL, or teams in Tassie that don't play in the TAC cup. Say a team in the Northern Tasmanian League (NTFA) eg like East Devonport.