2001 Arafura Games

After the great success of the Arafura Games in 1999 organisers held high hopes for an even greater attendance in 2001. It was hoped that Arafura would be able to attract teams from outside the Asia-Pacific region for the first time, including the USA, Canada, England and Denmark. But it quickly became apparent that if these teams were to travel such a long way to Australia it was Melbourne, and not Darwin, that was their preferred destination.

Fair enough too as Melbourne is seen as the 'mecca' of international footy. So the IAFC resolved to stage a World Cup in Melbourne in 2002 (later renamed the International Cup).

This had the unfortunate effect of reducing numbers for the 2001 Arafura Games, which were only attended by four teams - Nauru, Japan, Central Desert Eagles and the Northern Territory Superules team.

2001 Results

Round 1
Nauru 21.16 (142) d. Japan 1.3 (9)
Central Desert Eagles 13.5 (83) d. NT Superules 10.8 (68)

Round 2
Nauru 11.8 (74) d. NT Superules 5.7 (37)
Central Desert Eagles 15.13 (103) d. Japan 7.4 (46)

Bronze Medal Final
NT Superules 9.8 (62) d. Japan 5.8 (38)

Gold Medal Final
Nauru 13.13 (91) d. Central Desert Eagles 5.5 (35)

World Team
Alfred Spanner, Paul Hartman, Spencer Tannang, George Gioura, Enoch Canon, Xavier Namaduk, Raynor Dediya, Robert Timothy (Nauru), Aaron Butler, Dixon Butler, Paul Carnegie, Alistair Read, Joey Bates, Alfred Mitchel (Central Desert Eagles), Roy Baehnisch, Paul Allen, Paul Kirby, Craig Porter (NT Superules), Yusite Hoshi, Taishi Tsukakoshi, Yomei Yamanaka, Daisute Kano (Japan).
Coach: Gonzaga 'Speedy' Namaduk (Nauru)
Team Manager: Troy Beard (Japan)

Darryl Window Medal (Best & Fairest)
Tied - Roy Baehnisch (NT Superules) & Alfred Spanner (Nauru)

There can be no doubt that the catalyst for the inaugural International Cup in Melbourne in 2002 was the resounding success of Australian football at the Arafura Games. As such the city of Darwin will always hold a special place in the history of international footy.