The 2017 USAFL National Championships will be held in San Diego this weekend.  This is the first time San Diego has hosted the tournament and the first time in many years the tournament has been held on the west coast.  Matches will be played throughout the day on Saturday (21st) and Sunday(22nd), but the official proceedings include Friday where a club administrators forum will run through that day and also coaching, umpiring and women's footy clinics will be held ahead of the official registration and welcome on the Friday night.

The match venue is Surf Cup Sports Park, 3885 Via De La Valle,  Del Mar, CA92014.  The venue will be hosting seven divisions (combined men's and women's) with

This year's tournament will be the biggest in its 21-year history:  53 teams spanning seven divisions, representing nearly forty clubs across the USA and Canada.

MEN'S DIVISION 1

WOMEN'S DIVISION 1

MEN'S DIVISION 2

WOMEN'S DIVISION 2

Format: One pool of five teams.  Each team plays the others once (four games total), best record declared premiers.  Ties are broken by head-to-head, then percentage.
Teams are listed in alphabetical order:

MEN'S DIVISION 3

MEN'S DIVISION 4

* Denotes Reserves Side

MEN'S RESERVE DIVISION

 The men's divisions and women's Division 1 were announced live on the USAFL Facebook page on Thursday, September 28th

 The full schedule can be seen at  https://usafl.com/nationals/2017/schedule

Brian Barrish's excellent preview articles can also be seen at https://usafl.com/news/20171016/nationals-preview-mens-division-1 and https://usafl.com/news/20171017/nationals-preview-mens-division-2-and-3 

Sarah Black has reported on the www.afl.com.au website that the Gold Coast Suns have ticked the boxes and locked in arrangements to continue playing matches in North Queensland for 2018 and hopefully beyond. 

In her article, Sarah states that:

GOLD COAST will play home matches for premiership points in both Cairns and Townsville from 2018 onwards. 

The deal was struck between the Suns and Tourism and Events Queensland, and will see the club play in Cairns next season, and Townsville in 2019 or 2020.

With the Suns' usual home ground Metricon Stadium out of action at the start of the season – possibly up to round 10 – due to the Commonwealth Games, Cairns could be an option to host a game in the first half of the year.

Cairns hosted a match between the Western Bulldogs and Suns in round 18 this year, while Townsville has only ever hosted pre-season clashes. 

Gold Coast chairman Tony Cochrane told goldcoastfc.com.au it was a great opportunity for football fans in North Queensland to attend live matches. 

"As a club, we have established significant support in Cairns and Townsville and enjoy playing our role in developing Australian Football throughout the region, which is also a key recruitment catchment for the Gold Coast Suns Talent Academy," he said. 

"In the past, through community camps, pre-season games and AFL premiership fixtures, the Gold Coast Suns has and will continue to support the growth of AFL in North Queensland." 

The AFL fixture is yet to be confirmed and is due to be announced in late October.

The original article can be found at: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-10-18/suns-strike-deal-to-host-matches-in-townsville

Image: AFL action in Townsville (source: www.afl.com.au )

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The following article from the Irish Independent looks at the drafting of superstar women’s Gaelic footballer Cora Staunton by AFLW club the Greater Western Sydney Giants. Cora was taken with pick 45 in yesterday’s AFLW NAB AFL Women’s Draft. Not only is Cora’s selection a great personal success, it also opens wider the prospects of more Irish and other international players seeking to be drafted in coming years.

Mayo star Cora Staunton will feature in the AFLW in 2018.

She will be the first international athlete to be drafted to play in the league which gets underway in January after she joined the Greater Western Sydney Giants.

The 34-year-old flew out to Australia 48 hours ago to audition in front of head coach Alan McConnell and men’s assistant coach Nick Walsh, a former Cavan footballer.

Staunton made the decision to change codes after she had a conversation with Walsh at the 2016 FEXCO Asian Gaelic Games.

“It will be a huge challenge but us Irish love a challenge,” Staunton told the Herald Sun in Australia.

“I’ve never played AFL before and had my first practice at it with Alan and Nick this morning.

“Getting used to the ball will be the biggest thing, along with the rules of the game.”

McConnell said. “Cora Staunton is probably the surprise package of the selections in the draft,”

“Cora comes from an elite background in football in Ireland. She recently played in the All Ireland final at Croke Park in front of 46,000 people on the back end of that competition, unfortunately losing. She’s a goalkicking forward so we’re looking for her to bring some goalkicking power to our team as a deep forward.”

Staunton had been in contact with the club since July but her trip to Australia was delayed by Mayo's impressive run to the All-Ireland final and club commitments.

She flies home again on Saturday to play club championship with her club Carnachon and will make a decision on her Mayo future in March.

She told RTE Sport: ""It’s a very short season.

"I’ll move out once the club championship is over. I’m aiming to be out in the first week of December. It’s a seven-game series, if you get to the final it’s eight games.

"The first round starts at the end of January; it’s a run until the end of March. Once that’s over I’ll be home again.

"I’ve no decision made on retirement. I’m going to give hopefully the next six or seven weeks to the club (Carnachon) and try and do my best there, then come out and start life out here.

"It’ll buy me an extra couple of months before coming to a decision. I’ll see how the body is come March. I’m not ruling anything in or out at the moment.

"When the season is over here in March, God knows where it will take me. I'll see how I am. I won't be making any decision until the end of March or April when I come home."

Staunton has shown her sporting prowess in a variety of different codes throughout her career.

A four-time All-Ireland winner with Mayo, she has also won a FAI Women’s Cup winner’s medal with the Mayo Ladies League representative team in 2006 and played rugby in the Connacht Women’s League.

She follows in the footsteps of the likes of Kerry's Tadhg Kennelly and Melbourne legend Jim Stynes in making the move Down Under.

Former Cavan midfielder Laura Corrigan is already plying her trade in the ALFW with Melbourne.

The original story can be found at: http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/ladies-football/mayos-cora-staunton-signs-professional-contract-with-greater-western-sydney-giants-in-the-aflw-36238787.html

For a full rundown on the draft, visit the AFL’s website at: http://www.afl.com.au/womens  ...

The Friday before the US Nationals for most of the 1500 competitors is a travel day. Arriving to San Diego by whatever means necessary they descend on the tournament hotels and register.

But a decent size group are already on the ground. A mixture of administrators, coaches and some early arrivals.

The Administrators conference ran throughout the Friday with various presentations by clubs discussing how they do things at their footy club and sharing ideas and experiences that can help others. The session was chaired by outgoing President Mike Shepherd.

Also on the agenda were a number of items.  Revolution and Liberty coaches reported back on their International Cup campaigns.  Rod Buncle and Tony Fairhead presented on their player exchange program and current exchange player Tyler Ames shared his experience at both Darwin and Montrose.  Other presentations filled in clubs on the state of play with USAFL Umpiring and the Women's Association. The session even saw one city that is bidding to be the future national championships host, presenting to the gathered club representatives.  Finally clubs that have seen some great player growth this year shared how that all came about.

Following all that the USAFL held their AGM to elect their office bearers going forward.  A new board was elected.  Headed up by new President Steve Grantland (Little Rock Coyotes).

While all this was going on, the grounds for today's matches were being prepared.  A women's clinic with the Aussie Sparks was a big success with around 70 players joining them for the session. 

Also in the background, coaching and umpiring clinics were taking place continuing to grow the vital skills required to keep the game ticking at a high level.

The welcome dinners saw hundreds gather at the San Diego Marriot where Rod Grljusich hosted.  USAFL Life memberships were awarded and the new USAFL Revolution Hall of Fame saw it's first group of inductions.

As players and officials continued to trickle in from all across the country and in some cases around the world, team meetings were held ahead of what will be two massive days of footy.

Forecast for today will be around 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and Sunday around 90 which will be a little on the warm side.  But it is California after all.

Troy Thompson in San Diego.

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Day 1 of the 2017 Nationals was played in warm breezy conditions at Sun Sports Park in San Diego.  The six fields were in great condition for football and the setting was picturesque. 

In the Men's Division 1 Pool A the Los Angeles Dragons were the only team undefeated and if they beat the winless Baltimore Washington tomorrow morning they will head into the final to take the title. They defeated New York Magpies by just one point and then clearly defeated the highly fancied Austin Crows. Their most likely opponent is Golden Gate.  

Golden Gate showed the best skill, pace and strength in Pool B to also remain undefeated with solid wins over Calgary and Dallas.  Denver stand in their way tomorrow morning but even a loss in this match could see them go through on percentage if the margin is low. 

Division 2 Pool A will be a battle between Orange County and Minnesota for a final spot while Houston look most likely to take out Pool B.

All the results from today's matches can be seen below.

In a complete departure from previous seasons, the Far North Queensland city of Cairns will host their 2018 match in Round One when the Gold Coast Suns become the host team and will play the North Melbourne Kangaroos. This is a huge shift from the previous seven AFL Premiership seasons, which has traditionally seen Cairns host matches involving the Suns, Richmond and Western Bulldogs in July.

It is a huge win for the northern city, which was uncertain as to its ability to host future matches when the Western Bulldogs announced they would pursue their Ballarat home game options from 2018 onwards. With an opening round start, it would be hoped that the Cairns fixture could capitalise on the traditional excitement of opening rounds as well as connecting directly with the early stages of local junior and senior competition.

 Cairns has long been a producer of AFL talent. Currently, Cairns products in Charlie Dixon (Port Adelaide), Jarrod Harbrow (Gold Coast) and Jack Bowes (Gold Coast) are on team lists. Former Essendon star, Courtenay Dempsey is a Cairns boy, as was his team-mate in 2016 (and former Lion) Sam Michael.

The catalyst for change was the unavailability of the Suns’ home ground, Metricon Stadium, due to the upcoming Commonwealth Games – it is one of the venues and cannot be used early in the AFL season.

Ben Collins reported on the www.afl.com.au website that the AFL’s Travis Auld and Gold Coast Suns Chief Executive Mark Evans were delighted with the opening round match.

“Australian Football is thriving in North Queensland, and we're pleased the passionate fans in the region will help us kick off the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season," Travis Auld, the AFL's general manager of clubs and broadcasting, said in a statement.

"North Queensland has produced current AFL players in Charlie Dixon, Jarrod Harbrow, Zac Smith and Jack Bowes, and the AFL hopes that bringing matches to the region will continue to inspire both female and male players to reach the big time."

Gold Coast chief executive Mark Evans was "thrilled" that the Suns would kick off their campaign in the heart of their talent academy.

"A round one game in Cairns presents a wonderful opportunity to showcase the region ahead of what is always a much-anticipated opening round," Evans said.

"As a club we have established significant support in Cairns and throughout North Queensland. We are committed to playing our role in developing our game throughout the region."

AFL Cairns will be delighted also with the news after so many years of hard work to develop Cazalys Stadium, promote the game to the Cairns and regional community and develop their senior and junior clubs on the back of increased interest in the game.

The match will be played at Cazaly’s Stadium on Saturday 24th March under lights.

The match will also herald the arrival of a new era of AFL Premiership and pre-season matches with Townsville to receive more games from 2019 onwards.

Picture Source: ww.afl.com.au

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The USAFL Divisoin 1 Men's and Women's trophies headed to San Francisco after the Golden Gate Roos defeated the Los Angeles Dragons comfortably and the San Francisco Iron Maidens defeated the Denver Lady Bulldogs by 8 points.

The Quebec Saints took out the Division 2 title with a big win over Orange County.

In Division 3 it was Seattle who defeated the home team in San Diego by 7 points.

And in the Women's Division 2 the Portland Sockeyes defeated the BWE combination squad. 

Full results and report of the weekend to come.  In the meantime lookout for pictures and videos on our World Footy Facebook Group

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Dinny Navaratnam from the www.afl.com.au website has reported that delisted St Kilda ruckman and American recruit Jason Holmes is seeking another chance at the highest level. Holmes has been regarded as a success story in the transition of international footballers to the highest level of AFL football. Whilst clubs cannot continually take chances on unproven talent, Holmes makes an interesting case for himself.

DELISTED ruckman Jason Holmes is determined to extend his four-year career as the first born and raised American to play at AFL level.

Holmes, who turns 28 on Saturday, has lined up in five matches since being picked up at No.36 by St Kilda in the 2013 rookie draft.

None of those games came this year as Billy Longer established himself as the Saints' primary big man, with Tom Hickey and Lewis Pierce also competing for a spot in the senior side. 

 However, Holmes' ambition has not been dulled.

"I would love nothing more than to have another opportunity to try to compete at the highest level," Holmes told AFL.com.au.

A tenacious combatant, he has a mature body that could be relied upon as a back-up. 

"I can offer any team just that security that if I am picked, or a ruck goes down and you need someone to come in and still battle with the big boys at the AFL level, that I'll be in there providing the ball to the midfielders and forwards and whoever else needs it," Holmes said. 

The big American has a solid appreciation of his role.

"I just feel like your midfielders are your ball users, they're the guys out there making big decisions for the team out on the field, and they need the ball in their hands. I take a lot of pride in knowing my teammates appreciate my service and I get them the ball where they want it, when they want it, because when they call for it, I know that they're trusting me to get it there for them," Holmes said. 

He found out about being axed last Friday, a day after the NAB AFL Trade Period ended. Holmes had been in the US for about a month, and was enjoying time with his Australian girlfriend of two-and-a-half years. 

After a trip to a museum and some shopping on Michigan Avenue – a prominent Chicago shopping strip – the pair were preparing for dinner in the John Hancock Centre at The Signature Room, located on the 95th floor. 

St Kilda coach Alan Richardson's name flashed up on Holmes' phone and he knew what to expect.

"You kind of can assume what that call's about when you get it," Holmes said. 

Despite disagreeing with the decision, he has no qualms with St Kilda, expressing only gratitude at the way he was treated. 

He sees a bright future for the Saints as they bid to win their second premiership.

"You need 45 guys to be on the same page and I'm telling you, I can see it at the Saints," Holmes said.

"The club's getting there.

"You can tell that they're moving as one and I think that's one of the most important things that you need to win a flag." 

No clubs have come calling yet, but the official announcement of his delisting was made on Monday, so it is still early. 

Even if he is not playing AFL next season, Holmes wants to keeping playing football. A career in financial planning looms after he became accredited in 2016, while he is also in the process of becoming a permanent resident of Australia. 

His body remains sound, the desire is there, and his appetite to develop is insatiable.

"My 3km time trials and everything, I started shaving those times when I arrived and I'm fitter to the point where I'm not tired anymore. I can leg out a full quarter without getting subbed off and I think that extra tank gives me more energy to win the ruck and then go play some football, go get the footy and be aggressive, get forward," Holmes said. 

"Because I wasn't much of an offensive asset at the start, I also took pride in making sure I was trying to help the defence as well. 

"I think I have so much more to improve, I think I can be more aggressive in the air. I think that's something I'll always want to work on.

"I still think I have quite a bit to improve. I've only been playing for four years and I don't have a 10-year-old footy body yet. I still think I've got a lot to give."

The original article can be found at: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-10-24/axed-american-saint-puts-himself-in-the-shop-window

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The Melbourne Demons will certainly be a familiar face in the Northern Territory throughout the 2018 season as both their AFL and AFLW teams increase their combined presence. In the following press release from the AFLNT, the increased Demon visitations are highlighted along with reference to an article from Matt Burgon at the www.afl.com.au website which looks at the Demons working closely with a Northern Territory club at grass roots level.    

AFL Northern Territory (AFLNT) is thrilled with today’s announcements that it will host five AFL games in 2018.

The AFL Women’s (AFLW) will be the first to kick off with a pre-season match on Saturday 13th January 2018 at TIO Stadium as part of the Adelaide Crows Women’s team pre-season camp. 

 Alice Springs will make history as it hosts its first ever AFLW game on Saturday 24th February at Traeger Park when the Melbourne Demons take on Collingwood at 5.40pm.  

The inaugural AFLW 2017 premiership team will then take on the Fremantle Dockers at TIO Stadium in Round 6 on Friday 9th March at 5.35pm.

Round 10 of the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season will see the Melbourne Football Club host the Adelaide Crows at TIO Traeger Park in Alice Springs on Sunday May 27 at 2.50pm.

The Melbourne Football Club will then host Fremantle at TIO Stadium in Darwin in Round 16 on Saturday July 7 at 7.10pm.

AFLNT CEO Michael Solomon said, “We are thrilled to have five AFL games in the Northern Territory next year and to host an AFLW game for the first time ever in Alice Springs is very exciting for our football fans.”

“With seven NT players signed, and the team building on what has already been achieved on and off the field, people will be lining up to watch the exciting brand of football that the Adelaide Crows Women’s team play.”

Solomon said “The announcement of the AFL games in the Northern Territory shows we are committed to building strong links between local communities, grassroots football and the elite level,”

“We have worked closely with the NT Government and the clubs to reach this agreement so we are delighted to be continuing relationships once again.”

“Our gratitude goes to everyone involved including the Adelaide Football Club, Melbourne Football Club, the NT Government, the AFL and the people of AFLNT who have worked tirelessly to deliver this outcome” he said.

The work of the Melbourne Football Club in the Northern Territory is also highlighted by the connection with Central Australia Redtails based in Alice Springs. According to Matt Burgon on the www.afl.com.au website:

MELBOURNE has partnered with the Redtails, an Alice Springs-based football team, which aims to drive change in the Central Australia community.

The Redtails (men’s team) and Pinktails (women’s) are made up of players from Central Australia, from about “300 communities” in the area. 

General manager of football operations Josh Mahoney said Melbourne had been looking to formalise its relationship with a club in the Northern Territory, and the Redtails were the right fit for both parties.

“After playing the first AFL home and away game in Alice Springs in 2014 and being allocated the Alice Springs region as part of our Next Generation Academy, we have been looking at potential partnerships in the region,” he told melbournefc.com.au. 

“Once we spoke to Redtails president Rob Clarke about his program, how it started and the success stories, we felt that a partnership between the Redtails and Melbourne Football Club made sense and would have a positive impact on the community.

To read the full Matt Burgon story on the Melbourne Demons and the Redtails, go to the following link: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-10-27/melbourne-partners-with-redtails

The connection between the Melbourne Demons and the AFLNT has been a long time in the making. The following stories from 2013 give an insight into the goals of the venture. See AFLNT Board to evaluate community support for Central Australian Redtails as well as Northern Territory strengthens ties with Melbourne Demons

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