One of the world’s biggest overseas youth tournaments, the Oceania Cup was hosted at Albert Park in the Fijian capital of Suva this past week, with the hometown Fiji Tribe defeating Nauru in the grand final to take home the bragging rights.

The week began with a lightning football tournament in round-robin format, featuring the teams from Fiji, Vanuatu, and the representative side the Pacific All-Stars. The Vanuatu Volcanoes were the early surprise of the tournament, winning the first two matches convincingly over their Fijian hosts and the All-Stars.

Meanwhile in the Grand Final, the Fiji Tribe capped off a great tournament with an impressive upset of Nauru, who were looking to take home their third straight Oceania Cup. A disciplined Nauru side battled constantly against an athletic Tribe team, and the game was as exciting as any that had been played all week. Ultimately, Fiji booted two late goals and the defense held strong, taking home the premiership with a 4.6.30 to 2.3.15 victory.

Tash Gunawardana interviewed AFLW player Sally Riley who is the joint vice captain of the Adelaide Crows. Riley was part of the first AFLW premiership in 2017 and is now a one-time premiership player at the Adelaide Crows.

Which AFL player past and/or current do you model your game on?
Sam Mitchell and his clean hands, decision making and disposal efficiency as he lacks leg speed similar to myself.

Who has influenced your footy and sporting career the most?
My parents have been my biggest influence on my sporting career and involvement in sporting teams. To this day they still encourage me to do what I love and to give everything 100%. Football wise Andrew Hodges has been a coach and mentor of mine for a few years now and he has taught me an unbelievable amount.

Image Source: Twitter @sallyriley_8

What is your greatest sporting accomplishment?
The 2017 season without a doubt. Being drafted, named in the leadership group, playing every game and becoming a premiership player is pretty hard to beat!

What do you love to do in your spare time?
Being outdoors and around friends. I enjoy going camping or doing road trips and activities when time permits. I also love going out for breakfast.

Image Source: www.afc.com.au

What do you enjoy most about playing women’s footy?

I love that footy is a team sport. It makes all the preseason training, Christmas day training and tough choices easier knowing that you are doing it to benefit the team. There is nothing better than going through the highs and the lows with a quality group of people.

Would you ever consider being traded to a Melbourne based AFLW team so you can play in your home state?
I would never ask to be traded to another club as the Adelaide Crows is the perfect fit for me and I love the culture and vibe that we have created. They are my family away from Victoria. I am a very loyal person and when I love my team as much as I do right now, I am Adelaide Crows through and through. In saying that though, when my time is up with the Crows (which I will be very sad when this day does come) and if Melbourne clubs are interested then I might consider a move if I felt I had more playing years left in me and a club was a good fit.

What is your pre-game and post-game routine?
Pre-game I am normally pretty relaxed and just do my own thing. I eat a big breakfast and depending on when game time is I will have a light meal and/or a snack a few hours before playing. Once at the ground, I do a lot of stretching and mobility and try to touch the ball as much as possible. A weird pre-game superstition is as soon as I put my boots on I put my mouth guard in my left sock so I don’t forget it when we run out.

Post-game the recovery routine to prepare for the following week starts straight away after the coaches’ address. Protein shake, ice bath, showers, food and an early night.

What is the best thing about being the joint Vice Captain of the Adelaide Crows?
It was an absolute honour to be named joint Vice Captain in 2017 and something I was not expecting. The best thing about this was being able to work closely with the other leaders each week and playing a part in setting up the culture and team standards that we wanted to be known for as a playing group. Working closely with Erin, Chelsea, Ange and the coaches also meant I learnt a lot quicker and it also fueled my desire to want to keep improving my day-to-day leadership as a player, work colleague, friend and teacher.

How did you feel to play in the first AFLW grand final for the Adelaide Crows and then to actually be the first AFLW premiers?

It’s very hard to describe the feeling of playing in the first AFLW GF as it was a mixture of excitement, nervousness and adrenaline yet the whole day went so fast it is actually all a bit of a blur. We knew that this opportunity doesn’t come around every day and that the way the competition was structured ourselves and the Brisbane Lions were very privileged to be playing in the Grand Final after just 7 games of football.

Personally I wasn’t able to contribute to the win on the day as much as I would have liked but that feeling and emotion when the siren went and we realized what we had done was unbelievable! Never been so happy! (although draft day was pretty close!!).

To be honest though I do feel like a bit of a fraud to have an AFL Premiership medal in my possession after only playing 8 games of AFL football when the men play 15 years and may never win one. But at the end of the day, someone had to win and become the new owners of the cup and those medals so I am very grateful it was our team and would not change a thing!

Do you feel the Adelaide Crows could go back to back in 2018?

Absolutely! Why can’t we?! Our squad has only become stronger and there is certainly no complacency amongst the group, as we know how to win it. Next year we must improve. Season 2 is a whole new ball game so bring it on I say!
  ...

In the current Australian Rules football climate the idea of a national league team being located outside of Australia is still being viewed as untenable and unnecessary by many. So, imagine how far-fetched an idea it must have been to suggest the re-location of a VFL team to the United States back in the late 1980’s.

To further highlight the extravagance of the idea, many international-based competitions were yet to be created and only a very embryonic network of Australian Rules football competitions existed outside of Australia. In fact, the Sydney Swan shad only just moved permanently to the harbour city in 1982 and the West Coast Eagles and Brisbane Bears were admitted to the VFL in 1987 – the competition was barely a national one much less ready to go overseas.

Yet, the following excerpt from Michael Warner’s story in the Herald Sun newspaper sheds light on this idea – which almost ironically could be seen as a forerunner to expansion and development processes for the game in the decades following.

“A RADICAL plan to relocate a Melbourne club to Los Angeles in 1988 is detailed in documents uncovered by the Herald Sun. The LA Crocodiles would have played home matches at the Rosebowl in Pasadena or the Los Angeles Coliseum.

The audacious proposal had the backing of powerful football administrator Allen Aylett, who was consulting for the league on potential club mergers and relocations.

A formal submission was presented to the VFL commission in September 1987, but it was rejected at a board meeting one month later. Aylett - the VFL’s chairman from 1977-84 and a key player behind South Melbourne’s shift to Sydney in 1982 - approached a WA consortium about financing the relocation of a club to Canberra before the group presented the Californian counter-plan.

'It is proposed to relocate an existing Melbourne team to Los Angeles, preferably in time for the 1988 season,' the submission declared.”

Warner’s article certainly raises some interesting arguments for the international Aussies Rules community. Had the idea succeeded, the image of the game would already be enormous in the United States by now, and exponentially across the world. We wouldn’t be seeing experimental value in players like Mason Cox, Jason Holmes and others from that country.

But infinitely more likely, a failure of that project would likely have caused damage to the brand of Australian Rules football and the game would likely not have grown in the United States in the same way that it has to date.

To read the full article from the Herald Sun about this extraordinary concept, follow this link.  

Picture Credit: Herald Sun newspaper. ...

Tash Gunawardana interviewed Lauren Spark from the Western Bulldogs AFLW team. Spark plays ruck and key defender for the Western Bulldogs and she used to play for the Wimbledon Hawks in the AFL London competition and for Melbourne University in the VFL Women’s competition.

What made you choose women’s football over women’s beach volleyball?
I loved beach volleyball and still do, but it’s a tough sport to progress further in, with limited coaches and players available. I had always wanted to play football and wasn’t until age of 27 I met a friend who was playing and went down to join her at Melbourne University Women’s Football club.

Did you play any other sports growing up, other than beach volleyball and football?
Yes played all sorts, mainly tennis as a junior and then netball as a teen.

How old were you when you first started playing women’s football?
27 years, (been playing for 5 years, with 2 years spent in London).

Picture (right) Courtesy Western Bulldogs Football Club

What is your biggest sporting accomplishment?
Drafted to AFL Women’s Western Bulldogs

What did you enjoy most about playing for the Wimbledon Hawks in AFL London?
The social aspect was my favourite, I didn’t know a single person when I first arrived and joining the Hawks allowed me to meet new people.

How long did you play football for the Wimbledon Hawks and how long have you played football for Melbourne University?
Played for Hawks 2015 and 2016 (2 Years)
Melbourne University 2012-2015 (3 years)

How did you feel when the Western Bulldogs drafted you in 2016 at pick no.76?
Over the moon! I was sitting up at 4am in my London flat watching the draft live and couldn’t believe when my name was read out. Had to pack up London life and book a flight home the week later.

Which AFL player past and/or current do you model your game on?
I loved the way Glenn Archer (mad North Melbourne supporter growing up) went about his football.

What do you feel are your main strengths in football?
Using my height, strengths would be overhead and contested marking.

What areas in your football do you feel you need to improve in?
Working below my knees (ground balls) and becoming more aggressive during games.

What do you like doing other than playing football?
I love being outdoors, cute coffee shops (lots to find in Melbourne), nice food, travelling around the world, bit of scrapbooking sometimes.

Picture (left) Courtesy Western Bulldogs Football Club

What is your pre game ritual?
I like to get in early, and settle early. Hate feeling rushed. Like to mingle and have a chat to the girls. Always music playing and then get into pre game warm up, and always into the snacks before a match.

What is your go to meal after a football match?
Lucky we have very helpful nutritionists at the Bulldogs, and they feed us after a game, and by that stage I’m very hungry could eat anything.

What are you most looking forward to in your second AFLW season with the Dogs?
Building onto what we already begun to create in season one also a few new girls into the mix this season should also shake it up a little.

Picture Above and top from IC17 Where Spark was an assistant coach of the GB Swans.   ...

The AFL's All Australian team was announced back in September this year.  State of Origin football is in a long hiatus - but theoretical State teams are announced each year - a number of media outlets still name theoretical state teams and the Big Footy Forum has a selection of user submitted teams here for 2017.  They generally take in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia as well as an Allies team (NT, Tasmania, ACT, Queensland and NSW). 

But what about the rest of the worldω If the Rest of the World were to play against any of the teams above, what is the best team they could musterω  We have determined eligibility for our theoretical world selection along the line of the International Cup eligibility rules and we have named the 2017 World Team (so this does not include foreign born but Australian raised players).

This year we have named Irishman Zach Tuohy as captain of the 2017 team after his sucessful move to Geelong where he was a key part of the Cat's defence and featuring in finals footy.

As with the International Cup the coach can be Australian but should have a strong link with international football. This year we have selected David Lake the coach of the PNG Mosquitoes and assistant coach of the Brisbane Lions AFLW team.  Lake led the Mozzies to their second consecutive International Cup title.  

 As well as players now on full AFL lists, International Rookies (Cat B) and International Scholarship players this team includes;

• Sam Willatt  who was on the list at Sandringham this year but unfortunately didnt play much footy with a knee injury (sorely missed by the GB Bulldogs at IC17),
• Padraig Lucey who departed Geelong this year and played with Newtown in the Geelong Football Leauge, and also continued to be a dominant force in the Irish team at IC17
• Alex Aurrichio who departed Carlton and chased further chances in the NEAFL and the SANFL.
• Chen Shiaoliang who continues to be the face of Australian football in China, based at the Port Adelaide Football Club and debuted with the Port Adelaide Magpies this year. 
• Ben Carpenter-Nwanyanwu the American from the Austin Crows judged player of the tournament at IC17.
• Paul "Ace" Hewago Oea the PNG young gun awarded best on ground in the IC17 Grand Final and following his Under 16 Championships performances for Queensland is now part of the AFL Academy Squad. 
• Kiwis Will Gregson, Joe Baker-Thomas and Barclay Miller who have all spent time with the Sandringham/St Kilda VFL or TAC Cup setup.

This team is intended to be an annual announcement, you can see last year's team here. 

  ...

Nat Edwards from the www.afl.com.au website reports on the AFL’s latest bold move to use the new to be revealed AFLX football format as a key weapon in growing Australian Rules football in both China and India in coming years.

THE LEAGUE will use its new high-octane format, AFLX, to make a significant push into China and India in the future.

The fast-paced, shortened format will make its debut in February across three separate tournaments starting in Adelaide on February 15 at Hindmarsh Stadium.

Melbourne will host the second lot of AFLX round-robin matches at Etihad Stadium on February 16, before the game heads to Allianz Stadium in Sydney.

The game, which is played with 10 players per team, has been adapted to be played on rectangular grounds.

The ability to play AFLX at soccer and rugby venues will give the League more scope to push the game into non-traditional AFL states such as New South Wales and Queensland, while it also opens the door for the AFL to promote and develop the hybrid game in China and India.

AFL general manager of China, David Stevenson, told AFL.com.au the League had its sights firmly set on taking AFLX overseas to Asia.

"Absolutely [that's our goal]. I think there are two reasons for that," he said.

"One is we're targeting at kids and families, that's our primary audience. That's why we have a shorter format, 10-minute halves, high scoring, lots of active play in that time. It's targeted at young kids, which will work in New South Wales and Queensland, as well as China and India.

"The second reason is logistically, in those markets (China and India), there are no venues. In China as we found there are not a lot of venues that are oval. In India, it's a little easier as they play a lot of cricket, but in China it's harder.

"Some part of New South Wales and Queensland there's a lot of rugby and soccer fields, so AFLX could work there too."

The AFL hasn't yet set a timeline for when it might attempt to introduce AFLX into the Asian market, but it is keen to get participation programs up and running in those regions.

Australian football isn't a foreign concept in China, with Gold Coast and Port Adelaide playing the first ever game for premiership points in Shanghai in May last year.

Chinese broadcaster Guangzhou TV also aired regular AFL games during the 2017 home and away season, as well as last year's Grand Final.

Port Adelaide, in conjunction with the AFL, has also set up football programs at 15 schools in Shanghai.

India on the other hand is relatively untapped by the AFL, despite having the world's fastest growing economy.

A report published by the United Nations department of economic and social affairs has predicted India will be the world's most populous country by 2024, overtaking China.

In June last year, Essendon and Adelaide announced they were forming a strategic partnership to grow the game in India, in the hopes of eventually playing an exhibition match on Indian soil.

To view the original article from Nat Edwards, go to the AFL’s website at: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-01-02/x-marks-the-spot-for-asian-expansion

Picture Credit: www.afl.com.au ...

With the start of the new AFLW season getting closer – the Round One clash between arch rivals, Collingwood and Carlton, on February 2nd – Adam Curley from the www.afl.com.au website reports that the GWS Giants have a new weapon up their sleeve ahead of the new season – Irish legend, Cora Staunton.

ONE OF Ireland's most decorated athletes, Cora Staunton, is looking forward to being just another Greater Western Sydney player when the NAB AFL Women's season starts in February.

Staunton is a Gaelic football legend in her country, a dominant forward who just last month was named an All-Star – the equivalent of the AFL's All Australian honour – for a record 11th time. 

The 36-year-old is a household name in Ireland, having first represented her county Mayo in 1995, aged just 13, and is one of the game's biggest stars, so she told AFL.com.au just days after arriving in Sydney that she's happy to leave the spotlight behind to concentrate on learning her new code.

"At home, I'm expected to be the top scorer in every game, so this will be different and there'll be less pressure on me," Staunton said.

"The last two months I've made the news and the papers in Ireland. Every week there's been something about me coming to Australia in the media, but the reaction has been really positive.

"There's a little bit of a concern [back home] that the best female footballers might start leaving to come out and play here, but I don't think that will be an issue.

"They always panic about that sort of thing, just like they did when lads like Tadhg Kennelly, Zac Tuohy and Pearce Hanley came over.

"They don't like to lose their top stars."

Staunton said Kennelly and Tuohy, along with Sydney defender Colin O'Riordan and a host of other Irishmen, have made her move to Australia more comfortable, and having her brother Brian and his young family living in Sydney will also help her settle in.

"Most of the Irish boys out here have either called or texted me to offer their support. It's been brilliant," she said.

"Even the ones who were here but have gone home like [former St Kilda and Swans defender] Tommy Walsh have been in touch with advice."

Staunton arrived at GWS via last year's NAB AFLW Draft, almost 12 months after bumping into Giants' backline coach and Irishman Nick Walsh while they were in China while promoting Gaelic football.

Walsh spoke to Staunton about AFLW and asked if she had any interest in trying a new sport. After a brief skills session with the son of now-coach Alan McConnell in London a few weeks later, the Giants were convinced to recruit the veteran forward.

She fulfilled her county duties in November before jumping on a plane to begin what is sure to be the most challenging time of her sporting career.

"The opportunity to come over here and try and pick up a whole new game was too hard to turn down," she said.

"At times I think, ‘What am I doing hereω' but the Irish love a challenge more than anything else.

"Most of the skills are transferable. It's the shape of the ball and the physicality that are the biggest changes.

"The rules and the terminology are also a challenge but I've been doing plenty of cramming."

Staunton might have some learning to do about her adopted code, but McConnell said she was recruited for much more than her playing ability.

"She's really driven and that’s one of the biggest reasons we wanted her to be here," he said.

"She'll be a great role model for the rest of our team and bring a lot of experience, a wealth of knowledge, and high training standards to the group.

"That will no doubt help our group get better fast."

The original article by Adam Curley can be viewed at: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-01-07/aflw-irish-footy-legends-new-ball-game

Photo Credit: www.afl.com.au ...

In a big few weeks for the USAFL currently in the offseason, there has been change at the top and expulsion of Tampa Bay ARFC.

Steve Grandfield who was elected USAFL President just this past October has resigned the position "due to professional opportunities outside of football".  Following a highly successful National Championships in San Diego and riding a wave of optimism, the league is looking for some stability at the top after previous president Denis Ryan resigned for personal reasons and the position then being filled leading to this year's election by VP East, Mike Sheppard.

The MLF has heavy involvement from AFI the organisation run by Brian Clarke (CEO) and readers will also recognise another familiar name in Miro Gladovic from the "American Footy Star" concept who is the "Director of Pro Player Development".  

In response MLF released their own statement on their website, to quote the statement in part "Major League Footy is independent of the USAFL, which is the currently-recognized sanctioning body of the sport in the United States.

The business model of Major League Footy differs from the USAFL’s non-profit model, as it is based on the long-standing norms for American professional and semi-professional sports.

That business model is fused with an intent to focus only on the format of game-play best suited for American playing facilities, player availability, travel and the like – and is the model the St. Petersburg / Tampa Bay club has operated under since 2014.

As MLF continues gameplay in its second season this weekend, we remain steadfast in our hope that the American landscape of the greatest team sport in the world will see room for new approaches and efforts to always cooperatively grow our game. Together."

The full MLF statement can read here. ...

Tash Gunawardana recently interviewed Fremantle Dockers midfielder Dana Hooker ahead of the upcoming AFLW season. Hooker was the inaugural best and fairest winner for the Fremantle Dockers AFLW side in 2017. 

As you are one of the joint vice captains of the Fremantle Dockers women’s team, what is it like to be part of the leadership group?

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Tash Gunawardana interviewed former Adelaide United captain Marijana Rajcic who was selected at pick no.32 by the Adelaide Crows in the 2017 AFLW National Draft. Congratulations and good luck to Rajcic in her first season at the Crows this year.

Why did you swap codes from women’s soccer to women’s Australian Rules football?

It was something that came out of the blue really. I had not ever really thought about playing AFLW, until my best friend planted the seed in my head. The opportunity presented itself and I thought why not give it a crack. A new environment, new people and a new challenge.

Do you think there will be other players from the W League who might swap codes like you and play in the AFLW?

Yes for sure. We already have the likes of Bri Davey, Ellie Brush & of course Jenna McCormick who have made the switch to AFLW. But I know a number of girls who have made the switch and are currently playing SANFLW.  But as AFLW continues to grow, I know girls will see what AFLW has to offer them and make the switch.

 Image above source: thewomensgame.com

For you, what has been the biggest change from playing women’s soccer to playing women’s Australian Rules football?

The biggest change would have to be the shape of the ball haha. But also just how much ground there is to cover. The size of the oval compared to a soccer pitch is massive. So having to get more kilometres in my legs has probably been the biggest change.

How did it feel to be picked at no.32 in the 2017 AFLW draft by the Adelaide Crows? '

It was a very surreal feeling. It did not really sink in until preseason began. But you could not wipe the smile off my face that day.

Describe what women’s Australian Rules football means to you?

I have always loved AFL. I watch AFL every week, just like most people do in Australia. But I guess I never thought I would ever play the game. But I guess for me, it is a second chance. A second chance to play in an elite environment, and be playing a sport at the highest possible level in Australia. Image above source: Morne de Klerk/Getty Images AsiaPac

Who has been the player or players you have learnt the most from since being at the Adelaide Crows?

Ooooooooo this is a tough question. There are so many players I could mention that if I started listing them, I am sure it would end up being the whole squad. But I have definitely been absorbing as much information as I can to help me develop and improve as fast as I possibly can.

What is your biggest sporting achievement thus far?

Hmmm. This is a tough one. But I cannot go past being chosen as Captain of Adelaide United. It was definitely a proud moment and an honour to lead that group of girls.

As you were the captain of Adelaide United in the W League, what leadership skills can you bring to the Adelaide Crows?

My positivity and communication skills.

How do you prepare for a women’s Australian Rules football match and how do you recover after a women’s Australian Rules football match?

Well since I have only played a handful of Aussie Rules games, preparing to play is not too different to soccer; but just making sure my muscles are feeling good; I am relaxed and focused & know my job. After a match, Recovery is vital. Ice baths is at the top of the list followed by wearing compression tights.

What are you most looking forward to in your first season with the Adelaide Crows?

I'm just looking forward to getting this season underway & playing some football with my family!!!

Image above courtesy Adelaide Football Club.

  ...

Matt Heath from the NT News reports on the incredible community support shown for injured Darwin Buffaloes player, Tai Martin-Page, seriously injured in a match last weekend. It is over a week since the terrible incident that has left Tai facing paralysis, but the Darwin football community and beyond have come together through crowd-funding and well-wishing for Tai [pictured second from right]. Matt Heath’s article states that:  

THE family of a Territory footballer paralysed from the neck down after a sickening on-field clash in Darwin last weekend has been overwhelmed by the response to a fundraising campaign they have launched to try to get him back on his feet. 

Doctors late Saturday gave Tai Martin-Page the all-clear to shift from Royal Perth ­Hospital’s intensive care unit to a specialised spinal ward where he will begin his rehabilitation under the guidance of renowned spinal surgeon Edward Baddour.

 The 27-year-old has been told a final prognosis on his condition – and whether he will walk again – might be some time away but to expect “a long road ahead” after dislocating vertebrae in two places and damaging his spinal cord in the horrific collision in the opening minutes of the Northern Territory Football League match between his side Darwin Buffaloes and Wanderers at Darwin’s TIO Stadium on Saturday.

He was flown from Darwin to the Perth hospital for emergency spinal surgery last Sunday, where his brother Jay Martin-Page and family members have joined him. 

Jay Martin-Page said his brother was “doing fine and showing positive signs” and had been motivated by all the public support from across the country 

Jay and his partner Rachael Norman set up the public Help Tai Walk Again Go Fund Me page on Friday to help raise funds for medical and treatment bills and travel costs. 

In just over 24 hours, the page had generated half of the $100,000 goal. 

“Our family is absolutely overwhelmed with the amount of love, support and generosity with Tai’s Go Fund Me page – it’s truly amazing to see the amount of support and love everybody has for Tai and our family,” Jay said. 

Donations have included $10,000 from the AFL & NT Thunder. On the Go Fund Me page, the family writes that Martin-Page is regarded by everyone who knows him as a “Mr Positivity” and that they expect he will “rise to the challenge” in the face of the traumatic life-changing event. 

“Unfortunately the medical costs don’t come cheap, especially spinal care and rehabilitation, which is one of the most expensive in the medical field,” the page says.

“All money raised will go towards assisting with medical costs and ongoing treatment. Due to Tai not being treated in his home state, it will also help his family with travel and accommodation costs.” 

Martin-Page shifted from Laura to Darwin at the end of the SA season six months ago “to pursue his dream in football” and play in the summer NTFL competition. 

He made an instant impression in his first season with the Buffaloes and last week was set to be named as a 2018 signing for the NT Thunder.

In a mark of his character, Martin-Page has said he harbours no ill feeling to Wanderers player Mitchell Taylor, who will face an NTFL tribunal this week after his case was deferred last week. The Buffaloes made an emotion-filled return to the field yesterday at TIO Stadium. The league’s match review panel has charged Taylor with forceful front-on contact. To make a donation to Tai Martin-Page, visit  https://www.gofundme.com/HelpTaiwalkagain

Matt’s original story can be found at: http://www.ntnews.com.au/news/ntfl-friends-and-family-rally-around-buffaloes-player-tai-martinpage-after-spinal-injury/news-story/9619254d61e6256502bcf9ca38755edc

 Picture Credit: ABC News ...