Homecoming: Richmond's Richard Tambling (right) catches up with his Essendon-supporting cousin Jason at the Jabiru school yesterday. Picture: Michael Dodge Outback trek breathes life
07 February 2007 Herald-Sun
Mark Robinson
THEY dare to dream to be the next Richard Tambling in Kakadu.
At Jabiru, a town of 2000 in the middle of Australia's wondrous national park, their dreams yesterday came somewhat less remote when Tambling returned home for a one-day football festival.
If superheroes were real, Tambling was Superman.
"I'd like to think it's like that," Tambling said without a hint of arrogance.
"This is what AFL game development is all about. It gives the kids a dream."
Tambling spent five years here, between 11 and 16, and journeyed south yesterday on the invitation of the AFL.
While Tambling was the hero at the Jabiru school clinic, the centrepiece yesterday was the first game of a two-game series between the Australian indigenous under-16s and a visiting South African team made up of players aged between 15 and 23.
Their three matches last year, which were played in South Africa and hailed as a ground-breaker, were all won by Australia.
The Australians continued their dominance yesterday but didn't have it so easy, winning by 30 points.
Australian kicked five goals to one in the first half but the South Africans matched them in the second half, both teams kicking two goals.
Coached by former Kangaroo Jason McCartney, Australia won 7.11 (53) to 3.5 (23).
Yet, the result is not what's it's all about.
The untapped frontier across the Indian Ocean is taking small but crucial steps in AFL.
Julian Horn, a 23-year-old from Potchefstroom, an hour north of Johannesburg, is the vice-captain of the team.
He said the experience of playing not just in Australia, but in the middle of Australia, was priceless.
"This is great for all of us," Horn said. "It gives us experience playing these matches against the indigenous boys and teaches us manners and leadership."
Horn said Australian rules was competing against stranglehold sports such as rugby union and cricket, but numbers were continually increasing in the programs.
Observers yesterday said the improvement from last year was evident.
The visitors had mature bodies, but lacked the speed and nous of the Aborigines, three of whom are from Victoria.
For Tambling, it's these sorts of games that open eyes.
"For the young kids here it breathes life into the community," he said.
"There's nothing much else to do out here but play sport. It's very remote.
"And to bring a game such as this gives the kids hope.
"The AFL is doing a great job with their programs."
The second match will played in Darwin on Friday in what will be another AFL extravaganza; the Indigenous All-Stars take on Essendon at Marrara that night.
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