Adrian Panozzo takes me to Telstra Dome, which is also the location of the AFL offices, and the site of the tribunal. The Tribunal consists of three top AFL representatives who listen to the evidence as presented by me as the reporting umpire, the reported player and his representative, and the player who was allegedly struck and his representative. It sounds formal, and it is because it is designed to maintain the integrity of the game. After all evidence is presented and questions have been answered, the tribunal deliberates and renders its decision. In this case, because of the severity of the incident, and because the player is making an effort to go to local schools to promote international footy, a one game suspension is levied. Bad luck that it is for the finals tomorrow, but I think it is fair as striking another player usually carries a heavier penalty.

Afterwards, a meeting with Neil Hargreaves (New Zealand), Phindile Khambule (South Africa), Neville Nash, Adrienne Panozzo, and Rod Threlfall (all from the arm of the AFL umpiring) to talk about developing umpires in our countries. It is fascinating to learn how the sport is growing in these countries and how they are developing their umpire base. Each country has its own unique challenges: New Zealand has a decent base of umpires but needs to continue to groom umpires to the upper levels. They are somewhat fortunate to have a relatively small geography to cover and a corporate sponsor of umpire development! And of course they are lucky to have Neil at the helm. In South Africa, they are developing the sport through each of the nine provinces, one by one. There are already 12 teams across two provinces and they hope to open up three more next year. They have close to 100 umpires (!) which is a staggering number compared to New Zealand and the USA. In fact, it is probably more than both NZ and the USA combined. Their challenges are setting up the umpires associations to support the clubs, and to get umpires trained to the higher levels. In the USA, we face two severe challenges. First is geographic spread. Because teams are so far apart from each other (with many teams flying to play games and paying their own way), the few umpires that are available simply cannot afford to do games that are outside their home towns. The other challenge is to get a formal umpires association structured such that recruitment, training, and promotion of umpires can take place on a more formal basis (right now all we can do is about one clinic a year, usually in conjunction with our national tournament). This makes it difficult for senior umpires to assist junior umpires (through observation and feedback). We develop short term and long term plans for each of our respective countries after lunch and call it a day.

Following the meeting, we review the assignments for finals. I have been slotted in the fifth place match (Great Britain vs. Samoa) at 11 am. Neil is also awarded a finals match. Lastly, Neville Nash informs me that I have also been appointed the third and final field umpire for the Grand Final, to be played at the MCG at 4:30 Saturday. Whew! At first I thought he was pulling my leg, but then I realized that he was serious. It took a couple of minutes for it to sink in, and then I was speechless (those who know me are aware that I am rarely speechless). This is absolutely the pinnacle of what I can achieve on the field. The only higher honors would be making the VFL and the AFL levels, and those are only achievable if I live in Australia (and beat out tons of younger, fitter umpires with way more experience than I have). I must give thanks to those who have supported me, fought for me, and pushed me these past five years: Rich Mann, Andrew Boyle, Brian Green, Steve Arnott, and Craig Warner from back home, Paul O'Keefe and Mark Wheeler at the USAFL, Neville Nash and Adrienne Panozzo at the AFL, and of course my wife Holly for indulging me in my footy obsession. Neil has been appointed the emergency umpire which is terrific for him as well and Pindi will join us on the umpires bench. Wow, what day.

Afterwards, I run a few errands, like picking up some new balls to take back to our club and finishing my gift shopping. The trip is now almost complete. After the finals tomorrow, and then a rest day on Sunday, I will be heading home.

Saturday August 13^th, 2005 Melbourne, Australian

Today is the last day of the 2005 International Cup. I am in the fifth place match pitting Samoa against Great Britain. I am working with Daniel Sanjarino (whose last name I surely have not remembered correctly, sorry Daniel). The center of the ground at TEAC oval is very slick, actually fairly treacherous, from the rain from last night, and I don't have boots [cleats, in America]. Still the match is close until the fourth quarter and Samoa pulls away, claiming fifth position.

Now for THE REMATCH: the US faces Ireland again, for third place. These two teams faced each other in Round 2 in what was probably the most physical match of the tournament. Now they get to take their anger out on each other as both clubs have missed the opportunity to play at the MCG. I am the team video specialist for this game again as Boyley heads off to Optus Oval to umpire his own match: Japan vs. Spain, the 9^th place match.

The US cranks out an early three goal burst in the first quarter, scoring more points in this quarter than the entire game in Round 2. More of the same in the second quarter and the Revolution leads by over four goals at half time. The sun has been out for about two hours and has dried out most of the field so the play through the middle of the ground is not as dangerous as it was in the previous match. The Irish start out the third quarter trying to claw their way back in, but Dustin "Dookie" Jones (Florida) kicks a couple of goals and ensures that the USA leads by five goals at the final break. In the last quarter, Ireland again starts out well, but Dookie again kicks it into high gear, ensuring that the Irish effort comes up well short, ending with four goals and barely missing a fifth [be sure to ask Dustin how he got this nickname, but don't tell him I told you!]. Aaron "the Immovable Object" Nelson played very well in the ruck position helping the Revos win the battle of midfield. Final score: USA 10.5.65 to Ireland 4.6.30. The USA finishes a respectable third place, and the previous champs finish fourth. Most impressive, and boding very well for 2008, is the fact that the only two USA losses were to the two teams playing in the Grand Final. Well done, boys, you have done yourselves and your country proud.

Next up: the Grand Final. John Booker, my chaperone for the day, ferries me and Neil Hargreaves (New Zealand) to the MCG. In 2002, I was the emergency umpire, and that is Neil's appointment this time. Outside the gate, the entire team meets each other. My partners on the field are Robert O'Gorman, and Joshua Krull. The boundaries are Dave Card and Thomas Layton. Goal umpires are Gaetano Contarino and Brett McGeorge. There are seven umpire associations represented and this is the first time an international umpire will be on the ground for a game at the MCG, so a minor bit of history is being made. We inspect the ground early and smiles beam across all our faces: this ground is heaven on earth.

The match pits both undefeated teams: the New Zealand Falcons and the Papua New Guinea Mosquitoes. Both are highly skilled, with NZ being more of an aerial attack and PNG using a speed and short game focus. As with all international matches, we start with the national anthems and follow with the respective Hakas performed at midfield. Then, it is game on. The first quarter is intense, fast and furious. The Falcons get out to the early lead, but PNG stays close trailing by only two goals. Rob gets most of the action, as the play stayed in midfield a lot. The second quarter sees the teams really open up and the play goes not only up and down the field, but across to both boundary lines. At the end of the first half, I stop for just a moment and realize just how fantastic it is to be right where I am at this exact moment in time: standing at in the middle of the MCG during a grand final. Incredible!

During the intermission, we meet the AFL umpires for the Collingwood-Carlton match, which includes Matthew James. Matty and I met during the 2002 International Cup during the umpire clinic when he helped me with my bouncing technique. They wish us well and head off to the other locker room to get ready for their match. We head out for the second half. I get to raise the ball announcing the arrival of the umpires and the following blast of the horn is a bit of a rush (I have to be honest!). The third quarter begins and the skills of both squads continue to show themselves. The gulls are really swarming now (typical for a evening game at "The G") and the cloud cover that has been around most of the afternoon helps bring a chill to the air. But we are running around keeping up with the play and hardly notice the chill. As the fourth quarter plays out New Zealand has built a lead of 17 points (37-20) and looks to be in control when PNG suddenly revives and kicks a goal for six points. There is quite a crowd gathering at this point and true to most sports fans, they are cheering for the underdog. Every contested mark and every big collision are greeted with enthusiastic roars from the crowd, and the crowd really is loud when PNG kicks another goal to narrow the gap to just five points, 37-32! It looks like this will come right down to the wire, when the Falcons kick a goal to extend their lead. With less than five minutes to go, New Zealand rises to the occasion, takes over the match and kicks one more goal and one more behind to finish of their title as International Cup Champions: 7.8.50 to 4.8.32. Congratulations to New Zealand.

After the match, the Dave Matthews (of the AFL) presents the Best on Ground medal and the International Cup trophy. The umpire crew heads in to wrap up and say goodbyes. I brought a felt tip pen so everyone can sign my jumper. Being appointed to work the Grand Final is as high an honor as I can achieve and this will be my memento of the occasion. Thanks go to so many people, most of all Neville Nash, Adrienne Panozzo, and Andrew Boyle. Neil and I swap jackets and I promise to visit New Zealand sometime (as long as it is during the football season so he can assign me to some games!) Thanks guys, for (literally) the memories of a lifetime.

The final event of the trip (for the Revolution) is a team dinner at the Homestead in North Fitzroy. Alan Nugent acknowledges all 35 players and their contributions, his coaching staff, his support staff, and (a bit grudgingly) me as the umpire! In attendance are a surprisingly large number of family and friends. What a huge rally for all these people to make the effort to come to Australia and support the team. Absolutely incredible! Unfortunately for me, I have lost 90% of my voice (I have done 7 games in 12 days) and I head back to the hotel to crash while the rest of the boys head out to celebrate the lifting of their self-imposed no alcohol policy.

Sunday August 14^th, 2005 Melbourne, Australian

The weather today is, well, > Melbourne . After the first five days of pure sunshine, the entire rest of the time here we have had mostly cold, cloudy, and windy days, with lots of intermittent showers and intermittent sunshine. This is why the locals when asked the question "What is tomorrow's weather meant to be?" answer with "> Melbourne ".

About half the team is heading back today and we say our goodbyes. We will all be meeting again in 7 weeks in > Milwaukee for the USFooty National Championships. After packing up all my gear, I head off to Elsternwick Park . Norm Nugent (Head Coach Alan Nugent's father) has invited me to attend some amateur footy playoff matches. Those readers of my 2002 International Cup journal (also available in the archives in the website) may recall that Norm hosted the 2002 Revolution squad for an extended three-hour tour of the MCG. It is good to have connections! Norm is involved with the VAFA (Victorian Amateur Football Association) and Elsternwick is the headquarters so this is the opportunity to see another aspect of footy in Victoria .

Elsternwick is right on St. Kilda beach and gets a fair amount of wind. Today, however, the weather is quite "> Melbourne " and the 35-knot breeze is gusting almost straight downfield. More than one kick gets caught up in a gale and actually takes a boomerang path back to earth. Quite an interesting sight to see a football do a boomerang! The quality of footy is probably only one grade above the better international teams, but then again this is not the top grade amateur footy.

In Victorian footy, there are typically ten teams in a "league" who play each other twice. The end of the season results are the "ladder" by which the finals assignments are made. Finals [what we call playoffs] consist of the top four teams playing off 1-2 and 3-4. The winner of 1-2 advances to the Grand Final. The winner of 3-4 advances to the preliminary final against the loser of 1-2 while the loser is done. The winner of the preliminary final advances to the Grand Final as well. This is a little different from how the US typically does playoffs, in that the top teams play each other, but instead of single elimination, they can "afford" a loss and play their way back into the Grand Final.

Today is preliminary finals for seniors. The first match sees Old Xavier down Fitzroy Reds by four goals (they were top of the ladder but lost their match to the #2 squad and have played back in to their Grand Final). There are three reports during the third quarter as tempers fly. Lots of paperwork goes with this and I am glad it is not me! The second match is Prahran and St. Kevins. I don't stay past half time as I need to finish shopping, but it appears as though Prahran will go through as they have used the wind more effectively and have a 3 goal lead (side note, USAFL President Mark Wheeler is from Prahran). I bid farewell to Norm, and do my final walk around the CBD (Central Business District) snapping final photos and get ready to head home.

Monday August 15^th, 2005 Melbourne, Australian

At last we say goodbye to the 2005 International Cup. From nearly being sidelined with a sprained ankle to being in the appointed to the Grand Final at the MCG: what an incredible experience. Although I am eager to get back home and see Holly, my oh-so-patient wife, in the back of my head, I am already planning to return in 2008 for the third installment of the International Cup.

I hope you have enjoyed seeing Australia through my eyes. When I get back, I will be posting pictures and I understand the USFooty.com will have many pictures posted as well. If you get a chance to come here, by all means, make it happen. In fact, you can win the all expense paid trip that is being raffled off as part of the Australian Festival that the Nashville Kangaroos host ever September. Go to www.australianfestival.org for all the details. Be sure to tell ‘em I sent you! Until 2008, CHEERS!